GARDENING BY MYSELF. y 



I do not write, — nor for " young florists," 

 intending to make the business their pro- 

 fession. Mr. Henderson's book may instruct 

 them. They must begin all right, and work 

 on by line and rule. 



But the people for whom I write begin 

 anywhere, — with the first flower or seed 

 they happen to pick up ; and then work on — 

 anyhow ! That is, not heedlessly, nor neglect- 

 fully, but as they can. Therefore not by hue 

 and rule, which is often an impossibility ; but 

 in some strange wild wood way making a 

 path through difficulties, and reaching their 

 Fairyland ** cross lots." Well they know 

 what I mean, when I say that if you have 

 not a syringe you must water plants through 

 your fingers ! Or if they do not, I can tell 

 them and they'll work it out. 



With some people flowers are a fixed 

 fact, a necessity ; and thence follows endless 

 pains-taking, tireless patience, and wonder- 

 ful success. They are the people for whom 

 " everything grows." 



Do you see that old brown house by the 



