The Garden, You, and I

BARBARA

Reading edition

AUTHOR OF

"THE GARDEN OF A COMMUTER'S WIFE," "PEOPLE OF THE WHIRLPOOL," "AT THE SIGN OF THE FOX," ETC.

New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd. 1906

Copyright, 1906, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped. Published June, 1906. Norwood Press J.S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

Dedicated

TO

J.L.G.

I.M.T.

AND

A.B.P.

THE LITERARY GARDENERS OF REDDING

GREETING

This book is for those who in treading the garden path have no thought of material gain; rather must they give,—from the pocket as they may,—from the brain much,—and from the heart all,—if they would drink in full measure this pure joy of living.

"Allons! the road is before us! It is safe—I have tried it—my own feet have tried it well—be not detained."

Walt Whitman.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE

I.The Ways of the Wind1

II.The Book of the Garden, You, and I7

III.Concerning Hardy Plants29

IV.Their Garden Vacation48

V.Annuals—Worthy and Unworthy70

VI.Their Fortunate Escape92

VII.A Simple Rose Garden117

VIII.A Midnight Adventure155

IX.Ferns, Fences, and White Birches183

X.Frankness—Gardening and Otherwise202

List of Flower Combinations for the Table

from Barbara's Garden Boke230

XI.A Seaside Garden233

XII.The Transplanting of Evergreens246

XIII.Lilies and their Whims262

XIV.Fragrant Flowers and Leaves281

XV.The Pink Family Outdoors305

XVI.The Frame of the Picture320

XVII.The Ins and Outs of the Matter336

XVIII.The Value of White Flowers352

XIX.Pandora's Chest365

XX.Epilogue374

APPENDIX

For the Hardy Seed Bed375

Some Worthy Annuals387