THE MIDWINTER GARDENS 

 OF NEW ORLEANS 



TF the following pages might choose their 

 -^ own time and place they would meet their 

 reader not in the trolley-car or on the suburban 

 train, but in his own home, comfortably seated. 

 For in order to justify the eulogistic tone of the 

 descriptions which must presently occupy them 

 their first word must be a conciliatory protest 

 against hurry. One reason we Americans gar- 

 den so little is that we are so perpetually in 

 haste. The art of gardening is primarily a 

 leisurely and gentle one. 



And gentility still has some rights. Our 

 Louisiana Creoles know this, and at times 

 maintain it far beyond the pales of their ever- 

 green gardens. 



" *Step Hvely'?" one of them is said to have 

 amazedly retorted in a New York street-car. 

 *'No, the lady shall not step hvely. At yo' 



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