THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 103 



by their own peculiar senses ? Mystery on mystery ! 

 How, on every side, there teem proofs of an almighty 

 superintendence of this tuorld, the Greek equivalent for 

 which is ''well-ordered arrangement," and the Latin 

 " neatness," or rather " neat," as our excellent preacher 

 told us last Sunday ! 



Well, I have just brought home for this faithful 

 dependent a choice assortment of fancy geraniums, to 

 his great delight. 



While making my selection, a stray question led to 

 an enthusiastic outpour on the part of the seedsman 

 (who is very eminent in his line). You may learn 

 something from every one, if you keep your ears open, 

 and let him discourse on his pet subjects. The great 

 Burke's version of this idea was, you will remember, 

 that no one could stand with the passer-by, to shelter 

 from a shower, without gaining instruction, provided, 

 un-railway-traveller-like, he took the trouble to talk 

 at all. 



To return, however : " Why don't you amuse your- 

 self with this, sir ? I know a gentleman who has made 

 thousands by it : he got forty pounds, the other day, 

 for one seedling." 



I pricked up my ears ; and he gradually instructed 

 me in the mode of mixing the pollen of one flower with 

 that of another, by means of a camel-hair brush, taking 

 care that the bees have not been before one at the 

 particular blossoms, and covering the impregnated 

 flower, until it seeds, in a muslin bag. Won't I cut up 

 one or two of my indulgent spouse's caps ! — unbeknown 

 to her it niust be. But won't she thank me when she 

 sees the brilliant floral effects of next season? and won't 

 I then tenderly try to tap the plethora of her cheque- 



