AN ISLAND GARDEN 43 



elder branches for the purpose. It is another 

 pleasure to go afar among the rocks for these and 

 wheel them to the flower beds in a light wheel- 

 barrow, which is one of the most useful things 

 one can possess for work about the garden. At 

 once the vines lay hold of the slender sticks and 

 climb to the very top, fain are they to go much 

 farther. But I cut the tops so that they may 

 branch from the sides and keep within bounds, 

 and they soon make a solid hedge of healthy 

 green. Oh, when the blossoms break from these 

 green hedges like heavenly winged angels, and 

 their pure, cool perfume fills the air, what joy is 

 mine! 



I find Sweet Peas can hardly have too rich a 

 soil, provided always that they are kept sufficiently 

 wet. They must have moisture, their roots must 

 be kept cool and damp, a mulch of leaves or 

 straw is a very good thing to keep the roots from 

 drying, and they must always be planted as deep 

 as possible. Wood ashes give them a stronger 

 growth. Their colors, the great variety of them, 

 and their vivid delicacy are wonderful ; they are 

 most beautiful against the background of the sea; 

 they are a continual source of delight, and never 

 cease to bloom, with me, if gathered every day and 

 watered abundantly, the whole summer long, even 

 through the autumn till November. But they 

 must never be suffered to go to seed ; that would 

 check their blossoming at once. I revel in their 

 beauty week after week, bringing them into the 

 house and arranging them in masses every other 

 day. Clear glass vases are most effective for 



