I 



COTTAGE GARDENS 



can take a higher than the third, and if two in 

 one district win the first and third prizes no 

 one else there can take a higher than the fifth. 

 So on through to prize twenty-one. 



Still further, a garden taking any of these 

 prizes can never again take any of them but a 

 higher one, and those who attain to the capital 

 prize are thenceforth hors concours except to 

 strive for the "Past Competitors' Prizes," first 

 and second. 



Thus the seasons come and go, the gardens 

 wake, rise, rejoice and slumber again; and 

 because this arrangement is so evidently for 

 the common weal and fellowship first, and yet 

 leaves personal ownership all its liberties, rights 

 and delights, it is cordially accepted of the 

 whole people. And, lastly, as a certain dear 

 lady whom we may not more closely specify 

 exclaimed when, to her glad surprise, she easily 

 turned the ceremonial golden key which first 

 unlocked the Carnegie House of our People's 

 Institute, "It works !" 



127 



