THE ODORS OF ARABY 91 



Why this prosperity amid neglect, when ours, watched by 

 day and night, are the victims of hungry pests'? What 

 have we done to call down insect Goths and Vandals'? 



There is a freemasonry among gardeners safe to take 

 advantage of, if we keep alive the right spirit of humility 

 about our own successes and are more willing to take 

 advice than give it. An offer of a pitcher of cold butter- 

 milk on a hot morning, a plate of fresh huckleberry cake, 

 or a basket of black cherries are the proper keys to invite 

 civility, and the most crabbed gardener stiffened in his 

 own opinions about you and your affairs must look 

 kindly upon a Greek bearing such gifts. 



However, a gentle neighborly curiosity impelled a 

 visitor to approach the dusky cottage with a peace offer- 

 ing, and to regard the owner of the sunbonnet with 

 gracious deference. She was on her knees, with leather 

 gloves, trowel, and clippers, giving service to General 

 Jacqueminot, Marechal Niel, Clothilde Soupert, and 

 Bon Silene, and a sweet sanguine rose nestled in her 

 hair. She had no views on roses, but used her woman's 

 wit to whisk her spiders with a broom, sprinkle an emul- 

 sion from her own recipe of hellebore, soapsuds, and 

 what-not, and there were two or three old umbrellas kept 

 to hoist over precious buds when a thunderstorm was 

 due ; and her reward was roses. 



If fate denies those under the clouds of city smoke 

 the right to become "rosarians" they may have other 



