ESCAPED FROM GARDENS 65 



for which the country was noted once for miles 

 beyond Newtown are briary wood -lots. One thing 

 is sure: women were in the homes, and lighted 

 fires on the hearths, the stones of which in many 

 cases are the only things that stay to tell of them. 

 And no matter how hard the life, these women 

 had at least one thought beyond the boundary of 

 woodshed, barn, and hayrick. 



They all loved flowers, and from this love has 

 sprung a half wild, shy plant race, which lingers for 

 a time, at least, about the old home site, and then, 

 according to strength and kind, wholly outlives tra- 

 dition, and, mingling freely with the native growths, 

 is naturalized. These flowers were first brought 

 from far-off homes in other countries, like the 

 Kenilworth Ivy, which clings about stone steps. 

 Many came from English cottage gardens and 

 passed, in shape of seed or treasured cutting, herb, 

 bulb, or shrub, from hand to hand, cherished both 

 from the memories they brought and for their own 

 worth. Now they are recognized, and have distinc- 

 tive places; and in the botanies, written against 

 their names, we read, "Escaped from Gardens." 



The Lilac House, but for some woman's love 

 of flowers, would be nameless now, unnoticed, a 

 thing passed by without a thought or second glance; 

 E 



