IU HtLe * Mo^er 



aspenlike leaves which quiver at the touch of summer 

 wind) have a beauty scarce earthly when their pale 

 jade trunks rise from the white surface of snow. 



The morning after a great icy rain we awaken to 

 find the pines wearing a million diamonds, the birches 

 shimmering in sunlight with every tint of the rain- 

 bow. 



Then when the snow covers all the ground there 

 are a thousand new beauties in things we accepted 

 casually throughout summer. The white earth be- 

 comes a canvas on which each crooked limb, humble 

 weed, straggling vine, may paint a masterpiece in 

 blue and purple shadow. 



A certain proportion of winter severity is a blessing 

 to both gardener and garden. I have lived in south- 

 ern and northern states, and the West Indies, and 

 of course have made gardens wherever I lived; and 

 I assure you, if your garden is situated in a cold 

 clirne you may feel well content, even if you can't 

 have royal ponceanas, bougainvilleas, palms, camel- 

 lias and gardenias growing out-of-doors, you may 

 have three-fourths of all the loveliest flowers in the 

 world. 



Where there is no winter freezing to partially kill 

 the insects a gardener's battle is fearful. Ants, 

 179 



