30 MY GARDEN 



in the nurseries. There are a number of hose outlets, 

 that all may be kept sweet and fresh, the hedges are 

 sharply clipped, the paths trim and free from weeds, and 

 the straight rows of lusty young plants in the beds speak 

 eloquently of their entire comfort and well-being. This 

 is the fountain head of the whole garden, and as such can- 

 not be too carefully conducted. The border that fol- 

 lows the boundaries is used as a hospital for sick or sulky 

 plants brought from the gardens, as a temporary abode 

 for some which have been crowded out of one place and 

 not yet assigned to another, and as a cutting garden. 

 The rectangular beds, which by reason of their narrow- 

 ness are easily weeded and cultivated, are mainly used to 

 house the young perennials raised in the frames, but 

 here also are brought bulbs and plants new to us, that 

 they may be tested and understood before being in- 

 troduced to the choice circle beyond the garden wall. 

 The soil in these beds is light and only moderately rich, 

 that the young plants may find no obstacle to their 

 tender rootlets, and that they may not be rushed on to a 

 too precocious development through overfeeding. The 

 soil in the outside borders, as devoted to the more ma- 

 ture, is somewhat heavier and richer. 



The propagation of plants is the chief business carried 

 on in the nursery. This is done by means of seeds, cut- 

 tings, and the division of roots. There is no more ab- 

 sorbing occupation than raising plants from seed. I 

 never quite get over the wonder of my early gardening 



