ME. TROMMEL VISITS THE GARDENS 137 



"Corn," answered the owner ; "but it did n't come 

 up. What do you s'pose was the matter ? " 



"When did you plant it? " demanded the honorary 

 member. 



"Oh, ever so long ago." 



"Then it was too early. Corn will not grow until 

 the weather is hot. It likes to start as soon as the 

 little kernels are in the ground. If we put it in very 

 early and they have to wait long, they often become 

 rotted. This year also we have had much wet. The 

 middle of May is quite soon enough for here. If you 

 lived South you could plant much earlier. Here you 

 might plant even in June or July for late ripening. 

 You must plant again. 



"But the garden needs exercise yes. Also per- 

 spiration from the owner. Still it might be a good 

 little garden. Now let us see another." 



"I 'm next," said Eleanor. 



"There is n't very much in my garden," she con- 

 fided to the honorary member, as she trotted along 

 beside him. The other Horticulturals had gone on 

 before. 



"That is not to your discredit, my child. A little 

 garden well kept is better than a large one that is 

 not kept at all." 



