288 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ April 9, 1885. 
best private collections in the provinces, but that owing to his illness and 
subsequent death a large portion had been sold. I noticed, however, that 
at that time a revival appeared to have set in, both Mrs. H. Wilson and 
her son, A. Wilson, Esq., taking much interest in them, and that interest 
being well supported and kept alive by their able gardener, Mr. E. Pidsley, 
who is an enthusiastic and skilful cultivator. Since then, this revival, 
which has been continued, first, by a very large number of judicious 
selections and purchases made from time to time during the year by 
Mr. Wilson, and secondly by the success which has attended their treat¬ 
ment and cultivation by his gardener. Mr. Wilson appears to be a good 
judge of what constitutes a first-class variety of the different species, and 
nearly the whole of the numerous, and often very costly, purchases he has 
made during the year are unusually good varieties. Hence the collection 
at Westbrook is likely to very soon equal in numbers and far surpass in 
value the same at its best period during the late proprietor's lifetime. 
The following is a list of Orchids in flower at the time of my visit, 
March 17th :—Ada aurantiaca, three plants, one a very strong piece, having 
seven flowers spikes ; Angrascum sesquipedale, flowers inches across, 
sepals 12Jf inches long ; Angrascum citratum ; Cattleya Trianae, several 
varieties; C. T. alba, a beautiful white variety, recently purchased from 
Messrs. Veitch, flowers 7 inches across, petals inches wide ; Cypripediums 
Boxalli, villosum, Haynaldianum, Lawrencianum, Roezli and Sedenii; 
Dendrobiums nobile, crassinode, crassinode Barberianum, lituiflorum 
and Cambridgeanum ; Lycaste Skinneri, two varieties; Laslia harpophylla, 
Masdevallias ignea, Shuttleworthi and triangularis ; Odontoglossums 
Rossi, maculatum superbum, Cervantesii, cordatum, triumphans, Ander- 
sonianum (this had thirty-four flowers on two spikes), tripudians, luteo- 
purpureum, nebulosum, three varieties, Uro-Skinneri (has been in flower 
six months), Alexandras, Pescatorei, gloriosum and cirrhosum (of each of 
these four a many varieties), Roezli album, Lindleyaflum, and Halli. Many 
others are coming into flower in the Odontoglossum houses, and in one 
case I noticed three strong flowering spikes, showing in all fifty-nine 
flowers from one pseudo-bulb ; Phalasnopsis grandiflora, a splendid variety, 
flowers 4 inches across ; amabilis, three fine varieties ; Luddemanniana, 
Stuartiana, very fine ; Schilleriana, three varieties, one has a spike carry¬ 
ing thirty-five flowers ; grandiflora and Sanderiana, beautifully coloured ; 
Sophronitis grandiflora ; Yanda tricolor, with three spikes, nine flowers 
on each spiko. 
There was also a specimen in flower of Anthurium Rothschildianum 
with a singularly attractive spathe, coloured white and scarlet, with an 
orange spadix.—W. K. W. 
UNDER GARDENERS. 
In penning a few more lines on this subject, I do so in no cavilling 
spirit, but with a sincere desire that under gardeners as a body may have 
justice done to them. I feel sure that many besides myself will resent 
the calm matter of fact manner in which “ H., Notts” has asserted, 
without having proved, that under gardeners are degenerating. If such 
really is the case, how is it that we can point to the splendid horticultural 
productions of modern times ? Surely those in subordinate positions are 
justly entitled to their share of credit to stimulate them to further 
efforts. Then, again, if your correspondent’s assertion is correct, how 
does he account for the fact that each year so many young head gardeners 
stand well up in the prize lists of our great shows when they are com¬ 
peting with their elder brethren ? Men must be judged by the result of 
their labours. “ H,, Notts” seems to think that bothy men of the present 
day are sadly behind their predecessors in the way in which they employ 
their spare time. Perhaps during his career he was thrown in with ex¬ 
ceptionally studious men. Speaking from my own experience, I can say, 
without fear of contradiction, that a large per-centage of the young men 
in bothies at the present day spend much of their spare .time in reading 
and studying those subjects connected with their calling. I know it is 
not the case with all of us, but can “ H., Notts,” inform us of any calling 
in which all the young men who pursue it are as diligent in the pursuit 
of knowledge as their interests demand ? I think young gardeners, as a 
body, will bear favourable comparison with any other class. 
Surely he would not debar us from some kind of manly invigorating 
recreation, which is necessary for the well-being of every class of mankind. 
To be shut up in a garden from one month to another hinders rather than 
helps advancement, and is apt to give one narrow and ungenerous views 
of life. It is a well-known fact that many of the greatest men the world 
has produced have been noted for their love of some kind of amusement 
as a means of refreshing both mind and body, so that they might be able 
to throw more life and energy into their more responsible duties. The 
very nature of a gardener’s calling, and the difficulties he has to contend 
with, often oblige him to spend many extra hours in labour, but with 
him as well as others, “AU work and no play makes Jack a dull 
boy.” 
I earnestly hope that in justice to all concerned, now this subject is 
being discussed, head gardeners throughout the country will, through 
the pages of this Journal (which always takes so much interest in the 
welfare of young gardeners), give their candid opinion as to whether 
under gardeners, with all their advantages, are, or are not, degenerating. 
To their decision we would bow, but not to the solitary opinion of 
“H Notts.” —An Under Gardener. 
As a brother under gardener, will you allow me, through the pages of 
the Journal, to thank “ T. C. D,, Herts,” for his two excellent and timely 
articles on head and under gardeners (page 206). I am sure every young 
gardener who has not only his own but the best interests of his profession 
at heart, will join me in thanking all those who, from time to time, render 
us such good service by their practical hints and kind advices through the 
columns of the Journal. Whether the rising gardeners have degenerated 
my limited experience prevents me deciding, but it has enabled me to 
form at least one definite opinion—namely, that in this age we need all 
the warning and advices our well-wishing friends are giving us. In the 
present day we certainly enjoy many privileges and advantages which 
our forefathers did not possess, still I think we are surrounded with many 
evils and temptations which they were equally ignorant of. In their day 
gardening was almost exclusively confined to noblemen’s seats, scattered 
throughout various parts of the country. Now it is different. There is 
scarcely a town of any importance which is not surrounded with the 
mansions and gardens of its wealthy citizens. Consequently we.find a 
good per-centage of the rising generation labouring in the very midst of 
all the allurements most likely to upset and turn young and inexperienced 
heads, empty their pockets, and steal much of their valuable time. That 
this is but too often the case, those whose lot has been cast in such places 
readily admit, and if fortunate enough to procure a situation in the 
country, look upon it as a sort of recruiting station, where body, mind, 
and purse soon realise the beneficial change. 
I quite agree with your correspondent that much of the evil effects of 
such surroundings would be lessened if head gardeners took more 
personal interest in their young men, especially as regards their occu¬ 
pation in their spare time. I do not propose depriving young men of 
their liberty, but I think all will admit that, when young, we are too 
prone to squander much time in useless amusements and even idleness, 
which might be employed to our own and our employers’ profit. _ There¬ 
fore I would recommend the younger members of the craft especially to 
take earnest heed of the advices they may at any time receive from their 
elders or superiors touching so important a matter, and however lightly 
they may think of it at the time, if neglected, they will most assuredly 
regret it in after life. Someone has said, “ that it is the use or abuse of 
our spare moments that moulds our character.” Let each of us make a 
nobler effort and firmer determination for the future.—D. BUCHANAN, 
Culzean. 
The communication under the above heading in your last issue from 
“ C. A. M. C.” is the most sensible that has been penned in connection 
with this subject. I say this without in the slightest degree wishing to 
disparage the letters—some of them admirable in their way—that have 
preceded it. Perhaps it is a little bold assertion to make, but the young 
gardener appears to have been too much preached at. There is a limit 
even to this. It is good when advising others to place oneself for the 
moment in the position of the advised, and ask how we should act under 
the circumstances. 
Of course it is good to endeavour to make ourselves, both practically 
and theoretically, master of one’s profession, even if some ipare time be 
devoted to it ; but do not let it be perpetual study, the mind needs some 
relaxation. Other suggestions of your correspondent seem to provide it 
in some measure. The young gardener, like his fellows in the great hive 
of human industry, has faults, but his pecuniary position prevents Ms 
going too far. A young man with 12s. or 15s. a week has not much to 
waste on the frivolities of life. 
The concluding sentences of your correspondent’s letter, “ There are 
few things like marriage and children to knock originality out of a man 
who has a small income. His mental growth is kept back by the fear of 
not being able to make both ends meet,” are well timed, and have a deep 
meaning. Many a man’s career has been marred by that prevailing 
desire to enter the bonds of matrimony. It is truly a bondage to some. 
Gardeners, young ones especially, perhaps more than any class, should 
bear in mind the old adage, “ Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”—J. B. 
“W. 0., Fota, Cork” writes:—“It may not be generally known 
that Celsia Aecturus, figured in your Journal, page 258, will stand 
from 10° to 15° of frost with impunity. We have a plant in a mixed 
herbaceous border which has been out for years with no protection. 
Both as a pot plant and for open borders it cannot be too highly 
recommended.” 
- Can any of our correspondents furnish “ R. G.” with a list of 
Annuals for a Garden in Hampshire close to the sea ? The names 
of a few only are wanted, but they must he such as will undoubtedly 
succeed in that position. 
- The twenty-ninth edition of the Official Guide to the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Kew, has just been issued, and presents in a greatly 
enlarged form a considerable amount of interesting information such as 
