RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 205 



them. So my measure of accomplishment in work- 

 ing over this run-down old place is only to be con- 

 sidered in connection with the expenditure of time 

 and money possible to many another man who will 

 be made a better worker at his business or profes- 

 sion if he will undertake the garden cure. 



There has been a heavy snow, and I write look- 

 ing west through Lovers' Lane, where I see the 

 planting of rhododendrons along the old-looking 

 but quite recent stone walk that has taken the 

 place of the weedy, rutty farm lane of five years 

 ago. The rhododendrons, snow-bound as they are, 

 look happy, and are happy; and I know that at 

 their feet, and along the walk on both sides are 

 safely tucked away scores of woods favorites in 

 this place reserved for American natives only. 

 Just around to the right there is, I also know, a 

 planting of daffodils that will surely look better 

 than did the poke-weed that overran the same 

 place five years ago. To the right also, and follow- 

 ing the line of the old hedge that has been petted 

 and trimmed and fertilized all I dare, more and 

 other daffodils will come, and later Easter lilies 

 and later yet fine little yellow button chrysanthe- 

 mums, where reigned supreme dock and nettles 

 in the old days. 



Looking southwest, I see the youngest part of 



