ME. TROMMEL VISITS THE GARDENS 143 



mount them most beautifully. That is, I think so. 

 I think the flowers like it better, also. 



"You might have the Japanese anemone. It would 

 quarrel with nothing here. Pansies also would grow 

 for you, but they would not be happy with the 

 wild things. The myrtle the little Vinca minor 

 with the blue flowers would be better." 



"Mildred ought to put manure on, ought n't she, 

 Mr. Trommel?" said Mary, in her professional 

 manner. 



"No, no ! " Mr. Trommel spoke quickly. "A little 

 garden like this better have leaf-mold from the 

 woods ; that the wild things understand." 



"What is leaf-mold?" inquired Buddy Thomas. 



"It is leaf-mold," answered Herr Trommel, im- 

 patiently. "It is when the leaves drop to the ground 

 and are dead and soaked with rain. Another year 

 what they are become then that is leaf-mold. 

 Now, mine young horticulturists, I must go home. 

 It grows late ; also I have other things to do. You 

 say I need not to-day inspect your garden and the 

 lad's next to you t " and he turned appealingly to Mary. 



"Oh, no," said the president. "You know you 've 

 seen those ; but if you 'd like, Mr. Trommel, Haddie 

 and I would n't mind being inspected." 



