306 FEBRUARY 



come from all corners and nooks of vantage, from 

 loft and shed and cellar and attic, and from beneath 

 the greenhouse stage, and when the congestion 

 of the house begins to be somewhat relieved they 

 are given prominent places and made much of, 

 as though they had never been ruthlessly con- 

 demned to exile ; and they are so longsuffering 

 and kind that they behave as though they had been 

 treated in most generous fashion, and withhold none 

 of their beauties for our punishment as they might 

 so easily do. 



If the asparagus nanus is required for cutting 

 next winter, it should now be given a respite from 

 the scissors, for it is throwing out new frond-spikes 

 in abundance. When Sterculus first came to us 

 he was quite ignorant of the culture of flowers, 

 and for one or two winters I found that these new 

 fronds were conspicuous by their reluctance to 

 appear, as it seemed. It turned out that he had 

 cut them off with the greatest assiduity and care 

 as soon as they grew above the old foliage, thinking 

 the twiggy growths untidy and obtrusive beyond 

 their due. He is now sowing Marguerite carna- 

 tions and Chinese pinks, which, as soon as they have 

 germinated, will, if the weather permits, be moved 

 to a cold frame, for it does not suit them to remain 

 in heat after top growth has shown itself, or their 

 constitution becomes weakened. The dianthuses 

 will fill gaps in the herbaceous borders for autumn 

 blooming, while the carnations will occupy a reserve 

 bed near the kitchen garden for cutting. Other 

 seeds there are which have soon to be sown, such 

 as petunias, tobaccos, verbenas, and marigolds ; 



