COMMUTER'S WIFE 231 



easier to keep track of your colours and adjust the 

 plants themselves in the beds than to thin out seed- 

 lings. Then, too, with our climate of droughts and 

 cloud-bursts, the growth of the more delicate seeds 

 is precarious. If one lacks a hotbed altogether, 

 much can be done in terra-cotta trays on the win- 

 dow ledge. In fact, I've sown my Margaret carna- 

 tion seeds in this way, for the hotbed does not give 

 them the cool air they need, and they are already up 

 and thrifty. 



Under my eye Bertie has also sown some tender 

 vegetable seeds this afternoon, egg-plants, toma- 

 toes, peppers, cauliflower, besides devoting a frame 

 each to early lettuce, radishes, and cucumbers. He 

 has a straight eye and a sense of proportion that 

 promise well for the neatness of the vegetable 

 garden. 



March 20. The snow has retreated from the open 

 places, but still whitens the north side of fences and 

 shady places in the wild garden. The Christmas 

 ferns, polypody, and mosses, missing the frosty 

 moisture, are looking quite shabby. The cheerful 

 phoebe bird is here, and the redwing; and the cro- 

 cuses that I planted in October are unfolding, the 

 golden yellow taking the lead. Early this morning a 

 prelude of the spring chorus floated up from the ever- 



