TWEXTY-MXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



179 



In the way of annual vines for verandas or trellises, the momardica, or 

 balsam apple, is among the first. It luxuriates in this climate and has 

 many excellent qualities — is remarkably free from insects, is a rapid 

 grower, and can be festooned and draped like a lace curtain. In autumn 

 it hangs full of red apples, and is usually fresh and green until Christ- 

 mas. I saved three quarts of seed the first year I grew the balsam 

 apple and sent it to friends in different parts of the United States, but 

 from reports it did not flourish as it does here. A high board fence 

 covered with the balsam apple makes an artistic background for a small 

 garden. Next to this fence one could plant chrysanthemums, which 

 can be grown quite tall, and the fence would make a good support. 

 Then a row of summer-blooming carnations would flourish with little 

 care, and to finish all, a border of violets, gradually sloping down to 

 the grass plot — and there you have a little flower garden, with a suc- 

 cession of blossoms throughout the season, and all choice varieties — 

 the violets for every spring, the carnations for summer, and the chrys- 

 anthemums for autumn. 



The next dooryard could be varied with climbing roses for a back- 

 ground, or the moonvine, which flourishes here, with standard roses or 

 dahlias for tall flowers, with stock for early bloomers, and a border of 

 gaillardias, which bloom all the time; and so on, each garden being 

 varied in accord with the taste of the owner. 



Such plants of hardy varieties, well cared for, give more genuine 

 satisfaction than all the novelties advertised in the catalogues. A little 

 time each day will work wonders, and it is within the possibilities of 

 all to grow a few things well without the technical knowledge from 

 books or scientists. 



In a small garden where space is limited and plants are numbered, I 

 would give the preference to those having the qualities for cut flowers, 

 always choosing the most fragrant, for the scent of a blossom appeals 

 more to me than the sight, however gorgeous in coloring it may be. 

 There is a subtile perfume in fresh flowers that steals over the senses 

 and soothes the nerves, that comes like a balm to rest and refresh the 

 whole system, and perhaps the time will come when physicians will 

 treat cases with highly sensitive nerves with the perfume of fresh flow- 

 ers, as they now treat with colors. 



A kitchen garden of a few square feet is a real help to the house- 

 keeper, and I have derived lasting pleasure from a little Dutch garden 

 with sweet herbs for garnishing dishes for the table. There is a blending 

 of sweet marjoram and lavender, of rosemary and rue, of hyssop and 

 thyme, of sage and tansy and tarragon, and all the old-time herbs that 

 our grandmothers prized. Such a garden when once started almost 

 takes care of itself, and gives a spicy aroma to many a little home 

 dinner. 



