The Garden.
The garden will be a great source of occupation to the mistress of the house. If it is sheltered from the wind and supplied with water, she can grow almost anything. And plants will come up quickly, too, under the influence of the heat and moisture.
There are nursery gardens at Pasay, where all sorts of plants and seedlings can be obtained; in fact, these are hawked about morning and evening.
The so-called gardener rarely has much skill, but he will clean up the garden and water it, and do what he is told.
The most beautiful and delicate ferns can be grown, and magnificent orchids got to flower, if they are well sheltered in a mat-shed. Bananas and pines grow without trouble, and radishes, salads, tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons, can be raised.
Shops.
You can get most things you want in Manila. The drug-stores are mostly in German hands, but there is one English one where the usual English articles can be got.
There is an ample supply of wines, spirits, and preserved provisions at the grocers, and the drapers keep on hand any quantity of silks, muslins, and piece-goods, with all the necessary fixings. French and German shoes are in plenty.
The goods in the jewellers’ shops and in the fancy bazaars are all of a very florid style, to suit the gaudy taste of the wealthy Filipinos.