100 JOSEPH PLANTING THE GARDEN 
straight and narrow path; but, if we did so, the 
fun of making our own garden would be spoiled 
for Joseph and me. 
At Nestly Heights, not one of the family ever 
sows a seed or ventures to pick a flower; even the 
birds are shy about building their nests there. 
About the triangle, these gay creatures appear 
more at home every day. The wrens, the blue- 
birds and the grackles, which came first of all, have 
now been joined by m.any friends, while robins, 
song-sparrows and chippies have come in great 
numbers. Almost every day we find a nest not 
seen before. Naturally, the builders make a great 
fuss and appear to be in actual terror as we draw 
near to examine their work; but, when they see 
that we go away, leaving everything undisturbed 
as soon as our interest is satisfied, they settle down 
quietly again. The next time we visit them, they 
appear less frightened. 
On all sides we have heard that no garden should 
be without phloxes. Joseph, therefore, bought 
three dozen plants before he knew that others were 
to be given him. They are very easily cultivated, 
and, as they can be separated at the end of three 
years into three times the original number, we 
think them a good investment. Phloxes come into 
full bloom about the beginning or middle of July, 
when many other flowers have had their day and 
are busy making seed. Miss Wiseman says her 
garden at this time is fairly aglow with them. In 
