GARDENING BY M YSELF. y i 



But though we must confess, with the won- 

 derful writer of the Biglow papers, that 



" Half our May's so awfully like mayn't," — 



yet who is not ready to follow him fur- 

 ther, in his rejoicing over our seasons just 

 as they are ? 



" Though I own up, I like our back'ard springs, 

 That kind o' haggle with their greens an' things, 

 An' when )^ou most give up, 'ithout more words 

 Toss the fields full o' blossoms, leaves and birds." 



It is dangerous to begin quoting from 

 such a book of beauties ! I am tempted on. 

 But as Mr. Biglow himself remarks : 



'"Nuffsed." 



Slow as the season is in its developing 

 process, invisible as is the growth which 

 your little plants do really make from day 

 to day, it is well that there is so much oth- 

 er work to do in the garden besides watch- 

 ing them. Work which cannot wait, and so 

 makes our waiting easier. First go over 

 the grass of lawn and edgings, and have 

 bare spots rcsodded or broken up and 



