132 MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 



SIXTEENTH WEEK. 



I DO not hold myself bound to answer the 

 question, Does gardening pay? It is so dif- 

 ficult to define what is meant by paying. 

 There is a popular notion that unless a thing 

 pays you had better let it alone ; and I may 

 say that there is a public opinion that will 

 not let a man or woman continue in the in- 

 dulgence of a fancy that does not pay. And 

 public opinion is stronger than the legisla- 

 ture, and nearly as strong as the ten com- 

 mandments. I therefore yield to popular 

 clamor when I discuss the profit of my 

 garden. 



As I look at it, you might as well ask, 

 Does a sunset pay ? I know that a sunset 

 is commonly looked on as a cheap entertain- 

 ment ; but it is really one of the most expen- 

 sive. It is true that we can all have front 

 seats, and we do not exactly need to dress 



