72 MY TEN-ROD FARM; 



He promised to do so. Bidding him good-night, I turned 

 to leave, when who should I see but Mrs. Jacques. Won- 

 der if she overheard what I said. It's just like her to 

 be near and yet give no intimation of her presence. 



The following evening was quite cool, and as I had 

 some fears for my tuberoses, I took them up, washed the 

 pots, and placed eighteen of them in my windows. Two of 

 them had failed to throw up flower stems. These I put in 

 the shed, intending to ask Mr. Felix what I should do with 

 them. 



About six Mr. Felix arrived. 



" I have come early, Mrs. Oilman, as I wish to talk 

 to you before you take further steps in the matter." 



"I am all ears, temporarily," said I, showing him to 

 our sitting-room. 



" There is one point I am afraid you have not taken in- 

 to account in connection with your proposed greenhouse. 

 It is the stock. The plants in your garden are not of 

 the right sorts, nor is there enough of them." 



" Yes, I have looked into that matter already. I turned 

 to the books for information, and think* I know about what 

 I require and the probable cost." 



' ' Yes, that is all very well, but the books tell too much. 

 You must discriminate; you do not yet know the nature 

 and wants of the hundred or more plants they mention. 

 If you attempted them all you would fail. The most skil- 

 ful gardeners would not succeed with them all if they tried. 



