IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



and (being a native of South America) requires rather more 

 warmth in winter than some other greenhouse plants, but 

 may be grown where the minimum temperature is 50. The 

 long-tubed blossoms of the posoqueria are highly fragrant 

 with a sweet refreshing scent, and are like large waxen 

 jasmine blooms in shape. This plant is, at present, not so 

 well known as it deserves to be, but it is a distinct acquisi- 

 tion for the conservatory in May. It needs a compost of 

 peat and loam in equal quantities, with a little leaf-mould, 

 well-decayed manure, and charcoal, and the plant should be 

 repotted in February, with plenty of well-laid drainage. It 

 enjoys a fairly moist temperature, and should be syringed 

 daily, except when in bloom. There is another variety with 

 red flowers. 



The birds in the garden are most interesting in their ways, 

 and tamer than ever ; two hen robins Sylvia and Ruby 

 each with a brood of young birds to provide for, flying con- 

 stantly to the hand and taking a small bit of biscuit from 

 the lips of their friend. Very tired the poor little things 

 become before the end of their long day of toil for the 

 hungry youngsters, and even after these leave the nest the 

 mother bird provides them with dainties for several days, 

 until they have learned to earn their own bread. This is 

 the time in which it is most easy to begin the taming pro- 

 cess, for the young birds, when first they leave the nest, are 

 glad enough to pick up a few crumbs, not having yet trained 

 their eyes to the constant search for insects. They are then 

 easily induced to come near the " human " who provides 

 them, and with a little quiet perseverance will soon take the 

 food from the hand. 



The mother bird is, however, careful to supply them also 

 with plenty of insect diet, and sometimes she arrives with a 

 spider just caught in her bill, a few caterpillars, or a worm, 

 when it is a trifle risky whether she will not drop one or 

 the other in filling her bill to the utmost with crumbs of 

 biscuit. But this has not happened yet, and I am getting 

 over the shivery feeling which attacked me the first time 

 a big spider dangled over my hand, for I now feel 



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