Living in the Country. 45 



When Mrs. Sparrowgrass returned from giving directions about the 

 fruit and cider, she brought with lier a square paper box full of garden 

 seed. To get good garden seed is an important thing in the country. If 

 you depend npon an agricultural warehouse you may be disappointed. 

 The way to do is, to select the best specimens from your own raising : 

 then you are sure they are fresh at least. Mrs. Sparrowgrass opened the 

 box. First she took out a package of seeds, wrapped up in a newspaper 

 — then she took out another package tied up in brown paper — then she 

 drew forth a bundle that was pitned up — then another that was taped 

 up — then another twisted up — then out came a bursted package of wa- 

 termelon seeds — then a withered 3ar of corn — then another package of 

 watermelon seeds from another melon — then a handful of split okra pods 

 — then handsful of beans, peas, squash seeds, melon seeds, cucumber 

 seeds, sweet corn, evergreen corn, and other germs, then another bursted 

 paper of watermelon seeds. There were watermelon seeds enough to keep 

 half the country supplied with this refreshing luxury. As the treasures 

 were spread out on the table, there came over me a feeling that reminded 

 me of Christmas times, when the young ones used to pant down stairs, 

 before dawn, lamp in hand, to see the kingly toy-gifts of Santa Glaus. 

 Then the Mental Gardener, taking Anticipation by the hand, went forth 

 into the future garden ; the peas sprouted out in round leaves, tomato 

 put forth his aromatic spread ; sweet corn thrusts his green blades out of 

 many a hillock ; lettuce threw up his slender spoons ; beans shouldered 

 their way into the world, like incases, with the old beans on their backs ; 

 and watermelon and cucumber, in voluptuous pla}^, sported over the beds 

 like truant school-boys. 



" Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight ; 

 With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white, 

 And taper fingers catching at all things, 

 To bind them all about with tiny rings." 



" Now," said I, " Mrs. Sparrowgrass, let us arrange these in proper or- 

 der ; I will make a chart of the garden on a piece of paper, and put ev- 

 erything down with a date, to be planted in its proper time.'' Mrs. Spar^ 

 rowgrass said she thought that an excellent plan. " Yes," I replied, tast- 

 ing the cider, " we will make a garden to-night on paper, a ground plan, 

 as it were, and plant from that; now, Mrs. S. read off the different pack- 

 ages." Mrs. Sparrowgrass took up a paper and laid it aside. " I think," 

 said she, as the third paper was placed upon the table, " I did not write 

 any names on the seeds, but I believe I can tell thorn apart ; these," said 



