214 THE GARDEN OF A 



" Far be it from me to limit you, but at a moderate 

 estimate, allowing for the usual failures to sprout, 

 you are ordering enough seeds to sow two acres. 

 Where do you mean to plant them ? " 



" Why, in the sun garden, of course," I stammered, 

 beginning to realize that the gardening possession is 

 like intoxication, for when under its influence you see 

 double, and not only do your flower beds increase in 

 number, but in size also. " You know we planned to 

 keep all the perishable summer flowers together there ; 

 that is, except the nasturtiums and sweet peas, which 

 of course must go either side of the long walk." 



" With the quantities limited, the list is fairly con- 

 servative," he continued, " but I see a dozen annuals 

 there that we surely have no room to waste upon, and 

 they will leave a bare spot early in September, if not 

 sooner. I do not expect that you will give them up 

 without a trial, nothing less will convince you, but 

 I'll lay you a wager of a new rose-arbour to nothing, 

 that their names will not be on your list next year," 

 and as he spoke, he checked off a name here and 

 there, adding a remark as if dismissing the plant for 

 good : 



" Sweet alyssum : Only good for formal edgings." 



" Amaranthus in mass : All too big and weedy for 

 a small garden." 



