From the introduction: The Apprenticeship of a Hedge Wizard will last at least three years. Quite often it take a young man or woman longer to master all the basics to the satisfaction of their master. And even if a young apprentice should prove to be a astonishingly fast learner a master will hardly ever let them finish their apprenticeship before the end of the third year. Instead they will have their apprentice get more practice under their belt in the remaining time.