32 FLOWER GARDENING 



be bad indeed as to Latin names, but it seizes upon 

 essentials and holds them ever ready for use. The 

 mind in time develops into what is virtually a per- 

 petual garden calendar; you feel instinctively that 

 such and such things are to be done at certain 

 times of the year. 



An element of success always is the careful avoid- 

 ance of attempting to do too much. Your neigh- 

 bor around the corner has the banner sweet peas 

 in town; but if he tried to beat every one in roses 

 and chrysanthemums also he would fall down in 

 all, for it happens that he has only a comparatively 

 little time to give to flowers. Being especially fond 

 of sweet peas, he devotes himself to them and 

 lets who will excel in other directions. That is the 

 right spirit. 



Not the least of requirements is eternal vigi- 

 lance a watchfulness that becomes a habit, but 

 never a burden. It has a keen sense that sights 

 the bugs from afar, that detects any invasion of 

 weak plants by the strong before it is too late, 

 that feels Jack Frost in the air that ever is at 

 one with the life of the garden. 



