136 MY GARDEN 



requisition, for one may lift the plants with good balls of 

 earth, so that the roots are almost undisturbed, and set 

 them down in their new homes quite unbeknownst to 

 themselves. If the weather has been dry the earth 

 about the plants should be well soaked, so that it will 

 adhere to the roots when lifted. 



Snowdrops, Scillas, Chionodoxas, Crocuses, Tulips, 

 Daffodils, Iris reticulata, English Iris, Crown Imperials, 

 and the lesser Fritillaries, and all sorts of Lilies, save 

 candidum, may now be tucked away for the glorification 

 of the coming year. Hardy Roses may be set out, and 

 many shrubs and trees and vines; altogether, there is 

 plenty of work to do, and it is well there is, else one might 

 grow low-spirited in this season of farewells and be cross- 

 ing the flowerless bridge of winter before one has quite 

 come to it. 



The autumn Crocuses come every year as a surprise. 

 Though I know they are there I never seem to quite ex- 

 pect a Crocus at this season, and when, one fine day in 

 late September, I come suddenly upon a group of the 

 rosy-lilac bubbles which mean C. zonatus, poised lightly 

 above a gray blanket of Cerastium, it is always some- 

 thing of a shock. Zonatus is a lovely, jewel-like thing, 

 but said not to be quite hardy, so the Cerastium coverlid 

 is much to its mind, and besides protects its delicate 

 flowers from spattering mud. C. spedosus is an em- 

 peror among Crocuses; its large blue-purple bowl is 

 carried on a long stem and within it burns its flame- 



