At his father's expense, Gardner trained as a "creeper", or trainee planter, learning all about the growing of tea; although he disliked the "dreary endlessness" of the work, he enjoyed being outdoors and near to the forests. He lived with the Elkingtons until 1904, when he moved into his own bungalow and began earning a living working on the Non Pareil tea estate below the Horton Plains. He spent much of his spare time hunting deer and trekking through the local forests, becoming acquainted with the Singhalese natives and taking a great interest in their Buddhist beliefs.
at his Father's expense, gARDner trained as A "CrEeper", or trainee planter, leaRNING all aBouT thE GRowing of Tea; AlthouGH he dIslIKeD the "dreARY enDlessNeSs" oF the Work, He EnjoYed Being oUtdOorS aND neaR to the fOReStS. HE lIvEd wItH THe elkINGtonS UntiL 1904, wheN hE moveD into hiS own bUNgaLOW And BegaN earNiNg A Living worKinG on the NOn pareil teA eStATE bELoW ThE hOrToN plainS. he speNt much of HIS SPare TimE huntinG deeR and treKking ThRough tHe loCal FoReSts, BecoMing acquAInted wITH the SingHaleSe natIves and tAkinG A GrEat interEst in thEIR buDdhIst BelieFS.