monly seen in cultivated gardens. There is, however — and with 

 much pleasure 1 notice it — an increasing tendency on the part of 

 nurserymen and plant dealers to include in their lists of hardy 

 plants many of our common ferns, shrubs and flowering plants. 

 One dealer of whom 1 know sends out a catalogue containing 

 nearly all the ferns of the region in which it was published, as 

 well as many of the flowering plants like columbine, bloodroot, 

 hepaticas, anemones, cypripediums, asters, goldenrods and many 

 others. Then, too, there are shrubby plants like laurels, vibur- 

 nums, dogwoods, elders, hawthorns and roses, to say nothing of 

 native trees. This tendency is indicative of a healthy condition 

 and growth in the progress of popular gardening. For it is by 

 using natives and growing them as naturally as possible rather 

 than by using foreign plants, of which they know little or noth- 

 ing, that the masses will create the most pleasing views in their 

 planting. If they follow Nature, people will not go far astray. A 

 corner of one's place, at least, should be devoted to native shrubs 

 and plants, and unless the cultivator be exceptionally fond of 

 glitter and show he will probably find it the most attractive and 

 interesting spot of his garden. To what flower can we attribute a 

 more shy or delicate grace than to the nodding columbine {A. 

 Canadensis), as it peeps from a secluded nook between the rocks? 

 Though its native habitat is the summits and slopes of rocky hills 

 in sun or partial shade, it will thrive equally well in the garden. I 

 have seen it grow and flower profusely when along the north side 

 of a building, in a place scarcely ever reached by sunshine. What 

 early spring plant is more charming than the rue anemone? 

 This season I chanced to come upon a fine specimen while roam- 

 ing over a rocky hill. The flowers were well opened, but I took 

 it home and gave it a place in the garden. It did not seem to 

 mind being transplanted, and for nearly two weeks was a source 

 of great delight to every one who beheld it, being a mass of con- 

 tinual bloom. I am interested to know if it will find a congenial 

 home in my garden. The bird-foot violet {V, pedata), thrives 

 well in cultivation, but is inclined to grow much larger than in its 



