BY WAY OF 



It is generally thoughtlessness which prompts 

 people to ask us to divide our choice plants with 

 them. If we were to be frank with them, and tell 

 them why we do not care to do tliis, they would 

 readily imderstand the situation, and, instead of 

 blaming us for our refusal, they would blame 

 themselves for having been so thoughtlessly 

 selfish as to have made the request. 



The question is often asked: 



"Why can't we save our own flower-seeds? 

 Aren't the plants we grow just as healthy as 

 those of the seedsmen we patronize year after 

 year? Ought not the seed from them to be just 

 as good as that we buy? " 



Just as good, no doubt, in one sense, and not 

 as good, in another. We grow our plants for 

 their flowers. The seedsmen grow theirs for their 

 seed, and in order to secure the very best article 

 they give their plants care and culture that ours 

 are not likely to get. Their methods are calcu- 

 lated to result in constant improvement. Ours 

 tend in the other direction. The person who grows 

 plants year after year from home-grown seed 

 vrill almost invariably tell you that her plants 

 " seem to be running out." 



