The Care of the Gardens.

For most plants the great essential is sufficient moisture; the character of the soil is relatively unimportant. The railway locomotives resemble the plants in their craving for water, and a sufficient supply has to be provided. Could not some of this water be used for the benefit of the station gardens and enable plants to grow in places that without water would remain bare and give rise to nothing but dust? Small ponds could be formed in suitable areas in the shunting yards, and it would not be difficult to add to these small water sprays, or spouting fountains, that would form a pleasant sight for the passengers while waiting for the engine to get its supply of water in another part of the station yard. With the fine nozzles that can now be obtained delightful showers of spray fine as vapour could be formed with comparatively little expenditure of water, and could be used to keep the flowers growing vigorously, or to moisten the more tender ferns.

These are but suggestions; but with the perseverance and enthusiasm already shown in the care devoted to many station gardens, and with the co-operation of the members of the staff they might become realities and make our stations not the least beautiful places in a beautiful land.