the sulphur hoop-petticoat, and a score 

 of equally suggestive names. Long ago 

 I fell a victim to the spell which is 

 v^oven by " the dwellers of the dust," 

 and all winter long within doors they 

 make glad spots of fragrance and 

 beauty, and require the least attention 

 of any blooming thing I know. 



It is my fancy to render them as 

 ethereal as possible. Out of doors 

 they may be children of the dust, but 

 in the house they are creatures of light 

 and air, and — water! Not a bulb 

 will I dabble with that will not con- 

 sent to grow for me in water, and 

 when you once make up your mind to 

 this idea it is astonishing how many 

 you can bend to your will. From 

 November till April, that is from 

 " snow-fly to grass-cut," as my Dutch 

 gardener expresses it, 1 expect a suc- 

 cession of bloom, and by beginning 

 in season 1 always have it. 

 II 



