THE PRACTICAL FLOWER GARDEN 



sunshine and gray autumn — ^produce wonder- 

 ful effects in their curious seams of color, and 

 at times it is hard to say whether the rocks 

 or the plants growing around and about them 

 are most beautiful. 



Descending the swift slope of fields stretch- 

 ing from the old farmhouse, and crossing a 

 natural ravine, we pass a small pond where 

 wild geese have found conditions so favorable 

 that no temptations lead them away, cross a 

 noisy brook that tumbles and sings on its way 

 between the great boulders that line its sides, 

 and finally come to the simple gate of white 

 palings that opens between two graceful elms 

 into the Connecticut garden. 



Here we find a little open green, along a 

 stone wall, extending on one side of which 

 masses of laurel grow and prosper in fuU 

 sunshine. Descending a green aisle where in 

 spring the sod is gay with tiniest flowers 

 of white, yellow, lavender, blue, one side of 

 which is bordered with a tall growth of 

 huckleberry bushes backed by hundreds of 



180 



