162 
THE ELORIST. 
GARDENERS’ BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
This is indeed a busy scene; and some of us are so ceaselessly whirled 
through life by the strong currents of our immediate business, that we 
seldom pause to reflect on the many questions which, while not directly 
in our path, lie contiguous to it on either hand. But when such 
matters force themselves on the mind, is it right to heave them back 
with cool indifference, or soothe the burning pain of thought by adminis¬ 
tering some intellectual opiate? We think not. Our mind, among 
other things, has been recently running over the past career of the 
Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution; and while considering the whole as 
satisfactory, we must confess there appears much to rejoice at and 
something to sigh over. The necessity of such an institution had been 
long severely felt; its constitution is unquestionable, its qpnduct praise¬ 
worthy. Perhaps we might not be able to endorse every clause of its 
rules, or approve every act of its management—our commendation is 
given from a broad point of view. Among the subscribers and donors 
in the list last issued will be found the names of about 180 noblemen 
and gentlemen, 170 nurserymen and their assistants, and 280 gardeners. 
It strikes us forcibly, notwithstanding the above figures, that the number 
of gardeners who subscribe is proportionately small. How is this ? Is 
the Institution not of a character to meet their views generally, or 
have they not confidence in its management? We cannot.tor a moment 
believe this. Nor can we attribute the deficiency of numbers to want 
of means or want of sympathy on the part of the non-subscribers. A 
rich gardener may be an anomaly, but the subscription is small, and 
there are few bodies of men who have such kindly feeling towards each 
other. Have sufficient means been used to render the Institution, its 
objects and merits, universally known ? Here, we think, we have the 
key to the mystery. As a people we require rousing, to entertain 
seriously any thought or action aside from the course of an immediate 
business, and perhaps the more peaceful our occupation the more 
difficult is this undertaking. We cannot therefore hold with those who 
complain of the spending of a few pounds in an annual public dinner, 
which is a demonstration bringing in its train more than an equivalent. 
Rather would we advocate a more stirring management, restless in its 
character, determined in its objects, a more thorough organisation, 
through which the advantages and merits of the Institution might be 
brought home to the heart and understanding of the many. If the 
country could be divided into departments, and the patrons of garden¬ 
ing, nurserymen, and gardeners be canvassed personally, much good 
might result. We know there have been and are some men earnest 
and energetic enough to undertake this task in their own locality, and 
we believe the number might be increased till the movement covered 
the length and breadth of the land. And this need be done on no 
false or artificial basis, but purely on the merits of the case. We have 
said a rich gardener is an anomaly ; and in many cases there is slender 
opportunity afforded of providing for the incapacitating ailments to 
which he is professionally liable, or for the wants of old age. Wages 
are proverbially low, and the humblest is expected to be a well-ordered 
