CHAPTER IV. 



DON'T BE STINGY. 



One great drawback in adorning the home grounds is 

 pennriousness. 



It is strange, when people are fixing np the house, 

 they will spare no expense in the building or furnish- 

 ing ; but the moment they go outside, the purse strings 

 are pulled tight, and anything costing more than 25 

 cents is considered an extortion. 



For instance, a good strong rosebush, well rooted and 

 ready for business, is generally sold for 50 cents. But 

 the economical lady says : "^That is outrageous. I can 

 do much better than that. I have a catalogue and price 

 list of a firm that will sell 12 choice kinds for $1.00 ; 

 and they will come by mail, too, so I will save the ex- 

 press." She sends for them and gets 12 tiny little 

 things that need a microscope sent along with them. 

 She plants them out, giving ordinary or even careful 

 attention. If she saves one out of the number she will 

 do well ; and that will probably be a poor, sickly thing, 

 and it will take about three years to bring it up to prop- 

 er size. So she has paid out her $1, and lost three 

 years. This mail order system is a great drawback. 

 It is all right in its place, if you want house plants, or 

 small ones for the nursery, where they can have special 



