In My Vicarage Garden 



snow has protected the herbaceous and bulbous 

 plants, and the frost has come early, before plants 

 had started into new life. And of course the ice 

 and snow have their uses even to the gardener. 

 If he loses some plants, he will have some pleasant 

 surprises in the survival of others, and if he is 

 watchful and careful he may learn much of the 

 effects of frost and how to guard against it ; and 

 so he may be taught many a useful lesson, though 

 he learn it per damna, per ccedes. We have been 

 spoiled by a succession of mild winters, and were 

 becoming too venturesome. The check has now 

 come, and for the time it is very unpleasant, and 

 the effects may be woeful ; but we shall not there- 

 fore give up our gardens in despair : 



" Deus haec fortasse benigna 

 Reducet in sedem vice." 



80 



