PREPARATIONS FOE REMOVAL. 263 



dry, hot, parched air, are poor places for green leaves 

 and thirsty vegetable mouths. Moisture is a neces 

 sity to the cultivation of flowers, and it will not an 

 swer perfectly when applied only to the roots.&quot; 



During this discourse I had led him toward the 

 new seedling, and at the proper moment I replied, 



&quot; That may be true ; but the satisfaction of tend 

 ing one s own flowers is great ; the pleasure of watch 

 ing them is sufficient reward ; and then there is al 

 ways a chance of effecting something original.&quot; 



&quot; Yes, there is that, no doubt. Amateur green 

 houses are original enough.&quot; 



&quot; I mean there is a possibility of making some dis 

 covery, of starting a new variety. For instance,&quot; I 

 said, slowly and impressively, &quot; look at that ; is not 

 that reward enough for all my trouble ?&quot; 



&quot; Look at what ?&quot; he replied, peering about in a 

 stupid way, striving not to notice the wonderful 

 plant at his feet, and stopping in a doubtful way 

 when his eyes finally rested on it. 



&quot; Ay, look at it. Study it well,&quot; I continued, en 

 thusiastically. &quot; Examine its texture and its foli 

 age ; observe the delicate edge of each leaf : the 



O 7 O 



tender strength of each spray. Conceive its future 

 freshness of beauty, and the glory its discovery will 

 confer.&quot; 



