82 MY GROWING GARDEN 



great clumps continually; adding varieties of 

 greater delicacy from time to time; but all the 

 while reveling in this fine, even if common, old 

 friend of my boyhood. This same friend has, with 

 the broad-leaved funkia, made part of the axis 

 walk a present wonder of bloom and foliage. That 

 same walk is always a picture vista. 



To the left the great old lilacs are now in their 

 flower glory, and they fairly hum with busy bees. 

 I have been giving loving care to the old plants, 

 and they are responding. The finer varieties will 

 never "touch the spot" like this common "lay- 

 lock" of the countryside. 



Off to the east the strawberries are in full 

 bloom; and if we didn't think of the luscious fruit 

 to follow, we would better realize that as a flower- 

 ing plant this would be of real value. Later, 

 another strawberry , one of my weed pets, will bloom 

 in yellow, and follow with its scarlet fruits that 

 are entirely boy-proof, because they are tasteless. 



Not in this part of the garden, but over with 

 the fruits and vegetables, there are during this 

 late May two flower shows that are entirely extra, 

 because the plantings were for food. The flesh 

 food comes in due course, but the first crop is soul 

 food, if I may so call a lovely flower display. 



The blackberry canes, as I have before said, are 



