WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 91 



spicuously flaunting above the old vines ; and by 

 this means I hope to keep the attention of the 

 birds confined to that side of the garden. I am 

 convinced that this is the true use of a scare- 

 crow : it is a lure, and not a warning. If you 

 wish to save men from any particular vice, set 

 up a tremendous cry of warning about some 

 other ; and they will all give their special efforts 

 to the one to which attention is called. This 

 profound truth is about the only thing I have 

 yet realized out of my pea-vines. 



However, the garden does begin to yield. I 

 know of nothing that makes one feel more com- 

 placent, in these July days, than to have his 

 vegetables from his own garden. What an ef- 

 fect it has on the market-man and the butcher ! 

 It is a kind of declaration of independence. 

 The market-man shows me his peas and beets 

 and tomatoes, and supposes he shall send me out 

 some with the meat. " No, I thank you," I say 



