SETTING OUT PEIVET CUTTINGS 125 



"I had forgotten, Liebchen, but undoubtedly it is 

 true," responded he. 



"So that 's why I am undermining these," con- 

 tinued Mary, working carefully with her pointed 

 stick, "and then they just drop out, so, without being 

 pulled. And then we lay them in the flat, one on top 

 of another, with their heads against the one end, and 

 the roots in the middle, where nothing hits them." 



"That is right," said Mr. Trommel, glancing over 

 his shoulder as he sprayed his plants. 



"Plants are queer, are n't they, Mr. Trommel?" 

 observed the under-gardener. "They don't mind 

 having their heads bumped a little ; it 's the feet 

 you have to be careful of. Now mothers are always 

 telling you not to get your feet wet, and it does n't 

 hurt the plants a bit. Do you suppose it 's the vege- 

 tables we have inside of us that make us like to get 

 our feet wet?" 



"I have never thought of it, Liebchen, but it may 

 be true. Young children are also fond of soil as well 

 as of getting wet. That may also be the vegetable 

 in us. And how does the little garden now? " 



"It 's growing," she replied. "You ought to see 

 how big the poppies are ! And the sweet peas are 

 growing, too. I 've filled in the trench, and the 



