There is another reason why we should embrace all subjects connected with gardening and rural improvement, as well as botany, physiology, and the mere practice of cultivating fruits and vegetables; and that is, the necessity which exists at the present time for young gardeners to extend the boundaries of their knowledge in all country affairs. The changes which are taking place in society, and the desire of the employers of gardeners to economise, is gradually leading to the union in the same person of the offices of gardener, bailiff, and even land steward. We know various instances both in England and Scotland, in which this union has lately taken place; and we rejoice to see it, for the sake of gardeners, and because we have long been aware of the injury which the agriculture and the farmers of this country have sustained from the employment, as land stewards, of attorneys, who, residing in towns, frequently know nothing of rural affairs. The young gardener, therefore, should not only inform himself upon general subjects, for the sake of keeping himself on a par with mechanics, artisans, and indeed almost every other class of young men, who, in consequence of mechanics' institutions and cheap publications, are making the most rapid progress; but he should especially inform himself upon all matters connected with rural improvement, as the only means of fitting himself for rising in the world. Assuredly the time is fast passing away for a nobleman or rich country gentleman to keep a separate head gardener at high wages for each department of his gardens; or for a man possessing only the art of growing pines or perhaps grapes to perfection, or excelling in any one particular article, to even hope to obtain a first-rate situation. The spirit of the times requires in every man not only a thorough knowledge of his own profession, but much general knowledge, to enable him to keep pace with the rapid changes which are taking place around him. As a farther portion of the general results of our tour, we shall submit, in the present Number, some general remarks on the gentlemen's seats, and park and pleasure-ground scenery, of the west of Scotland.
