192 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



they have been observed to scrape the down from 

 the leaves of the woolly hedge-nettle, and the com- 

 mon rose campion, with their mandibles ; while 

 with their fore legs they roll it into a little ball and 

 carry it to tlje nest. 



I have been excessively busy putting my gar- 

 den in order before we set out. Indeed, I have 

 become so wonderfully active, that you would 

 scarcely know your little indolent girl ; and I am 

 often inclined to sing the old nursery song to 

 myself, " Sure this is none of I." Among other 

 things, I have performed a grand operation in my 

 hyacinth beds. Lady Binning, you know, is a 

 great florist; I heard her speak of the manner in 

 which her gardener manages the hyacinths, for 

 which her garden is remarkable; and I deter- 

 mined to try it. As soon as the leaves become all 

 yellow, he takes up the bulbs, removes the loose 

 skins and offsets and all the fibres that are de- 

 cayed, and immediately replants them in abed of 

 fresh compost. Her ladyship told us, that when 

 treated in this manner, they equal the Dutch hy- 

 acinths in strength. 



All this was duly executed yesterday. I had 

 been watching the leaves for some time, as I 

 wanted them to be quite yellow ; and I now flatter 

 myself with having a very grand display next 

 year. 



I had also many cuttings to make, and seed- 

 Jings to plant out, as well as layers of pinks and 



