162 
THE FLORIST. 
of a more permanent success, based on the acquirements of a sounder 
knowledge, though it may take place at a later period in life. True, 
as a master the young gardener has increase of salary and additional 
opportunities of obtaining knowledge in a greater degree than is 
usually within the power of a foreman or journeyman, yet how many, 
when once become head gardeners, think that the goal of their wishes 
being attained, future training is unnecessary, and forthwith their 
spare hours are at once devoted to objects which prevent their ever 
afterwards rising above the level of an ordinary gardener, instead of 
advancing to a higher and more remunerative position in life. Our 
experience of this fact dates back for a quarter of a century, and within 
that period how many of our young friends who started fair, and 
advanced well up to a certain point, then became stationary, and are 
now with no hopes beyond that of a retrograding tendency, it pains us to 
think upon. Such is the fact, however—a lamentable one, it is true, but 
brought about and maintained by causes which every young man may 
avert if he chooses. 
Taken as a class, British gardeners afford unquestionable evidence 
that they possess an amount of skill in their profession, and general 
intelligence, superior to any other placed under the same circumstances 
of education and remuneration; but we wish to see them take a yet 
higher position, as men of general information and business habits, 
which would not only assist them as practical gardeners, but will 
greatly enhance their chances of promotion to situations of trust and 
responsibility in the management of landed property ; and we submit 
that there are many things in the habits and training of a gardener 
(supposing him in the possession of an average education) to qualify 
him for such, if he will apply himself earnestly to master the details of 
estate management, and acquire a habit of method, punctuality, and 
despatch to begin with, which are, in fact, alike indispensable to success 
in all situations. We take for granted that a good general knowledge of 
cultivation and the usual qualifications as a gardener are being 
acquired, including vegetable physiology ; let geology and the chemistry 
of soils and manures follow, to which may be added the principles of 
mechanics, mensuration, hydraulics, and hydrostatics ; land surveying, 
mapping, plan drawing, and book-keeping, the comparative value of 
produce and cost of labour. These are items for which exercise may 
daily be found in nearly every garden. He should also accustom 
himself to draw up reports on different subjects, so as to express him¬ 
self clearly in writing on any given subject. We need hardly carry 
this subject further to show how greatly the chances of an individual 
who is practically informed on the above branches of useful knowledge 
will preponderate over those who have been content to do their day’s 
work and spend their spare hours in questionable amusements. 
We may be told that we are aiming at too much—that the above, 
considering the spare time at a young man’s disposal, cannot be 
mastered even when the inclination exists. To this we say try. We 
can assure our young friends that beyond mere gardening there are 
chances opening up for men of intelligence and practical knowledge in 
every direction; at home, and in our colonies, the age is becoming more 
