XVIII 

 OCTOBER 



THE YEAR'S MIND 



October 18. The first real frost came to the garden 

 last night, though for two weeks past the hoar has 

 silvered the lowlands at every sunrise. The helio- 

 trope hangs its blackened head, and the vigorous nas- 

 turtiums are spilling their sap as the season's sacrifice. 

 A few verbenas, Margaret carnations, and rosebuds 

 alone remain of the summer garden. The Dahlias, 

 owing to protection, have gained a few days' reprieve, 

 but their quality is impaired. After a hard frost all 

 flowers droop when taken indoors, except the hardy 

 old-time chrysanthemums, 'whose red, yellow, white, 

 and tawny buttons seldom fail to outlast the month. 



The pit Is finished, and comfortably ensconced in 

 it are the various cuttings and the tea roses, together 

 with the first instalment of potted bulbs for winter 

 blooming. This year I am trying Bermuda Easter 

 lilies as house plants, having prepared a dozen pots 

 of large bulbs that after being buried will evolute 

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