January 3, 1881. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
5 
the younger as to the older votaries of horticulture. Skill and intelli¬ 
gence on the part of the subordinate play a large part in the successes of 
any garden. If I might be allowed to make a comparison between the 
young and old gardeners I should point to the exhibition tent, where the 
young meet in competition with the veterans of horticulture, and are not 
always second. I do not mean to assert the superiority of the younger 
gardeners, but I do most unhesitatingly aver that we have abundance of 
proofs that horticulture will not be allowed to fall from its present high 
position by those who are to continue its work. If “ H.” has the mis¬ 
fortune to know only the dark-coloured sheep of the flock, let me assure 
him that there are plenty of white ones also. 
With regard to education, we all know that success in any proper 
calling is through the school-book. But the growth of intellect depends 
on much more than a study of Lindley Murray and Colenso. To exclude 
all subjects from the studies of young men but those bearing directly on 
their vocation is as fatal in horticulture as it is in every other calling. 
A good foundation of general knowledge is the keystone to the study of 
special subjects. The mental powers must be first of all cultivated 
before they are used, and the higher the cultivation is the better will be 
However good the object may be of many of those 
who write for the advice of young gardeners, it is to be 
feared that the amount of good done is not at all propor- 
onate to the quality and quantity of the advice tendered. 
Gratuitous advice is not welcomed by those it is intended 
for. It is well meant, none of us doubt that, and we 
listen respectfully to what is said for our special edification, 
admire or laugh at it, and very often forget it. Speaking 
for that portion of the readers of the Journal of Horti¬ 
culture and other garden periodicals who do not read 
“ skimmingly and slightingly,” as ‘‘H.” asserts the larger 
portion of young gardeners do, it would be far more 
edifying to them if the matter submitted for their instruc¬ 
tion savoured less of the lecturing style and more of good 
practical information on subjects horticultural. If we are 
not as good as our grandfathers were when young, it can¬ 
not be for lack of advice ; but it is well to remember that 
Beatrice said she could easier advise twenty than be one 
of the twenty to follow her own instruction—a common 
failing among our species. 
“ H.” leads us to believe that he has long passed 
through the snares and pitfalls which beset the path of 
youth, and that he has passed through unscathed. We 
heartily congratulate him, as also we do on his having ac¬ 
quired ability and skill sufficient for his present position, 
which we trust is a good one ; and we shall not attempt to rob him of 
the satisfaction he derives from the result of his comparison of to-day’s 
young men with those of a past age when garden literature and 
gardeners were superior to what they are now. We do not admit, and 
will not deny, the accuracy of his opinion. Nothing to our advantage 
would accrue from the discussion of such a dictum. His sweeping 
accusations against the present generation of young gardeners, however, 
cannot be allowed to pass with impunity. He says, “ I know quite 
well that the old plodding spirit is fast dying out of our young men,” by 
which he must mean that there is a want of perseverance and energy 
observable in their work. How does “ H.” know that ? Such an 
accusation ought not to be made unless it can be proved, and it appears 
to us that to “ know ” that it is so is rather more than falls within the 
ken of any man. Not a single fact is adduced in support of such a 
charge, and it seems to us there is an abundance of facts which lead to a 
very different conclusion. The high tone of garden literature generally 
and the large demand there is for such, the steady rapid advance in all 
branches of horticulture made during the last decade, the interest taken 
in the scientific branches of gardening art, are due at least as much to 
Fig. 1.—Astrocaryum mexicanum. 
the results. “The brain is like the hand, and grows with using.” 
There are many things essential to the make-up of a good gardener 
besides a knowledge of rotation of crops, One-idea men are narrow- 
viewed. 
What “A Working Gardener” says on the subject of pleasure is 
pretty much what we heard at school. Until we are old men the delights 
of youth have their fascination, and we are not to be deprived of them. 
I am afraid to think what sort of beings we should be moulded into if we 
followed all the advice that is given. Is there to be no pleasure for 
young gardeners ? It has its place in every young man s existence and 
to ignore it shows lack of wisdom on the part of our self-appoimted 
advisers. I enjoy my “ cane and kid gloves,” a dance, a song, a novel 
when I am tired with or do not feel inclined for harder studies, and I do 
not think they harm me. Life is surely something more than mere 
bread-winning. In conclusion I would say advice is thrown away on 
those who are determined to get on ; and for the black sheep—well, 
perhaps they read it—hut in the words of the proverb, “ You can bring a 
horse to the water but you cannot make him drink.”—A YOUNG 
Gardener. 
gritty in the hand. The young plants should be potted firmly ; and 
liberally supplied with water both winter and summer ; indeed, in 
summer it will be highly beneficial to place the pot or tub in a large pan 
of water. 
A figure of the fruit of this plant was given in the Journal, page 553, 
vol. v.—E. 0. 
PAST v. PRESENT WRITERS-OLD AND YOUNG 
GARDENERS. 
What is the matter with “H., Notts?" Is his communication on 
page 544 last week a burlesque, or was it penned in “ sober seriousness ? ” 
Conscious, no doubt, of inherent strength, the Editor did not “ stop ” 
his hypochondriacal correspondent, preferring apparently to leave him 
to the Philistines. 
The “modern scribes” whom “ H., Notts," is so much concerned 
about are no doubt quite able to take care of themselves ; but does he 
not perceive that they cannot oppose his dogma without 
laying themselves open to a charge of egotism ? Not a few 
men of undoubted ability hesitate to proclaim their own 
“ skill and capacity.” They succeed, however, in maintain¬ 
ing their own credit by the excellence of their work, and 
endeavour to he useful to others by communicating know¬ 
ledge born of experience. 
Why, as a disciple of the honoured men who have gone 
before, does not your clever correspondent follow their 
example ? It is clear he has the pen of a ready writer, and 
if he possesses in an equal degree sound and practical 
knowledge on gardening matters, as presumably he does, 
would it not be more consistent to endeavour to make some 
return by enriching the pages of a journal which he admits 
has done so much for him, than to spend his time in demon¬ 
strating the truism that every generation does not produce 
a Macaulay, Scott, or Shakespeare ? 
Your correspondent’s strictures on young gardeners are 
far too sweeping to be reliable. With as much accuracy 
he might represent that all the gardeners of the past were 
as good and able as the few he quotes, and himself, as 
that all the young men of the present are as his peculiar 
fancy has painted them. Extreme criticism, however, 
seldom does harm, because—it is extreme. 
Some thoroughly good practical articles like those of 
old will now be expected from “ H., Notts," by—A 
Philistine. 
