CHAPTER FIVE 



JUNE MAGIC 



"I am not only well content but highly pleased with the plants 

 and fruits growing in these my own little gardens." 



Epicurus. 



THIS is the month when the least of us gardeners 

 may proudly survey his flowery realm and say, 

 "not so bad," for June seldom disappoints us. 

 All danger from frost is past, the long rainy spells with 

 cold nights and chilly, discouraging days are over, the 

 devastating electric storms and cruel droughts have not 

 yet come, and the gay throng of Foxgloves, Sweet Wil- 

 liams, Irises, Pseonies, Pinks, and old-fashioned Roses 

 are seldom to be found in the category of blighted hopes. 

 Wherever the eye wanders is a lovely picture. Roses 

 tumble over the walls, or riot up their trellises, Valerian 

 spreads its lacy canopies above scarlet Poppies or soft- 

 coloured Iris; a burnished Copper Brier displays itself 

 in fine contrast to creamy Lupines and a tender mauve 

 Iris, and blue and white frilled Iris Mme. Chereau 

 looked never before so enchanting as with its back- 

 ground of yellow Rose Harisoni. Fine masses of clear 

 colour are created by the slender Siberian Irises, gay 

 pink and white and crimson Pyrethrums nod from the 



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