THE PARLOR GARDENER. 119 



to melt a thick layer of snow, one is agreeably 

 surprised to find the snowdrop in full flower. 



One or two little bushes of Japan quince, 

 some plants of the Christmas rose, two or three 

 hollies, with their variegated leaves, green and 

 white, among which the fruit shines like coral 

 beads, these will clothe your great balcony with 

 attractions that may tempt you out there to in- 

 hale the wintry air, except on the worst days of 

 this worst of the seasons. You will have re- 

 ceived there from Autumn the last of her flowers 

 as a souvenir of past joys. You will now obtain 

 there, from her grim successor, a present, accept- 

 able in itself, and yet more so as a harbinger of 

 the coming spring. 



And thus, ladies, the refined and refining pleas- 

 ures which the practice of gardening affords will 

 have been enjoyed by you, in all their variety, 

 without your leaving the house. 



