46 Living in the Country. 



she, '' Mi-e watermelons." "Very well, what next?" " The next," said 

 Mrs. S., " is either niuskmelon or cucumber seed." " My dear," said I, 

 " we want plenty of melons, for the surainer, but I do not wish to plant 

 half an acre of pickles by mistake ; can't you be sure about the matter ?" 

 Mrs. Sparrowgrass said she could not. "Well, then lay the paper down 

 and call oif the next." "The next are not radishes, I know," said Mrs. 

 S.; " they must be summer cabbages." " Are you sure now, Mrs. Spar- 

 rowgrass," said I, getting a little out of temper. Mrs. Sparrowgrass said 

 she was sure of it, because cabbage seed looked exactly like turnip seed. 

 " Did you save turnip seed also," said I Mi's. Sparrowgrass replied, that 

 she had provided some, but they must be in another paper. " Then call 

 off the next ; we will plant them for cabbages, whether or no." " Here 

 is a name." said Mrs. Sparrowgrass, bi'ightening up. "Read it," said I, 

 pen in hand. "Watermelons — not so good," said Mrs. S. "Lay that 

 paper with the rest and proceed." " Corn," said Mrs. Sparrowgrass, with 

 a smile. " Variety?" " Pop, I am sure." " Good, now we begin to see 

 day-light." " Squash," said Mrs. Sparrowgrass. " Winter or summer ?" 

 " Both." " Lay that paper aside, niy dear." " Tomato." " Red or 

 yellow ?" Mrs, Sparrowgrass said she had pinned up the one and tied 

 up thd! other, to distinguish, but it was so long ago, she had forgotten 

 which was which. " J^ever mind," said I, " there is one comfort, ihey 

 cannot bear without showing their colors. Isow for the next." Mrs. S. 

 said upon tasting the tomato seed, she was sure they were bell peppers. 

 " Very well, so much is gained, we are sure of the capsicum. The next.'' 

 " Beans," said Mrs. Sparrowgrass. 



There is one kind of bean, in regard to which I have a prejudice. I 

 allude to the asparagus bean, a sort of long-winded esculent, inclined to 

 be prolific in stiings. It does not climb very high on the pole, but crops 

 out in an abundance of pods, usually not shorter than a bill of extras, after 

 a contract; and although interesting as a curious vegetable, still not ex- 

 actly the bean likely to be highly commended by your city guests, when 

 served up to them at table. When Mrs. Sparrowgrass, in answer to my 

 question, as to the particular species of bean referred to, answered " Li- 

 mas," I felt relieved at once. " Pnt the Limas to the right with the 

 sheep, Mrs. S., and as for the rest of the seeds, sweep them into the refuse 

 basket. I will add another stick to the fire, pare an apple for you, and 

 an apple for me, light a cigar, and be comfortable. What is the use of 

 fretting about a few seeds more or less ? But, next year, we will mark 

 all the packages with names, to prevent mistakes, won't we Mrs, Spar- 

 rowgrass ?" 



