the ground as its home.

We can see from this, that the beauty of a plant or of a tree is a
sign of its relation to the earth in which it lives. If its hold is
weak--if it loosely finds a place for a weak root--it lies on the
ground, helpless, strengthless, joyless. But firmly placed and feeling
safe in its security, it gives freely of its blossoms; or, year after
year, like a tree, shows us its wonderous mass of leaf, all of it a
sign that earth and tree are truely united.

It has been said, and no doubt it is true, that one who cares for
plants and loves them becomes patient. The plant does not hurry; its
growth is slow and often does not show itself; and one who cares for
them learns their way of being and of doing. The whole lesson is that
of allowing time, and by using it wisely to save it. The true glory of
a day for a plant is the air and sunlight and earth-food which it has
taken, from which it has become stronger. And every day, one by one,
as it proves, contributes something to its strength.

All men who have been patient students of the earth's ways have
learned to be careful, to love nature, and to take time. And we all
must learn to take time. It is not by careless use that we gain
anything, but by putting heart and mind into what must be done. When
heart and mind enter our work they affect time curiously; because of
the great interest we take in what we do time is not thought of; and
what is not thought of, is not noticed.

Hence, the value of time comes to this: to use any time we may have,
much or little, with the heart in the task. When that is done there is
not only better work accomplished but there are no regrets lingering