March 23. 1834. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
233 . 
LESSONS FOR YOUNG 
GARDENERS. 
-X- 
O N more than one occasion daring the past few weeks young 
gardeners have been told in these pages if they aspire to eminence 
in their vocation a knowledge of botany, chemistry, languages, 
shorthand, and kindred subjects of more or less importance is 
essential. Opinions, however, vary as to the value of these accom¬ 
plishments compared with practice, and the matter may be 
advantageously referred to again. That an acquaintance with 
botany and vegetable physiology generally, chemistry, injurious 
insects, and fungoid enemies of garden crops forms a valuable 
auxiliary to a gardener’s education no one can possibly confute ; but 
even these qualifications should not be gained at the expense of a 
thorough practical training. Without the latter the former is com¬ 
paratively worthless. Theory and practice must go hand in hand, 
and then “ Science is the torch that lights the pilgrim upon the path 
of progress.” From this probationers will learn the desirability of 
becoming skilled in the practical details connected with their calling, 
and to bear in mind that “great things from little causes spring.” 
By doing this a keener interest for acquiring knowledge will be 
awakened, which ultimately broadens the mind and enables one to 
grasp the more difficult points connected with the pursuit of garden¬ 
ing. All, therefore, who take an interest in beginners should teach 
them the necessary rudiments that will subsequently lead to success ; 
and, moreover, counsel young men to seize the opportunities 
of gaining information not only from the writings of veteran 
practitioners which abound in the Journal of Horticulture^ but 
from the object lessons that are continually arising in well appointed 
gardens. 
Lessons of a practical nature are, of course, forthcoming in a 
garden of any pretensions whatever, at all periods of the year ; but 
at no time are they so numerous or more valuable than during the 
spring. Plant life, both under glass and outdoors is now awakening, 
gardens are full of interest, and activity reigns on all sides, affording 
those persons who look beneath the surface a suitable occasion for 
observing much that may be useful to them in years to come. 
Especially is this so in the sowing of seeds for the production of a 
plentiful and continued supply of vegetables, as well as the forcing 
of fruit and flowers. It has been said, and possibly with some truth, 
thatthe culture of vegetables is neglected by the majority of young men, 
with the result that many an otherwise proficient gardener finds him¬ 
self wrecked on this rock on taking his “ first charge.” This is a 
matter for regret, and more so when we consider that the probational 
days of many men are spent in establishments which afford special 
facilities for acquiring knowledge of such an important phase of 
horticulture. 
Many years ago the writer, whilst undergoing a practical 
training “ in the houses ” for a senes of years in one cf the largest 
gardens in the kingdom, had it instilled in his mind by the chief 
that the production of a supply of good vegetables all the year round 
was a more difficult matter than thinning Grapes or managing 
Orchids. There were no opportunities for gaining information on 
the first named point othfr than by taking a walk round the kitchen 
garden after working hours with a note book in hand during the spring 
and early summer, this, however, being sufficient to make a record as 
to what seeds were sown on certain days and the position they 
occupied. Subsequent visits were made and a diary kept as to when 
the various crops were ready for use. These notes proved serviceable 
No. 718. — VoL. XXVIIL, Third Series. 
in after years whilst managing a kitchen garden and certain crops 
were required at stated periods. A similar method to that mentioned 
may advantageously be followed by young gardeners, and the fact of 
their being employed in the houses need not necessarily prevent 
them taking object lessons from the more humble and too frequently 
despised vegetable garden. A better plan, of course, would be to 
serve a few years in that department, and doubtless many readers 
will corroborate the statement that such time will be well spent. 
Changes are now being made, and young men will do well to con¬ 
sider whether the “ next place ” shall be under glass or in the kitchen 
garden. The latter may prove more laborious work, but the 
experience gained will weigh heavily in the scale against such a 
minor objection, and it is safe to assert that none will regret following 
the advice here given. There are many lessons to be gleaned 
relative to the time and method of seed sowing and planting, to say 
nothing of manuring the soil and the rotation of crops. 
Whilst urging probationers to study the requirements of the 
vegetable garden, it may be as well to remind them of the many 
lessons which it is possible to learn under glass at this period of the 
year. Where fruit forcing is extensively practised ample facilities 
for gaining valuable information will be afforded, and young gardeners 
should take advantage of these. Those who have charge of vineries 
or Peach houses, for example, ought to take note of the time the 
trees were started into growth, the temperatures employed, and, in 
due course, the period of ripening. The same applies to Strawbeiries 
in pots, the forcing of which is now generally adopted in gardens. 
In some establishments it is a rule to have ripe fruit in January, 
and from that month until the outdoor crop is ready a supply of 
Strawberries must be maintained. To produce this at a minimum 
of cost and labour, with perhaps limited conveniences, a gardener 
has to be thoroughly conversant with the necessary details, which 
can onlj’^ be acquired by taking to mind the lessons of everyday 
practice. 
Another matter that requires care and forethought, and which 
affords many a lesson to young gardeners at this season, is that of 
ventiliting glass houses. The disastrous effects of injudicious “air¬ 
giving’’ are known to all experienced cultivators, and to them a 
mere reference to the fact will doubtless seem superfluous ; but there 
are many as yet not far advanced in their business, and to whom 
a few hints may prove suggestive. Vines now bursting into leaf 
need close attention in this respect, for a few minutes of cold, cutting 
wind will do irreparable damage to the tender shoots, and probably 
result in the loss of a crop of fruit. Some years ago a young gar¬ 
dener, who is now not altogether unknown in the horticultural world, 
was taught a lesson in ventilating that ho had go )d reason not to 
forget. It happened during March, and whilst a bitterly cold north¬ 
easterly wind was blowing strongly, a sudden burst of bright sun¬ 
shine following a blinding snowstorm. A house containing Vines 
moderately adv.anced in growth was under his charge, and during a 
temporary absence, the lights being closed, the temperature rose to 
much beyond the maximum figure. Fearing the wrath of the head 
gardener, who was one of the old school, and rather arbiirary on 
matters of this sort, the y^.uth opened the front and back ventilators 
somewhat widely to induce a lowering of the temperature, and then 
went to dinner. Alas! an hour was all too much, for the tender 
leaves of the Vires had turned blick and curled at the edges, whilst 
the embryo bunches, but a short time before fresh and vigorous, 
were hanging, so to speak, by a brown thread. The effect on both 
the ga'deuer and his assistant can be better imagined than described, 
but it cost the latter his situation, and the lesson thus taught has 
never been forgotten. It is to avoid such an undesirable state 
affairs that young gardeners are advised to master the rudiments 
their calling, and, as before remarked, to do this notice must be 
taken of the object lessons which daily occur in gardens. 
There are many more points of paramount importance that might 
be referred to in connection with the practical training of young 
gardeners. The repotting of plants and propagating by seeds and 
No. 2374.—VoL. XC., Old Series. 
