PLANTING BEFORE THE WALL 95 
and higher on the slope. Some day the woods 
may have a thick, green carpet of its soft leaves 
from early spring until late in the autumn. We 
hardly could expect to find another ground cover 
for the coppice, which, like the brave, sturdy hepat- 
icas, holds its green leaves throughout the winter. 
Whenever we transplant wild flowers, Mr. Percy 
says we must be sure to take enough of them to 
establish what he calls a “permanent colony.’’ Just 
one or two wildlings set in or near a garden have a 
frightened, not-at-home look, while numbers of one 
kind together usually retain their wild charm. 
Mr. Percy told us, moreover, that transplanting 
wild flowers was something he had long wished to 
do himself; but that there was little opportunity 
for experimenting at such a formal place as Nestly 
Heights. Naturally, Little Joseph and I were glad 
to let him do whatever he wished In our wood- 
border. In fact, we grew quite used to his help, 
and now miss him sadly since he has gone away. 
In the rose garden, however, I shall manage things 
quite after my own mind. There not even Little 
Joseph is to be allowed to pull a weed. 
