WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 75 



an excellent sort, " The Champion of England." 

 As quick as a flash he said, 



" Why don't you call them ' The Reverdy 

 Johnson ' ? " 



It was a very clever bon-mot ; but I changed 

 the subject. 



The sight of my squashes, with stalks as big 

 as speaking-trumpets, restored the President to 

 his usual spirits. He said the summer squash 

 was the most ludicrous vegetable he knew. It 

 was nearly all leaf and blow, with only a sickly, 

 crook-necked fruit after a mighty fuss. It re- 

 minded him of the member of Congress from 

 ; but I hastened to change the subject. 



As we walked along, the keen eye of the 

 President rested upon some handsome sprays of 

 " pusley," which must have grown up since Sat- 

 urday night. It was most fortunate ; for it led 

 his Excellency to speak of the Chinese problem. 

 He said he had been struck with one coupling 



