September 13, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDEN EH 
230 
S UPERFICIAL reasoning probably arrives at the conclusion that 
gardeners are, of all men, the last and least addicted to hobbies. 
“ He is a good all-round man and has no hobby,” was the summed- 
up character of a fellow worker under discussion ; yet I venture to 
say that the better the man with resultant good all-round work, 
the greater is the certainty that he has a hobby, though there is 
difficulty in finding it. It is in this case not obtrusive nor likely 
to run away with its rider, and in most cases the numerous present 
day requirements are a reliable curb to any tendency in that 
direction ; yet it is there, and it is that man’s solace in a never- 
ceasing round of anxious toil, as well as a safety valve to the 
pressure of petty vexations which few escape. 
On a friendly visit I look for my brother gardener’s hobby, and 
seldom fail to find it, nor to derive some lessons from its pursuit 
for future guidance. In the plant houses, the fruit houses, the 
flower borders or vegetable quarters, on the walls, or in some quiet 
corner it may be located, though to find it may necessitate some 
observation of the worker as well as of his works. A first visit 
does not always reveal it. Social intercourse, resulting in the 
“feast of reason and flow of soul,” thaws the diffidence which at 
first obscures it from view. You are, for instance, conducted 
round a well-kept garden, in which each object is passed in review 
order. Those things likely to escape the eye of a casual visitor are 
pointed out, receiving their due share of friendly criticism until 
your peregrinations bring you—say to the “mum>.” Here your 
friend is silent till you open the ball with, “ What a fine lot of 
plants ! ” The compliment elicits no reply, and you further 
remark, “ What trouble they must give you.” “No,” replies the 
guide, with some emphasis ; “ I do not find them any trouble—just 
the staking, tying, and watering.” He is open to receive any 
sympathetic remarks on other objects of his care and solicitude ; 
but not here. The cudgels are at once taken up in defence of 
the hobby, and in duty bound you strike no more discordant 
notes. The ice of reserve being broken, you note each feature 
presented to view—the luxuriant foliage of that “ Rey,” or the 
grand wood of this “ Shea.” The guide’s enthusiasm throws a 
light on points hitherto unobserved, and you (the interviewer) 
must be a very unimpressionable man if you fail to gather some 
useful hints from the hobby rider. Conscientious worker he 
may be, neglecting not any of the multitudinous phases of 
duty ; but all labour is lost sight of here—no trouble, nought 
but love, an agent banishing all difficulties and producing the 
acme of excellence. 
Not to himself alone are the benefits confined. If that was the 
case whilst allowing the attendant influences for good further 
discussion would be superfluous. Unremitting attention and keen 
observation are ever ready to note minor details escaping ordinary 
care. A bond of sympathy is established between the worker and 
the silent objects of his love, by which all wants are not only pro¬ 
vided for but anticipated. Nature may and often does assert her 
prerogative by upsetting for a time man’s calculations just sufficient 
to give a piquancy and stimulus to the woik in hand, but unflagging 
perseverance conquers her recalcitrant moods. Reluctantly she 
yields the special form or colour whereby horticulture is enriched ; 
possibly the worker also, though pecuniary gain is probably the 
last consideration to enter in the conqueror’s calculations. There 
No 742.—VoL. XXIX., Third Series. 
is ever a fascination to the mortal mind in subduing and controlling 
the subtle things of Nature. 
In the vast field presented oy horticulture, with its innumerable 
roads and bye-paths converging to same point of perfection, not 
any of its subjects appear too obscure or humble to be taken in 
hand. Far distant may be the goal presented to the worker’s eye, 
but the greater the triumph when reached. The spasmodic dic¬ 
tates of fashion may for a time place the worker and his work out 
of view. “ Old fashioned ” is the verdict, but he bides his time. 
Sooner or later the old love again basks in the smiles of public 
favour, and is benefited by that absence which makes the heart 
grow fonder. In some cises recognition is tardy and the work is 
tedious. Why does a certain man persistently cultivate a certain 
class of plants when they are out of date—out of fashion ? “ Oh, 
it is his hobby,” may be said. All honour to him who quietly but 
earnestly keeps that end in view which others cannot see, and 
neglects no means, however trifling they may appear, to attain it 
All obstacles are cleared, and the hobby is ridden to the winning 
post. To those whom circumstances permit to grasp one object 
only, results must perforce obtain from a life’s devotion which the 
varied routine of ordinary duties do not permit of. Hence we see 
the marvellous results obtained by hybridists, in which Nature is 
not only improved on, but new types are created. Love of the 
work, with perchance some business calculations in the matter of 
profit, have been the incentive in starting, but the latter considera¬ 
tion is finally absorbed in the former. The worker is gradually 
made cognisant of the wonderful power he holds, and in the 
exercise of it finds that is all-sufficient. 
Local influences of soil and climate have, by their suitability to 
some special class of plants, clearly defined a safe road on which to 
travel. Under these favourable elementary conditions one nursery 
becomes famous for its American plants, another for its Rose.s^ 
fruit trees, or other plants which finally become a speciality. 
Taught in such schools as these it cannot be a matter for surprise 
that pupils should carry those lessons with them out into a world 
of work, and derive such pleasure and profit from them as circum¬ 
stances may permit. By such means is valuable practice dissemi¬ 
nated from these seats of learning. As there are gardeners and 
gardeners, so there must perforce be hobbies and hobbies, and 
many of the riders must be content to follow on a beaten track, 
enjoying the work of others, only cultivating what is set before 
them, yet straining every nerve to produce the best examples of the 
creative faculties of other minds. Nature also is pliant, and often 
affords opportunities for the keen observer to embrace. It may be 
that a man’s foite is vegetable growing, or one of the many 
phases of fruit culture, and any departure from the type showing 
an advance is preserved, increased, and further developed. Should 
the limit of size be reached in one direction, then the worker is 
not slow to perceive in his hobby other capabilities for improve¬ 
ment. The progeny of some precocious subject becomes the 
earliest of the earlies, and vice versa, a late member of the tribe 
prolongs the season, and confers a lasting benefit on all. 
I think there is not any garden, however limited in size it may 
be, or restricted in its field of work, which does not contain some 
distinctive feature calling for admiration, and capable of yielding 
some lesson to a visitor. The subject is, perhaps, one affording 
mutual interest, and in that case, though both travel on the same 
road, one has noticed landmarks which the other has failed to per¬ 
ceive. If so, the generous spirit pervading members of the craft is 
ever ready to give the information sought. 
Many a small plot owned by the busy toilers in other spheres of 
duty, in, or on the outskirts of our large iudustrial centres, wields a 
soothing influence over those whose occupations demand the laxative 
recreation so peculiarly afforded in the observation of Nature 
Limited to some simple subject of Flora’s kingdom, or other phase 
of gardening, the mind is diverted, fresh fields for thought are 
opened and possibly become the means of some service to the 
No. 2393.—VoL. XCT, Old Series. 
