January 26, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
339 
are unconsciously induced to assist. In the Cypri- 
pedium the labellum serves an important purpose in 
that direction, not so much, however, hy attracting as 
by constituting a kind of trap, permitting only one 
means of escape—namely, at the back by the side of 
the column, compelling the intruder to carry with it 
the pollen-mass, which is probably conveyed to another 
flower, and in endeavouring to escape again the first 
pollinia would be placed on the stigma before the next 
wa3 reached. As an attraction, the upper or dorsal 
sepal, usually so much larger and more showy than the 
other portion of the flower, really takes upon itself the 
duties of the normal Orchid labellum, and it performs 
its task well. The brightest colouring is concentrated 
there, and it is moreover frequently arranged in bold 
bars or lines of dots tending in the direction of the lip, 
probably acting as guides to the insect visitors. 
Self- Fertilisation. 
Self-fertilisation is rare amongst the Cypripedium 3 , 
but it is rather a remarkable fact that with all these 
adaptations to favour cross-fertilisation travellers tell 
us seed pods are comparatively scarce on plants in a 
wild state, and importers seldom receive specimens 
bearing seed. It is even thought that some species are 
gradually approaching extinction from this cause, as 
their increase by growth is slow, and in any case this 
must keep the species within restricted areas. In one 
very remarkable case, that of C. Schlimii, self-fertili¬ 
sation is a common occurrence, and the ill effects of 
this are apparent in the weakness of imported plants, 
and in home-raised seedlings not derived from a cross 
with a stronger species. Here we have a tendency to 
extinction from a directly opposite cause from that j ust 
assigned—namely, the limited production of seeds, as 
0. Schlimii is endangered by its own fertility. It would 
seem, therefore, that these Orchids are not the most 
favoured by Nature in the race of life ; yet it is strange 
that under cultivation they are readily increased by 
seed, crosses are obtained with ease, and the number of 
hybrids already raised and recognised as distinct are far 
more numerous than all the known species. 
The leaves of some of the “Ladies Slippers” are 
very interesting and beautiful. In such species as C. 
Lawrenceanum and C. Hooker® there is an exquisite 
marbling or variegation of light and dark green, some 
being tesselated in a most artistic manner. In others 
of the C. concolor type, with thick leathery leaves, the 
surface is covered with a kind of transparent crystalline 
glaze, through which the markings have a beautiful 
effect. Of course, none of the Cypripediums can be 
said to rival their charming relatives, the Ansetochili 
or Goodyeras, in beauty of foliage, yet they rank next 
to them in these attractions. 
(To be continued.J 
-- 
GARDENERS OF THE FUTURE. 
Concerning the discussion which has been going on 
in your journal with regard to the gardeners of the 
fature, Mr. J. Peebles (p. 306) draws unfair conclusions 
in treating of the duties of head gardeners towards their 
subordinates when he says that complaints are made 
about young gardeners not receiving instruction in the 
sciences from their chiefs. If we are to rely solely upon 
our superiors for instruction we cannot expect to 
excel them, and gardeners of the future, if such were 
the case, could in no way be superior in education to 
them. Gardeners in the past have been largely drawn 
from the ranks of the labouring classes, still continue 
to be so, and the practice is likely to be continued in 
the future. Now it is very evident that such men are 
rarely in a position to give their sons a technical educa¬ 
tion, so that to look forward to the latter as teachers of 
science is expecting too much ; there are exceptions 
certainly, and it is mainly due to individual talent and 
innate perseverance that they can thus outdistance 
their former schoolmates and equals. It remains for 
the gardeners of the future to develop their talents 
individually, or call in the assistance of teachers, of 
whom there are many more in the present day than 
when our superiors were young men. 
I have myself come in contact with gardeners whose 
knowledge of the sciences was very limited, but did not 
less appreciate their efforts to impart practical instruc¬ 
tion ; at the same time I did not doubt but that an 
appreciable, that is, a fair amount of knowledge of the 
sciences would have been of an incalculable benefit to 
them, not only with regard to their own duties, and in 
their dealings with subordinates, but also in their 
relations to, and communications with, their employers ; 
but above all things, it need hardly be necessary to 
draw attention to the fact that young gardeners need 
not point to their superiors as a standard beyond which 
it is useless or unnecessary to go. If such were the 
case, no improvement nor progress could be made on 
any ancient existing order of things. Mr. Peebles says 
that “a man can be a very successful gardener without 
possessing a knowledge of botany or chemistry ” ; but 
his general argument breaks down when he admits that 
such a man would, no doubt, be more successful when 
in possession of a good knowledge of those subjects. 
After such an admission, it seems unnecessary to ask 
the question whether those sciences were “absolutely 
necessary ” to grow Chrysanthemums to a certain degree 
of perfection which he indicates. In his previous 
sentence he practically admits it. 
It is a very difficult question to say precisely what 
perfection is, even when applied to the growing of 
Chrysanthemums. Everyone knows that a certain 
amount of risk attends the growing of Chrysanthemums, 
as occasional complete failures show, even in the appli¬ 
cation of manures. Now, a knowledge of chemistry 
would undoubtedly have prevented those failures in 
most cases, except through inadvertence or sheer acci¬ 
dent. At the same time, it must not be denied that 
the Chrysanthemum growers he mentions possess a 
large amount of practical knowledge of the sciences in 
question ; and that in their proper application resides 
their value. Science improperly applied is no science 
at all, and may be compared to a trial or experiment, 
or, to speak mildly of it, a leap in the dark. Botany 
at first sight would to the uninitiated not appear to be 
of any assistance to the cultivator of Chrysanthemums ; 
but Mr. Peebles must not overlook the fact that botany 
as a science is not confined to a mere list of technical 
terms. Physiology is but a branch of it, which treats 
of the natural functions of the various organs of plants, 
and teaches us what are their requirements and how 
we may best supply those wants. This, again, is 
intimately linked with chemistry, and soils with 
geology, so that it would be difficult to say where one 
might stop and show that plant culture does not require 
further elucidation. 
I would urge Mr. Peebles to look beyond the little 
difficulty attached to the acquirement of a knowledge of 
mere technical terms, such as he gives in several parts 
of his article. They are only the alphabet by which 
one is enabled to read in the book of science ; and that 
the latter may be of practical value to a man, he must 
pursue a subject a little farther than the acquirement 
of a “ smattering of technical phrases,” or terms that 
merely serve to unlock its pages. Again, a knowledge 
of the elements of chemistry will serve but little if the 
gardener has no idea of their relations to plant life, 
and be able to apply them in any particular case, such, 
for instance, as the best kind of manure to give to a 
certain plant or class of plants, the method .of applying 
it, and the proportion at different stages of develop¬ 
ment of the plants under the gardener’s care. Botany 
also teaches what relations heat, moisture and light 
have to plant life, without which knowledge the 
technicalities of the science would be dry reading indeed. 
The practical gardener he mentions is a very good 
type of the old school ; a good instance of the con¬ 
servatism that prevails amongst them, and the 
unwillingness to depart from the old and beaten track, 
without which progress would be impossible. If the 
seeds, cuttings, or young plants were from tried and 
valuable kinds, they certainly would have deserved a 
place in his garden, whether they had names accom¬ 
panying them or not. The flowering plants, when 
they came into bloom, or the fruit trees, when they 
came into bearing, could have been determined, and 
should they have proved to be new, then, if worthy of 
retention, they deserved a name. In all of these cases 
a knowledge of botany, in certain of its numerous 
branches, would have been of incalculable benefit to 
him. His scientific knowledge would have been no 
detriment to him, but would have enabled him to 
improve upon it. 
Before concluding, I should say that a man may 
grow a certain class, or several classes of plants, to a 
great degree of perfection, simply by close and attentive 
observation, extending over a great number of years ; 
but if a knowledge of the science of those subjects 
would enable him to attain the same degree of perfection 
in a smaller number of years, then I say by all means 
get the necessary knowledge. Young gardeners need 
no check to their ardour, nor cold water thrown on 
their endeavours to acquire a thorough knowledge of 
their profession. On the other hand, they are generally 
but too eager to find an excuse for evading study of 
any kind .—A Gardener. 
I have not seen any comments on the subject of the 
nursery as a school for young gardeners, but I think 
something may be said in reference to it. The most 
evident way in which nurseries are of advantage to 
young gardeners is that they are generally open to give 
them employment when they are not engaged at private 
places, and although the remuneration may be small, 
even this is a great benefit in most cases. It is well 
known that situations are not open at all times—at 
least, of a suitable character. Moreover, nurseries in 
general, on account of their business connections, have 
ready means of securing appointments ; but too often 
we find gardeners (young and old), when employed in 
a nursery, confining their daily thoughts to “more 
wages,” and to obtaining a situation as “gardener,” 
utterly neglecting the opportunity for gaining know¬ 
ledge on subjects that would subsequently be of the 
greatest use to them. 
An attentive and intelligent young man should not 
overlook the many advantages to be gained by spending 
a year or two in a good nursery, where he could learn 
as much as he would in a far longer period spent in a 
comparatively limited private garden. A nurseryman’s 
main object is to supply all that is necessary for the 
furnishing and laying out of gardens, and it may be 
taken for granted that the best nurseries contain fair 
collections of the best plants, trees and shrubs in 
cultivation, all collected together, and almost daily 
under the observation of the learner, who, with the aid 
of books, perseverance, and diligent observation, 
should thus acquire a fair amount of useful knowledge. 
No doubt there are many difficulties to contend with, 
for, of course, a nurseryman expects those in his em¬ 
ployment to work diligently ; but there is no royal 
road to knowledge, and the knowledge of the manage¬ 
ment of a garden is not to be obtained by pertinaciously 
adhering to one particular system, however highly it 
may be recommended. 
The most useful knowledge is only to be acquired by 
perseverance, unremitting industry, and by reducing 
the principles of theory to the certain and infallible 
test of practice. Propagation in all its branches being 
extensively practised in most nurseries, affords oppor¬ 
tunities which no young gardener should neglect, for 
an intelligent attention to the manner in which it is 
performed will necessarily prove to be of the utmost 
benefit to him. 
The propagation of trees, shrubs, and conifers, by 
eyes, cuttings, layers, budding, grafting, &c., is also of 
great interest, and thorough success can only be 
obtained by practical experience, together with a 
thorough knowledge of the principles involved. It 
must be admitted then, that nurseries give the young 
gardener the chance of acquiring an experience which 
could not be got otherwise. 
I sincerely trust the many advantages of a nursery 
to young gardeners (some of which I have pointed out), 
may have some influence in inducing young men to 
make the most of the time they spend in a nursery, 
whether voluntary or otherwise, and, as far as possible, 
take advantage of the many opportunities for improve¬ 
ment at their disposal.— R. J. E. 
I have been reading the letters on this subject with 
great interest, as I look forward to the time when I 
shall help to swell the already over-crowded ranks of 
the profession. I have had fourteen years’ training in 
all branches of gardening, under, for the most part, 
good practical men ; but who, alas for me, knew little 
or nothing about the sciences mentioned by some of 
your correspondents, though I found that their want 
of knowledge on this subject did not make them one. 
whit the less good gardeners. Of course that is a very 
shallow reason why I and my fellow aspirants should 
follow in their wake ; but when one sees such men so 
successful in their respective positions, one is apt to 
come to the conclusion that we can easily dispense 
with the science and yet be good practical gardeners. 
The men who have made themselves efficient in 
botany, chemistry, &c., are chiefly men of means who 
have had a high-class education, and have plenty of 
leisure time, and the best class of books to work with 
-—luxuries that are almost out of a gardener’s reach 
altogether. What the gardeners of the present want, 
is a Union into which no one should be admitted until 
after undergoing a strict examination. That would be 
the means of weeding out hundreds of men who are a 
disgrace to the name of gardeners, and I am sure if we 
young gardeners knew that we had to pass a stiff 
examination before we could call ourselves gardeners, 
it would be the means of making us exert ourselves 
much more than we do at present. There are plenty 
of able men among your correspondents who could take 
this matter up and bring it to a successful issue, and 
by so doing they would have the heartfelt thanks of all 
true sons of Adam.— 0. 
