6 WOOD A^D GARDEN 



nearest thing we can know to the mighty force of 

 creation. / 



And a garden is a grand teacher. It teaches 

 patience and careful watchfulness ; it teaches industry 

 and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust. 5" Paul 

 planteth and Apollos watereth, but God giveth the in- 

 crease." The good gardener knows with absolute 

 certainty that if he does his part, if he gives the 

 labour, the love, and-^everyaid that his faiowfedge of 

 his craft, experience of the conditions of his place, and 

 exercise of his^ personal wit" carr-wofkJiigethfflLio sug- 

 gest, that so surely as he does this diligently and 

 faithfully, so surely will God give the increase. Then 

 with the honestly-earned success comes the conscious- 

 ness of encouragement to renewed effort, and, as it 

 were, an echo of the gracious words, " Well done, good 

 and faithful servant." 



