680 
THE GARDENERS’ SOCIETY. 
or that thing; that to possess knowledge of whatever nature, nothing 
more is necessary than the desire to do so, united with industry and 
application, and then point to some object for the attainment of which 
their efforts ought to be directed. It is this which has improved the 
mechanic. From having an opportunity of attending lectures upon 
the several sciences, and obtaining the privileges of an extending 
library, a new impulse has been given to his actions, he sees the 
pleasures and the advantages of knowledge; and when he beholds 
one of his companions, with no better opportunity for his improve¬ 
ment than himself, receiving a prize for some useful invention, or an 
essay or some subject connected with natural or experimental philo¬ 
sophy, he feels his mind glowing with the desire of reaching the 
same attainments, and resolves that he perseveringly will continue 
his exertions, until at least he equal if not excel, the individual 
whom he now considers so much his superior. Let similar induce¬ 
ments to mental improvement be held up to gardeners. Form socie¬ 
ties where their abilities may be tried, and diplomas awarded to them 
according to their merit; give out prize-essays, the rewards for 
which however small, their intrinsic worth, may possess a value on 
account of the honour which they confer, and a spirit of emulation 
being aroused, we may expect the beneficial effects to follow. Then, 
instead of wasting their spare hours, if not in unbecoming, at least in 
trifling pursuits, we shall see young gardeners directing their atten¬ 
tion to studies, which will give them a scientific knowledge of their 
profession, and make them more useful members of society, and then 
the art of gardening being reduced to its first principles, and divest¬ 
ed of much of its obscurity, we shall be enabled to suit our opera¬ 
tions to the circumstances under which we are placed, and not so of¬ 
ten witness the failure of plans which had been recommended by, 
(and even answered well with) others where soil, situation, and cli¬ 
mate were different. Much has been done to encourage the growth 
of good vegetables and fruits, by Horticultural societies, but nothing 
has been attempted by them to encourage mental cultivation amongst 
young gardeners, upon whose abilities the future state of our art 
depends. I am far from being so vain as to suppose that any sug¬ 
gestion of mine will lead to the adoption of such a system, but, con¬ 
vinced of its importance, I lay it before your attention, hoping it 
will receive the notice of some of your correspondents, who will be 
better qualified to do the subject justice. 
Staffordshire, June 13/A, 1832. 
R. F. 
