Changes in Gardening

Re the article “Era Passes From the Landscape--Japanese-American Gardeners Are Retiring, Yield Routes to Latinos,” Column One, Dec. 21):

My father started gardening after World War II because he had no job skills. He dragged his three little boys to work with him. All the while, he kept telling us: “This is the type of work you will be doing if you don’t get an education! Study hard and make something of yourself!” The work ethic instilled in us has served me well.

Now, I see a lot of Latino gardeners and it warms my heart to see some with their children helping out. I know that their kids will become successful from the lessons they are learning. I’m putting my own kids (ages 5 and 8) to work in my nursery.

HENRY SAKAIDA

Rosemead