•January 8 , 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
23 
O N the principle that the looker-on is said to see most of the 
game, I may perhaps he allowed to refer to a few things 
which arrested my attention in the new year’s issue of the Journal 
of Horticulture. The idea which moved me to make this attempt 
followed on the remark of a no mean judge of gardening and 
journalism. The observation was not intended for publication ; 
indeed, not intended for me to hear, for it was just the “ thinking 
aloud ” of the reader who had been scanning the pages, and on 
-closing the number put his thoughts into these words, “ Not a bad 
•beginning anyhow.” 
The “anyhow” in the sentence may possibly be considered a 
superfluity, one of the Americanisms I am told that are becoming 
•established among us, and -which do not add either precision, 
dignity, or euphony to the mother tongue. I feel, however, that I 
eught to reproduce the remark with fidelity. It induced me 
probably to read the several articles more carefully than I might 
etherwise have done, and on concluding I was impelled in a sort of 
unconscious way to almost repeat the verdict, for my opinion was 
■condensed in the formula, “ A good beginning decidedly.” This is 
the old English style, and I like it better than that of my friend 
who had been in the “ States.” The word “anyhow” that forms 
11 tag to so many sentences in these latter days is to me unmeaning, 
and sounds half apologetic, but there is nothing hesitating in the 
homely substitute “decidedly,” for it gives emphasis to the expres¬ 
sion. Let me say I am an advocate of good workmanship in every¬ 
thing, including the literature of horticulture. Even a clumsy man 
enjoys the finished work of experts. Dabblers in paint crowd to 
admire the works of the “ masters ” at the Academy, and the most 
unaccomplished growers of plants, fruits, and vegetables rejoice 
■over the snperior productions at horticultural shows, thus we may 
hope, becoming inspired to strive for equal skill in the noble 
work of cultivation. 
We admire bravery and endurance on the part of those who 
succeed in great enterprises, and also in those who fail after 
strenuous endeavour, even if engaged in war and making the world 
poorer by the waste of life and wealth. I am not disposed to 
quarrel with that, but I do think that those who engage in work 
that beautifies and enriches the world by their intellects and 
hands, as in gardening, are not estimated by the world at their 
proper value. Writing not as a gardener or a litterateur, but as a 
simple member of the community—-a looker-on at the work of 
others—I feel sure we cannot hold in too high esteem those who 
co-operate in producing such a good beginning as is made by the 
Journal of Horticulture in the year 1891. Their influence for 
good is greater than they imagine. They afford pleasure and 
disseminate instruction, also encourage and stimulate those who 
engage in gardening as a vocation or as a delightful pursuit, and 
incite others to do the same. Thus is the world made better 
and homes bright jr, and all who labour to that end are benefactors 
■of the nation. 
A short time ago a correspondent appeared to be wishing for a 
return of past times and old writers. It so happens that at least 
two of the “ ancients ” had a share in the “ beginning ” of another 
year’s work in the pages which they have so long enriched. It is 
gratifying to observe their brisk vitality, for one of them looks 
“ hopefully forward,” closing with cheery wishes ; and the other 
No. 550.—VoL. XXII., Thied Seeies. 
grumbles like a young boy, yet so pleasantly that he makes himself 
as enjoyable as if he were singing praises of satisfaction. By the 
way, a little rivalry almost seems to exist between the two veterans, 
for claims have been advanced either by or for both to the honour 
of being the “oldest contributor” to the Cottaeje Gardener, which 
developed into present form, and extended its title accordingly. 
Would it not be interesting if che dates could be given when the 
first contributions appeared from them for establishing the position 
of priority ? The long labours of both in their respective spheres 
as clergyman and gardener—both being alike zealous as horticul¬ 
turists—show how conducive is the occupation of gardening to 
health of body and mind. Statistics tell us that clergymen head 
the list in longevity, and that gardeners come next in the several 
professions and vocations under which the community is grouped, 
and I am sure all must rejoice that two such excellent types of 
these are so intimately connected with the Journal of Horticulture. 
While the writings of the young are fresh and welcome, and the 
optimism of enthusiasts stimulating to thought and effort, the 
weight that is imparted by long experience steadies the ship, 
contributing, as it were, to her stability and safety. This, after 
all, is the great desideratum. Express races to the north and 
“ greyhound rushes ” across the Atlantic excite for the time, but 
the common sense of the public asserts itself, and is guided to a 
conclusion by the reasoning of experienced men of sober minds. 
“ D., Deal," in his article last week, makes well timed reference 
to the subject of fruit culture, and utters words of wisdom in 
connection therewith. “ If growers do not expect unreasonable 
things the proper cultivation of approved hardy fruits cannot but 
be of benefit to growers and the good of the community.” The 
words “ proper ” and “ approved ” in that sentence cannot be 
kept too well in mind, because there can scarcely be a doubt that 
thousands of trees have been planted which will yield, as many 
have already done, little beyond disappointment. Persons of 
limited means and no cultural experience have been induced to 
“ expect unreasonable things ” in the form of great and certain 
profits arising from fruit culture,- and invested their stored earnings 
in it. Others have relinquished permanent positions and situa¬ 
tions and embarked in the same enterprise in the race for wealth. 
They did not foresee the difficulties in which they have found them¬ 
selves, and from which they are struggling to be free. The barren 
fruit year of 1890 will have been a boon to many if it puts 
a “ wholesome check on extravagant expectations,” which have 
undoubtedly been too largely indulged in. It is only by the 
exercise of the soundest of judgment both in the choice of varie¬ 
ties and soil, coupled with practical knowledge, or working under 
the guidance of experienced men, that the hopes of planters of 
fruit trees can be realised, and the less “ extravagant ” these hopes 
are the greater will be the satisfaction. 
Every home with suitable land attached should be supplied with 
home grown fruit as far as the seasons permit, and the better the 
surplus the more acceptable it will be to the landless ; but this home 
culture should be regarded as an “ extra ” to other means of live¬ 
lihood, not as a substitute for them, or at least till actual experience 
and adequate resources justify the extension. The public has been 
misled by false statements on the subject of fruit, the maximum 
profits arising from an exceptional crop grown under special cir¬ 
cumstances having been dangled before the world as every year 
attainable by all who plant trees. Nothing can be more utterly, 
and it may be said cruelly, false than that, as many have found, and 
some too late, by the experience of the past year. The better the 
varieties and the healthier the trees the more valuable will the 
crop of necessity be, and therefore all reasonable endeavour should 
be made to prepare for their production, but the best of fruit trees 
grown by the most competent of men were barren last year, and 
will be again when the climate again proves master. The rich 
and the competent can take care of themselves, but the comparative 
poor and quite inexperienced in the work should be told of the 
No. 2200.—VoL. LXXXIV., Old Sbeies. 
