CHAPTER VIII 
PLANTING IN THE SEED-BED 
LL Joseph’s work at gardening is not out-of 
doors. He has to do a great deal of study- 
ing in, “An Ambitious Boy’s Garden,” read many 
catalogues and talk with our neighbours and Tim- 
othy before starting actual labour in the open. 
Then there is Mrs. Keith, who likes to know just 
what Joseph is about. Not that she ever wishes 
to hinder him ; sometimes she gives him ideas that 
are important; but usually she tells him whether 
our great-aunt would have approved of his plans. 
Little Queenie Perth laughs at Joseph when he 
talks about his flowers. She says the butterflies 
in her garden look prettier than his seed packages. 
He is delighted to hear and learn whatever ex- 
perienced gardeners will tell him; for Joseph is not 
likely to be over-wise this first year of garden-build- 
ing. 
This week Joseph has learned to divide flowers 
into three classes: annuals, perennials, and bien- 
nials. He tells me that now he understands their 
