LIFE IN THE COUNTRY. 



gin fUt in Uh ^nuxtx^: 



OR, CHRONICLES OF OAKLAXD HOME. 



Br FRANK IIAZLETON. 



CHAPTER IV. 



SPRING IN THE COUNTRY ENGAGES A GARDENER. 



It -was in the spring of the year — that beautiful season so much lauded by poets — 

 that I took possession of my country home. Being anxious to commence operations 

 earl^v, and lured by a warm day or two in March, I hastened to my farm, fearing that 

 I had already lingered in the city too long, and that the season was too far advanced 

 to permit me to make all my proposed improvements. The Robins and Blue-birds 

 had preceded us, and with their beautiful music gave us a joyful welcome to our new 

 home, and a pleasant introduction to country life. But the pleasure was all in antici- 

 pation, for on the following morning winter seemed to have commenced again in ear- 

 nest. Storm succeeded stoiTQ. Snow, cold winds, rain, and mud, not only rendered 

 out-door labor difficult, but for me impossible. I suppose there are some folks so poet- 

 ical that they can see beauty in eveiy thing, and this I suppose is what is meant by 



"Winter lingering in the lap of spring." 



Unfortunately I am no poet, and I can see no beauty in a snow storm in April, or in 

 mud to the tops of one's boots. I was illy prepared for such a depth of soil, and when 

 I ventured out made rather a singular appearance, generally returning with one over- 

 shoe in my hand — that is, if I had the good luck to find it and dig it up. One of ray 

 young hopefuls remarked that father walked through the mud just like a cat. Not a 

 very flattering, but perhaps a truthful remark. 



Not being able at present to do anything myself, and really having my ideas of my 

 ability to make myself useful on a farm somewhat lowered, I thought I would secure 

 the help I needed. And here arose a somewhat difficult question. Did I need a 

 Landscape Gardener and Garden Architect, such as I noticed had advertised their 

 services ; or did I want a common Gardener, or a Fanner ? Not being able to decide 

 these questions satisfactorily, I merely advertised for a person to take charge of my 

 place, giving a description, &c. This advertisement brought me several letters, as well 

 as some personal applications. 



John Roseberry, the fii-st applicant, w^as an Englishman — at least, so he said, 

 though I rather think by his speech he wasn't a native. According to his own story 

 he had superintended some of the most beautiful and extensive establishments in 

 Europe. He had been engaged in the Kew gardens, and had done much to give them 

 their celebrity. Louis Phillippe had despatched a special messenger for him, to con 

 ith him as to the arrangement of the gardens of the Tuilleries. He had 

 nishing touches to Chatsworth ; and, in short, no work of importance hat 



