258 MORE POT-POURRI 



there they remain, hidden and shaded and undisturbed all 

 the summer. Where seedlings appear they are let alone 

 all the summer and autumn till after flowering-time in 

 spring. They look lovely, and brave these cold, dry, 

 March days ; but their stalks are rather short here, for want 

 of moisture. If anyone wants to see this Violet to per- 

 fection, let him chance to be in Eome early in March, 

 as I once was, and let him go to the old English 

 cemetery, where Keats lies buried and the heart of Shelley, 

 and he will see a never-to-be-forgotten sight the whole 

 ground blue with the Violets, tall and strong above their 

 leaves, the air one sweet perfume, and the sound (soft and 

 yet distinct) of the murmur of spring bees. 



Just at this time we rake off the winter mulching that 

 has covered the Asparagus beds, water them well with 

 liquid manure, and salt them when the rain comes. 



March 16/&. As the seasons come round, the changes 

 often recall to my mind certain verses in ' Bethia Hard- 

 acre's ' volume. Such tender loving versions of some of 

 Nature's facts are there, and I go out to verify them. The 

 garden now is one mass of Crocuses, Violets, fading 

 Snowdrops and bursting Daffies ; and this is how the 

 flower-chain is described by her : 



Blossoms, meet to mourn the dead, 

 On each season's grave are spread ; 

 Lilies white and Eoses red 

 O'er dead Spring are canopied ; 

 Hoses in their latest bloom 

 Blazen golden Summer's tomb ; 

 Stealthy showers of petals fall 

 At still Autumn's funeral ; 

 But the darlings of the year 

 Strew rude Winter's sepulchre. 



Scarce a flower does Winter own ; 

 Of four seasons he alone 



