January 1, 1835. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
3 
this is just the point that should not be lost sight of by 
gardeners, if those under them are to be useful, capable, and 
intelligent. I have invariably found that if men can be induced 
to think as well as act according to orders, they quickly recognise 
their share of responsibility, and not only do their work better, 
but learn to take a pride in it. But the man who wants someone 
to think constantly for him, grows more careless and inattentive, 
until he becomes so slothful that he remembers but little, and 
cares less whether he does that which he is told or not. 
The fact cannot be overlooked that young men are trained 
in inattentive and careless habits, if not directly, they are 
indirectly, as many besides myself could prove from experience. 
This is a sad mistake, especially when it occurs in early life, 
when young men through inexperience are incapable of dis¬ 
criminating what is really right and wrong in relation to their 
work. They are often allowed to get into this “come-day,” 
“go-day” system, and if not timely roused, it takes so firm a 
hold that it soon becomes part of their nature. When a change 
is made to another garden where such habits are not tolerated 
they have to commence unlearning, which is more difficult than 
learning the right method in the first instance. How many 
young men have been discharged from situations through being 
slow, careless, and inattentive, or have been reminded that they 
must alter quickly if they are to retain them. 1 could point to 
several who have been in this unfortunate position, and who 
have been taught to think, for the first time in all probability, in 
i - elation to their work, and how to accomplish it in the best 
possible way without wasting time. 
It is unfortunate that about 25 per cent, of young men are 
badly trained—judging from my own experience—and although 
capable of doing their work after a fashion, it is in the majority 
of instances in such a manner that is likely to lead to disastrous 
instead of successful results. It is evident that habits of care¬ 
lessness, inattention, and indifference are allowed to exist to a 
large extent somewhere, or such young men would be better 
schooled in the transaction of their duty. In at least twenty 
cases out of twenty-five it is not actually the fault of the men, 
but the responsibility falls upon those who should have known 
and learned them better. 1 have had men who were almost 
useless for the position they had to fill, and nearly parted with 
them, but finding that they were thoroughly honest in every 
respect, and only wanted “rousing” and “drilling” to make 
creditable men, I have resolved to give them a further trial, 
provided they agreed to exercise a little thought—in short, to 
unlearn and learn afresh. These terms have been agreed to, 
and I am proud to say the majority have turned out as well as 
I or any gardener could wish that requires abundance of work 
well done and in the least possible time. The result of dis¬ 
charging these young men would probably have been an end to 
their gardening career and good men driven out of the profession, 
not for any fault of theirs, but through negligent training. I 
need scarcely urge upon gardeners and others the importance of 
bearing patiently for a time with men of this stamp, instead of 
deciding hastily to send them adrift. 
The time will soon be at hand again when those young men 
thinking of changing will do so, and this is one reason for 
penning the above. The most important of all is, however, to 
consider whether the system of changing in vogue at present 
amongst young men is the wisest and best by which they can 
become acquainted with the many and varied branches of gar¬ 
dening. It is undoubtedly the only system in existence by which 
a general knowledge can be gained; it nevertheless has ob¬ 
jections, and not the least is the fact that changes are made 
without exercising the slightest thought in the matter, in 
many cases a change is made simply because the term indicated 
has been served. This is the greatest fault, and has, I fear, 
become a general practice. It must not be forgotten by my 
young friends that changing from garden to garden is like 
putting your hand in a lottery where there are more blanks than 
prizes. In the past I have changed, and regretted doing so 
afterwards, for another year in the old school would have been 
much more to my advantage than two in the new one. The very 
opposite in other instances has been the case. Before deciding 
to change according to custom, my advice is, Think the subject 
over carefuly, and if a decision is arrived at that all has been 
learned that it is possible to learn under the circumstances, then 
a change will be beneficial for future interests. Where men are 
kept in one house or in one department, with no prospect of 
going into others, the length of time named is quite long enough 
before changing; but where there are several departments, and 
the men are not confined to the work in the one over which they 
may have charge, they have a better chance of gaining a general 
knowledge, and the term usually served is too short. 1 am no 
advocate for confining men in one department, but prefer their 
taking part wherever work is required to be done, in addition to 
shifting them from one department to another periodically, so 
that they are kept conversant with the work of the establish¬ 
ment generally. 
My advice is, Think before acting, and do not hastily decide 
to change because some of the work in which you may be 
engaged is disagieeable, for it may prove more so in the next 
place. There is always something to complain about wherever 
we may go, and I trust that young men will not be led away by 
thinking that if they surmount one difficulty by changing, that 
others will not present themselves, and perhaps of a more 
formidable character. 
It is undoubtedly advantageous that things, places, and 
persons are not exactly as we would desire them, and that we 
cannot always have what we wish. Many an obstacle and 
difficulty has been surmounted by bringing into force the 
thinking powers with which we are endowed, and brilliant 
successes have resulted in many instances. What can be accom¬ 
plished by one, may by others be attained by intelligent thought 
and perseverance.—W. Bardney. 
AURICULAS. 
These are now in their winter condition ; nearly all the old leaves 
are fading, but the buds are plump, well ripened, and the roots are 
in the best condition. Several of my plants produced trusses in early 
autumn, but happily there was plenty of time after they showed for 
the plants to make excellent buds, which, thanks mainly to the 
splendid autumn we enjoyed, they have done, and from some of them 
I expect fairly good trusses next spring. I believe the chief reason 
why my plants flowered in autumn was the very hot weather we had. 
I do not think the time of potting has much to do with it. The 
green-edged varieties were worst in this direction, and I should be 
glad if other growers would say if they have observed these to pro¬ 
duce most autumnal trusses? It rarely occurs in seifs and Alpines. 
I have seen other good collections this autumn, and I am of opinion 
that the shows of 1885 will quite reach, if not surpass, the excellent 
standard of 1884. There will not be a large influx of maiden growers, 
but the young hands are becoming adepts, and their collections are 
increasing, so it is more than probable the stages will be fuller than 
usual and the majority of the classes more keenly contested, while 
we may be quite sure the old exhibitors wiil do their utmost to hold 
their own. 
A word as to the present treatment of Auriculas may be useful, 
for while little is necessary to be done that little must not be ovS*- 
looked. Never allow the decaying leaves to remain on the plants 
after they are useless, yet do not remove them before they reach the 
latter condition. If allowed to become thoroughly decayed they are 
liable to cause decay in the others or the stem itself. I recently saw- 
some fine plants of Colonel Taylor lost through neglect of this simple 
action. Keep the plants on the dry side, by which means they will 
be kept at rest. I examine my plants at least twice a week, and give 
a little water to those that are dry, as it is injurious to bake them so 
as to shrivel leaves and roots, such conditions being quite opposed to 
their natural requirements. Have a keen eye for drips, especially if 
the plants are wintered in a frame. Take advantage of a showery 
day to examine the lights, and if any plants are in danger remove 
them to safe quarters, for if moisture is allowed to fall upon the 
bud decay may set in and destroy the plant quickly. Ventilate freely 
upon all suitable occasions. It is likely Auricula growers have never 
had so much occasion to ventilate since the end of October as this 
season, owing to the very mild weather. At present (December 23rd) 
there is an indication of sharp weather, which will be wholesome, and 
greatly assist in keeping the plants back. Some varieties are naturally 
earlier than others and great care must be exercised to retard their 
flowering. Miss Lightbody (Ligktbody), Glory, Acme, and several 
others are inclined to come in early ; such should be keenly watched 
and checked in time. This will be best accomplished by removing 
them to a shady cold frame. Others, again, are inclined to lag and 
frequently require assistance, such as Richard Headly, Headly's New 
Green, and frequently Prince of Greens. These and some other 
varieties will need the sunniest position possible for them. 
It is a great pity that so many of the fine varieties raised by Mr. 
Horner and others do not find their way into more general cultivation. 
Is there an understanding within certain limits that they shall not be 
distributed ? I make these remarks because in some collections 
where I have seen them there has been no attempt to increase them 
beyond the ordinary method of removing side shoots, which, most of 
them are slow to produce. It is regretable if their distribution is to 
be limited. 
As to the value of top-dressing I am very sceptical, and l am 
inclined to look upon it as being really prejudicial in the end ; conse¬ 
quently I did not adopt the practice with one of my plants last season, 
