AND THE WILDERNESS BLOSSOMED 



for I have no wish to injure the business of the 

 seedsmen, but only to make it better for the 

 flower-lovers, and, in the end, ever so much 

 better for the seedsmen themselves. 



Every year very many people who are 

 strangers to me land upon the island, and wander 

 about its shady walks or down upon the terraces. 

 Very many others who might have done so have 

 for some reason refrained. Those who came 

 gave me pleasure, because they found pleasure in 

 coming; while those who stayed away disappointed 

 me, for I could not but think that either they 

 did not love flowers, or else believed that I would 

 not willingly have them look upon the flowers 

 that we both loved. 



From early spring till late fall I am very busy, 

 planting, transplanting, weeding, or gathering 

 seed, so that it is not always or often easy for me 

 to stop and try to entertain chance visitors, but 

 let it be understood that no one is ever entertained 

 on the island, though all are welcome to come, 

 and see, and walk, and enjoy, aye ! and to pluck 

 the blossoms also, if they will but be kind and 

 tender to the plants. 



274 



