September 21, 1882. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
263 
- - 
21st 
Tu 
Northampton Horticultural Show (two days). 
22nd 
F 
23rd 
S 
24th 
SUN 
16th Sunday after Trinity. 
25th 
M 
2fith 
Tu 
27th 
W 
Sale of Bulbs at Stevens’s Rooms, Covent Garden. 
CHANGE OF SITUATIONS. 
UCH caution should be exercised by gardeners 
in changing places, for it is easier to leave one 
MyIV®’ than find another. In nine cases out of ten 
it is, in my opinion, a mistake, loss, and dis- 
^ _ advantage to change situations. In practical 
gardening it is important to lay a good founda¬ 
tion, and in every branch of the profession it is 
important to look well ahead, as preparations have 
to be made for future success. This is true in the 
management of both flower and kitchen gardens, as 
well as in making Vine borders and cultivating hothouse plants. 
Generally speaking it is those who begin well that succeed and 
rise to distinction. Leaving a garden before the results of 
good practice are manifest is a great loss to clever young men, 
and it is equally a loss to their employers, for hardly two gar¬ 
deners follow the same practice or work on the same lines. 
Viewed from any standpoint, changing situations is disadvan¬ 
tageous to both employers and employed. This is well known, 
for in the gardens of gentlemen who change their servants 
often there is seldom much to admire—nothing first-rate at¬ 
tracts attention. And if the careers of clever young gar¬ 
deners who unwisely leave situations be followed and examined 
it will be found that their mistakes have not been unattended 
by misfortune, mistakes sometimes so great as to excite the 
sympathy of ' friends, though accompanied with some disap¬ 
proval. These things are well known. If there is no remedy 
_no way of preventing such mistakes—the matter should 
not be mooted at all; but if such failures can be prevented, 
why not discuss the matter fully in a common-sense way, with 
a view to guide young men to begin well, and help them in a 
career of happiness and success ? 
Some twelve or fifteen years ago a fine young gardener re¬ 
quested me to find^a situation for him. He was asked what 
he was leaving his present one for. “ Because I don t get 
wages enough." “Is that all?" “Yes." “ Have you asked 
for higher wages?" “No; because I know my employer 
wo’n’t advance my wages." “I know your employer better 
than you do, andH am certain he will raise your wages if you 
are a good servant and keep his gardens in good order—that 
is, if you respectfully ask him for a rise of salary. But pray 
do not give the slightest hint of leaving his employment, and 
assure him that you like his place and have no fault at all to 
find with the treatment you receive, but owing to the high 
price of meat, bread,"and house rent you would feel indebted 
to him for a rise of "salary." When the young man carried 
out these instructions his master said, “Gardener, I have to 
buy dear meat [and bread as well as you, but I will give vou 
£10 a year more salary." So far as I know the gardener rs 
still with the same gentleman. 
Why are there so many changes of places ? Many reasons 
doubtless could be given, and many men will differ in opinion 
as to the fundamental cause. It is well known that many 
ladies and gentlemen do not like changes of servants ; and 
gardeners, for their own sakes and that of their families, 
should dislike it more, for changes to them ofte n are greater 
losses and inconvenience than to the employers. Why, then, 
change situations and look forward to an uncertain future 
for greater advantages? Why not let well alone and make 
the most of our present possessions ? In my opinion very 
many men are their own greatest enemies—fight most against 
their own interests, and are influenced by disco ntent and 
undue ambition. I believe in the competency of wise and 
instructed gardeners to give satisfaction to ninety-nine em¬ 
ployers out of every hundred. A great American once said, 
“‘I can’t do it’ never did anything, ‘I’ll try’ has done 
wonders, but ‘I will do it’ has performed prodigies.” I like 
this statement much, for I believe that men who do their duty 
willingly and cheerfully, and serve their masters to the best of 
their abilities, are everywhere held in high esteem. In all 
situations dutiful and upright conduct is highly appreciated. 
Well, then, let duty to employers be the pole star of service. 
Gardeners are expected to grow good crops of fruit, vegetables, 
keep their gardens well, and treat their employers with respect. 
All this is in the contract, which, if well done, will give satis¬ 
faction to all parties, and, moreover, go a long way to prevent 
separations between masters and servants. 
Active thoughtful gardeners consider no effort too great to 
meet the wishes of their employers. They anticipate their 
wants and prepare for them beforehand. Unfortunately some 
men look on service as a kind of slavery, and never enjoy 
happiness of freedom. Such men are slaves indeed. Others, 
again, fancy they should be gentlemen without going along 
the dust} 7 road of duty. Very often they get their reward, 
which is one of disappointment and discomfort. Let the 
watchwords of all servants be, “ duty ’’ and “ willing cheerful 
service.” Let the gardens entrusted to their care bo in as per¬ 
fect a state of keeping as possible. Measure not time or ser¬ 
vice by the hour, nor decline extra labour. 
Failures to please employers arise oftener from inattention 
and carelessness than from inability. To those who are con¬ 
scious of having failed to meet their employer's wishes and 
expectations what can be said? If they are quite ceitain the 
fault is not on their side, and that it is impossible for them to 
keep the gardens well or give satisfaction, we fancy their better 
way is to leave, first explaining their difficulties to their masters ; 
but if they are conscious of not having fulfilled the duties of 
their position they ought at once to redouble their efforts by 
devoting more energy and attention to their work. 
One word to young men commencing gardening. If they 
begin well they will probably continue to do well. During 
their pupilage or apprenticeship they should gi v e their best 
attention to the study of gardening in all its branches, for if 
they acquire a thorough knowledge of it they will become 
increasingly fond of it. Enthusiasm in any profession is no 
mean virtue, for such men inspire those around them with a 
similar feeling. All this tends in the direction of success and 
distinction. When a head situation falls to the lot of men of 
this stamp they do not forget to serve, for they love gardening 
No. 117.—Yon. V., Thim^sebies. 
No. 1773.—' voi. LXYIIl.. Old Seiiies. 
