TUB GARDENING WORLD. 
141 
February 13, 1904. 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
Calanthe Veitchii. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —It is very pleasing to see that the exhibit at page 1049 
is still under discussion, and is improving with each succeeding 
letter. By-and-by Mr. Penton’s- eulogy will be quite left in 
the shade. Mr. Bethel is fuming a little in his last letter, I 
suppose, because he has exhausted his vocabulary in its praise, 
but he must just let himself infuse a little', and then he will find 
words for further eulogy. It is also pleasing to 1 see that the 
judge is willing to add to the praise. He is improving upon his 
original self as well as anybody could expect. 
His version, page 112, is not the same as Mr. Bethel’s official 
version of the criticism, page 49. One phrase in the new 
edition, “ The variety was of very ordinary ‘ merit,’ ” should be 
fully explained for the benefit of the readers; it would make 
the meaning clearer, and might be a valuable addition to our 
horticultural knowledge, which all our discussions should lead 
to. It might also be explained at the same time how a. man, 
who could not be called a youth, could say that the colour 
of Calanthe Veitchii, sitting in a, darkish corner of but a poorly- 
lighted room at the time, was pale, seeing that at best it is 
not a deep shade of colour, and sure to look pale in artificial 
light. The meeting Mr. Cairns refers to, page 112, was never 
asked to give its opinion either one' way or another; neither did 
the meeting, as a meeting, ask the exhibitor to resign or 
apologise. A few partisans spoke—that was all—and the 
thing fizzled out. It might be well to remind Mr. Bethel that 
the judge only got consent to- discourse on the exhibit for the 
edification of the meeting, and how that could be twisted into 
asking a certificate it is not easy to see. What “ Semi- 
Darkness ” is pleased to see is that the exhibit at. page 1049 
is creeping up to its correct standard. Mr. Bethel, in a private 
letter, said it was made out to be an average exhibit; his 
letter' to the Editor improved on that. Mr. Cairns is also doing 
well in that direction. W. K. 
Young Gardeners and Watering, 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, — I hardly like to enter into the arena and cross swords- 
with an “ Experienced One,” being only an .amateur and in 
employer. But I feel I must add my mite of evidence in favour 
of the excellent and helpful letters of “ Japonica ” and of Mr. 
Beckett. 
I was a sufferer from the well-meaning foreman unknown 
to the “ Experienced One,” who watered with his hands and not 
with his brains. I gave him your excellent periodicals to- 
read, containing the interesting and sensible advice of 
“ Japonica” and Mr. Beckett, and the result has been that my 
plants look quite different even in the short time that has 
elapsed since he perused the above-mentioned articles. 
My garden is, I regret to say, undermanned, as the “ Ex¬ 
perienced One ” describes, but I do. not see that that is any 
excuse for a young gardener to “ teem ” water on. everything 
alike, and, in my own case, using the brains has certainly saved 
a good deal of time and a great deal of annoyance both to my 
foreman and to myself. Geraldine Mato. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —I perfectly agreed with the gentleman “ Experienced 
One.” As regards young gardeners and watering, I think 
myself “ Japonica. ” and friend have been too severe upon 
us young gardeners. I myself have only just turned twenty, 
so am quite young as regards the profession, of gardening and 
watering. I perfectly agree with our friend “ Experienced 
One ” as regards places being undermanned. I have been in 
such places myself, but got away as soon as I possibly could. 
It is perfectly true that in some places the staff look upon 
the young men in the houses “ to get over the watering as 
quickly as possible, because they are wanted for other pur¬ 
poses,” such as he says. I also consider Mr. “ Japonica,’s. ” re¬ 
marks veiy unjust towards us young gardeners, and many 
more of my young gardening mates join me in this. I thank 
Mr. “ Experienced One ” very much for hisi few words in your 
valuable paper on February 6th for the sake of us young gar¬ 
deners. We also, should like to know if Mr. “ Japonica ” and 
friend have always practised what they now preach? I do 
not think abler pens could discuss this; important question any 
better than our friend “ Experienced One.” 
Gainsborough, Lines. A Yoong Gardener. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sib, In answer to “ Experienced One’s ” letter in The Gar¬ 
dening World of February 6th, I wish to say a few words. I 
must say I am surprised at the way he has taken up the cudgels 
against myself and Mr. Beckett re what I said about watering. 
Still, perhaps, I ought to -excuse “ Experienced One,” for to 
my belief it is nothing less than jealousy on his part. 
However, I will try and answer his letter as well as I can. 
Firstly, I never .said nor yet tried for one. moment to make 
anyone believe that, there are no competent young gardeners 
in our profession “ who. take any interest whatsoever in water¬ 
ing and planhgrowing.” If he will refer back he will see that- I 
said “ some young gardeners,” not all of them, and I still 
maintain what I said, for I have had proofs; yes, many proofs. 
" Experienced Onei ” must, have had some exceptionally care¬ 
ful young men under him, and he has been very lucky indeed 
if he has never (?) had one under him who was careless with his 
watering. I wonder how many more can say the .same as 
“ Experienced One.” 
Still, in. one part of hi si letter “ Experienced One ” admits 
some “ careless and 'slip-shod ” watering isi done, for he says 
“ he has known cosies where gardens are undermanned, there¬ 
fore the young men have to ‘ teem ” (I did not use this word) 
the water into the plants or leave them undone.” He proves 
my words there. 
I think there can be very few gardeners indeed who-, even] 
if they are undermanned', would wish their undermen to slop 
the wafer into the plants. 
In one part, of his letter “ Experienced One ” has copied my 
words, for I distinctly said, “Watering can only be properly 
learned by practice.” 
I distinctly said, “ As a. rule; a. quick-growing plant, requires 
more water than a slow-growing one..” Well, now, a.re not 
Arum Lilies, Spiraeas, etc. quick-growing subjects ? 
Yes, I can truthfully say I have “ always practised what Ij 
now preach,” for I have alwaysi been under a. good and careful 
master who has been willing to teach his young men. Why 
should “Experienced One” think otherwise? I should like 
him to say why. 
I hope, as “ Experienced One ” does, that some abler pens 
than ours will take up the subject of watering, and see how 
far I am wrong in what I have said. 
Still, I have one very able pen, on my side, viz., Mr. Beckett, 
and I seem to have another on my side this week in “ T. B. 
Byram,” for his- words agree with mine in many ways. 
In conclusion, all I can, say is, I am, very sorry I have offended 
anyone with- my article, and I sincerely hope “ Experienced 
One ” is the only offended person, as I meant my words more 
as advice than “ unjust ” blame.. ' Japonica. 
Labels. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —It, matters little whether Mr. Thatcher and I agree as 
to labels being “ necessary evils.” There is no doubt that a 
label, however -small, detracts- from the beauty of -such plant,9 
as Edraianthus pumilio or Gentiana. verna,. I therefore look 
up-on a, label a,si a necessary disadvantage. 
What is of importance to us isi that we, as gardeners, should 
use the best lab-el we can obtain. Mr. Thatcher believes, it to 
be “ Wood’s plant club- label,” but this is only another form of 
the zinc label, which I mentioned in, my article as, having been 
