May 12, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
583 
tilings, and for the last five years we have averaged 
about SO loads per year, using it for one thing or 
another, and carted from a distance of 10 miles. 
"We had occasion, two years ago, to plant two beds of 
that brilliant variety of Ehododendron, John "Waterer, 
which required upwards of 130 plants. The beds were 
specially prepared of equal parts of peat and loam. I 
wrote for a list of varieties to one of the first nursery 
firms in the kingdom, and it stated that the plants 
could be grown without peat, which proved to be true 
as regards their soil, for when the plants arrived it was 
patent that they had been growing in friable loam, but 
the statement was not at all applicable to our case. 
An explanation was demanded from me by my employer 
as to why so much peat was used. It is needless to 
say that not one plant has succumbed after passing 
through two very critical seasons. Another thing 
which is sometimes overlooked is the fact that Rhodo¬ 
dendrons have a large amount of leaf surface ; but the 
cool moist air of the north does not encourage evapo¬ 
ration to the same degree as in the south, hence their 
adaptability for higher elevations, banks, or raised 
beds. Indeed, if it were not for the Rhododendron, I 
do not know what some of us would do in our northern, 
smoky, and soot-begrimed atmosphere.— B. L. 
-- 
GARDENERS’ EXAMINATIONS. 
Permit me to express my pleasure at seeing that there 
is a disposition to revive the examinations of gardeners 
inaugurated some twenty years ago by the Royal 
Horticultural Society and the Society of Arts, and 
which, I believe, were given up partly on account of 
the great distance of many of our largest and best 
gardens from the centres in which the examinations 
were held, and partly, I doubt not, owing to the 
apathy of the youthful gardeners themselves. Without 
being egotistical, I may state that I am one of the few 
who gained two First Class Certificates at those 
examinations, to attend which I was compelled on four 
occasions to walk to a town seven miles distant, the 
return journey being made after 9.30 each night. 
Others, however, if they wished to take part in the 
competitions, have had to travel twice as far without 
any railway accommodation. 
With regard to the proposal to resume the examina¬ 
tions, I would like to throw out one or two hints to the 
council of the R. H. S. In the first place, the council 
should make its intentions known through the gardening 
press. It should, at the same time, invite the co¬ 
operation of secretaries of provincial horticultural 
societies to receive the names of candidates, and appoint 
two or three members of their committee to assist in 
conducting the examinations. To these gentlemen 
should be delegated the duties of securing suitable 
rooms for holding the examinations in—say, the class¬ 
rooms of the elementary school in the district; to see 
that the papers are opened in the presence of the candi¬ 
dates ; to watch that nothing unfair takes place, such as 
one student copying from another or using books ; to 
enjoin perfect quietness ; to note that writing ceases at 
the specified time ; to have the papers enclosed and 
sealed in the presence of the candidates, and see that 
they are duly posted to the secretary of the R. H. S. 
The candidate would be known to the examiner by 
number only, and the number on his paper should 
correspond with that attached to his name in the 
society’s book. In order to give students the advantage 
of long nights in which to study, the examinations 
should be held at the end of February, or not later than 
March, for after that date it is likely that their duties 
in many gardens will be so pressing that they cannot be 
spared an hour or two earlier to attend the examinations, 
which should be held on the same day and at the same 
hour throughout the country. It would not be Tight 
that the district secretaries should be put to any 
expense, and to prevent this it would be well that the 
candidates should be called upon to pay an entrance 
fee of Is., and a further sum of 2s. on presenting them¬ 
selves. This sum should be forwarded to the R. H. S. 
to help to defray the cost of certificates, printing, and 
postage. 
The questions for the first year should be of a simple 
and practical character, and for the second year more 
advanced to those who had gained first-class honours 
in the first stage. The certificates of different grades 
would be granted at this examination. In all 
probability many were deterred from engaging in the 
examinations of twenty years ago, owing to the for¬ 
midable headings in the programme setting forth the 
nature of the questions likely to he asked ; hence it is 
desirable that in any new undertaking of the same 
kind a guarantee should be given that they will be 
within the scope of ordinary minds. This will inspire 
confidence in those who otherwise might not come 
forward. 
If the council should entertain the proposal to hold 
the examinations, it would be wise, ^before any money 
is expended or words wasted, to ask intending can¬ 
didates, through your columns and those of kindred 
journals, to send in their names in this initial stage 
to the secretary of the society. If sufficient students 
be forthcoming, then by all means let the examinations 
be instituted, for I feel persuaded the undertaking will 
not cost the society anything, inasmuch as the 
secretaries and committees of the provincial societies 
will freely volunteer their services, and school managers 
will provide the necessary accommodation for so laud¬ 
able an object. 
Naturally the young gardener will ask, what benefit 
will accrue to him should he be successful in the 
examinations. Experience compels me to say, none 
whatever, beyond the knowledge gained by devotion to 
studies that would not otherwise be undertaken. 
Socially he will remain the same—a domestic servant, 
or as “Sheriff Brown” (reported in your columns) 
said at the Aberdeen Sheriffs’ Court, “only a menial 
according to the law of England,” and he might have 
added, “and treated as such in many instances.” It 
is no libel to say that there are owners of gardens who 
are totally indifferent to the welfare of their gardeners. 
Many, in fact, ignore the question of education ; and I 
am not sure if some would not make a successful 
candidate, if he entered their service, the object of scorn 
and derision, and inflict sundry stabs by taking every 
opportunity to twit him upon his—to them—super¬ 
fluous ability. Personally I have had to put up with 
such treatment. 
My experience is certainly not of a very encouraging 
nature to candidates who may resolve to enter for 
the examinations, and more especially so when I 
state that in my letters of application for a situation 
when out of a berth, I have mentioned that I hold two 
First Class Certificates in floriculture, and also for fruit 
and vegetable culture from the Society of Arts, they 
have never told a single point in my favour. Would 
the suggested letters “ A. R. H. S.” have proved a 
kind of letters patent, and helped me in the matter ? 
I doubt it. But let none of these unpleasant 
reflections deter young men from presenting themselves 
at the examinations, which, when they have passed 
satisfactorily, will prove that they have mastered the 
principles upon which their more important operations 
are based. The possession of such knowledge will 
enable them to give the why and the wherefore, and 
teach them, as it has me, to improve their method of 
culture, if it be only a single plant, so long as it surpasses 
all other efforts. To be masters in practice as well as 
in theory will afford them some solace, if like myself 
they have to bear “ the whips and scorns of time, the 
oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely.”— 
Prizeman. 
——>X<- 
ffoTES FROM 
West of Scotland Notes.— The story is told of 
an elderly Scotch matron who, on rounding the outside 
of her cottage on one occasion, remarked, “ That cauld 
east wind is never warm.” which, if not quite accurately 
put, was well fitted to convey a good impression of the 
scathing effects of such a subtle element, as applied 
either to the animal or vegetable kingdom. Regarding 
the spring of 1888, there is good reason to believe that 
entries of east winds, severe frosts and snowstorms will 
bulk largely in meteorological records. 
Although this county escaped much of the extremely 
severe weather experienced in most other Scottish 
districts, it is the general opinion of farmers and gar¬ 
deners that so far as the spring is concerned, it has 
been of an exceptionally backward character. Up to 
the middle of February it was altogether spring-like, 
and as more than one writer remarked, not unworthy 
of the month of May ; and probably many had an¬ 
ticipated with satisfaction that spring vegetables would 
be secured much earlier than usual with a minimum of 
attention. The almost Arctic weather which prevailed 
for a time, however, has sadly blighted the favourable 
prospects which had previously existed, and, no doubt, 
has created much anxiety in the case of those who are 
hard pushed by the kitchen department. Cold and 
untoward springs, in common with dry hot summers or 
the reverse, are suggestive of useful lessons to gardeners. 
Referring to Celery, for instance, which is classed as a 
winter vegetable, an extra line or two would prove 
very serviceable in such a season as we have recently 
passed through, when such things as young Cabbages, 
Broccoli, and Spinach are not obtainable, and where 
accommodation for forcing vegetables is limited. 
Celery plants for the purpose indicated would be 
early enough sown at the end of April or early in May. 
They can then be grown in cool quarters, thus running 
less risk of bolting than if sown early and liable to 
variations of temperature. "Where early Lettuces are 
wanted, space should be afforded in a frame for as 
many plants as will be likely to give a fair start, as 
those wintered outside are often nearly invisible when 
the first of April comes round, if, indeed, the culti¬ 
vator is fortunate enough to save a portion of them. I 
find about 30 per cent, have survived, which will give 
a useful succession to those planted from a frame along 
the foot of the south aspect of a wall, some of which 
are ready for cutting. The good old system of winter¬ 
ing a number of Cauliflower plants in pots under glass 
protection was never more advantageously practised 
than this season. Well hardened off before being 
put out towards the end of March, I never had them 
better at this date. They suffered little check from 
being turned out of the pots, and are now growing 
rapidly. 
I had thought of abandoning the system of starting 
early Peas in boxes or otherwise, as last season I had a 
very early and satisfactory crop from seed sown in the 
open borders at the end of the previous November. 
The seed was well coated with red lead, which, of 
course, rendered it less palatable to mice, which are the 
chief enemies to Peas in winter. This season they 
escaped the ravages of these pests too, but were much 
checked by the severe weather of March. Those started 
under glass—then well hardened before planting out— 
are now growing rapidly, and will come in before the 
autumn-sown ones. Autumn-planted Cabbages, now 
about fit for use, are fully a month later than last year. 
Spinach and spring Broccoli are giving constant sup¬ 
plies, but are later than usual. Leamington Broccoli 
is a reliable sort for spring cutting here. Autumn- 
sown Onions have fared very badly ; probably, about 
40 per cent, only have survived. The variety is Flat 
Tripoli. I am informed that in the mild climate of 
Rothesay the Onions are even worse cut up by the 
weather than they have been here. 
Bush fruits—such as Currants on dwarf walls, as also 
Gooseberries and Currants in the open—give promise 
of at least average crops. It is too soon to speak of 
other fruits, but fortunately the blossom will be so late 
that little danger from frost need be apprehended.— 
M., North Britain. 
The late Mr. William Thom, of Newton - 
Don. —By the death of this estimable man on April 
30th, has passed away from among us one who, in his 
day, was a famous and most successful exhibitor at 
Edinburgh and other shows held in the south ot 
Scotland. Mr. Thom, as we learn from The Kelso Mail, 
was a native of Linlithgowshire, having been born in 
the village of Carriden on the 25th of June, 1808. He 
was early apprenticed as a gardener in the vicinity of 
his native place, and subsequently gained great ex¬ 
perience in his profession in the counties of Linlithgow, 
Renfrew, Perth, and Midlothian. It was while in the 
latter county, at Riccarton, that the famous Fuchsia 
Riccartoni was brought out. He afterwards removed 
to East Lothian, where at St. Germains he was head 
gardener to the late amiable Mr. William Anderson. 
It was while here that Mr. Thom became a notable 
exhibitor at all the great horticultural shows in Edin¬ 
burgh, and somewhat of a terror to competitors. The 
single Dahlia, now so fashionable, then gave place to 
the double flowers, and in their culture Mr. Thom found 
a congenial pursuit; and his success in it may be judged 
from the fact that he more than once carried off first 
honours at Edinburgh against all comers. At Martin¬ 
mas, 1847, Mr. Thom went to Newton-Don, and for 
many years he continued to take a deep practical 
interest in the affairs of the local horticultural 
society. At Newton - Don his intelligence and 
energies were afforded much wider scope than the 
garden merely. As land steward he showed a sound 
practical knowledge of the science of forestry ; and his 
numerous friends among the farmers of the district have 
long been aware of his shrewdness and sagacity in the 
management of land and farm crops. In his relation to 
his employers, Mr. Thom had always occupied not only 
a trusted, but a respected position. His scrupulous 
honesty and unfailing fidelity to duty were accompanied 
by a very unostentatious, but sturdy, self-respect, and a 
gentlemanly dignity of manner that won alike the esteem 
of those whom he served, and the ready respect and 
confidence of those who served under him. He resigned 
active duty at Martinmas last, having held his situation 
at Newton-Don for the long period of forty years. 
SCOTLAND. 
