| Description | The fruit trees arrived to-day at noon, and the gardener began to plant the peaches in the afternoon. Cheshire has not been able to speak much with him, as he has been busy weighing the dollars, which arrived at 10 a.m. The gardener is Thomas Mally, 36, who was formerly employed by Francis Richard Price, of Brinny Price, Wrexham, for 8 months, and discharged two months ago; Cheshire does not know why. He was previously with John York of Richmond, Yorks., for 12½ years, and in between was employed for 6 months at Butler’s nursery. Cheshire gives a detailed account of his qualifications.
Handsworth, November 16th, 1810.
Respected Sir,
I think it proper to inform you that the fruit trees arrived here about 12 o’clock to-day, and the gardener who had the charge of them began this afternoon to plant the peaches, which appear to be very fine trees. Having been engaged in weighing the dollars, which did not reach Soho till 10 o’clock this morning, I have not been able to have much conversation with the gardener. He seems a sedate and respectable man. After informing him of the depths and compositions of the borders, etc., I gather’d from him the following particulars—
His name is Thomas Mally, 36 years of age.
Last situation—with Francis Richard Price, of Brinny Place, Wrexham, with whom he lived eight months, and was discharged about two months ago, but from what cause has not been able to learn. Was informed on leaving that he had not been long enough in the situation to demand a character, but he need not be under any uneasiness on that account, as it wou’d not be denied him.
His former situation was with John York, Esqr., Richmond, Yorkshire. Lived with this gentleman 12½ years, to whom also he refers for character. The cause assign’d for leaving the last mention’d situation is ill health, having been two years scarcely able to do any work.
The period between the two situations was 16 months, during which he was chiefly employ’d at Mr. Butler’s nursery.
He has had men under him and kept regular accounts of their time, but has not had any experience in selling and measuring work, except common trenching by the flat yard. He learnt mensuration when at school, and supposes he could soon learn to measure work generally, if required. In all the branches of horticulture, the kitchen garden, forcing, etc., he speaks with confidence of his ability, and that he has made some considerable plantations of forest trees. Of laying out grounds, draining, and farming, he speaks with diffidence, but observes that if these objects are essential he should make it his . . . and pleasure to acquire knowledge of them, and with respect to the land within your inclosure he thinks he can take good care of it, the more especially as it is . . . to be kept in the state of lawn or pasture.
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PS. The gardener expects to finish planting the trees on Monday, and proposes to return on Tuesday. |