56 A Little Maryland Garden 
of snow and very cold weather. The lawn 
and borders lay two feet under the snow, 
and icicles fringed the roof. The robin and 
bluebird sat dejected on the fence. But now 
a morning of promise has come. The air is 
mild with the breath of spring. The stream 
in the marsh runs full and the snow melts 
from the sodden ground, and shallow pools 
reflect the willow trees and ‘‘the sweet, grey, 
gleaming sky.” 
I lately in my reading came across a list 
given by Ruskin to a friend of his favourite 
flowers, in their order of liking. They are 
the 
White rose Purple convolvulus 
Alpine rose Carnations, all the tribe 
Alpine gentian Pansy, all the tribe 
White lily Daisy and hyacinth 
Purple flag Thistles, all the tribe 
Snowdrop and crocus 
This list is remarkable to me rather for what 
he leaves out: all the poppies; the narcissus, 
which Mahomet called ‘‘food for the soul’’; 
and those silken-clad, noble dames, the pe- 
