30 A YEAR IN A LANCASHIRE GARDEN. 



of blossom, was not encouraging. Whether it is 

 the increase of smoke or of chemical works I 

 cannot say, but formerly wall fruit answered far 

 better in these parts than it does at present. It is 

 remarkable, however, that Sir William Temple, 

 writing just 200 years ago, objects to growing 

 Peaches farther north than Northampton, and 

 praises a Staffordshire friend for not attempting 

 them, and " pretending no higher, though his soil 

 be good enough, than to the perfection of Plums." 

 We have been busy renewing the Box edgings 

 to our flower-beds where it was required. Last 

 year we had carelessly laid down salt on the 

 narrow walks to destroy some weeds, and it has 

 injured a good deal of the Box ; some injury, too, 

 has been caused by the growth of several strong 

 plants, which got out of bounds and smothered it 

 Our garden is not a good spring garden. The 

 soil is cold and heavy, and the delicate spring 

 flowers do not thrive ; but, on the other hand, no 

 garden about is a better summer garden. It is a 

 regular sun-trap, and yet even in the hottest 

 weather the plants keep fresh and unburnt. 

 Meanwhile the white Scilla, the double Daffodil, 

 the Arabis, and some others, are doing well enough. 

 A bed of Daisies and another of Polyanthus are far 



