October I, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
honey froni every flower and blossom, fertilising the fruit trees, and 
largely adding to their production, as wei all know who have fruit 
gardens and bees. The hives used were'the time-honoured “straw 
steps ot John s father and grandfather, and many a lovely “ top ” of 
pure honey our worthy friend has taken off here. 
“ The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper ” befriended Mr. Love, and many a 
dard question on their favourite subject has been discussed between 
tQem * A a f ! for so many of us that he, who so well exemplified in his 
own 'ife the grand old name of gentleman” is now gone for ever and 
^ j w ^° now Mourn his loss John Love’s sorrow for his 
Kind friend is not the least. Not a doubt of it, for to a man of over 
eigbty-five years new friends do not succeed quickly, and are never like 
tde old ones. In a sunny space the plot is still defined where Mr. Love 
grew and raised his celebrated race of laced Pinks. Year after year in 
As we go homewards up through the narrow streets the people 
are in crowds, while the flower show is attracting all the florists of 
the district. Thus the bee3 gather honey, but not for themselves, 
so John Love’s work was not all for himself. He sowed, and to-day 
we wear his seedlings in our buttonhole. Younger men take up the 
taste for flowers, but let them look with respect and gratitude on their 
floricultural ancestors into whose labours they have entered.— A. Sweet. 
[We have also received the subjoined notes respecting Mr. Low’s 
career.] 
Every man, apart from the profession or employment by which he 
gains a livelihood, ought to have what is usually called a hobby. It 
matters little what that hobby is, provided it is innocent, and interests 
this spot they were grown to such perfection as to carry off the honours 
at all the shows round, from Glasgow to Kilbarchan. At every digging 
new soil was turned up, and thus the situation continued to suit his 
favourite flower. What grand specimens of the dark “Pirate” and 
“ John Love,” were cut here. 
Every year seedlings were w r atched for, and the advent of a pod of 
promise was an event for local florists to come and see. Altogether the 
garden is one, for soil, situation, and association, much to be desired 
still. Now, however, the old veteran still keeps to the Pinks, fruits, and 
the bees, in a less vigorous fashion than of old in a new garden farther 
“ doon the toon.” Hale and wiry, with eye bright and keen, active step, 
and toil-worn hand, we trust that he may long enjoy his garden joys. 
And though “down in the valley” the long shadows of life’s sunset are 
falling around him, and the last bees are settling home with their store, 
he has but to look upward and see that Mount Pleasant is glowing in 
the light, to have the glory of far distant summers borne in upon him. 
his mind and draws his attention away from the anxiety and worry 
which belong to the daily business of life Idleness, whether of body or 
mind, besides being morally dangerous, is not rest. It is better to have 
a hobby which, by giving an agreeable change of employment, will 
refresh and improve both body and mind without adding anything 
perceptibly to their exhaustion. As to the kind of hobby to be chosen 
everyone must consult his own taste and circumstances. It may be 
music, or some department of science, or literature, or floriculture, or 
bee-keeping. This depends very much cn the taste of the individual, 
the nature of his daily employment, and the circumstances in which he 
is placed. 
Floriculture and bee-keeping, two thirgs very much akin, forme 1 the 
special hobby of the person of whom notice is here to be taken. John 
Love, the eldest son of a father bearing the same name, was born at 
Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, on April 10th, 1806. So healthy has he been 
that during more than fourscore years he has only on one c evasion 
