I went from 50-60 on all 3 gathering skills pretty blind to the possibilities. It wasn't really clear what the 'scrip' system was all about. I managed to hit 60 without getting any scrips. At that point, the only way to get to the gathering/perception levels necessary to do the level 60 quests was to go out and purchase HQ gear all around. NOT optimal. Luckily, my rise to 60 was accompanied by a large number of MB sales of gathered items, so I could afford the gear. I don't know that this is possible anymore.

Gathering and crafting should come with manuals ... [yeah, I know about Caimie ... thankfully]