From Tennessee the following description of its garden life is agreeably presented: "Here in the South interest in this subject is always increasing. We have many old and beautiful gardens full of sentiment. The mistress of the place is always head gardener, and in no instance does she relinquish her position to another. I am filled with enthusiasm in garden matters, and would preach the gospel of the garden to all women."

Daffodils appear in February, Lilies-of-the-Valley and Cottage Tulips in mid-April, German Iris soon after. The droughts of midsummer may injure but not necessarily destroy the flowers. The winter thermometer occasionally falls to twenty degrees above zero in the cooler districts, and such plants as Snapdragon and Campanula medium are more safely wintered in a slat-frame. But winter once over the tender annuals can be put out as early as April 25. These conditions apply almost equally to the neighboring States of Kentucky and North Carolina, having as well their records for old-time gardens.

The planting at Rostrevor speaks delightfully for the many others belonging to this section of the South. This garden, filled with Lilies and other blossoms, shows that the Southern woman is as truly a flower lover as were they who planted the early gardens in the days before the war.

What more tantalizing to the garden devotee than the glimpse beyond the gates of Longview garden as illustrated in this chapter, and again in a later section? Such views as these, so exceedingly artistic in themselves, suggest a still more lovely interior, at present withheld because adequate photographs are lacking.

In Missouri, as in Kansas and elsewhere in the Middle West, there is great variableness of climate from year to year, and never is it an ideal district for summer flower gardens. While much attention is being given to shrubbery and perennial beds bordering the lawn, there are few actual gardens, formal or otherwise. The discouragements of a trying summer climate limit the bloom in most of the places to the flowers of spring and June. Early flowering plants and bulbs, German Iris, Foxglove, Canterbury Bells, Columbine, Peonies, Lilium candidum, Roses, and Hollyhocks, give considerable satisfaction. But many other perennials are not at all permanent. To quote an experienced amateur gardener: "The climate of Kansas City, Missouri, is subject to every eccentricity, and at times is very trying. One of my experiences was a four or five inch snow-storm on the 3d of May after a month of warm spring weather, when German Iris and many other things were in full bloom, and Peonies in bud. Everything was mashed down and then it froze. Often when Peonies have been in bloom torrential rains have nearly ruined them. The greatest trouble with the summer garden is the extreme heat and dryness of the air. The earth can be kept moist around the plants, but many things wither in the dry air. With the greatest care a garden of annuals might be kept looking fairly well through July and August, but I am glad to get away from mine early in July."

The climate of these adjoining Middle States is practically the same throughout, with possibly even more sunshine than in the eastern States. "In May and June there are frequent heavy showers, but rarely all-day rains. In the later summer and autumn cloudy days are exceptional. The eastern side of Missouri is said to be slightly cooler than the western part; Kansas City averages a somewhat higher summer temperature than Washington, D.C., which is in the same latitude. Spring bulbs and many spring perennials appear three weeks earlier than near New York City." The gardens usually look spent by September, but in the cooler sections, with an extra amount of summer care, there may be still seen flowers sufficient to adorn a garden during some weeks of autumn.

The garden at Hazelwood, near St. Louis, is laid out with curving grass paths and broad beds. The bright display begins with Daffodils, and the beds retain rich bloom into the middle of June. In September, after good care, Marigolds, Zinnias, Snapdragon, Cosmos, hardy Asters, Chrysanthemum, and Helenium are the autumn decorations. Frost usually finishes everything about October 15. The winter temperature is often ten degrees below, and the tender plants, like Foxglove and Pansies, are more safely wintered under slat-frames covered with straw, and Larkspurs should have a light covering of leaves. Surely the gardens that are faithfully tended through such changes and chances of climate as found in this section bespeak the highest degree of devoted patience.