188 A Little Maryland Garden 
scented. The few other flowers on hand, 
stocks and gillias and phlox, are only relics 
of a more abundant bloom; but the wall 
flowers, that till now have been sparing 
of their blossoms, are just coming into per- 
fection in the cold, sunny air. The flowers 
are so fresh and perfect, so pure and clear 
in tint, that they are especially valuable, 
coming so late. 
These are the most delightful days for 
work. The frost has given life to the air, 
and after the languor of summer its sharpness 
is invigorating. There is plenty to do, and 
it is work of a very pleasant kind. The 
beds must be raked and put in order, and 
sown with seeds of eschscholtzias and poppies} 
there are bulbs to plant, and the lily bed to 
make up. The crab grass which disfigured 
the lawn with russet patches must be raked 
out, and white-clover seed sown to take its 
place. The leaves are falling fast, and raking 
them into piles and storing them for leaf 
mould is pleasant exercise. 
I have sent again for bulbs of crown 
