THE MANSE GARDEN. 115 



those that must wage it ; but to others it is only at- 

 tractive of notice when a certain greatness character- 

 izes the combatants on either side a circumstance 

 that does not obtain in the interminable conflicts ef 

 the gardener with the green-fly, a creature of such 

 slender make that it cannot bear the dew on its 

 wings. Judging by this law of sympathy in regard 

 to wars, there is reason to apprehend that no one 

 will care for reading about the enemies of the garden, 1 

 except in so far as they make assaults upon himself, 

 at once deriding his skill and defeating his labours. 

 I have a worm, for instance, that infests my carrots, 

 and that root has had a finer relish since I found it 

 so hard to rear. Sometimes I gain advantage over 

 my foe ; but as often, wofully foiled, I own the power 

 ef the spoiler, and have to look with pity on labours 

 lost and counsels turned to foolishness. Again I 

 ransack all volumes of tactics, and feel tempted to 

 call in whatever aid, be it wizard or witch, because 

 the enemy is mine own; but what others do with 

 their ear-wigs or red-spiders I do not read, because 

 that is not my affair. 



Before leaving this department of the garden, 

 there are some fruits which, though of a minor race, 

 are well worthy of notice, and on which the skill of 

 the cultivator will not be thrown away. Of the 

 smaller fruits the gooseberry is the most important ; 

 and considering its adaptation to various soils and 

 climates, as well as its agreeable flavour and emi- 

 nently wholesome qualities, it is perhaps the most 

 important of all the fruits which the gardens of our 

 country produce. It is amongst our luxuries what 

 the potato is among the necessaries of life : being 



