As one of the rising generation, I feel that it is my clear duty to write and thank Mr David Thomson for making known his views on so important a subject as that of education for those who devote their lives to horticulture, and I subscribe to every sentiment he has expressed.

In the present day, when every class capable of intelligent thinking demands greater facilities for enlightenment than were sought for in the past, it certainly seems a melancholy thing to see a gardener holding forth on behalf of ignorance; but bad as it looks, one not uncommonly meets with such a spectacle, and no influences seem sufficiently congenial to make some men become progressive in the noblest kind of development. It is, however, consoling to remember that no power, which those holding obsolete notions have liberty to wield, can do much permanent harm. Besides, it is quite certain that to be destitute of a cultivated understanding, if it ever was a blessing, is not so now in any sense, but is, on the contrary, rather a curse; and the individual who advocates the cause of stupidity in any form is most decidedly out of date.

It may be asked, How do the eulogists of mere practice say a young man ought to spend his spare time? Is it possible for them to declare that it is better for him to trifle away hours than to use them in acquiring a knowledge of the great principles on which his calling rests? Surely it is easy to see that the man who works by mere routine is placed daily - nay, hourly - at an immense disadvantage.

A plant is sent home from one of the Indian mountains, and an operator unable to tell in reality what physical geography means gets charge of it. Everybody knows that India, on the whole, has a reputation for being a warm place, and without further consideration the unfortunate stranger is consigned to the stove and dies. But there is no need to multiply illustrations.

It is my firm conviction - a conclusion formed from a review of daily practical handwork during the last six years - that such a knowledge, let us say, of the functions which leaves perform in the vegetable economy as any intelligent young man may get by reading over the chapter devoted to the subject in Lindley's ' Theory and Practice of Horticulture' three or four times, with a week's interval between them, and thinking over in the mean time, will raise the value of his work, or at any rate of his capability for any gardening which is not mere drudgery, by at least ten per cent. This is the view which I trust is penetrating by slow degrees the minds of employers and employed, and which I think is the duty of- all who wish well to the interests of gardening to enforce by precept and example at every practicable opportunity.

And as regards the range of subjects, I think that a gardener ought to take an unfeigned delight in becoming acquainted with every science that has a bearing on his profession.

From the making of effort in almost any direction the mind ought to receive tone and strength, just as the bodily condition is improved by reasonable exercise. Intercourse with the best authorities through books hardly ever fails to result profitably, and of course no honest or truly earnest man will let study interfere with the right performance of any portion of actual duty. Further, a very powerful instrument, known as hunger, urges most men, even those of an indolent disposition, into a state of activity; and as no gardener has yet learned the famous trick of economy the man wanted to teach his horse, professionals are pretty certain to keep on doing, however much they may neglect thinking. J. D.