SOIL FOR 



way if you show a disposition to do the fair 

 thing by them. Of course plants that have 

 to make compromises with conditions cannot 

 be expected to do themselves the justice they 

 would under more favorable circumstances, 

 but they often surprise us by the way in which 

 they respond to the best treatment we can 

 give them, even if it falls short, in many 

 respects, of being what they would like. I 

 believe that most persons who grow plants 

 will agree with me that they seem to have an 

 almost human ability to appreciate kindness 

 and that they repay it by putting aside many 

 of their personal preferences in a desire to 

 please those who love them. In every com- 

 munity you will find persons who have the 

 reputation of possessing a "knack" for grow- 

 ing plants satisfactorily. "Anything will grow 

 for them," the neighbors will tell you. But 

 this "knack" will be found to consist almost 

 entirely in the care and attention these per- 

 sons give their plants, out of their friendship 

 for them. They do their best for their flowers, 

 and they, in turn are ready to return the favor 

 by making the best of existing conditions, 

 and doing all possible for them to do under 

 the circumstances. It is a belief of mine that 



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