SEED-TIME hm HARVEST. 
« 
Every Woman lier own Seed 
Grower. 
Thosf 4 who d :> not know how seeds should 
be sown and saved to give satisfaction 
Should .listen to Mrs. Sparrowgrass. She 
is an experienced gardener and knows how 
It should be done: 
“Mrs Sparrowg-ass,” said I, “let us have 
Some nuts and apples, and a pitcher of 
Binghamton cider; we have a good cheerful 
fire to-night, and why should we not enjoy 
to?” 
When Mrs. Sparrowgrass returned from 
.giving directions about the fruit and cider, 
She brought with her a square, paper box 
€ull of seeds. To get good garden seeds is 
&n important thing in the country. If you 
depend upon an agricultural warehouse 
you may be disappointed. The way to do 
Is, to select the best specimens from your 
Own raising: then you are sure they are 
afresh, at least. Mrs. Sparrowgrass opened 
the box. First she took out a package of 
Seeds, wrapped up in a newspaper—then 
(She took out another package tied up in 
fjbrown paper—then she drew forth a bun¬ 
dle that was pinned up—then another that 
was taped up--then another twisted up— 
then out came a bursted package of water¬ 
-melon seeds—then a withered ear of corn 
—then another package of watermelon 
Seeds from another melon—then a handful 
rjf split okra pods—then handsful of beans, 
$eas, squash seeds, melon seeds, cucumber 
4eeds, sweet corn, evergreen corn, and 
Other germs. Then another bursted paper 
-Of watermelon seeds. There were water¬ 
melon seeds enough to keep half the country 
■supplied with this refreshing article of lux¬ 
ury. As the treasures were spread out on 
•Che table, there came over me a feeling 
Giat reminded me of Christmas times, when 
€_he young ones used to pant down stairs, 
before dawn, lamp in hand, to see the 
kindly toy gifts of Santa Ciaus. Then the 
Mental Gardener, taking Anticipation by 
£he hand, went forth into the future gar¬ 
den; peas sprouted out in round leaves, 
tomato put forth his aromatic spread; sweet 
Corn thrust hig green blades out of many 
a. hillock; lettuce threw up his slender 
spoons; beans shouldered their way int* 
the world, like ^Encases, with the old beans 
on their backs; and watermelon and cucum¬ 
ber, in voluptuous play, sported over th* 
beds like truant school-boys. 
“Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight: 
With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white. 
And taper fingers catching at all things, 
To bind them all about with tinj rings.” 
“Now,” said I, Mrs. Sparrowgrass, let us 
arrange these in proper order; I will mak* 
a chart of the garden on a piece of paper, 
and put everything down with a date, to bs 
planted in its proper time.” Mrs. Sparrow¬ 
grass said she thought that an excellent 
plan. “Yes,’’ I replied, tasting the cider, 
“we will make a garden to-night on paper, 
a ground plan, as it were, and plant from 
that; now, Mrs. S,, read off the different 
packages.” Mrs. Sparrowgrass took up a 
paper and laid it aside, then another, and 
laid it aside. “I think,” said she, as the 
third paper was placed upon the table “I did 
not w-ite any names on the seeds, but I 
believe I can tell them apart; these,” said 
she, “are watermelons.” “Very well, what 
next?” “The nexr,” said Mrs. S., “Is either 
muskmelon or cucumber seed.” My dear,” 
said I. “we want plenty of melons, for the 
summer, but I do not wish to plant half an 
acre of pickles by mistake; can’t you be 
sure about the matter?” Mrs. Sparrowgr is* 
said she could not. “Well, then, lay the 
paper down and call off the next.” “The 
next are not radishes, I know,” said Mrs. S., 
“they must be summer cabbages.” “Are 
you sure now, Mrs. Sparrowgrass?” said I, 
getting a little out of temper. Mrs. Sparrow- 
grass said she was sure of it, because cab¬ 
bage seed looked exactly like turnip seed. 
“Did you save turnip seed also?” said I. 
Mrs. Sparrowgrass replied, that she had 
provided some, but they must be in another 
paper. “Then call off the next; we will 
plant them for cabbages, whether or no.” 
“Here is a name,” said Mrs. Sparrowgrass, 
brightening up. “Read it,” said I, pen in 
hand. “Watermelons—not so good,” said 
Mrs. S. “Lay that paper with the rest and 
proceed.” “Com,” said Mrs. Sparrow¬ 
grass, with a smile. “Variety?” “Pop, I 
am sure.” “Good, now we begin to see 
daylight.” “Squash,” said Mrs. Sparrow¬ 
grass. “Winter or Summer?” “Both.” 
