SIX GARDENING VIRTUES 



the flowers, or like the herbs, a little repellent of aspect, 

 but sweet in their bruised savour. 



Now we have even been taught to take pleasure and 

 comfort from the vision of the beds in their winter pre- 

 paration, where with the believer's eye, we anticipate the 

 fulfilment of the spring. In the little Dutch Garden under 



the new wing, 

 the two long 

 beds between 

 theclippedBil- 

 berry hedges 

 are full of com- 

 pact cushions 

 of Forget-me- 

 not. Through 

 these the 

 green noses 

 of the china- 

 blue H y a- 

 cinths, that 



are to make lakes of colour and scent at the end of March, 

 are beginning to push upwards. 



The winter has been very mild. Another garden lesson : 

 too much spoiling in infancy is bound to produce forward- 

 ness in the young, and the inevitable result of withering 

 snubs ! 



When the Hyacinths have faded, the Forget-me-nots will 

 have spread a sheet of tender beauty over the unsightliness. 

 <Did we mention that a garden teaches charity?) And 

 between this flying scud of blue foam the Darwin Tulips 

 will have already reared bold green snake heads which will 



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