Waroli 1«, 1*88. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
215 
ing unthinned all the season ; and if he could he would most likely 
have to hid farewell to the Vines when the time came for sending the 
Grapes to his employer’s table. My advice to all under gardeners is, 
Never be particular about working an hour or two overtime when asked, 
and you will not be the losers in the end. — G. Hilton. 
I AM very pleased to see that there is at least one head gardener 
(page 158) who dares and is willing to say a word for subordinates. 
There are certainly instances where young men have cause to complain 
of their treatment, but few venture to write to any of the periodicals 
about it, for the simple reason that they believe there will be so many 
to criticise and so few to say a word in their favour : but let them 
remember that the oldest and most experienced writers are criticised, 
and they must also remember that a little mild criticism will do no 
harm, but rather improve them ; and as everything must have a 
beginning they may as well begin at once, for the longer they leave the 
little talent they have undusted on the shelf the longer it will take to 
polish it when they do reach it down. Many head gardeners seem to 
think the young men are all very careless, and have no talent. They 
appear to forget that it is from the acorn that we must e.xpcct the Oak, 
and that it is the schoolboy that must become the professor, and like¬ 
wise the young man of to<lay the future head gardener. Some seem 
to think that when they are gone there will be nobody fit to take their 
places. They say, “ 1 can't think how it is that my young men are all 
so careless.” There is a reason, and if the Editor will allow me I will 
try to explain it in a future issue. They are not all b.ad, but in many 
places young men really do become careless from various reasons, but I 
think if they were to write a little more they would find themselves 
benefited by it, for there must be many young men in the country with 
sufficient talent to write a decent letter ; and if at first they could not 
proiluce anything very elaborate, they would find that with practice and 
the experience gained by it, they would in time be able to place them¬ 
selves on a level with some of the best writers of their day. After the 
encouragement given by “Spectator” on page 1-17 I think they need 
not be held any longer in suspense.—A Foreman. 
METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDEN ASSOCIATION. 
The fifth annual report of the above Association has been issued, 
and from it can be gleaned full information of the work being done in 
securing open spaces in our great metropolis for the benefit of the 
masses. They commenced their work on the site of the old Horsemonger 
Lane Gaol, which to the extent of 1 acre 8 roods was opened as a public 
recreation ground in 18S4. The Association has laboured successfully 
since then up to the present time. By the aid of donations and subscrip¬ 
tions they have been instrumental in giving to the public use as 
pleasure gardens nearly CO acres of open spaces, the majority of which 
were disused burial grounds. 
“ The object of the Association is to provide pleasant lesorts for the 
old and playgrounds for the young in the midst of densely populated 
localities.” The report says, “ Only those who live among the artisan 
and labouring classes, or who personally interest themselves in their 
welfare, can form any conception of the sad condition when contrasted 
with that of those who are periodically able to change the scene under 
which tens of thousands of them live and die. Unless in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of one of the parks the only opportunity of relaxation and 
recreation is in the thoroughfares where every inhalation of air is laden 
with dust; their children for the most part have no playground but the 
gutter and the pavement. The majority of those who live in the poor 
and crowded districts seldom escape from their dismal surroundings. 
“ Now the provision of garden and playground, though of course no 
panacea for human suffering and misery, will largely help to brighten 
the lot of those who live as above described. London is year by year 
becoming more and more packed, and populated, and extended to a 
degree that must fill every reflective mind with concern. This can have 
but one possible effect, and that is to render London less and less the 
place where the b'xlily functions can have full and natural play, where 
bone and muscle in the young may be developed, and where constitu¬ 
tions are able to ward off disease and decay.” 
The Association believes that by securing open spaces it is adopting 
the best method of meeting the evil which is threatening London, 
besides finding work for the unemployeil, as nearly all the work of the 
60 acres above mentioned has been done by the men found in the ranks 
of the unemployed. At the present time they have other works in con¬ 
struction which is finding daily work for about 300 families. At Camber¬ 
well upwanls of 200 men are employed in turning a large market garden 
into a public pack, and from a horticultural point this is interesting, 
as it preserves from the encroachment of the builder a portion at least 
of those grounds that have in the past associated with the familiar name 
of “ Myatt.” Where Myatt’s famous British Queen Strawberry grew to 
perfection, Myatt’s Rhubarb, and Myatt’s Early Ashleaf Potatoes were 
once famous, in future will be an open space embellished by gr.acefully 
sweeping walks, tastefully planted shrubberies, well kept lawns, and 
fountains. For some weeks 240 men were employed here, and it is 
natural to suppose that many from not being used to thi work suffered 
very much, being poorly clad and ill fed. Some have come from a great 
distance, walking both morning and night from Holloway, Highgate, 
Bethnal Green, &c., to Camberwell. Many also suffered with bleeding 
hands, being unused to the work. French polishers, painters, carpenters, 
in fact men of all trades, have been here suruggling to tide over the 
long and wearisome winter, therefore the objects of his Association are 
manifestly of a twofold character. 1, To find employment for deserving 
men, and secondly to expend that labour on some lasting and useful 
memorial for the masses. By a scheme of a committee of gentlemen 
acting in concert with the Lord klayor, all that are employed at Cam¬ 
berwell and deserve help of a permanent character are being assisted. 
Various methods are being adopted, but the easiest apparently is 
emigration. Many are availing themselves of this privilege. 
Altogether there were 420 disusc<l burial grounds within the metro¬ 
politan area ; sixty-nine are open to the public as gardens or play¬ 
grounds for the young, mainly through the aid of the above Association ; 
116 burial grounds which at one time existed have entirely disappeared, 
their sites being now occupied b? buildings of all kinds; thirty-eight 
are used for various purposes, and 107 disused burial grouncls still 
exist closed to the public, and it only requires public sympathy and 
assistance to transform these sonbre grounds into attractive miniature 
parks.—J. W. Moorman. 
TOMATOES IN TRENCHES. 
A SIMPLE and very useful method of growing Tomatoes in the open 
air is practised by Mr. .J. Forbes in the gardens at Dover House, Roe- 
hampton. On a sheltered plot of ground sloping sharply to the south a 
trench is dug about 4 feet wide, as if preparing to grow Celery on the 
bed system, and strong Tomato plants planted in suitable soil at the 
Fig. 20. 
proper time. The trench is covered with rough open latticework, 
through which the plants grow and are trained down to it. With atten¬ 
tion to thinning the growth for the <a;lmission of sun to the fruit ripe 
Tomatoes in abundance are produced in the summer in the manner re¬ 
presented in the engraving. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
M.4.RCH 13th. 
Council Meeting. - A meeting of the Council was held on the date 
named, when the privileges to be given to the Fellows according to the 
rate of their subscription was finally settled. Nominations were re¬ 
ceived of thirty-six new Fellow.s. The Council interviewed several of 
the candidates for the Assistant Secretary.ship, and after much delibera¬ 
tion determined to appoint Mr. Charles J. Grahame to the post. The 
agreement for the premises. 111, Victoria Street, was finally adopted, 
and the seal of the Society was ordered to be attached to it. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Mr. W. T. Thistleton D^er, Dr. Masters, and Mr. Veitch were 
appointed a deputation to wait on the Lord Mayor with reference to the 
projected Show in the City of London this year. The bye-laws, as 
altered and amended by the sub- Committee, were ordered to be printed 
and circulated before being presented for adoption. The following 
gentlemen were requested to act as an Exhibition Committee to draw up 
a programme for the present year—viz., Messrs. G. Bunyard, Barron, 
Douglas, Haywood, Laing, G. Paul, Rivers, Turner, Veitch, Walker, and 
Wildsmith, with power to add to their number. The Council will meet 
again on Tuesday, March 20th. 
SU.MMARY OF THE PRIVILEGES OF FELLOWS AND 
ASSOCIATES FOR THE YEAR 18S3. 
A FELLOW PAYING FOUR GUINEAS A YEAR 13 ENTITLED — 
1. To a family ticket admitting to all the Society’s Exhibitions 
and Meetings at i2 30 o’clock, being an hour earlier than the general 
public. 
