<Batf>en 



of man can desire. One's longing to acquire spec- 

 imens of each lovely plant described and depicted 

 in each successive catalogue that arrives becomes 

 so pressing that one can not shake it off. One's 

 spirit cries for the beloved objects by day and 

 dreams of them by night: 



" Quien pasa las noches sonando con tigo y 

 pasa los dias llorando por ti." 



Temptation, thy name is Nurseryman's Cata- 

 logue ! And if ever a temptation was made to be 

 fallen into it is this one. Whoever takes up one of 

 these irresistible, illustrated catalogues is fore- 

 doomed to buy, whether he can afford it or not. 

 Such a consideration is of no consequence. I am 

 naturally strong myself, in the absence of tempta- 

 tion ; and being strong I do not give it the go-by 

 when it presents itself before me. The more 

 alluring its garb the more determined do I become 

 not to be weak and evade it. I close with it and if 

 it is stronger than I am, it engulfs me. Human 

 nature can do no more. 



I also often practise petty economies, which, 

 though reputed virtuous, is a much more expen- 

 sive luxury than buying plants one has no room 

 46 



