THE GRAVEL PIT 



larly, over the moat at Chenonceaux and on the old ramparts of 

 Luynes, its masses of ivy-like branches with many shades of pink 

 and white blossoms. 



We brought to the gravel pit all manner of ferns, from the tiny 

 sweet-scented shield-fern to the huge brake from the swamps, also 

 wild columbines, by hundreds. We put in two hundred and 

 fifty cardinal-flowers raised in the green-house from seed, as we 

 wanted color at once; the blossoming stalks grew two feet high and 

 made a brave showing. We expect they will seed and give us a 

 yearly account of themselves but noun verrons. 



Lower down in the hollow we planted the meadow rue and 

 ribbon grass; opposite, the pink lady's-slipper, two hundred 

 bulbs; we even transplanted budding fringed gentian from the 

 swamp ten miles away, and it did well and seeded, but where, 

 only the future can tell. Beyond came tall grasses with plumy 

 blossoms in October, the bamboo-like donax reed, and the cow- 

 parsnip. It is shameful that so effective a cluster of flowers, so 

 richly decorative a plant with its acanthus-like leaves should be 

 cursed with such a name. 



Above on the east the barberry bushes, red-stemmed dog- 

 woods, the wild gooseberries, and linden clumps, the polygonum 

 Sieboldei, and young hickory shoots looked down in approval at 

 our work. The hickory bough in the springtime, with its bursting 

 buds, its rich variety of tones, and its curiously folded leaves, is 



like a bouquet of wonderful orchids. 



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