THE WELL-CONSIDERED GARDEN 



and judicious cutting. Who does not love to so 

 attenuate the rambler rose over the good gateway 

 by taking out here and there a cane, as to leave 

 it a characteristic climbing one, throwing its 

 lovely garlands lightly over their support and per- 

 mitting all the beauties of stem, thorn, leaf, and 

 flower to be clearly seen and gratefully enjoyed ? 



Second: If cutting for your own or another's 

 table, take your freshest and finest; if for use in 

 a church, a crowded hall, or other public place, 

 it has always seemed to me true flower economy, 

 and perfect fairness too, justice with generosity 

 to every one, to cut such flowers as may have but 

 a day or two more of life, and which will be fresh 

 and effective for the time in which they must be 

 exposed to that arch-enemy of flowers, close and 

 overheated air. My own experience is that by 

 observing some of these simplest rules a garden 

 is never touched by the shears without ensuing 

 improvement. Discordant colors are quickly re- 

 moved, combined in one's basket or jar with 

 flowers of tones to quiet and enhance them, and 

 thus two are the gainers the garden and the 

 receiver of the flowery gift. 



And now for brief mention of a minor conve- 

 nience of mine for recording spring or fall orders 

 196 



