November ?, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
151 
This I am not able, from experience, to endorse. It has 
become an old story “that workmen are not as they 
used to be ” ; judging from those I have seen in such 
numbers in nurserymens’ premises on term days, I 
should say that their physical powers are equal to any¬ 
thing I have previously seen. Health does not seem 
to have degenerated, and certainly appearances are not 
unfavourable to intelligence ; while the respectable 
exteriors do not denote anything like decreasing mo¬ 
rality. Not having much experience of what others 
complain bitterly about, it would be inconsistent on 
my part to attempt the elucidation of the question 
of degeneracy in the workmen collectively. Many 
now in the position of “magisters” had to take their 
share of the censure administered in their time of pro¬ 
bation, and may sympathise with their younger brethren 
who now form the ‘ ‘ rank aud file. ” 
To say that much practical good has accrued 
from the abundant precepts unfolded by the press, 
I fear cannot be supported by facts. The now fashion¬ 
able and very numerous associations for the mutual 
improvement of gardeners, is not likely to improve 
matters ; but I think action in a practical form may be 
taken by head gardeners (who I fear, are in some cases, 
responsible for the deficiencies of workmen), and make 
an effort to school their pupils thoroughly in all the 
operations which are performed on the place, preventing 
the young men from indulging in slovenly habits in 
their work, and teaching them how to handle their tools 
properly. No one should have the charge of men who 
cannot do this, and who will not instil upon the minds 
of their pupils (if such they are), the propriety of doing 
right, instead of doing wrong. Were we always in 
earnest when doing this, I feel sure an impression would 
be made, and much of the censure (so freely given) would 
be reduced. It is easy to snarl at a man when he appears 
in an awkward form at his work, and can do it only in 
a very clumsy style ; but some one is blameable apart 
from the man himself. “Apprenticeships ” have been 
served (three years, and often learning nothing but 
drudgery, forsooth), and if opportunities have not been 
afforded the youth to gain a proper rudimentary tuition, 
surely the fault must lie at the door of the party in 
charge. 
An evil, of which I am cognizant, is the employment 
of numbers of youths in gardens, under the name of 
“apprentices,” when there is nothing apart from the 
most ordinary drudgery of gardening for them to learn ; 
none of the higher branches of gardening can be taught, 
because they are not there. These youths,after spending 
three years of their valuable time, are sent to nursery¬ 
men, to get them into positions as men, where men’s 
wages are paid, and where men’s qualifications are 
expected. It is impossible, under such circumstances, 
that young men can escape without characters as bad 
workmen. It might not be difficult to guess the reason 
why such a multiplicity of new journeymen annually 
take place, and are sent adrift on the world by men 
whose higher instincts teach them that the principle 
is wrong, and the practice vicious. True, the army gets 
a good lift at “term ” time, from the sources which we 
have indicated. We suspect the cause is that youths 
are engaged under the name of apprentices, and to save 
men’s wages, they have to do the work which labourers 
should perform. At the end of their three years of 
apprenticeship, the lads are emerging into manhood, 
and what tuition have they received ? Proprietors, who 
cannot afford to employ the labourers of the locality, 
should reduce their gardens and grounds, and prevent 
a grievance most discreditable to all concerned. I could, 
at the present moment, v 7 ere it necessary, unfold a 
sad tale of gardening distress, mostly from one cause, 
that of proprietors occupying places (frequently by lease 
or yearly rent) which cannot be half kept for the amount 
allowed to maintain them, with the consequent result 
that a system of “ youth training ” has to be adopted ; 
the youths are dubbed “journeymen gardeners” at the 
end of two or three years, and we know the rest. — M. T. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — The 
eighth ordinary meeting of this Association was held on 
Tuesday night at 5, St. Andrew Square. Mr. Milne, 
Inverleith IS urseries, occupied the chair. Mr. M’Kenzie, 
Warriston, read a paper entitled “Notes on the History 
and Development of the Chrysanthemum,” in which 
he gave an account of its introduction into this 
country, where it has since obtained much popularity. 
Several other gentlemen spoke on the same subject, 
chiefly in connection with the blooming of the flower 
earlier in the season than it can at present be had. A 
vote of thanks was accorded Mr. M’Kenzie for his 
interesting paper. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Planting Bulbs and Plants under Trees.— 
Nothing produces a more pleasing or striking effect in 
a flower garden than bulbs flowering under deciduous 
trees, where, if the trees happen to be on raised ground, 
they show off to great advantage, and look natural with 
the carpeting of grass ; as do also Primroses, in which 
position they appear quite at home. The bulbs most 
suitable to the purposes referred to, are Snowdrops, 
Jonquils, and Daffodils, of various kinds, all of which 
may be had in quantity cheap, and if they are dibbled 
in, or planted about 3 ins. deep with a trowel, and some 
light rich soil dropped over them, they will come up 
strong, and make a fine display in the spring. 
Herbaceous Plants. —The present is a good time 
for obtaining and planting these, and it may be well to 
mention a few of the most useful, among which are 
Delphiniums, which are grand for the backs of borders, 
especially the tall shapely varieties that have long spikes 
of bloom, and rear their heads to a height of 3 ft. or 
more. 
Phloxes. —Too much cannot be said in praise of these 
as they are magnificent when in flower, and maybe had 
inalmostany.shade ofcolour; but to grow' them well they 
must have great depth of soil, and be planted where 
they can be kept moist at the roots. The w r ay to give 
them a good start is to dig large holes for the plants, 
and work in at the bottom some rotten manure for 
them to drive down and feed on, which will enable them 
to produce fine heads of bloom. 
Peonies. —These are gorgeously beautiful, but being 
of large growth and spreading, they must have plenty 
of room, and like the Phloxes require the ground 
trenched and enriched, and to be placed where they can 
■ get plenty of sun. 
Pyrethrums, &c.— Both the single and double 
Pyrethrums are a most useful class of plants, as they 
are not only exceedingly showy in beds or borders, but 
are very valuable for cutting, as they not only dress 
well and last long in water, but come in early, before 
there is much else in the open to cut. As the 
Pyrethrums are of dwarf habit, the most suitable place 
for them is in the front of a border, and if an increase 
is desired, they may be cut through the crowns and 
divided. 
Harpalium rigidum is a showy plant, and so is 
Helianthus multiflorus, and its double variety, the two 
being of tall growth, and fine for planting in the fore¬ 
ground of shrubs. Of Everlasting Peas, there are two 
that should be in every garden, the one white, and 
the other purple, both of which will succeed almost 
anywhere, and are good for groping up a trellis, which 
forms a good support for the tops. 
Asters, or Michaelmas Daisies, are fine showy 
things, and come in at a time vdien flowers are scarce ; 
as do likewise the handsome Anemone japonica, and 
japonica alba, the last named of which is a gem, with 
its large pure white salver-shaped blooms, and their 
conspicuous discs, surrounded by rich golden anthers, 
which set them off to advantage. 
Christmas Roses must not be forgotten, as they come 
in at quite the dead of the year, let the weather be what 
it may, and only need a common liandlight to protect 
their blossoms, which under its shelter turn almost 
pure white, and are of great service for cutting, as they 
open and last almost as long in water, in a room, as 
they do on the plants. 
THE FRUIT GARDEN. 
Indoor Peaches. —One of the most frequent causes 
of failure w T ith these is allowing the trees to get dry at 
the roots, which brings on bud dropping at the time 
they should begin to swell, when instead of enlarging 
they shell out and tumble, and thus stop all chance of 
a crop. To prevent the great disappointment of not 
having fruit, the borders (if they be inside) should have 
a thorough soaking of water, and to make sure of this 
soaking in, and not being lost through escaping down 
cracks, it is necessary to just break up the surface of 
the soil, or ridge it up around each tree, so as to form 
a basin or saucer-like receptacle to hold it where wanted, 
and if this is done now no more will be required till the 
flowers are set. 
Vines. —In cases where these have Grapes hanging 
on and they are wanted to he kept, every care must be 
bestowed on maintaining the house cool and dry, for 
though it is requisite to have a fire going when the 
atmosphere is unfavourable, it should only be sufficient 
to expel damp without raising the temperature, and to 
prevent this the ventilators must be always a little way 
open. 
Looking Over the Bunches. —As one mouldy 
berry soon contaminates others, it is necessary to look 
over the bunches frequently, and to clip out any de¬ 
caying ; but this work requires a steady hand, or the 
operator will soon spoil the blooms. 
Apples and Pears. —These are keeping badly this 
year owing to the glut of wet in the autumn after such 
a dry time, and to prevent waste the store should be 
examined once or twice a week, and any spotted ones 
picked out and used before the rot spreads. 
Planting Trees. —This has been already touched 
on, but those who have not commenced operations 
ought to lose no time in beginning, as every day lost 
now is of consequence, for trees moved at this early 
season stand a far better chance of doing well than 
those shifted later on, when they are less able to make 
fresh roots and get hold of the ground before they start 
in the spring. 
Choice of Plants. —For small gardens the most 
suitable stock for Apples is the Paradise, as on it trees 
may be kept quite dwarf, bushy, and very prolific, and 
the same with Pears on the Quince, which do well in 
deep, rather stiff soils, and produce some of the finest 
of fruit. A good way of growing both Apples and 
Pears is cordon fashion, either single or double, trained 
upright or obliquely on wires, as then every fruit is 
exposed to the full action of the sun, which paints the 
cheeks of the Apples or Pears, and finishes them up in 
quality and flavour. 
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 
Clearing the Ground. —Now that the leaves of 
all root crops, Cauliflower stumps, and other vegetable 
refuse has to be cleared from the ground, all should be 
laid in some out-of-the-way place, and preserved, as 
though many regard such gatherings as rubbish, 
matter of that kind, when decomposed, is most valu¬ 
able to wheel on the land, which it improves and 
enriches more than many kinds of manure. To cause it 
to rot quickly the best way is to lay it together in bulk, 
which Will bring on fermentation, and when in that 
condition it should be. turned over,, and. at the-time 
that is being done it is a good plan to cast over it some 
salt and lime to kill insects in it, and render it more 
convertible for plants to feed on. Anything that will 
not readily decay, such as the primings from fruit 
bushes, and clippings from hedges, may be either 
charred or burned, as wood-ashes are of great use for 
dusting over seed beds and young growing crops to 
prevent the attacks of birds or slugs, for which purpose 
they should be kept dry in some shed. 
Cauliflowers. —The autumn is still favouring 
these, and that grand late variety, Veitch’s Giant, 
continues turning in, and will be succeeded by the 
equally useful Broccoli sent out by the same firm ; but 
as we may now expect sharp frosts, both Cauliflower 
and Broccoli will need close watching to turn the 
leaves down over the hearts, or to cut the heads as 
they become fit, before they are injured, as laid in a 
damp cool place they will keep fresh and good for some 
time. 
Brussels Sprouts, —The heavy rains we have had 
have been very favourable to all the Brassica tribe, and 
Brussels Sprouts have benefited greatly; but to prevent 
harm from a further continuance of wet, all yellow and 
decaying leaves should be removed from the stems, 
which will let in light and air, and improve the quality 
of the Sprouts, as well as stop them from rotting. 
Lettuces. —All of these that are of any size will do 
no good out of doors after this, and should be taken up 
with large halls, so as to check them as little as 
possible, and placed in pits or frames up near the glass, 
where, if protected, they will yield a supply during the 
greater part of the winter. 
Endive and Spinach may bo treated in the same 
way, but any wanted for present use will do well laid 
in in any dark shed, where it will blanch without being 
covered. Late sown beds of Spinach will need the 
final thinning, leaving the plants about S ins. apart, 
which is quite near enough, and after the thinning is 
complete the rows should be hoed between for the pur¬ 
pose of destroying weeds and stirring the soil. 
