Verse for Gardeners

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18587, 22 December 1934, Page 9

Verse for Gardeners

ALTHOUGH “Green Fingers,’’ bv Reginald Arkoll is described as “a present for good gardeners,” possibly those who are bad gardeners will read his verses with even greater pleasure. It is doubtful if apy of us is so good at gardening ns to deserve his dedication.

This book is meant for people who Can always make their gardens do Exactly what they want them to . . Whose’ fingers are reputed green

Because 'they keep the borders clean. Tho jobbing gardener is a muchmaligned person, and it is as well that we should know his point of view:

Tho Master has the common sense To leave a man alone; The Missus muddles round the place As if it was her own; The Master says: Good Morning, John; I hope you’re feeling nicely”; The Missus says: “Your time to start Is eight o’clock precisely.” The Lawn Laughs-

And how the lawn laughs at the up start gardener:

.My lawn is very, very old', Three hundred years at least, I’m told. It saw the Roundheads marching through, And heard the cheers for Waterloo. A man admired my lawn to-day; And how it laughed to hear him say: ’“Your bit of turf looks nice and flat, Next year I'll have a lawn like that.’’ Any wife will endorse Mr. Arkell’s ode to any husband: Me likes to lie and smoke his pipe, And wond'er if the pears are r;pc; Or else he’ll smell the mignonette Before he lights a cigarette. But, ask him if he ’ll clear the dump, Or carry water from the pump, And he will And some line excuse — In fact he’s not the slightest use. Throughout, its hundred pages, illustrated by sketches by Eugene Hastain, the book makes pleasant fun of gardening folk, and the epilogue excites our sympathy. Before you put this little book away, Please promise me that you will never say “You should have seen my garden yesterday. ”