THE GARDEN AT HOME 



come the gorgeous May-flowering Cottage and Darwin 

 Tulips, with the loveliest flowers imaginable, in infinite 

 variety of colouring, in perfect grace of form, and on 

 tall, strong stems. Soon follow the Flag Irises, in purple, 

 white, blue, yellow, and other shades ; and if it is urged 

 against them that they last none too long when they are 

 cut, it is in their favour that no flower excels them for vase 

 decoration. Those who grow the double white Arabis in 

 preference to the single one will be able to gather hand- 

 fuls of its beautiful blossoms, for all the world like minia- 

 ture Stocks, though, alas! without their delicious scent. 

 June is Paeony time, and no flower fills a bowl more 

 gorgeously than the Pseony, whether represented by the 

 single varieties with golden stamens for centre, or the 

 double sorts, full of flaming petals with a fragrance 

 peculiarly their own. Poppies, for those who love to 

 cull them, are available in wonderful variety ; most 

 striking of all are the giant Oriental sorts in crimson, 

 scarlet, salmon, and pink, though most enchanting 

 perhaps are the Iceland and Shirley Poppies, beloved of 

 those who exhibit decorative tables at flower shows. 

 They are very gay while they last, but their beauty 

 quickly fades. Lupins I shall pass by, for their flowers 

 soon fall ; and, even if they did not, parted from the 

 plants their charm is lost. So it is with the perennial 

 Larkspurs or Delphiniums altogether bewitching on the 

 plants, their tall spires rising in real flower majesty, 

 but gathered, alas ! they have no soul. 



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