GARDENERS***


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WOODBINE-ARBOR;
Or the
Little Gardeners.

A Story of a
Happy Childhood.







[Illustration]

New Haven.
Published by S. Babcock.
1849.

[Illustration: BUILDING THE ARBOR.]




WOODBINE ARBOR; OR THE LITTLE GARDENERS.


Let me tell you, my dear young reader, about a happy little family of
three brothers and three sisters, who lived in a pleasant home, not
far from the great city of New-York. Their father, Mr. Howard, was a
wealthy merchant, and had his store in the city, to which he usually
rode early in the morning, directly after breakfast, and returned home
in season to take tea with his family. He had six children, the little
folks whom I am now going to tell you about.

The girls were named Maria, Elizabeth, and Harriet. The boys were
Henry, Charles, and John.--Henry was the oldest, then Charles, Maria,
John, Elizabeth, and Harriet.

Their home was a beautiful country-seat, situated not far from the
East river, with fine old shade trees in front of it. In the rear was
a very large garden, laid out with great neatness and taste, and well
stocked with fruits and flowers. Then there were walks and borders,
and summer-houses, and arbors, and almost every thing which could
render it a delightful place.

One portion of his grounds Mr. Howard had laid out for a garden for his
children. This was to be their own, and in it they were to dig, and hoe,
and rake, and plant, and transplant, and water, just as they pleased, so
long as they were attentive to their lessons, obedient to their parents,
and kind to each other. When any of them misbehaved,--which was very
seldom,--that child was forbidden to visit the garden for one or two
days, or a week, according to the nature of its offence.

[Illustration: TRANSPLANTING.]

Mr. and Mrs. Howard were both anxious that their children should grow
up, not only good and intelligent, but that they should acquire
active and industrious habits; they therefore encouraged them all,
girls as well as boys, to pass their play-hours in the healthy and
delightful employment of gardening.

Well, our young friends heartily seconded the wishes of their parents,
and except in cold or stormy weather, their little garden was the
scene of great industry, as soon as their several lessons for the day
were recited. They had a complete set of garden tools, just the right
size for such little folks: spades, hoes, rakes, watering-pots, and a
wheelbarrow. I assure you they did not let these tools lie idle. Their
garden, which produced flowers of all kinds, and many varieties of
fruit, always presented a neat and workman-like appearance. The boys
usually took upon themselves the most laborious part of the work, such
as digging, and hoeing, and raking, while their sisters planted and
transplanted, and watered, and pruned and trimmed, as occasion required.

[Illustration: THE LITTLE GARDENERS.]

One day, early in the Spring, the little folks took it into their heads
to build an arbor in their garden. So, getting their mother's consent,
they applied to the gardener, who furnished them with some stout poles
and strips of boards necessary for their purpose. Accordingly, they were
soon industriously engaged in their first essay at building.

Henry planned the shape and the frame, and then he and Charles, with
mallet and hammer in hand, drove the poles into the ground, and nailed
on the strips of board; while Maria and Elizabeth held the materials
for them, and Harriet and John handed up such things as were needed.

In four or five days, "WOODBINE ARBOR," as the little folks named it,
was quite finished. In the center of it they had placed a table, and
built seats around