THE POINT OF VIEW 5 
remonstrated, he declared that it was nothing but burdock ; 
but I insisted that, so far from being burdock, it was really 
Lappa major, since which time the plant and its offspring have 
enjoyed his utmost respect. And I find that most of my friends 
reserve their appreciation of a plant until they have learned 
its name and its family connections. 
The dump-place that I mentioned has a surface area of nearly 
one hundred and fifty square feet, and I find that it has grown 
over two hundred good plants of one kind or another this year. 
This is more than my gardener accomplished on an equal area, 
with manure and water and a man to help. The difference 
was that the plants on the dump wanted to grow, and the 
imported plants in the garden did not want to grow. It was 
the difference between a willing horse and a balky horse. If 
a person wants to show his skill, he may choose the balky 
plant; but if he wants fun and comfort in gardening, he would 
better choose the willing one. 
I have never been able to find out when the burdocks and 
mustard were planted on the dump; and I am sure that they 
were never hoed or watered. Nature practices a wonderfully 
rigid economy. For nearly half the summer she even refused 
rain to the plants, but still they thrived; yet I staid home 
from a vacation one‘summer that I might keep my plants from 
dying. I have since learned that if the plants in my hardy 
borders cannot take care of themselves for a time, they are 
little comfort to me. 
The joy of garden-making lies in' the mental attitude and in 
the sentiments. 
