680 THE 5 eARD£N£lt«' SOCIETY- 
or that thing ; that to possess knowledge of whatever nature, nothing 
more is necessary than the tlesire to do'sd, oinited with industry and 
application, and then point to some object for the attainment of which 
their efforts ought to be' directed. It is this which has improved the 
mechanic. From having an opportuuity of attending lectures upon 
the several sciences, and obtaining the privileges of an extending 
library, anew impulse has been ''giVeri' tO' his actions, "he "Sees ifc 
pleasures and the advantages of knowledge ; and when he beholds 
one of his companions, with no better opportunity for his improve- 
ment than himself, receiving a prize for some useful invention, or an 
^Sisay or some subject connected with natural or experimental philo- 
sophy, he feels his mind glowing with the desire of reaching the 
same attainments, and resolves that he perseveringly will continue 
h|fe exertions, until at least he equal if not excel, the individual 
v\|lom he bow considers so much his superior. Let similar induce- 
raents to mental improvement be held up to gardeners. Form socie- 
ties where their abilities may be tried, and diplomas awarded to them 
according to their meritj give out prize-essays, the rewards for 
\Yhich however small, their intrinsic worth , may possess a value on 
account of the honour which they confer, and a spirit of emulation 
being aroused, we may expect the beneficial effects to follow. Then, 
instead of wasting their spare hours, if not in unbecoming, at least in 
trifling pursuits, we shall see young gardeners directing their atten- 
tion to studies, which will give them a scientific knowledge of their 
profession, and make them more useful members of society, and then 
the art of gardening being reduced to its first principles, and divest- 
~^l^ of much of its obscurity, we shall be enabled to suit our opera- 
X'^^ons to the circumstances under which we are placed, and not so of- 
''^''tfen witness the failure of plans which had been recommended by, 
*^' ([and even answered well with) others Tvhere soil, situation, and cli- 
liiate were different. Miich has been done to encourage the growth 
^-^'6f good vegetables and fruits, by Horticultural societies, but nothing 
'^*^bas been attempted by them to encourage mental cultivation amongst 
«'''[j^'oung gardeners, upon whose abilities the future state of our art 
"" ^'afeptods. I am far from being so vain as to suppose that any sug- 
^*I^estion of mine will lead to the adoption of such a system, but, con- 
^'*^nced of its importance, I lay it before your attention, hoping it 
^"Vill receive the notice of some of your correspondents!^ who will be 
''V%rtt€?r*^eittalified to do the subject justice. Hi no -(^-aij-j qj ^guunur 
Jenifigs bsojsf I ! :; o,i wJl moil :j'i baiixGo aiijagaRTF. 
«^Bw-jSM^>«jfei»'«j Mne'\aihr^f^.vA3 Yi ^ n392 doina od tofi fliv/ Jk// arft 
Tt»irf!/ii! '111'. r-'^l(. ,<ihn.' fr<, tK-r hrifi -JFr w ofiT r^^Flin. Jftrtr ',e^ /urrr -rqrlt 
