106 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 13, 1894. 
PRESENT DAY GARDENING. 
The opening meeting of the Session of the Devon 
and Exeter Gardeners' Improvement Association 
was held on Wednesday evening of last week, when 
there was a good attendance of members, Mr. 
Andrew Hope, Honorary Secretary, presiding. Mr. 
W. Swan, gardener to J. P. Bryce, Esq., of Bystock, 
near Exmouth, was the essayist for the evening, and 
the subject " Present Day Gardening.” 
Perhaps it might be considered wise to divide my 
subject and speak first of the workers, and then to 
allude to their work ; but to treat this subject in that 
manner is, I think, scarcely advisable, for it is 
difficult to treat of the one without reference to 
the other, and yet without drawing too severe a line 
and sharply separating them. I shall first call your 
attention to the men, gradually merge into their 
labours and anxieties, and draw a few conclusions by 
way of summing up. Just a word in passing in 
regard to societies such as this. I do not speak 
without some knowledge, both of their inner work 
and of their outer advantage. The secretaryship 
which I held of one of the most flourishing societies 
in the North, gave me plenty of opportunities of see¬ 
ing and knowing much of their utility, so that I am 
led to say I consider these societies of a most help¬ 
ful and encouraging character, so much so that a 
regular and sympathetic attendance is certain to give 
pleasure and profit to the members, since informa¬ 
tion is imparted, facts are elicited, and methods of 
procedure recommended that have been proved to be 
right in regard to the culture of various plants and 
fruits, whether those grown indoors or outside. 
Courses of treatment, which have been found to be 
erroneous, are here set forth, so that young and 
inexperienced fellows may be directed which course 
to adopt, and which with equal wisdom they should 
learn to avoid. Not that I wish it to be inferred 
that every course that appears correct should in all 
its detail be followed by those who may be placed in 
similar circumstances, nor that in its fulness every 
phase on the other side should be scrupulously 
avoided, for there is always in the lot and position of 
each such need of modification, and individualising 
according to locality, aspect and surroundings, that 
it is only by a careful and thoughtful application of 
details and methods of culture, that we can hope to 
succeed in our labours ; whilst we ourselves receive 
some share of pleasure we may at the same time 
impart gladness and satisfaction to those by whom 
we are employed. 
I consider it a matter somewhat remarkable that 
societies such as this should have sprung up so 
numerously, and that in almost every important 
centre there should be one established with a mem¬ 
bership more or less numerous according to the 
number of those employed in gardens in the 
respective localuies; that in many instances a room 
is provided where gardening papers may be read; 
and that a good library of standard works and books 
dealing with all branches of practical gardening 
should occupy a large space on the shelves, and 
should be continually examined and studied by those 
attending. I say it is a notable and healthy sign of 
progress and advancement ; for if in any way the 
enquiring spirit can be encouraged, and those who 
are searching for knowledge can be assisted, a double 
duty is laid upon those who have the information, 
that they impart it in a cheerful spirit, and never 
fail to make use of opportunities as they present 
themselves. 
I am not able to speak with absolute certainty of 
the doings of the workers in other branches of the 
extensive fields oi labour ; they may have means of 
imparting knowledge of which I am not cognisant, 
and be able to convey the latest developments of 
their special industry in a manner that is unknown 
to me : yet speaking broadly I think I may say, no 
other class of workers have formed such associations, 
nor have produced such a body of thoughtful and 
practical men, who are competent and willing, by 
writing, lectures, or giving practical demonstration, 
to impart true and correct information on all that 
pertains to the wide domain of Horticulture. 
It may, perhaps, be contended by some that 
Gardening is but a very simple subject, the main 
features of which are easily acquired; that the range 
of enquiry and practice is of so circumscribed a 
character, that but little preparation is needed on 
the part of those who engage in it, whether for 
pleasure or as a means of livelihood. Of those who 
have such opinions, and hold views of so restricted 
a nature, I would at once endeavour to disabuse 
the minds, contending that whilst horticulture or 
gardening is one of the most ancient of all the 
labours in which mankind has been engaged, and has 
come down to us through all the ages, sometimes I 
admit it has been less valued than at others; yet at 
the present day it is one of the most important 
branches of labour and means of livelihood of the 
many occupations in this and other leading civilized 
countries ; and so as it is better understood and the 
considerations it demands more liberally bestowed, 
it may still become more valuable, inasmuch as when 
the best methods of culture are accepted, and 
practised by an ever-increasing number of workers, 
far greater results in regard to the production of 
flowers, fruits, and vegetables will be apparent, than 
unfortunately some of us are compelled to acknow¬ 
ledge is the case at present. 
I do not know all the details of the management 
of this Society ; the Syllabus doubtless gives a 
fair idea of the ordinary plan of procedure—viz., 
a set paper by a specialist and discussion invited 
thereupon, and a summing-up by the chairman ; 
that is very good so far as it goes, but is no 
divergence from this permitted ? Is there no other 
way of eliciting facts and information ? I venture to 
think that there is, and if you will permit me I will 
offer one suggestion. Let one night in the session, 
or two if it is found to answer (which I would have 
in the latter portion) be set apart for the young men, 
who should be encouraged during the winter to hand 
to the Secretary, and which I would have unsigned, 
any matter pertaining to the ordinary routine of the 
profession that appears to the Questioner as needful 
of explanation, and on which he can formulate an 
intelligible query. When, say six, eight or a dozen 
such inquiries are sent in, the Secretary shall then 
request that one or more of the older members shall 
reply to them, and if it can be so arranged that 
practical demonstration should accompany the 
information so imparted : I do not mean that the 
member should have the questions given him on the 
night he would be requested to answer, but if he 
had them a week before-hand he would have the 
ideas in his mind, and matter and material would 
continually gather, and so with experience coupled 
with plain, scientific truth, much handy information 
would, I am sure, be imparted. This would be more 
easily accepted, remembered, and put in practice 
than when only one subject is treated upon during 
the evening, and many leaving, and saying after¬ 
wards there was one matter I should like to have 
had explained, but I did not like to put the question, 
as I thought it too simple. 
I do not know whether any members of this 
Society are on the Devon County Council, nor if in 
any way the Society is represented on the committee 
which is formed for this district, but as the County 
Councils have committed to them the carrying out 
of all methods which pertain to the advancement of 
technical education in all branches of labour, it cer¬ 
tainly seems to me but reasonable that gardening, 
one of the staple industries of the county, should 
have fuller recognition, and material assistance at 
the hand of those who have the means, and that the 
council might appoint one or more competent men 
who have the confidence of their brother practitioners. 
Such a one would be worth securing for the answer¬ 
ing of questions such as I have endeavoured to 
describe. The council too, in my opinion, should set 
apart in three or four parts of the county plots of 
land that in truth should be schools of gardening, 
where under thorough practical gardeners the 
phases of the profession that are least understood 
and practised should be carried out, and all open to 
the public who seek admission and information, at 
certain times and days. Such schools should give 
practical demonstrations of all branches of hardy 
fruit culture, the kinds most suitable to the locality, 
and give information on many matters pertaining to 
vegetable culture that at present are not universally 
understood. It seems to me that as soon as our 
district and parish councils are formed and in work¬ 
ing order the question of allotments and all that it 
means must soon engage their attention. 
Of the gardening pursuits of the ancients it is not 
necessary for me to speak, nor would I detain you in 
giving an account of the practices of those of our 
own country of some eighty or a hundred years ago; 
we should probably be amused at some of their 
methods and smile at many of the wonderful virtues 
that were said to exist in most of the subjects on 
which they expended their skill. Yet no doubt they 
had advanced and were advancing, but the practical 
application and scientific knowledge as we under¬ 
stand it did not exist in any measure or degree. 
That wondrous advances, however, have taken place 
during the past sixty years must be admitted, and 
that the rate of progression has been the most rapid 
during the last thirty years cannot be gainsaid, and 
though gardening to-day stands at a higher level 
than ever it has before, I venture to assert that still 
higher attainments are possible, for the law of pro¬ 
gression assuredly holds in this as in all other 
branches of science and practice. The gardeners of 
past days (I speak here of those of some fifty years 
ago) had much to contend with in regard to the 
class of buildings in which they grew their plants 
and fruits. The houses generally were of a lean-to 
character, much woodwork being used in their con¬ 
struction, and the glass for the roofs was seldom 
more than 6 in. by 3 in. or 4 in.; the rafters, there¬ 
fore, were very near each other, and the large 
number of laps in the glass which always become 
darkened through moisture and vegetable matter 
adhering in them had an appreciable effect in 
reducing the amount of light entering the houses. 
Light I consider a most important factor in all plant 
and fruit culture. 
But in this matter I pray you do not misunder¬ 
stand me ; it was impossible to secure glass of large 
size in those days; the duty on glass made this luxury 
almost prohibitive, so perforce they must use that 
which they could obtain. I fear sometimes, how¬ 
ever, we in these days come very near the point of 
danger, for the roofs of modern buildings are often 
glazed with sheets of glass 16 in. by 12., 18 in. by 
14 in., and in some cases even larger than this. The 
clear uninterrupted sunlight that enters the houses 
through this means is often very injurious, more 
especially in the early part of the season, say April, 
May, and June. I know this necessitates greater 
watchfulness on the part of the gardener and his 
men, but with all the care that may be taken some¬ 
times cold and injury are incurred to the lasting 
detriment of the subjects under the glass. 
Again, the method of heating horticultural build¬ 
ings by means of hot water was then unknown, or 
or in such an infantile stage that but few places had 
ventured to apply it for heating purposes; and so 
the old-fashioned flue and cavity walls still pertained, 
whilst leaves, bark, and fresh manure were brought 
into requisition, that a regular supply of warmth 
might be secured in the houses. 
That, in spite of such difficulties, many noble 
specimen plants were grown, and much choice fruit 
ripened and placed on the tables of wealthy patrons 
I am prepared to believe, and would most heartily 
and willingly add my word of praise to those who 
were so successful. But in those days the number 
of clever practitioners were few and the measure of 
success they attained was of a very variable quantity. 
I venture to say that some sixty years ago the whole 
of the famous gardeners in the county of Devon 
were not so large in number as the audience I have 
now before me ; for when we speak of fame in this 
matter you must remember they were considered 
notable in large measure because of their rarity, 
while at the same time the pinnacle of success they 
attained would now be considered but of a very 
meagre quality. Mind you, I do not seek to depre¬ 
ciate, nor in any way lessen the credit that attaches 
to their names; but what I do contend for is the 
fact that present-day gardeners have in their midst 
a large number that reach a far higher water-mark, 
inasmuch as they have to supply in quantity fruits, 
flowers and vegetables that in those days were con¬ 
sidered impossible. I remember speaking to one 
such veteran some few months ago, and he stated 
rather sadly, as it seemed to me, that now he was 
expected to have various subjects ready for use in 
May and June that in his early days gave unbounded 
satisfaction if they were ripe in August and Septem¬ 
ber ; and so constant change and progress have 
continued until many things must now be supplied 
for a period of six or eight months that formerly were 
presented ^nd over in about half that length of time. 
Then, too, few plants were used for house decora¬ 
tion, and but a very small quantity of cut flowers 
were taken into the mansions; in fact, the labour of 
the house decorator was of a most minute descrip¬ 
tion, and so, as but few of this class of plants were 
required, it followed that a very limited number 
