50 Hardy Plants for Cottage Gardens 



until the heat made by the fresh manure had subsided. I 

 found it hard to wait those few days, particularly when con- 

 siderable snow fell, and my operations seemed to be deferred 

 indefinitely. 



The first day the sun shone forth, I decided to risk an en- 

 counter with Adam, and started out with a shovel, a broom, 

 several boards, newspapers, my basket of seeds, markers and 

 a pencil. It is true I wore a hood, heavy winter coat, arctic 

 overshoes and leggings as if starting on a polar expedition. 

 Adam spied me as I was loading my plunder in the wheel- 

 barrow. " Where are you going, Ipse ? " 



" 'I'm going a-planting, sir, she said/ " I sang out 

 gaily. 



I have learned that a bold front has great weight with 

 Adam, and when about to do something that is sure to call 

 forth a word of remonstrance, I assume the attitude of being 

 predestined from the beginning of the world to perform just 

 that identical act. I do not know whether it is Adam's re- 

 spect for fore-ordination or my determination that carries the 

 day but I seldom lose. 



"Ipse, you must not; the snow is six inches deep where you 

 intend to work, and it is still winter," he pleaded. 



"It depends on where you look," said I. "It is summer 

 overhead, and spring is overdue at least two weeks by the 

 calendar." 



"You will gain nothing," continued he. "It is too early; 

 wait until next week." 



"Manana is not my policy, Adam," said I firmly, "don't 

 oppose me. You know I always yield to your advice. These 

 seeds ought to have been planted a month ago. What is the 

 use of a hotbed if you wait until it is warm enough to plant 

 anywhere outside ? I'm going to shovel away the snow from 

 the front of the frame, sweep the ground clean, lay down these 



