XIV. 



IN THE TROPICAL GARDEN. 



IN striking contrast with the plants of the forest 

 those of our fields and gardens appear but poor 

 weaklings. For centuries they have been more or 

 less fostered with, at least from nature's point of 

 view, very sad results. The forest giants have 

 become strong and able to endure the vicissitudes 

 of the weather, to hold their own in the struggle 

 with others of the same species as well as a host 

 of animal and vegetable enemies, while the more 

 delicate fruit trees under cultivation can do nothing 

 without the fostering hand of man. True, we bring 

 together a host of beauties from a hundred different 

 environments, and manage to keep them alive with 

 a great deal of trouble and care, but they are never 

 so interesting as when in their native habitats ; and, 

 although some thrive well, what a great number 

 merely vegetate. They cannot endure the flood or 

 drought, but must be watered, or the land on which 



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