202 MY GROWING GARDEN 



and several times during the summer I have had to 

 restrain its ambition to cover the dial itself by 

 cutting back its exuberant branches. Now that 

 winter is impending, I am anxious to carry it 

 through substantially unharmed. Previous pro- 

 tection by cedar boughs has been inadequate; and, 

 after much consideration, I have wrapped it about 

 with burlap, loosely applied, and most unpleasing 

 to see. The spring will show — ^what.^^ 



All the vegetables are out of danger now, 

 either in securely covered trenches, or in a cellar 

 that I can hold at close to forty degrees Fahren- 

 heit all winter. The ground from which they were 

 lifted has been raked smooth, and if I had time 

 would all be manured and dug before freezing. I 

 have had time to get ready a "row" for the earliest 

 peas and spinach; and my son has looked spring in 

 the eye in making a new sort of concrete coldframe 

 range from which he expects interesting results; 

 but that is too much of a story to tell before 

 Christmas. 



With all there is to do in the hours that may be 

 taken from the oflSce-desk at which is earned a 

 living and the money to play with a growing gar- 

 den, there yet remains some time and much 

 inclination for retrospect and prospect. As I walk 

 about, my forward-looking mind sees many things 



