464 REMARKS ON THE SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF GARDENERS. 
G. Don. This is the Gregre or Ordeal-tree of Sierra Leone and 
Guinea. The generic name refers to the red juice with which the 
stem and branches abound. This tree, like our trial by battle, is 
appealed to by the ignorant natives to declare God’s judgment, and the 
effects which follow the ordeal are considered as proofs of the guilt or 
innocence of accused persons. 
The juice, or a decoction of the wood, is given to the accused to 
drink, and, if vomiting occurs without being followed by death, the 
parties are declared innocent; but if they die, they are condemned as 
guilty. 
The irritability of the stomach, or the will of the judge, in reality, 
is thus the gauge of guilt; for if the fault be slight, or the jndge 
inclined to favour the prisoner^a portion of the bark is given him to 
chew, which is invariably rejected by the stomach, and the accused 
escapes; but if the charge be grave, or the judge unfavourable, the 
decoction of the wood is given, and then the accused has little chance. 
In our collections it is called the Red Water-tree, and is treated 
like other stove plants—that' is, grown in a mixture of light turfy 
loam, sand, and moor-earth, and propagated by young cuttings struck , 
in sand under a hand-glass. Its historical value is all this plant can 
claim as deserving a place in our collections; for, though a lofty tree 
in Africa, it is necessarily here a diminutive plant. 
To the Editor of the Horticultural Register. 
Remarks on the Scientific Examination of Gardeners.— 
Sir, —Having observed an article in the “Gardener’s Magazine” for 
November, headed “ Scientific Examination of Gardeners,” I beg leave 
to submit to you a few remarks on the subject. I beg pardon of the 
learned writers, from whom I am forced to differ in opinion, and I 
assure them that it is unwillingly and with regret that I do so; but 
the verv system upon which this examination is conducted is in itself 
an effectual bar to the good which they expect to follow. The reasons 
are obvious :—they are examined privately by Dr.Lindiey, the assistant 
secretary, without any of the other members of the Garden Committee, 
or even the gardener himself, being present; and Dr. Lindley has a 
discretionary power to decide whether those he examines belong to the 
first or second class, granting them a certificate accordingly, and in all 
probability will decide according to the opinion he forms of the man, 
rather than according to his merits. 
I do not mean to say anything against that gentleman’s writings, as 
gardeners, above all others, require the most extensive knowledge ; but^ 
