CHAPTER XV 

 MIDSUMMER ROSES 



'N July the scene changes again and the 

 colors of the garden kaleidoscope 

 have rearranged themselves. In- 

 stead of with the blooms of rhodo- 

 dendron, azalea, and guelder-rose, the shrub- 

 beries are now decked with tall foxgloves, del- 

 phiniums, and an occasional lily in amongst the 

 bushes, whilst the beds are radiant with old- 

 fashioned sweet-williams, Canterbury bells, cam- 

 panulas, and snapdragons, together with early 

 gladioli, phlox, petunias, and verbenas. All the 

 flowers have been extraordinarily large this year 

 and have shown an unusual development. The 

 Canterbury bells have been veritable good-sized 

 bushes and the sweet-williams almost like groups 

 of miniature trees with great, thick, strong stems. 

 The verbenas are growing with unwonted lux- 

 uriance and the carnations have masses of flowers 

 upon them. 



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