OK, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 89 



"They will produce some, but not half a crop. The 

 soil you used was too clayey. There was not enough sand 

 in it." 



"Indeed. My ignorance is my only excuse." 



" Never be ashamed of your ignorance. I have made 

 worse mistakes than that." 



"Now, Mrs. Oilman, in this new undertaking you may 

 make more serious mistakes than this, and would it not be 

 a good idea to have some man like McTernan come here 

 once a week and tell you what attention your plants re- 

 quire from week to week, and how to give it ; in fact, give 

 you a lesson in gardening. I do not imagine he would 

 have to come a great many weeks. You are an apt scholar 

 in all that pertains to flowers." 



" Yes, I think I am quick to learn. But it is from the 

 fact that by gardening I earn my livelihood." 



" There is one other thing I wish to mention. I think 

 you ought to 'engage a lad to do the heavy work about your 

 business. Building fires, pumping water, etc. Your in- 

 come from the plant-house will fully warrant you in the ex- 

 pense. It is not important that he should know anything 

 of plants. You must be your own gardener and instruct 

 him, not he you. It would be best to engage him before 

 your plants arrive, as there is a great deal to be done to 

 get the soil ready. If you will get a piece of paper I will 

 write down a list of the soils you will require, and you had 

 better order them at once. 



8* 



