278 HOME AND GARDEN 



clothed in the one case with Aucubas, hardy Ferns, 

 Periwinkles, and Honesty, and in the other with 

 Aucubas, Ferns, and the two grand Mulleins, Verbascum 

 olympicum and V. 2Momoidcs. It should be remem- 

 bered that the Aucuba is one of the few shrubs that 

 enjoys shade. 



Throughout my life I have found that one of the 

 things most worth doing was to cultivate the habit 

 of close observation. Like all else, the more it is 

 exercised the easier it becomes, till it is so much a 

 part of oneself that one may observe almost critically 

 and hardly be aware of it. A habit so acquired stands 

 one in good stead in all garden matters, so that in 

 an exhibition of flowers or in a botanic garden one 

 can judge of the merits of a plant hitherto unknown 

 to one, and at once see in what way it is good, and 

 why, and how it differs from those of the same class 

 that one may have at home. 



And I know from my own case that the Avill and 

 the power to observe does not depend on the posses- 

 sion of keen sight. For I have sight that is both 

 painful and inadequate ; short sight of the severest 

 kind, and always progressive (my natural focus is two 

 inches) ; but the little I have I try to make the most 

 of, and often find that I have observed things that 

 have escaped strong and long-sighted people. 



As if by way of compensation I have very keen 

 hearing, and when I hear a little rustling rush in the 



