April 25, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUhE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
361 
germination kept the plants standing in a cool structure until the 
ground was fit for planting. These plants have done so well that, 
notwithstanding the little extra labour involved, it may in future 
years be worth while to continue the practice. I sowed four sorts, but 
the one I am referring to was Chelsea Gem for the earliest crop. Leaf 
mould was employed for two reasons—first, because in it the seedlings 
would root freely ; and next, because the roots could be lifted without 
breaking, and could be easily shaken free of soil. 
The seeds were evenly distributed, at a distance of one-half to three- 
quarters of an inch apart. As soon in March as the ground was fit to 
work, the seedlings were laid in shallow trenches ; two lines were 
planted together 9 inches apart, and the space between each plant was 
about 3 inches ; the rows were 2 feet apart; a little free soil was placed 
something to work for, and one not only works harder at the subject, but 
finds a greater pleasure in doing so. 
We, as gardeners, must not look on theory as useless (it is to those 
who study theory alone), but as a valuable help; for, combined with 
good sound practice, it is a boon which only those who know it can 
appreciate. How many plants are killed annually by diseases which are 
preventible? How much manure is wasted by those not knowing the 
plant’s requirements, besides the losses due to overfeeding ? Many other 
instances could be given of the value of a theoretical^knowledge of our 
work, but the above will suffice. 't •uHK' i 
Readers, your attention was called last week by A. Kemp to the 
following paragraph written by “ H. 0. H.,” page 290 :—“Let a man 
by perseverance and study obtain a first-class certificate for the superior 
Fig. 61.—HARDENBERGIA COMPTONIANA. 
over the roots, and the rows were staked at once with short Spruce 
branches. It is only by contrasting these with the earliest sowing in 
the open ground that the full extent of the benefit is seen, and that not 
alone on account of the advanced growth, but also the greater vigour of 
the plants.— R. P. Brotherston. 
EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE. 
I HAVE read the remarks on page 290 by “ H. O. H.,’’ also those by 
Mr. A. Kemp, page 333, on the above subject, and I tbink there is a 
certain amount of indiscretion in clinging as they do so tenaciously to the 
practical part of gardening alone ; for the man who understands the 
science and practice of gardening has a much better chance of doing his 
work successfully than one who is only practical. It is well known that 
men could gain from books full particulars to enable them to pass an 
examination, but if they do so, what do they gain by it if they are not 
gardeners ? If they are, they must naturally be better for their book 
learning ; and what is more natural and encouraging than to test such | 
knowledge by an examination 1 With such an object in view there is i 
cultivation of fruits, flowers, and vegetables at some of the leading- 
horticultural exhibitions held at various places throughout the country, 
with a first-class testimonial from his employer for proficiency in the 
various branches of his calling, and I venture to say that will have 
more weight with the majority of employers than any first-class certi¬ 
ficate granted by the R.H.S.’’ To point out how very weak such an 
argument is only requires the answers to the following questions :— 
1, Have we all the same privilege in showing our products 1 2, Are all 
the flowers, fruit, and vegetables grown by the successful exhibitor or 
the men under him 1 3, Have we all the same advantages gained by 
good soil and manure ? 4, Are the glass houses as efficient in some 
gardens as they are in others ? 5, Is the district, its surroundings, and 
atmospheric conditions equal in all parts of the country ? 
Many good gardeners are not allowed to show. Many of the under 
gardeners grow the flowers, fruits, and vegetables, which others get the 
credit for. The soils differ so much in various parts of the country, 
consequently some gardeuers have better advantages than others. In 
some gardens there are only old glass houses ; could gardeners with these 
be expected to compete with those who have houses built specially for 
their requirements 1 Some again have advantages in being in a district 
