Quote Originally Posted by Ask the Devs! (01/28/2011)
Q. What exactly do Disciple of the Land–specific attributes affect?

A. Please refer to the following:
Gathering: Reduces the depletion rate of the Remainder gauge.
Perception: Increases a player's chance to find higher-quality items.
Output: Increases the amount of times a miner or botanist can gather at a single point, as well as reduces the amount of time a fisher must wait for a bite.
I think this will help.