WATER GARDENS, ETC. ^07 
to hear Mr. Percy plan some tramps which we shall 
soon take. He has ideas also about transplanting 
more ferns to the Six Spruces, although this cannot 
be done until the late autumn. 
Judging from the many things that Joseph has 
set down in his note-book to do' this autumn, I begin 
to think that July and August must be the real play- 
times of a garden. In these months we have 
chiefly to look after the plants that are blooming, 
while in the spring and autumn preparations must 
be made for following seasons. I do not mean 
that Joseph has ever found time to dream and idle 
over the garden, but at present such work as weed- 
ing and staking plants is somewhat less arduous 
than heretofore. Once I was almost bold enough 
to feel that Joseph had conquered the weeds. I 
mentioned it under my breath, fearing they might 
hear and again start up their mischievous pranks. 
The season, we are told by our neighbours, has 
been a kind one in the way of insect pests. They 
have not been so annoying as to cause discourage^ 
ment, nor have they been especially numerous. Jo- 
seph has, nevertheless, been continually on the 
watch against them, keeping the plants well 
sprayed, while about the base of many he has put 
wood ashes. We think also that having so many 
birds about the triangle has helped to keep the 
pests under control. Next year we may have even 
more birds, since the little ones that have been 
raised and have spent their youth here, will per- 
