CATS AND DOGS. 85 



unsightly in the ripening season; but a seed-nursery 

 obviates these objections. 



ABOUT CATS, ETC. 



In soil that is half peat, wild flowers from the woods 

 thrive, if well cared for. Violets and hepaticas, hous- 

 tonia and meadow pink grow very large, and the violets 

 will give lovely blossoms in October as well as in 

 spring. It seems as if the light of some eyes made 

 flowers grow, but they must be enlightened eyes that 

 see what is to be done, or that find out from the 

 heart that is behind the eyes, and which loves the flow- 

 ers. Anthracite coal and gas are the arch enemies of 

 house-plants. All sorts of worms must be watched for 

 in the garden, and toads and birds cherished and 

 attracted. Cats must be decidedly abolished. Cats 

 not only drive away birds but scratch up garden bor- 

 ders. It is striking to see how soon birds will return 

 to a garden when several cats have been shot. Kittens 

 are charming as long as their mothers nurse them ; but 

 when the latter lose their love for them, and begin to 

 cuff them and turn them upon the cold world for sub- 

 sistence, look out for the birds ! If kittens are begun 

 with early, and judiciously trained, however, they will 

 bring in the birds unharmed, and lay them at your feet, 

 and will gradually learn not to touch them. Such kittens 

 may be allowed to turn into cats. Dogs are dangerous 

 in gardens particularly if any squirrels linger in the 

 neighborhood, as they do a long time near country resi- 

 dences. 



WHITE FLOWERS OF SPRING. 



Wood anemona, anemonae nemorosa, April, May; 

 creeping fleabane, erigeron flagellare, May ; sharp lobed 



