December 13,1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
503 
other persons may if they choose do what I had intended. This was 
to inarch growths of Chrysanthemums in summer when the wood was 
getting firm and the sap what 1 may term perfected. This would not 
hai e been done by the removal of thin slices of bark an inch long, but 
by rather deep cu!s at least six times that length, so as to bring as 
much as possible of the alburnum of both varieties in contact in each 
case, binding with moss and keeping it moist to effect an union. 
I ms could be done, and is much more likely to result in an inter¬ 
mixing of sap, conducing to sporting, than by operating on soft 
young watery shoots for the following reasons. 
The wood of which the split Apple grafts above alluded to were 
made was necessarily matured and the full virtues of the sap 
secieted. Had young growths been united and attached to others 
under artificial conditions, it is extremely improbable that any change 
whatever would have been effected. From inductive reasoning I will 
turn to practical experience, which has perhaps some bearing on the 
theory propounded. Inarching the soft young growths of Vines has 
been done in thousands of instances. 1 am unable to say how many 
I have seen or even done, but I have never observed the slightest 
change in the character of the fruit by those unions, nor seen an 
authenticated record of such change having been effected. But if 
we turn to the practice of inarching matured wood the results are 
very different. Changes in size, form, colour, flavour, and time of 
iipening of the fruit have followed in numerous instances, not a few 
being very marked, such as a black and white bunch on the same rod ; 
but as showing the fugitive character of the Vine, the eyes from the 
lateral bearing the white Grapes produced Vines that gave nothing 
but black ones. There is more stability in Chrysanthemum sports ; 
and if there are any growers who are disposed to encourage their 
production, and it is certain there are many, the most direct way to 
success as suggested by failures with these plants and experience 
with others would, it seems to me, be by inarching the matured 
growths towards the end of summer. — J. Weight. 
A WORD TO YOUNG GARDENERS. 
In your recent announcement of the “ Work of the Journal” 
you include “Advice to Young Gardeners.” 'J his is no new item 
in your programme. It is now nearly twenty years since I first 
appealed to you for counsel, which was responded to in a manner 
quite unexpected by me, and the sound advice then given in a 
lengthy article by your much-esteemed late correspondent, 
Mr. R. Fish, very much stimulated my exertions at self-improve¬ 
ment. I must, however, confess that too much of my time when 
housed in a bothy was wasted in frivolous amusement. At the 
festive season, Christmas, with its family parties and friendly 
reunions, when the wrongs of the past are forgotten, and con¬ 
gratulations and good wishes are freely exchanged, it may not 
be altogether out of place to jot down a few thoughts for youncr 
gardeners a little in sympathy with the period, as the new year, 
with its retrospective thoughts and fresh resolves, is approaching. 
A bricklayer may soon master the few technical terms in 
connection with his trade, as may most of the mechanical 
tradesmen in a longer or shorter term of years, much depending 
of course on the intelligence and aptness of the pupil. r l he 
gardener’s education, on the other hand, may truly be said to 
have no completion. The field he labours in is so vast, and the 
subjects so numerous, that very few indeed ever attain a perfect 
knowledge of all the different branches of the science and 
practice of gardening. One man may find himself placed in a 
position to study a particular branch, and having a taste for it 
he makes it his hobby; another man, differently situated and 
with different taste, strikes out on another branch, and so 
there may be said to exist a class of specialists. To these men 
horticulturists are much indebted. Their experiences are being 
continually held up to us in the press, and so others are aided in 
their efforts to follow in their steps. 
A good gardener must, however, be known as something more 
than a specialist; he must have a good “ all round ” knowledge 
of the business. A man may be a first-class Orchid grower, and 
may suit his employer in this respect very well; but if the cook 
begins to run short of vegetables, or the butler of salads, he will 
soon get into hot water, much to the annoyance of all parties. 
Let me urge, then, on all young men, that whatever they may 
take up as a special subject, never ride a hobby io the exclusion 
of attaining a good general knowledge of their business. 
I think all young men should have a good knowledge of the 
kitchen and fruit garden before going permanently indoors. 
Digging, trenching, manuring, rotation of crops, the dates of 
sowing to secure a constant supply of various kitchen garden 
crops, planting, pruning, root-pruning, nailing, grafting, budding, 
and a knowledge of the numerous varieties of hardy fruits are 
quite as essential elements in a gardener’s education as anything 
to be learned in the houses. Many young men, however, when 
once they are placed “ under glass ” seem to think such things 
beneath their notice, and scarcely ever take note of what is 
going on outside. This is a great mistake. There are so many 
things to be learned that it is impossible to learn only one thing 
at a time. Whether outdoors or indoors a young man who 
wishes to get on must never lose an opportunity of making 
himself acquainted with everything that is going on about the 
garden, and, if need be, take a note of all operations. 
The next important subject is, perhaps, the bower garden. 
The various plants used in summer and spring bedding—carpet¬ 
bedding plants and the mixed borders, the formation and 
management of walks and drives, lifting and laying turf, in 
making lawns and their proper keeping, planting and manage¬ 
ment of shrubberies, and other matters connected with laying 
out a new or renovating an old place, are all subjects of import¬ 
ance and cannot be too soon laid hold of. 
Indoors a knowledge should be had of the various sorts of 
Grapes, Peaches Nectarines, Figs, and other fruits; acquaintance 
must be made of the occupants of the stove, the greenhouse, 
conservatory, and fernery; how to propagate them, how to pot 
in suitable soils, watering, shading, ventilating, Ac., the growing 
of Melons and Cucumbers, the forcing of Asparagus, Seakale, 
Rhubarb, and Kidney Beans, are a few of the many things that 
have to engage the attention of the indoor gardener. And last, 
but not least, good practice in the stokehole and proper manage¬ 
ment of the circulation of the water in a heating apparatus, 
Some knowledge of vegetable physiology is very desirable, 
and chemistry, as far as it relates to soils and manures, is also 
useful and important. As to botany, a lecturer recently impressed 
upon the Manchester gardeneis that “the botanist and horti¬ 
culturist were inseparably connected with each other, and no 
horticulturist, without some knowledge of botany, would proceed 
clearly in his work.” To young men whose education, like my 
own, is but limited, the study of botany with its many technical 
terms is uphill work indeed, and only those who have a tasfe for 
it, and perseverance enough, succeed in mastering it; but few 
need despair of gaining such a knowledge of it as will be useful 
to them as cultivators. 
Geometry is also a subject that every young'gardener should 
have some knowledge of. In laying out a geometrical flower 
garden, in planning and planting carpet or large beds of ordinary 
bedding plants, where a design or figure has to be worked out, a 
knowledge of drawing is absolutely necessary. It is also of no 
less importance that a gardener be able to understand a plan of 
any garden structures about to be erected, that he may be able 
to check any mistakes in the construction or arrangement of 
pipes, paths, or staging before the work is executed, and so save 
expense to his employer and annoyance to all parties. These 
are a few of the subjects it is necessary that every young man 
should direct his attention to. To enumerate all the things a 
gardener is sometimes expected to know would fill a volume. 
And now the question arises, How is a thorough knowledge 
of gardening in all its branches to be best obtained ? I mean, how 
are young men to prosecute their studies to the best advantage ? 
There are many readers of these pages who could give us valu¬ 
able information on this, and I am sure it would be prized by all 
who have young men under them, as well as by many who are 
struggling at self-improvement where there are few helps and 
little encouragement, where there are three or four young men 
together with an intelligent foreman, or a head gardener who 
takes an interest in the improvement of his men—they help each 
other on; but there are thousands who have no such advantage. 
If a bothy census was taken, and an average struck, it is probable 
it would not exceed two or three young men to a bothy. Where 
there is only one or two they are generally both to a certain 
extent inexperienced ; and if the gardener does not help them, it 
is only those who have natural intelligence and perseverance 
who make any progress, till they begin to come into contact 
with others who exercise an influence over them. 
In the first place I think it necessai’y that they should be 
methodical in all they do, from the crocking of a I’ower pot, the 
washing of a plant, to the study of physiology, chemistry, or 
botany. While they work with their hands let them think 
and always be ready to give an intelligent reason for this or that 
if called upon to do so. A note-book and pencil should be their 
constant companion. The very art of writing anything down 
is often the means of impressing on the memory. This is 
especially commendable in read’ng any book or periodical which 
when read passes into other hands, and therefore cannot be 
referred to again. In quoting from a standard work, or from 
any other source, always make note < f the author, and the pages, 
or the date of publication in periodicals. In like manner, when 
visiting any neighbouring gardens never fail to take a note 
