February 4, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
859 
is required. 13 it not often the case, on holidays or 
Sundays, that something in the fruit or flower way is 
wanted, when the young man on duty, not having the 
liberty to touch, is completely at his wit’s end to know 
what to cut or what is really wanted, and consoles 
himself with the idea that he ought to have got 
instructions in case of emergency ? Cases like these 
are far too numerous, all of which I greatly.attribute 
to the head, whose duty it is to see that all under his 
charge are instructed how to act in any emergency. 
A journeyman is often himself to blame, because if 
asked to perform some work that does not suit his 
taste, he refuses to do it as it is not gardening. This 
is, however, often to his own disadvantage. I have 
in my time had to assist in refitting and mending joints 
in hot-water pipes, work that 1 went to with a will, and 
and am now glad I did so. A journeyman, again, often 
objects to outside work; his great ambition is to be 
under glass, which is very good in its wajn But with¬ 
out a thorough practical teaching in outside work in all 
its departments he will never thoroughly fit himself for 
a master or a foreman’s position. He loses that chance 
of gaining information that will, perhaps, take him years 
afterwards to learn. A journeyman should never give 
himself up entirely to culture under glass till he feels 
he can talk on the general cultivation of out-door 
gardening without being detected as a novice in his 
position. Ambition in human nature steps in at this 
point, and upsets many a young man’s good intentions 
and aspirations by making him believe he knows 
more, when his knowledge is only half perfected. 
Would we could, at this stage of a gardener’s life, 
“See ourselves as others see us, 
It would from many a blunder free us.” 
The Foreman. 
The rising gardener has now advanced so far in social 
position, that with a good sound training in his former 
situations, he will often at this stage consider himself 
close to his master’s acquirements ; but if not well 
practised he will begin to feel the shoe pinch. His 
duties often require him to act the part of master, and 
the responsibility of training young men is often left 
to his charge. Possibly he may feel the position, and 
act the part of a good master, by imparting what know¬ 
ledge he can with free good will for the benefit of those 
under him. Should his disposition prove the opposite, 
I pity any young man directly under his charge. He 
may often assume the role of more master than the 
head, and refuse to be dictated to by his superior ; he 
may presume he ought not to be checked for what is 
not in accordance with his master’s ideas, forgetting 
that the master, and not he, is first responsible for any¬ 
thing that may fail to give satisfaction. 
An instance of a foreman sometimes attaining that 
position before knowing the general rudiments of 
horticulture occurs to me. In passing through, with a 
brother foreman, one of our large private gardens, we 
were shown round by the plant foreman ; and in 
passing through the Melon pit the conversation, of 
course, got -on the subject before us, when the young 
man honestly told us he knew little or nothing about 
fruit culture, and quite possibly at the first change this 
young man might be placed in charge of the fruit 
department. 
The Master. 
Passing to the last part of my text we will now 
consider the master’s duties. Seeing I have touched 
on several things he ought to have done as regards 
teaching his undergraduates, it will be unnecessary 
to mention them again ; but I may be allowed to 
say that some head gardeners do not do their duty 
to men as regards showing them how different 
kinds of work ought to be done, while in doing the 
several lighter kinds of work without imparting a little 
to the apprentices under their charge they are 
actually robbing them of their due rights. Some may 
say, “ Do you practice what you write ?” My answer is, 
Yes, so far as my knowledge extends, as gardening has 
no hidden secrets to me. Gardening is not an art for 
which one can take out a patent, and at the end of 
man’s existence, if he has not divulged his secrets of 
success to those about him, his patent and patent office 
are gone beyond recovery or use to living society. 
Masters in some cases are not altogether to blame; 
possibly their term of office is not “built on a rock,” or, 
from a builder’s point, has “passed the surveyor.” Their 
staff may be made up of apprentices and labourers only. 
In cases like these, one must deal gently with the 
master. A great many men forget, when they are raised 
to the top, that they once lived in a bothy ; they forget 
that they would have once been glad of the master’s old 
Chronicle, The Gardening World, Garden, or any 
other gardening periodical ; they forget that an old 
catalogue of some seedsman would have been a useful 
addition to their little store of books as a reference for 
some plant or seed name ; aud fail to see how they could 
help the young men under them in their vocation, by 
books that their humble pittance can ill afford to 
purchase, but which would help to knit the bond of 
friendship between master and men. 
Masters in a great many instances neglect that most 
important point—to treat those under them as human 
beings, and possessed of feelings akin to themselves ; 
their idea is to treat their subordinates as being far 
below their own social standing, to keep them at a 
distance in case any undue intimacy or liberty should 
be taken ; but if they are men possessed of ordinary 
self-possession, they can with every confidence converse 
with those under them on matters horticultural, to the 
benefit of the men and often of themselves, and still 
command that respect which their position deserves. 
In summing up the above remarks, I would re¬ 
commend greater unity among masters and men—a 
more brotherly fellowship, not a mere grasping of 
position, but with an aim to teach and impart in¬ 
formation to those under their change ; to encourage a 
love for their work by experimenting with different 
subjects in an open and helpful manner. By so doing, 
we should find, in course of time, that apprentices 
would invariably commence their first stage in a 
journeyman’s life with a better store of the general 
rudiments of gardening in their heads than the 
ordinary run that have passed before them. 
With regard to schools of horticulture, nothing, in 
my opinion of high scientific training, will ever act as 
a remedy for the present grievance. At the same time, 
I do not maintain that the learning of the higher 
sciences of gardening is an evil to be avoided ; but I 
maintain that nothing but practical science and 
practical examinations will, in course of time, raise the 
standard of horticulture in this country.— G. Beaton. 
- -- 
otes from Scotland. 
Celery. —The first crop of well-blanched Celery for the 
August and September exhibitions is of great importance 
to the grower, as it is one of the most telling items in 
a collection of vegetables. Many fail by undue haste. 
The seed is sown and subjected to strong heat, causing 
weakly growth and a strong proclivity to “bolt” to 
seed. Great size is often aimed at, while looseness of 
growth and pithy stems may be very prominent. The 
careful judge soon detects this, and very often the 
smaller, compact, and solid Celery is awarded first 
honours. If the seed be sown and covered with fine 
soil, kept near the light, extremes of temperature 
carefully avoided, watered with care, the transplanting 
from seed pans to boxes, &c., being done in a skilful 
manner, and all checking avoided, one need not 
fear having good solid and well-blanched Celery during 
August and onward. Major Clarke’s Red and Turner’s 
Incomparable (if true) are difficult to surpass for general 
use ; but some of the larger kinds may be more suitable 
for early autumn exhibitions. We generally grow 
about four successive sowings, and last year the first 
and last have been and are the most serviceable. 
Cold unnecessary drenchings of water at the roots in 
the early stages of growth, or neglect with moisture, 
are evils which are certain to cause disappointment. 
Water with a very fine rose before sowing the seed, 
covering it lightly.— Caledonian. 
Forced Vegetables.— Onions. —Among the 
keen exhibiting class of growers, the present time is 
chosen for sowing the seeds of their choice kinds of 
Onions, in pans, pots or boxes. By doing so in good 
time, allowing the plants plenty of scope to grow, 
without forcing them by heat to any great extent, keep¬ 
ing them near the light, allowing plenty of air, and by 
careful attention with water, the plants are strong and 
in good condition for transplanting during early spring. 
Prizes are given for “spring sown ” and “autumn sown” 
bulbs. It would be puzzling to tell which was the earlier 
or later sowing. One very successful competitor openly 
declared at an exhibition last autumn that he made 
sure of getting his “spring sowing ” in during the early 
part of January. We know perfectly well that in 
northern districts exhibition Onions and Leeks cannot 
be had in prime condition if sowing is left till spring. 
It would often remove an amount of carping if definite 
seasons were not stated as to the period of sowing the 
seeds. This class of gardening is, of course, not of a 
profitable character, but if success is to be attained by 
exhibitors, neither time, patience nor expense must be 
considered ; and we know much enthusiasm has to bo 
expended before the goal is won. Leeks, Cauliflower, 
Curled Kale, Parsley and Cabbage are brought forward 
for early planting in the same manner as the Onions. 
Carrots and Turnips. 
Where plenty of tree-leaves are procurable, early crops 
of Carrots of the Plorn kind are easily raised through 
the medium of ordinary frames placed on a bed made 
thoroughly firm to prevent excess of heat. Light 
sandy loam, about 8 ins. deep, depending on gentle 
warmth from fermenting material, has always raised the 
finest early Carrots wc have seen. Rows of French 
Breakfast, Early Frame, Olive Shape, or other Radishes 
sown between the Carrots will come into use before the 
latter will suffer by crowding them, and will be cleared 
off to allow the Carrots free space to develop themselves. 
We have always preferred rows to broad-cast sowing. 
A continuous circulation of air at all times for these 
crops is indispensable to success. 
Turnips for April supply may be sown soon. They 
require very little bottom or top heat, as premature 
seeding may be expected when much forcing is resorted 
to. Good wholesome soil made tolerably firm, together 
with protection from frost and damp, is all the young 
plants require. A close atmosphere drives them to 
lanky growth, and premature seeding is the final stage 
before any bulbs are formed. Milan has been our 
favourite for first supply for several years, Munich 
formerly doing good service ; but these kinds are not 
of high quality for general summer crops. Young 
Carrots and Turnips, under the protection of fine ashes, 
are very serviceable at the present time, and it is not a 
difficult matter to have these in fair condition till 
young crops are ready in spring.— Caledonian. 
Stirling Horticultural Society.—The annual 
social meeting of the members of this society was held 
on Thursday evening, January 26th, Mr. W. W. 
Ritchie, Polmaise, presiding. There was a good 
attendance of members, and after partaking of an 
excellent tea, the chairman briefly addressed the 
meeting, referring to the work of the past session, and 
expressing the hope that the next would prove a 
worthy successor. He then introduced Mr. Mungo 
Temple, of Carron House Gardens, as the essayist for 
the evening. Mr. Temple said it gave him great 
pleasure to be there that evening and to contribute 
what share he could to the enjoyment of the pro¬ 
ceedings. The subject on which he proposed to speak 
might be styled “Observations on Some of the Main 
Principles of Cultivation.” He treated briefly the 
important matters of soil, moisture—the proper watering 
of plants, air, light, heat, and manure, and, in an 
admirable address, showed the necessity of acquiring 
sound information on these subjects, such as would 
enable them to meet difficulties, improve cultural details, 
and simplify the modus operandi of their calling. 
Following the delivery of Mr. Temple’s address, several 
of the members made a few remarks eulogistic of that 
gentleman’s observations, and a cordial vote of thanks 
was accorded him. A pleasant conversazione followed, 
and the proceedings terminated with an unanimous vote 
of thanks to the chairman and secretary. — W. J. C. 
Mulching Fruit Bushes. — Experience has 
shown, in every district, that judicious mulching has 
had the most beneficial effect on every kind of fruit¬ 
bearing tree ; and it has been an active agent, in many 
cases, in arresting disease, both in roots and branches— 
the latter are never right when the former are wrong—as 
well as increasing the size and quality of fruits ; but to 
cover surfaces thickly over roots while they are forcing 
themselves deeply into unwholesome subsoil is mischief 
of no ordinary magnitude, and much of this has come 
under our notice. Instead of removing the under¬ 
surface evil first, and then endeavouring to induce the 
upward growth of roots, the cutting and hacking of 
branches receives attention only. Such mischief is 
only practised by novices now, and they ought easily 
to see that it is an error, by the numerous writers on 
the subject, and the explicit details so often given 
during the year pointing to the evils of mutilating 
branches while the roots are in form antagonistic to 
success. During the slight frosts we have had in our 
locality—no snow has yet fallen in quantity sufficient 
to fairly cover the ground—well-rotted manure has 
been wheeled to fruit trees, shrubs, Conifers, and fruit 
bushes—especially Currants and Gooseberries—for the 
purpose of mulching them. The bushes having all 
been lifted, root-trimmed, and re-planted a few years 
ago, are now a compact mass of fibres, and for three 
seasons past they have borne enormous crops of fruit, 
with comparatively little growth of wood, requiring 
