THE GARDENING ENTHUSIAST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 26, 26 June 1912, Page 40

THE GARDENING ENTHUSIAST.

AA'e all know him, albeit at times we find him rather trying. Still, we have a warm corner in our hearts for him, even when he is most persistent in his demands. There are, of course, enthusiasts and enthusiasts, and our regard does not, I fear cover the whole fraternity. AA’e do not love the “variety” that each spring swoops down on us for plants of all kinds, and who, after planting, or maybe only “sheuching in” what he has cadged, finds his gardening enthusiasm cool until another spring. Most of us know this kind, and endeavour by one means or another to shake him off. but usually find it to be rather a “tench” job. However, although not at all uncommon, this spurious enthusiast is fortunately greatly outnumbered by the genuine lover of gardening, and to this latter class we all gladly lend a hand as opportunity offers. In casting back in my mind over the numerous enthusiasts it has been my good fortune to meet. I am not at all sure as to which of the various “fanatics” was the most in earnest. I have known the pansy man, auricula man, daffodil man. sweet pea man, and dozens of other single-flower fanciers, each of whom exhibited the greatest enthusiasm for his own particular “love.” An acquaintance, himself a general gardening enthusiast, says that he has known sweet pea-daft men, auricula-daft men, and pansy-daft men, but. to his mind, the daffodil-daft man is the daftest. Be that as it may, I have met “gey daft” enthusiasts on various sections of the art, and have had much pleasure and profit listening to their talk on their favourite subject. Probably the most interesting enthusiast is he who has a great love for all flowers, and who can be entertaining on quite a. number of flowers. This latter is perhaps the rarest of the species; nor is this to be wondered at, seeing that to thoroughly master the requiremeirta of even one species of plant requires a considerable amount of time and patience. One thing at least is apparent, and that is the real enthusiast, especially if he confines his labours fo a few kinds, usually cultivates these well. It is the love one bears to a plant that makes even the hardest

labour «eem light when attending to its wants, and go enables the worker to benefit both in mind and body. Bacon tells us that “gardening is the purest ©f all human pleasures, and a great solace to the heart of man.” That being so, in a general sense, there can be no doubt; but it is only the true enthusiast who can fully appreciate the meaning of these noble words. It may now be profitable to say a few words about some of the enthusiasts I have known intimately, omitting names in case some of my friends might object to publicity, as the truly modest very often do.

The first on my list was a show dahlia enthusiast. It was while I was at school (alas! a long time ago now) that I knew “Jeems.” He was beadle of the Parish Church, and a pawky, humorous body. His dahlias were his pride, and certainly finer .blooms of the show and fancy sections I have never seen. His garden was no great size, but he managed to find room for some three dozen of his favourites. I remember one year poor “Jeems" met with a sad “mischanter.” His plants were growing well, but a neighbouring farmer was using some kind of artificial manure for his turnips, and “Jeems,” thinking to improve matters, took a pail and helped himself to a generous quantity of this material wherewith to treat his favourites. Making a little trench round each plant, he scattered an a good handful to each, and then well watered it in. In a day or two the fine, promising dahlias were all withered and ruined for the season, and “Jeems” was in despair. However, it weaned him from experimenting with stuff out of a “poke,” and the same trouble never befell him again.

This inclination to be very good to plants has often disastrous effects, just such as poor “Jeems” had. Another old fellow who grew very fine black currants nearly killed his bushes outright by being too generous with fowl manure. Before leaving dahlias, I should mention the pompoms of an old friend in the South of Scotland. For years he had a perfect craze for this section; and such plants as he could produce! I have, seen them eight feet high, and covered with beautifully perfect blooms. Eventually he transferred his favours to the cactus section, and did them equally well. I know several auricula enthusiasts, and the amount of labour these men expend on these modest flowers is simply wonderful. The bulk of these men grow simply for the love of the flower, but the pansy men are nearly all exhibitors. It is astonishing the hold the pansy cult can have on its devotees, and the amount of time and labour they will expend endeavouring to beat a neighbour.