300 



increasing chorus of crickets, the lengthening 

 shadows, and an admonitory rustling in the fast- 

 ripening leaves of the trees that point inexorably 

 to the hour of the year. 



For the second time many of the larkspurs 

 are blossoming. In the rock-garden the little 

 star-grass, Viola pedata bicolor, and the white 

 and purple V. cornuta simulate another spring. 

 Campanula Carpatica is covered with bloom ; 

 Tunica saxifraga has not ceased to blossom 

 since early summer, and Spiranthes cernua re- 

 mains the sweetest wild flower of September. 

 The Cannas and the great Japanese variegated 

 grasses are just attaining their full beauty. 

 When planting Eulalias, the smaller-growing 

 E. gracittina univitata should not be omitted, 

 an extremely distinct and beautiful species with 

 wiry, grass-like foliage. 



But the garden will not take care of itself 

 even now ; to preserve its fresh appearance the 

 knife must be frequently employed to remove 

 the withered stalks, and the rake to collect the 

 fallen leaves. Left to themselves, the borders 

 would already look rusty in August, and remov- 

 ing withered leaves and stems forms no small 

 portion of the season's work. The stems of 

 many perennials should not be cut down entire- 

 ly ; they serve more or less as a protection. It 



