194 WOOD AND GARDEN 



of the Cape Pondweed (Aponogeton distachyon) in full 

 flower and great vigour in the dipping tanks, and over- 

 flowing from them into the ditches. 



Also I was delighted to see the use as labels of old 

 wheel-spokes. I could not help feeling that if one 

 had been a spoke of a cab-wheel, and had passed 

 all one's working life in being whirled and clattered 

 over London pavements, defiled with street mud, how 

 pleasant a way to end one's days was this; to have 

 one's felloe end pointed and dipped in nice wholesome 

 rot-resisting gas-tar and thrust into the quiet cool 

 earth, and one's nave end smoothed and painted and 

 inscribed with some such soothing legend as Virmi, 

 minor or Bianthus fragrans ! 



Later I made acquaintance with several of the 

 leading amateur and professional gardeners, and with 

 Mr. Robinson, and to their good comradeship and 

 kindly willingness to let me "pick their brains" I 

 owe a great advance in garden lore. Moreover, what 

 began by the drawing together of a common interest 

 has grown into a still greater benefit, for several 

 acquaintances so made have ripened into steady and 

 much-valued friendships. It has been a great interest 

 to me to have had the privilege of watching the 

 gradual growth, through its several editions, of Mr. 

 Robinson's "English Flower-Garden," the one best 

 and most helpful book of all' for those who want to 

 know about hardy flowers; offering as it does in the 

 clearest and easiest way a knowledge of the garden- 



