The 

 Garden of a Commuter's Wife 



i 



THE RETURN 



October 23 (Battle of Leipsic, 1642, according to 

 the Farmers' Almanac. I never could understand 

 the relationship between the astronomy, history, and 

 literature in this volume). To-day I began the plant- 

 ing of my garden. The combination of date and deed 

 may seem strange to those who do not know ; but as 

 gardening is the most exacting as well as the most 

 exciting of outdoor sports, one cannot begin too early 

 in the season, and it is really better to begin the sea- 

 son before. Neither a garden nor a gardener can 

 be made in one year, nor in one generation even. It 

 takes a fine sort of heredity of air and soil and envi- 

 ronment for either; also gardening is the most cheer- 

 ful and satisfactory pursuit for women who love 

 outdoors. Field and forest often hold one at bay. 



