IN MIDSUMMER FIELDS 115 



morning paper. All signs seem to fail in dry weather; the 

 poplars show the white of their leaves and prove false 

 prophets, the birds fly low, and the spiders spin, all to no 



The clouds rising in the southwest we were sure held 

 the rains and, filling us with hope, crept aside to pour 

 their waters on more favored pastures, Long experience 

 has taught that a shower will do more for our blossoming 

 beds than all the nights of a week devoted to work with 

 the hose. Nature knows the right temperature, and just 

 how to wash foliage and send streams to the roots. 



BAoR. gardens have been ruined by careless sprinklers 

 than by a dry spell, and sometimes weed pulling, stirring 

 the sun-baked beds with a hoe, and faithful clipping of 

 seed pods and dry AMPULS* will keep blossoms unfolding 

 in a healthier condition than if sprinkled. The calendu- 

 las, marigolds, coreopsis, calliopsis, and petunias should 

 begin to look their best, and if an annual does not show 

 ambition, now is the time to pull it up. 



The thunderstorm of the early morning, clearing about 

 six o'clock, is an invitation to be out. It delays the open- 

 ing of the morning-glories, which the lazy sleeper rarely 

 sees. The new Japanese morning-glory is a beautiful 

 addition to the fair company of crystal cups, pink-tinted 

 shells, velvet purples, and royal crimsons that the morn- 

 ing-glory lover has ever looked for. The pillars on the 

 porch and the long strings made taut for their pleasure are 



