El\ M^ ^ Mo^^ ^«rJ. 



len 



the triple purpose of holding the leaves in place, 

 warmth and spring fertilization. 



We always have great difficulty to avoid coming 

 to blows over the subject of depth in planting. 

 Kavent you met the variety of gardener who would, 

 if left to himself, always plant everything in the 

 centre of the earth's axis if he could dig that deep? 

 Well then, you know what I have to contend with, 

 and what spirited discussions and stilted dignity 

 occur before a compromise is reached. 



The larger auratum bulbs should be planted ten 

 inches deep; the speciosum Melpomene and smaller 

 lily bulbs about six inches. 



AU told we plant twenty-six lilies among the 

 peonies ; the latter will give the bulbs shade about the 

 stalks in summer, conserving the moisture, while 

 the foliage of the peonies will make leafy vases 

 for the bouquets of liUes to rise from. 



With tired backs but gleeful hearts we trudge 

 toward the house, and on the way I stoop and brush 

 the snow from a border, finding a quantity of very 

 fresh sweet alyssum smiling happily under its glitter- 

 ing cover. Across the path, in a nook under the white 

 lilac, are several clumps of brave purple stocks look- 

 ing like monster double violets. 



177 



