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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34885-8.txt b/34885-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4980f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/34885-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3702 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Garden Ornaments, by Mary H. Northend + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Garden Ornaments + +Author: Mary H. Northend + +Release Date: January 8, 2011 [EBook #34885] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDEN ORNAMENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from +scanned images of public domain material from the Google +Print archive. + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Book Cover] + + + + +GARDEN ORNAMENTS + + + + +[Illustration: TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING] + + + + +GARDEN ORNAMENTS + + +BY +MARY H. NORTHEND + + +ILLUSTRATED + + +[Illustration] + + +NEW YORK +DUFFIELD & COMPANY +1916 + + + + +Copyright, 1916, +by DUFFIELD & CO. + + + + +_I Dedicate This Garden Book +to My Friend_ +EKIN WALLICK + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + FOREWORD + I. THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER 3 + II. THE PERGOLA AND ARCH 21 + III. THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN 37 + IV. THE GARDEN STEPS 53 + V. ENTRANCES 71 + VI. BIRD BATHS 89 + VII. GARDEN SEATS 107 + VIII. GARDEN POOLS 125 + IX. THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN 143 + X. THE FOUNTAIN 163 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING _Frontispiece_ + LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH _Facing p._ 3 + A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH 6 + A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS 12 + THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE PERGOLA 21 + BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC TOP 24 + THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK 28 + A TEA-HOUSE 37 + STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH 42 + LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN 46 + STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED 53 + A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND 58 + MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN 64 + AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF + LATTICEWORK 71 + A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY 76 + A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN 82 + THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH 89 + A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH 94 + AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF PATHS + THROUGH WOODS 98 + A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT 107 + A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT 112 + STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK 118 + A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE 125 + A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN 130 + THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS ARE + BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS 136 + GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL 143 + THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF 148 + AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE 154 + NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN 163 + A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND 166 + AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED 170 + THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS MOST + FITTINGLY PLACED 174 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +Doubtless we have all realized the allurement of the garden, as we walk +between the beds, drinking in the sweet perfume of the many flowers, or +as we watch the birds perched on the branches or lazily swinging on the +flowers, twittering to their mates as they sip the nectar or prune their +plumage, after bathing in the sparkling water of the pool. + +There is more than enjoyment that comes to the garden lover through his +life among the plants. He grows broader and becomes forgetful of the +trivial cares and prejudices of every-day life as he watches their +development. He comes to the garden for inspiration and finds it among +the flowers. + +We are by nature garden lovers, and though with some the feeling has not +as yet been developed, yet deep in the depths of their soul is a +yearning for intercourse with Nature and her lessons--taught through the +cultivation of flowers. It spells Contentment, Happiness and Love. + +It is a delight to visit gardens, and study the character of the +designer. It is no hard matter to read through varied planting likes and +dislikes in the owner. It brings us closer together, this mutual love of +floriculture, and it is in discussion of this theme that we forget the +sordid phases of life. + +Visit the gardens with me, listen to the anthem of the birds sung at +morn and eventide. Learn their habits, and make them friends, so that +they will nestle into your often lonely life, bringing with them a +gladness that is not only delightful but alluring. + +Many a love story has been told among the flowers, many a real story has +been developed as one sat gazing at some flower-laden field. Joy and +sadness has been our varied lot since we began our garden work, but as +the years go on, gladness predominates. We grow to look forward with a +tender longing for the coming spring. We hang lovingly over the opening +buds of the early flowers. We are glad that we, too, have grown to know +the flowers, that we have learned through their poetic language solace +for the wounded soul, and how to live better lives, through intercourse +with them. + +To my many friends who have made it possible for me to visit their +gardens, and to reproduce their carefully thought out schemes in +pictures, I extend my hearty thanks. It has done much to make not only +my life but other lives happier. It is with the hope that others may +find the same enjoyment in this work that I have that I send it forth to +perform its mission and with the hope that it may encourage others to +start gardens of their own and to give to them a happiness they have +never known before. If I have accomplished this I have met the desire of +my heart. + + + + +THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER + + +[Illustration: LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH] + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER + + +"All the world's a garden and we are garden lovers in it." This is not a +new theme, for it has been in existence ever since the planting of the +early flower plots, those that were in evidence in our grand-dames' +time. There is a distinct atmosphere connected with those simple +one-path gardens that is most delightful. It lies not only in the gravel +paths and the stiff box-borders, but in the fragrant old-fashioned +flowers that were grown promiscuously inside the trim line of box. +Perchance some dainty line of cinnamon pinks whose delicate blossoms +when we find them in the twentieth-century gardens, carry us back +vividly to the Colonial days when they so often formed a part of the +garden scheme. + +Great changes have taken place in the evolution of the posy beds, for, +with the passage of time, they have developed into wide expanses of +floral landscape, subtly moulded into charming pictures and fascinating +vistas. + +In the planting and the planning of the flower beds of the present day +many of the general motives of the older gardens have been retained. +They have, however, been enlarged upon and developed until they are +perfected in every detail. The landscape architect of to-day realizes +that the achievements of yesterday can be interwoven with the +possibilities of to-morrow. + +As we saunter leisurely through the twentieth-century garden, we come +occasionally upon a simple box-border, much more scientifically treated +than those of long ago. This special feature of garden culture should be +planted in the early spring that it may obtain deep rooting, so as to +resist the ravages of the winter season. The plants should not overcrowd +but be set three inches apart in narrow, shallow trenches, with plenty +of mulching to insure the best results. Unlike those found in the +gardens of Colonial days, they should be carefully clipped, sometimes +for topiary effects. + +Here and there, we come unexpectedly upon old-time flower plots, showing +a box-border, not like those of the present day, carefully trimmed, but +scraggly and unkempt, preserved for sentiment's sake. They still line +the central walk, much as they did long years ago. In those days there +was no laying-out of gardens or creating odd designs, but, instead, +there was a simple, narrow, dividing line, worked out by the removal of +turf and filling in with earth. + +Few realize that garden culture can be divided into periods, each one of +which is well defined, so that it is possible to determine where the +old-fashioned ideas left off and the new-fashioned ones began. The +earliest period has a straight, simple path, about six feet in width. +These gardens came into existence when our shipping was greater on the +sea and the merchant princes demanded large and more elegant houses with +gardens laid out in the rear. Many of these were planned by the +mistresses of the stately homes, while some were designed by English or +German gardeners, who in their planting reproduced the gardens across +the seas. There are a few only that deviate from the general plan of the +single walk dividing the beds and ending in a summer house, vine-clad, +where the Colonial dames during the summer months held afternoon teas. +These garden houses were the nucleus of the garden furniture that has +come into fashion with the passing of time. + +One of the distinctive features connected with these gardens is the +border. This varies in width with the size of the plot and the flowers +enclosed. It must be borne in mind that the gardeners of those days knew +little of the theory of color schemes, yet the results were pleasing to +the eye, so much so that to-day the old-fashioned garden stands in a +class by itself. + +With the evolution of gardens, new ideas sprang into existence. All +landscape architects realize the importance of giving particular +attention to the laying-out of the path. Here the bit of garden demands +a straight path, yonder to bring gardens into unity a grass path should +be laid, while level stretches demand charming floral treatment, wrought +out through proper use of flowers in the borders. + +[Illustration: A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH] + +Every ambitious gardener realizes that during the summer months, his +particular garden will be on dress parade, and must be always at its +best. Therefore, he gives special attention to the trimming of the +borders, the smoothing of the path and the right coloring in beds, so +that no discordant note be found. Every part must be kept in good +condition, for there are no closed doors for untidiness to skulk behind. +This he knows means constant and unremitting care and that he may avoid +sameness, he changes the flower scheme every year, to give a fresh note +to the planting of his own particular plot. + +The greatest care must be taken that borders are properly balanced, for +any deviation from this rule results in lop-sided effects that spell +failure. No walk in any part of the garden but should be planned to +serve a definite purpose, either to connect other paths or at its end to +bring out some carefully laid plan that will lend a picturesque effect +to the finished design. + +Let us take as an instance a curved path. First of all, we must realize +that it is not following any haphazard plan but has a definite aim. +Perchance it has been most carefully laid out to avoid the felling of a +tree that is needed for picturesque effect, but whatever the object may +be, it is fulfilled by the design of this particular path. + +There are to be found, quite frequently on large, extensive grounds, +grass paths that cut the lawn, connecting separated gardens. In any +case like this, how much better to introduce English stepping stones. +There is a picturesque coloring in their soft, gray hue, contrasting +pleasingly with a line of grass between. They also break the monotony +given by a solid mass of green and lend to this particular part of the +ground an old-world aspect. + +Have you ever stopped to think when planning for your next year's garden +that designs can be easily varied to bring out some new thought and make +a change that is alluring? It is the careful introduction of these novel +ideas that gives zest to garden culture. Every person has a different +idea of what is right in garden culture and unconsciously treats the old +plan in an individual manner. A little touch here and there goes a great +way in producing odd effects. + +Among the many materials that can be used for this feature of the garden +is brick, and of this there are many kinds. For the old-fashioned garden +the second-hand brick gives a Colonial atmosphere. For the gardens of +to-day it is generally better to use the hard, burned brick--these can +be laid in straight lines or herring-bone fashion as fancy dictates, +and should show a line of straight brick or headers as they approach the +border. This feature should be used generally in formal types of garden +landscape. Great care should be taken, however, that the brick be laid +perfectly dry and cemented in mortar. + +If you are looking for novelty, why not try cobblestones? They are very +inexpensive, particularly if you live in a seaport town where the +beaches are strewn with them. Be sure to pick out those that are nearest +the same size and shape, for this gives a better effect. There is +nothing that gives a better backing for earth beds, especially as they +are easily kept weeded. If the cobblestones prove too conspicuous for +the scheme of the garden, it is a comparatively easy matter to plant as +a background a flowering plant that will in time fall over them and hide +them from view. + +A turf walk is, properly speaking, the most effective path. It also has +many advantages, chief among them the fact that it is not hard to keep +up and can be replaced with very little trouble, save the cutting of new +sod. Be very careful not to make the mistake of laying old sods that +have been piled for a considerable length of time and have thus lost +much of their vigor. In order to have them at their best they should be +freshly cut and laid carefully in a rich foundation, the pieces joined +as closely as possible together and the crevices filled in with either +grass seed or dirt. Plenty of watering means success; still one should +not be impatient, for it is not until a second season that grass comes +to its own. One difficulty in a border like this, which can, however, be +easily remedied, is that it needs constant cutting to keep the grass +from overrunning the beds. + +If you are planning a garden of the English type, it is well to carry +out the idea of introducing irregular stones for the walk. It is +desirable that the stones should not all be of the same size, otherwise +there will be no chance for grass and moss to grow between them and give +them the old-world aspect. In gardens of this type such a path is really +imperative, for the flowers crowd against the dividing line and would be +much less interesting if stones were not introduced. + +Bear in mind, in dealing with this particular subject that the width of +the walk depends in a great measure on the size of the garden. Here a +narrow path is all that is necessary to carry out the scheme; there, a +wide one seems to fit appropriately into the plan. It is not always +possible to have gardens large enough to allow a wide path, yet the +effect of one can be produced by a little contriving; for instance, if +you use grass for the central feature with an earth border on either +side. + +If you desire a successful garden you should seek for variety, not only +in the cutting of the walk, but in the planting of the borders. To-day +everybody is striving for originality and to work out odd ideas that +still are practical. One should remember, too, that no two gardens are +exactly alike, any more than two faces bear an exact resemblance. + +In describing the border, one might liken it to the setting of a gem. +Doubtless, it might be said to be artificial but so is the planting of +the flower plot. It is not nature's work, but designed by the hand of +man and in it harmony should be developed in the highest degree. + +Let us take as an example the damp garden. This is usually laid out in +one corner of the estate. If we should treat it with a gravel walk, what +would be the result--dampness and disappointment. Now, let us change the +whole plan and place stringers on which boards are laid, so nailed that +they can be lifted during the winter season and stored away in a +friendly barn or cellar. Watch the result and you will find it is always +dry and practical for usage. Better still, if wearing properties do not +have to be taken into consideration, use cedar boughs that resemble in +contour miniature logs. They fit into place as if put there by nature, +all the more if they are bordered by ferns. If you build at the further +end a rustic summer house, it gives a refreshing touch. + +Many garden lovers delight in collecting wild flowers, digging them up +in the neighboring woods to blossom in their cultivated garden. Why not +give them a home by themselves in a rough rockery? This can easily be +built from stones found on the estate. Here we deviate from the stilted +idea of paths and introduce stone steps. These should be large and rough +enough to fit in with our plan. Hardy ferns should be planted on either +side and rock plants between the steps. You will then see the wisdom of +creating a path like this which is in sympathy with the general idea of +the garden. + +[Illustration: A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS] + +Landscape gardeners are at the present day endeavoring to work out +results that are in harmony with any period that they are called upon +to reproduce. Occasionally they come upon a subject that is very +difficult to treat, such as the concrete walk. This is an absolute +necessity in some locations. Yet, when finished, it presents a bare +appearance and demands special treatment. Very successful results are +produced by bright borders of flowering plants, and if in addition to +this an arch of wire or rustic boughs is made for the entrance and +covered with rambler roses, of which to-day there are many varieties, a +happy solution will be found to the perplexing problem of a colorless +path. During the time of blossoming, the touch of brightness adds to the +effect while later on the bright green of the leaves relieves the cold +gray of the concrete. + +The late Joseph Jefferson, in speaking of gardens and their borders, +once said, "They are all expectation." And so they are from the early +spring when the first bulbs come into bloom until the falling of the +late chrysanthemum. As we con the seedman's list to prepare for the +spring gardening, we go through the procession of the seasons noting the +colors and finding a joy in anticipation that is exhilarating. + +In order to give correct handling to your paths, the color scheme of the +borders should be taken into consideration. Different kinds of gardens +demand varied treatment, and for this, the situation on the grounds and +the type of the walk, should be carefully thought out. + +For earliest bloom, one should use bulbs. To have them at their best +they should be planted in the fall, about six weeks before the hard +frost sets in. Trenches are first dug, from twelve to eighteen inches +deep, enriched and topped with a layer of sand, to insure the bulbs +touching nothing else. Each bulb should be planted six inches deep and +the same number of inches apart. They should be covered with from four +to six inches of straw, dead leaves--hardwood ones being best for this +purpose--or pine branches. Great care should be taken that these are not +removed too early in the spring. Years of careful experiment have +developed better colors and more strength in bulbs and have succeeded in +producing a greater variety, both single to double. This evolution in +bulbs makes it possible to choose suitable varieties for any border +work. + +Snow drops are the first to poke their tiny heads up through the cold, +hard earth. They rise above the snow, bringing gladness in their train. +Then comes a procession of dainty bulbs including the hyacinth with its +many hues, and the tulips, that stay by us until late in May, clothed in +Dolly Varden gowns, or simple Quaker garb. It is a good plan to plant +pansies among the bulbs, so that they will show their painted faces +before the last bloom has disappeared. Many people in such borders use +sweet alyssum for the outer row, but this, while it is decorative, is +not always satisfactory for it grows so high that it is apt to shadow +the major scheme. Bulbs can be left in the ground for a second year's +blossoming or if new varieties are desired they can be carefully lifted +and replaced by potted plants, such as the scarlet geranium or the dusty +miller, whose soft gray sheen makes an interesting note of color as a +foreground for the bed that stretches down to touch it, a solid mass of +one-toned flowers. + +Within the last few years iris has become a popular accessory for border +use. One reason for this is that it stays in bloom from the time of its +first opening until the hot blast of the August sun touches its closed +head. Well may this be termed the "fairy's favorite flower," it is so +dainty in its hues. + +The rose moss or portulaca is a valuable border plant. It grows +luxuriantly in sandy soil, where no moisture is retained, and seems to +draw sufficient sustenance from the dews that fall at night, rather than +from the unkindly sand which touches its tiny roots. One advantage in +its use is that it grows quickly from seed, that is, if it is planted in +a dry spot. The needle-shaped foliage is inconspicuous, while the +blossoms are as brilliant as poppies and are produced in large numbers. +A serious fault, however, is that it closes during the afternoon. If one +decides to use portulaca, choose solid colors rather than to mix a mass +of varied ones. + +For a shady bit of garden, why not try out delphiniums? They are not +expensive, the roots costing about a dollar and a quarter a dozen, but +they are so graceful that they are effective for use of this sort. + +The plants chosen must be in harmonious contrast to those that fill the +beds, otherwise one shudders as they view the completed scheme and +wonders how it is that the gardener is so color-blind. Hardy borders or +annuals are used very often. Each of them having a distinctive charm, +some gardens demanding one, and others another, so that one cannot +dictate to the owner of a garden which kind is best for his use, it lies +with his own whims and fancies, to develop beautiful combinations, and +to work out variations of the last year's scheme, so that the gardens of +yesterday may differ essentially from those of to-day. + +It may be that long borders of bright-eyed verbenas greet our eyes as we +gaze upon the vari-colored beds, or perchance gorgeous Sweet Williams, +vieing in hue are shown. Tall rosy spikes of lythrum lift their heads, +while stately hollyhocks uncurl their silky petals, shaking out the +tucks and wrinkles of the bud like newly awakened butterflies stretching +their wings. There is a busy hum of bees as we saunter down the garden +path, stopping now and again to watch their flight as they light on +flowers to sip their nectar, furry with golden pollen dust. + +So we stand wondering what our grand-dames would say could they view, +with us to-day, the transformation of the old-fashioned garden, into a +magnificent show of rare plants in a well-developed design. + + + + +THE PERGOLA AND ARCH + + +[Illustration: THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE +PERGOLA] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PERGOLA AND ARCH + + +"I have made me a garden and orchard, and have planted trees and all +kinds of fruit." Thus spake the wise Solomon who in all his glory found +time to enjoy his flowers. Nowadays, blossoming plants are intermixed +with marble fragments, and the garden contains many interesting features +that were then unknown. Sir William Temple, on his return from a visit +to Holland, where he went for garden study, tells us that he found that +four things were absolutely necessary in order to complete a perfect +garden. "Flowers, Fruit, Shade, and Water." + +Originality is to-day the key-note in every garden design. Gardens have +been developed with the passing of time so that instead of one type we +find an infinite variety of styles, each one of them so distinctive that +one need have little fear of repetition in results. Here we find the +formal, the Italian garden while over yonder is the wild, and the +rambling one. They are carefully designed to bring out some individual +scheme. Unlike the little posy plots of long ago with their unobtrusive +green arbors, now we come upon a large space which has been laid out for +picture effects. This is the work of the landscape architect, who takes +as much pride in his garden structures, as does the architect in the +design of his house. He vies with his rivals in producing odd effects +with marble fragments and artistic combinations in his color scheme. + +Each one of the many types, that are shown at the present day, shows +distinctive features. These appear and disappear in endless variety, and +among them are the pergola and the arch, the latter a grandchild of the +green arbor that was in evidence in our grand-dames' time. + +Unlike those seen in the old-fashioned gardens, it is not always built +of wood. Sometimes it is so placed as to define the terraces, leading +with its shadowy treatment to delightful glimpses of vistas beyond, well +laid out for this very purpose. Again we find it shadowing the garden at +one side, where it makes a covered walk, under which one can pass, and +view the garden pleasantly. + +Simple and unostentatious were the early gardens, for not until 1750, +was there found any trace of garden architecture in the North. It was +about that year that one Theodore Hardingbrook, came to this country +bringing with him a fund of information to strengthen and enlarge this +line of work. He gathered around him a faithful, interested little band +of students, and taught them new ideas, and awakened an ambition for new +designs in Colonial flower plots. Then was evolved the little summer +house with its cap of green, which stood generally at the foot of the +garden path ending the central walk and it was then that the green arbor +came into existence, spanning the centre of the little plot. Covered +with vines it made a pleasant break in the otherwise straight lines of +the old-fashioned garden, and it also gave a touch of old-world gardens +to the new-world plan. + +This was not the commencement of pergola construction, which had its +origin in the vineyards of sunny Italy. They were not like those of +to-day, wonderfully beautiful in design but rude and rustic, roughly put +together as a support for the vines. Through the intersecting crevices +fell glorious clusters of pale green and royal purple grapes, to ripen +in the glimmering shade. These rough arbors, shadowed by hardy vines, +graced the Italian hillsides, when Columbus as a wool comber's son +frolicked the summer days away long years before he discovered the new +country that lay across the sea. + +The birth of this feature was not romantic but plebeian, for it was +built for practical use only. The hardy Italian grape growers had come +to a realizing sense that their fruit throve better if held aloft, and +so they conceived the idea of a supporting arbor. As the bright sun +filtered through the vines, the picturesqueness caught the attention of +gardeners on large estates and from this was evolved the long pillared +pathways over which cultivated vines were twined, casting their long +shadows far over the path beyond in Roman gardens. + +When larger and better gardens were demanded to meet the architecture of +the large, square, Colonial homes, green arbors were popular. They were +crudely put together, often the work of the village carpenter, simple +and unconventional in their treatment yet prettily draped with vines. +During the summer months they were especially picturesque and inviting, +with their little wooden seats placed on either side. To the garden came +the gallant, dressed in knee breeches and wearing powdered wig, there +to meet his lady love, bending low he plucked from the branches of the +trailing vine a flower to deck his fair beloved's hair. + +[Illustration: BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC +TOP] + +These green arbors gave a distinct individuality to the old-time garden. +Over them were carefully twined the Dutchman's pipe. It showed nestled +away beneath its leaves, tiny, almost invisible little green pipes that +were coveted by the little ones for "Let's pretend smoke." Invariably, +the yellow and white Baltimore Belle rose sometimes known as the Seven +Sisters, lent their charm, boldly peering out from under the vine to +watch the lovers seated on the simple seats. They gave them a welcoming +nod as they swayed to and fro in the passing breeze, mingling their +blossoms, with a dainty Scotch rose and the pink moss, that seemingly +grew on the same stem. It is the former rose that was the greatest +favorite, for it lasted longer, giving dashes of yellow like sunshine to +light the dark, autumnal days. + +Now and again, we come unexpectedly upon a garden such as this. It lies +in the heart of a Colonial city, hidden away from passers-by behind a +high paling fence. + +The twentieth century pergola in the modern garden lends itself to a +great variety of treatment. It is an important feature and should be +properly treated in order to bring out the right effect. Often the +amateur, when dabbling with garden culture, neglects this feature on his +grounds and gives it a wrong setting. + +It must be remembered that the mere setting out of a garden does not +always bring about the best results. It should be done with some +definite aim in view, such as color or suitability to situation. In this +way only can one obtain perfection. There should be taken into +consideration the formation of the different beds, especially those that +are in close proximity. It cannot be a successful experiment unless +carefully planned. + +If you have never tried to form combinations that will intensify the +loveliness of the grounds by a happy gathering of right colors, you have +missed a delightful experience. This idea does not come quickly to the +amateur floriculturist, but once he fully grasps it, he turns as if by +instinct to the structural part of the garden plan. It is then that he +realizes that while he has not seemed to have progressed during his +first year's work, yet he has laid a solid foundation that will stand +him in good stead. In the midst of his garden he rears a house of +flowers, placing it in a situation where he can watch the growth and +maturing of the plants. Each corner of the garden is given separate +treatment. In some gardens, where the space is small, it would be +impossible to carry out the pergola scheme. Then it can be simplified +and condensed into the child of the pergola, the arch, excellent for +decorative effects. This means for flower showing can be made of wire, +simply fastened to posts, bent into shape, or of wood and painted white; +either of these methods is satisfactory and can, if properly used, be +most successful. + +The arch, to fit in with the garden plan, should span the entrance. Over +it should be trained either a blossoming vine or many, to work out a +succession of bloom. Sometimes it will be the wisteria with its drooping +clusters of lavender, or the rambler rose found in such a variety of +colors to-day. These two with the clematis, are especially adapted for +this purpose, if one is willing to use proper fertilizer and depth of +planting. + +In order to insure better and more prolific growth, the vines should be +cut back to about six or eight inches in height when first set out. It +must be remembered in dealing with them that they are like little +children, each one requiring individual care. We must also be sure that +the soil is frequently stirred to avoid caking. + +Properly placed, the curved trellis is a joy. It gives a decorative +setting to the garden proper. As the eye travels down the path, it +greets a charming bit of color in the bed of solid green that tops the +roof. + +The arch would not be a proper note of setting for every garden. There +are only certain kinds with which it blends. The narrow path demands it, +for it needs a break to show it at its best. A judicious fashioning of a +series of arches, extending here and there along the entire depth of the +walk is sometimes attractive. They serve to break the monotony and add a +flower note that is delightful. In the planning of these, great care +should be taken that they are set at proper intervals. They should be on +the same level and correspond in width, otherwise the result would be a +wavy line that is most distressing. + +[Illustration: THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK] + +The color scheme depends on garden planting. If lavender is chosen it +should be reproduced all through the line. Do not be so foolish as to +choose one vine only but plant them in order to make a succession of +bloom. One does not wish to view a spot of color now and a mass of green +later on. + +There are so many different kinds of vines that can be planted for this +use, each one of which is admirable, that it is hard to choose. +Commencing with the earliest why not take the American or the +loose-cluster wisteria. It has many advantages over other vines, in that +it is a strong grower and bears an abundant cluster of flowers +resembling the sweet pea in formation. + +One can reasonably assert, that the wisteria is the leading flower for +the pergola or arbor. It dons a rich and graceful foliage and unlike +other vines, has two distinct seasons of bloom. It is especially good if +one wishes to carry out a one-tone color scheme, making lavender the +key-note, and using this particular vine for the early bloom in May, at +which time the luxuriant clusters of drooping flowers show their +wonderful shading as they peer through the arches dropping down below +the leafy growth and making a note of exquisite beauty. In August, when +they show their second season of bloom, the flowers are less abundant. + +They should be followed by the Clematis Jackman. This vine, if it +reaches maturity, is most effective, but it has the distinct +disadvantage that though it starts right, and sends out shoots, they are +apt to blight early and disappoint the gardener by dying before putting +forth its wonderfully beautiful flowers. June, the month of roses, is a +suitable time for one to watch for the blossoming of this vine. + +Many people avoid the Coboea Scandens on account of the large, +conspicuous flowers it produces. They make a decided mistake when they +shun this particular vine, for it has good qualifications for pergola +covering. No vine grows more rapidly, as it reaches often from +twenty-five to thirty feet in a single season. It bursts into blossom in +July, in rich, purple, trumpet-shaped flowers. + +For the successful growth of vines many things have to be considered but +principally the soil. The amateur makes a mistake in starving the +ground, and thus losing half the quality it would otherwise have had. In +order to obtain the best results, put plenty of barn-yard manure, or +bone meal, at the foot of the trellis, and this should be plentifully +renewed at the commencement of each year. + +Rambler roses are one of the most effective treatments for arbor or +pergola growth, and the most popular of these are the white, yellow, +crimson and pink. Each year new varieties are put upon the market and if +one wishes to follow the new ideas they will be forced to constantly +change the plants. + +In some cases, the pergola is used to form a trellised pavilion or +summer house to shelter a marble statue and again with carved setting to +outline a bed, as the central feature around which the flowers are +arranged. Thus the simple vineyard trellis has been transformed into a +gem of graceful construction, and we find it to-day, with its slender +marble columns, supporting a delicately carved marble roof of slabs, +over and through which the green of the vine, and the glint of the +flower hover, dipping down between the intervening sections, in festoons +of green and color. + +It can well be called a distinctive summer structure, for with the sun +streaming through its mass of vines, it shadows the walks from May until +late October. In the long winter months boxed in it stands like a +sentinel guarding the long, bare paths, and showing a leafless network +of interlacing vines. + +The pergola of to-day is not like that of yesterday. When first +introduced into our gardens it was taken up on many small estates, and +so badly designed that it combined badly with the garden. It was then it +fell into disfavor and was pronounced a failure for use in our garden +plan. + +But landscape gardeners, with an eye to the unique, felt that it was a +necessary rounding-out of the garden design, and rescued from ignominy, +it took its place in right surroundings, in the heart of the garden with +a border of elaborate flower designs. Garden seats were placed inside +and when it fronted on an Italian garden, a fountain was often +introduced, the musical tinkle of the spouting water giving a special +charm. + +Among the many designs the simplest is a simple rustic frame structure, +appropriate for small or wild gardens. It is formed of cedar posts +driven four feet into the ground, and reaching to the height of eight +feet. This is covered with a beam or a slab roof structure over which is +trained the morning glory, the California creeper, or the grape. This +latter is much used, the picturesqueness of the ripening fruit adding to +its attractiveness. These pergolas are generally eight feet wide and +have for a flooring irregular flags through which peer grass or moss. + +This type of garden furniture is perfectly well adapted to Italian, +English, or Colonial types of architecture, and is constructed often of +marble. It is not merely an ornament but a useful adjunct to a garden, +and can be made of concrete, or cobblestone, if one does not wish to go +to the expense of using marble. + +There is a modern form of this feature that is a development from +century-old customs, the porch-pergola which is fast supplanting the old +covered porches of yesterday. This is designed with an open, +vine-covered roof. It gives an added charm to the exterior of the house +and furnishes a shady nook for sunny days, without the drawback of the +old porch whose roof darkened the house in winter by withholding the +sun. + +No one, no matter how small their grounds, need deny themselves a +pergola. It is such an important feature and so decorative that it is +almost a necessity. For the little backyard it may be simply a rustic +porch planted in the middle of the garden. Properly laid out, it can be +used as an out-of-doors living room. Across the end a hammock can be +swung, while table and chairs can be fitted in at one side. + + + + +THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN + + +[Illustration: A TEA-HOUSE] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN + + +There is a delightful imaginary intimacy that seemingly exists between +we garden lovers who live in the twentieth century and those of early +days. So closely are we connected by a common band of sympathy that we +eagerly scan their books to glean here and there some important bit of +garden lore that can be introduced into our work of to-day. It is this +pleasant mingling of old and new-world gardens that gives to present-day +designs such a delightful atmosphere. + +One of the old-time floriculturists, John Lyle, tells us in his +old-fashioned way, about the flowers that bloomed ages before our +grand-dames were born. "Gentlemen," he says, "what floure like you best +in all this border? Here be fine roses, sweete violets, fragrant +primroses, gille floures, carnations, sops of wine, sweete John, and +what may please you at sight." Surely we see in retrospect, the gardens +of that early day, and we come more and more to realize that all +through the ages, the hand of Man has fashioned nothing more beautiful +than a garden of flowers. The most famous poets have not found any more +ideal trysting spot in which to place their lovers. + +Each individual part of the flower garden has its own distinctive charm. +It lies not solely with the flowers that bloom so profusely in the beds +nor with the marble fragments, for the romance of it all is centered in +the little summer house, as it was quaintly named by our ancestors in +the long ago. In these little tea houses, built in a retired part of the +garden, the mistress loved to spend a pleasant summer afternoon, seated +inside knitting flower thoughts into a shapely bag or reading some +delightful book, which dropped from her hand, as she sat dreamily +watching the unfolding of some favorite flower. + +Let us enter one of these gardens, rich in its summer garb, walk slowly +down the path, stopping now and again to view some bud slowly unfold its +petals one by one, disclosing a new specimen to be added to the +ever-increasing number that are comprised in the floral scheme, and +waving a welcome as it is tossed to and fro by every passing breeze. + +Over there against the white paling fence stands the stiff hollyhock +nodding his satiny head to greet the dainty heliotrope who glances +coquettishly up to meet his eye. Nearby is a dialetrea or bleeding +heart, the pet of the little ones, who pluck them to form tiny boats +with snow white sails to float down the lily pond. Bursting into bloom +behind the stiff box border is the old-time "piny," sending bits of +color into the sober green. + +None of the old Colonial gardens were considered complete without an +ever varying assortment of bloom. There were the Sweet Williams, +Bouncing Bet, and perky little Johnny-jump-up, sending greetings to his +comrades nearby. Flowers are everywhere, they peer out at us from hidden +corners, swing their heads in very ecstasy of enjoyment of their being. + +Simplicity was the key-note in the construction of those summer houses +that came into existence during the latter part of the seventeenth +century. They stand for the first type of garden furniture made in our +country, coming into vogue after the close of the grim struggle for +existence made by our Puritan forbears. Then when the tide turned, and +money flowed into the colonies, houseowners had more time to devote to +garden culture. Behind the large Colonial houses sprang into existence +gardens devoted to flowers, the owners doing the best they could with +the material at hand. These delightful little plots secluded from the +world outside by high paling fences were the homes of the old-fashioned +flowers, many of them descendants of the originals, brought over in the +ships that first touched our shores. + +They were not like the twentieth-century ones constructed of marble or +concrete clothed with vines and standing in a wealth of up-to-date +blooms, showing slender marble columns and carved capitals supporting +the marble roof. + +Rather are they covered with plain, every-day vines, such as the +Dutchman's Pipe with its heavy leaving, clambering roses and the Bitter +Sweet or Roxbury Waxwork, whose drooping bunches of yellow and red poke +their heads through the lattice work, making a bit of bright color all +through the winter months. This when the ground is covered with snow +livens up the surroundings. On either side are planted a wealth of +timely flowers, these include the Sweet William, the Hooded Larkspur, +and the many-colored Phlox. + +Many of these little garden houses show such a variety of form that they +are interesting, fitting into their surroundings as if they had always +been there. Some are square, formed like a large box, depending for +their picturesqueness on their coverings of vines. Others are round, and +still again we find oblong summer houses, each one fitted up with seats +and sometimes a rustic table. + +Occasionally, we come upon a more pretentious one that is two stories in +height. They were planned in the early nineteenth century, some of these +are still standing and among them we find that of Elias Haskett Derby, +designed by Samuel McIntyre, Salem's noted architect and wood-carver. +For years it stood on the grounds of the summer home of Mr. Derby and +to-day is so well preserved that it seems as if it had been recently +built. Exquisite carving is a feature of this particular tea house, +where rural images top the roof. + +It is only in the gardens of the rich, that elaborate tea houses are +found, simple designs grace the little gardens and are in harmony with +their surroundings. The rustic summer house has its own mission to +fulfill. Its cost can be determined by conditions. Some are finished in +elaborately decorative designs while others show plain treatment. + +The best kind of wood to be used for this purpose is the red cedar which +has wonderful lasting qualities. It is more expensive than the locust +but out-wears any wood on the market. Great care should be taken that +the supports be placed deep enough to avoid throwing by the heavy winter +frost. Holes should be dug at least four feet deep, and squares of stone +or cement pounded into the bottom to prevent its coming in contact with +the earth and rotting. This makes a solid foundation, and durable. Do +not have the roof made flat, so that water can stand upon it and rot it, +but raise it slightly and either shingle or thatch it. + +This last is an old-time handicraft that has recently been revived. +Following the old English rule, reeds are more endurable, while straw is +admissible. An advantage of its use is that it grows handsomer with age. +In its second year it has collected moss, weeds and plants, and these, +matted down and weather-beaten, give it the hue of a gray lichen. If +properly treated it will last for years. + +[Illustration: STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH] + +One should, if possible, when planning the garden, include a summer +house. There is no more enjoyable feature that can be constructed on +the grounds. Its design, size, situation and type, must correspond with +the period of the garden. A formal lay-out should, in order to be +correct, receive entirely different treatment in its setting from the +Italian, while the rambling depends upon simpler characteristics to +produce correct results. Rustic tea houses fit into this project +appropriately. They would be entirely incongruous if placed in Italian +gardens elaborate in their plan and full of wonderful bits of marble +fragments transplanted from foreign lands. + +Fortunately for us, there are so many different types of gardens that +one is not continually finding a repetition. Garden houses, covered with +bark, fit into simple plans, such as the rambling and the wild gardens, +their rustic effect being in harmony with the flowers and beds. + +It is one thing to plan a summer house but quite another to pick out a +suitable situation. It should not be placed in the heart of the flowers +more especially where there are tall blossoms. Let the beds in the +foreground be low and show quiet colors, shading the height and +brightness as they go farther afield, the most conspicuous being used +for the extreme edge. Here, like a beautiful picture, they fit into the +landscape and produce correct effects. + +Level stretches do not always bring about right results. If your ground +slopes to the garden edge why not design a rustic tea house to fit into +the hillside? Should you visit it of a clear afternoon, seat yourself on +the wooden settle and glance around you, you will be delighted with the +view obtained. Below is the garden rolled out like a carpet brightly +patterned at your feet, smooth stretches of lawn between rest the eyes +as they gaze off to the horizon when the blue of the sky seems to melt +into the masses of waving bloom. + +Do not start this feature of the garden unless you have first planned +situation, size and cost, otherwise you will be disappointed, and may +feel it is more expensive than you wished. If you do not care to bed it +underneath, you will be sorry. Every house of this sort should have a +hard ashes or cement foundation in order to keep out the dampness. This +is a serious fault which if not carefully watched results in quick +rotting of the wood and constant expense. It is better to start right +and in the end it will cost less. Posts used for supports should be +made of cedar or locust, driven four feet into the ground and resting on +stone supports, used as preservatives. They can be elaborately designed +or simple in finish and if plenty of air and light are wished for, +trellis supports can be used, but if it demands shade, shingles or +canvas painted, are advisable, the former better for rounded effects and +the latter when a flat surface is used. + +Marble is used prominently in Italian gardens, whose elaborate setting +demands striking effects. Give the tea house a cover of soft green +vines, dotted here and there with a bit of color and it will be a joy +forever, taking on a dignity that is in keeping with its surroundings. +Cement, no matter where it is used, is always effective. In coloring and +lines it seemingly fits into the elaborate landscape scheme and it +improves with age. There is an advantage in the use of cement, in that +it costs nothing for repairs, is fireproof, does not collect vermin, and +is never shabby. With its clinging vine cover, it is a desirable +material for use in the construction of tea houses when wood and marble +are not suitable. + +There is a romantic charm in vine-clad tea houses. The clinging vine +lends a picturesqueness to the slender columns and the slanting roof +emphasizes the beauty of it all. + +There are so many decorative vines that are suitable for its use that it +would be impossible to name them all. + +For marble, delicate, tender climbers are the best. For concrete a +larger leaf can be used to give more stable effects, while for rustic +tea houses, the large, hardy vines and stronger climbers are more +suitable. Each one has its own use, and appears at its best in congenial +environment. The tiny canary-bird vine would make little show if allowed +to clamber over rustic supports, while the Boston or Japanese ivy are +especially adapted for this treatment. This is on account of the small, +flat leaf that clings to the side, helping out the design without a deep +massing of leaves. + +[Illustration: LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Some summer houses depend upon hardy vines for their cover and others on +tender climbers whose delicate tendrils wind in and out clouding but not +hiding the exterior coloring. It is the wise man who is able to provide +a suitable over-spread for houses of this description. It must be +remembered that it is not the cover alone but the planting that +surrounds it that aids in the picturesque effect. There is as much +need of careful thought here as there would be in any part of the +scheme. For right coloring, height, and time of blossoming help or mar +the plan. + +There is as much difference in the growth of vines as there is in +children. Some to be at their best require a very rich soil, while +others will do equally well if it is poorer. The important thing, if you +wish successful results, is to give them plenty of food, plenty of water +and look out for a proper insecticide, in order not to retard their +growth. A general rule that is permissible for almost any grounds is to +dig a ditch from three to four feet deep and put in the bottom a foot of +rotted manure. This can better be attended to in the fall, leaving time +for it to get well soaked into the ground and ripen before planting. +Fill in alternate layers of soil and manure until the trench is even +with the ground. In clay soil, it is better in order to lighten it to +mix in a little sand. + +For a rustic summer house, where heavy planting is needed, a honeysuckle +is effective. The scarlet or Sempervirens is a very decorative variety +and this differs greatly from the Japanese one, bearing tubular scarlet +flowers that continue in blossom all summer. Of the many varieties this +is the freest and the best. Its leaves are a blueish green which make a +pleasing contrast with the coral color of the flower. + +The Clematis is always effective and is the best vine of medium growth +in existence. Its small, white, star-shaped flowers, deliciously +fragrant, cover the vine completely in August. The Japanese Clematis or +Paniculata is most attractive. It prefers a sunny position, the foliage +is handsome and at the end of August it bursts into a wonderful mass of +fragrant, pure white, star-like flowers that last nearly a month. + +For shady places, the Helix or English ivy is advisable. This +well-known, small-leafed ivy is perfectly hardy in this section and is +much used for covering the ground in shady places where grass refuses to +grow. Young growth sometimes gets winter killed, but this is due to +sunburn rather than frost. + +For tea houses painted white and for concrete, wisteria takes a +prominent place. It grows equally well in city and country, being able +to withstand the smoke of cities. Of these the Multijuga loose cluster +is advisable. It is not so strong a grower as the Chinese varieties but +distinguished from them by long, loose clusters of purple flowers +sometimes obtaining a length of two feet. + +The Crimson Glory Grape Vine, Coignetiae, is a strong grower, showing +large, heart-shaped leaves, ten inches long, deep rich green on top and +bright yellow beneath, which assume a brilliant scarlet in autumn. The +grapes are black and form a pleasing contrast to the bright colors of +the leaves. + +The Canary Bird Vine is suitable for either this kind of a tea house or +a marble one. It is a beautiful, rapid, annual grower and when in +blossom, the charming little canary-colored blooms bear a fancied +resemblance to a bird with wings half expanded. Do not forget the +Cardinal Climber which is a cross between the Cyprus Vine and the Star +Glory. It attains a height of thirty feet or more with a beautiful form +like laciniated foliage and is literally covered with a blaze of +circular fiery cardinal red flowers from midsummer until frost. The +flowers are about one and one-half inch in diameter and are borne in +clusters from five to seven blossoms each. Wherever it has been grown it +has attracted favorable comments. It delights in a warm sunshiny +situation and good soil. + +The Kudzu Vine or Peuraria Thunbergiana is very popular. It came from +Japan and is still rare. Its flowers are large clusters similar to a +white Hydrangea and when in flower during July and August make a +wonderful display. It is one of the best of the flowering vines to plant +against a wall as it clings naturally to any rough surface. + +The plants selected for either side of the tea house need as much care +in choosing right colors as do the vines. + + + + +THE GARDEN STEPS + + +[Illustration: STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GARDEN STEPS + + +The air was laden with the sweet fragrance of flowers. They wafted a +delightful welcome to the hardy explorers, who, worn with the long +voyage, viewed for the first time the rocky shores of New England. Their +soothing influence brought heart to the wearied men, as they revelled in +the spicy odors that brought in their train pleasant thoughts of the +wonderful gardens they had left behind them. From the sandy coast of +Florida to the bleak New England shores they felt its enticing power. So +pungent was the perfume, that it touched the heart of Barlow, one of the +commanders of Raleigh's expedition who wrote on landing on the newly +discovered shore, "We smelt so sweet and strong a smell, as if we had +been in the midst of some delicate garden. The woods were not such as we +find in Europe, barren and fruitless, but the highest and reddest +cedars, pines, cypresses, and many others of excellent quality. Of +grapes we found a plenty climbing over every shrub and tree down to the +waters very edge. I think in all the world there is not the like in +abundance." + +Among the earliest settlers, came a colony of Spaniards choosing for +their home the sunny shores of Florida. Here in the heart of the +woodland they made clearings, laying out extensive grounds that followed +no set plan, but with semblance of the old-world garden. Here they +planted for coolness and shade, vines and trees, laid out their grounds +with walks, paved like mosaic with vari-colored stones. In these gardens +no semi-tropical plants, such as abounded on every side, were planted. +It has always been man's way when warring with the wilderness that lay +beyond his door, to gather into the enclosure flowers and plants that +had been dear to his heart in his far-away native land, to re-establish +the atmosphere of his old home in new surroundings. + +The colonists who settled on the southern shores of Virginia, were men +of rank, wealthy men, who had left stately homes to settle in this +unknown land. In the lay-out of their gardens they introduced the +Elizabethean style of floriculture, following the fashion of the English +gardens of that day. These old gardens showed terraces, steps, leading +from walk to walk, paths laid at right angles, through which one walked +to view the spaces intricately designed with "knotted" beds and mazes, +each one of which conformed to details in the buildings of their stately +homes. + +There were the first steps laid out in gardens in America, a novel +feature that has been evolved into elaborate designs with the passing of +the years. To-day no garden is complete that does not show some form of +steps or terrace. + +Rockeries have come into vogue not only in large, elaborate garden plots +but in simple little home grounds. They are approached by steps of stone +that correspond with the rough, rural aspect of this feature of garden +culture. Shy wild flowers peep timidly out from their homes between the +crevices of the rock. Here in the early spring we find the cup-shaped +crocus with its yellow tongue nestled contentedly in among the brown +furred fern fronds, that soon will unfurl in dainty loveliness. Leading +from the steps are grass banks and low walks, surrounding the rockery +and affording pleasant promenades, from which to view the garden in its +entirety. + +Like every other plan contrived by man, the garden step should be +fashioned to fit into its proper place, adding and not detracting from +the general picturesqueness. It depends upon the personality of the +creator as to its success, for steps while seemingly a minor detail, can +add or detract from a garden's beauty materially. + +One should never swerve from the thought that practicability should be +the motive in planning stepping stones to connect different levels of +your garden. They should not be added just for appearance sake, any more +than one should wear a showy gown to attract attention. They should +carry out some well-thought-out plan. + +It would be bad taste to introduce rustic steps into a formal garden, as +much so as it would to place delicately wrought slabs of marble in the +heart of a thicket. One should, that is if they wish to excel other +creators in the introduction of original ideas, think out each +individual part of the ground assigned for garden purposes and determine +where each feature can make the best showing. It is then and then only +that we come to a realizing sense not only of the kind of material that +should be used but the shape and the setting. + +There should be a definite purpose in the use of this particular feature +and the most important one is that it should be so arranged that one can +reach different levels easily. There should be no precipitous pitch that +makes one feel while ascending that they are performing tiresome +gymnastic feats. This necessitates that they should be constructed on a +gradual incline, thus making the ascent so easy that one is hardly +conscious they are walking always upward until they have reached the +top, and stand on level ground. This is often not enough considered and +yet is most important. + +In laying the stepping stones, there should be definite proportions +thought out between the risers, breadth of the treads and the height +between. Any variation would produce awkward results. Great care should +be taken in choosing slabs either of stone or marble that are of the +same size. + +If the steps connect different parts of the garden scheme or lead to a +rock garden, they should be cunningly introduced into the side of the +ascent, placed so that they will add to the picturesqueness of the +effect. They should break the hillside pleasingly, so that when +completed they will form a pleasant picture, delightful for the eye to +gaze upon. More than this, there should be planting, not only between +the risers but on either side, and this requires careful thought, for a +stately hollyhock rearing its gorgeous stock of rich coloring would be +entirely out of place while delicate ferns or humble rock plants +emphasize the desired effect. + +If the height of your step should be low, then risers, six inches in +height would be in good form, and the treads in order to correspond must +be twelve and a half inches in width. Should, however, five inches be +the height needed, then an additional inch and a half should be added to +the treads. This point is such an important one that garden owners and +landscape architects should see that it is properly carried out, if they +wish to get the right results. + +[Illustration: A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND] + +Ramping steps, if successfully developed, brings about an additional +ease in mounting. This can be accomplished by placing the tread so that +it shall imperceptibly slope downward. This is not an easy matter to +accomplish successfully. It requires much care, so that the steps shall +not slope too noticeably and yet enough to add to the comfort of the +garden lover who walks from path to path using the steps to aid him in +reaching the upper level of the ground. This idea of ramping is not +original, for it has been carried out in the old Italian gardens for +centuries, but it is only within recent years that it has been +successfully developed by landscape gardeners in our country. + +Two important things connected with these stairways are ease and +comfort. There is no doubt but within the last few years, marvels have +been accomplished by introducing them into steep hillsides. In this way +they connect the lower level and the terrace, making it practical to +develop unused land for flower purposes. + +The placing of steps cannot be determined by cast-iron rules, rather +should good taste predominate. Nothing can give such an awkward look to +your garden or terrace as a series of narrow, cramped stairs. If, +however, you should in the same place introduce a flight ample in +proportion, then even if it is a small space there will be imparted to +it an agreeable air of breadth. + +Be sure that each step should extend farther to the side than the one +above it. They should be rectangular so that the outline of the stair +mass is pyramidal or circular in formation. If stone is used, a very +good result is brought about through the use of carefully selected field +stone or cobble. There are sheltering crevices in which to plant tiny +roots which when grown add much to the general appearance of the whole. +If the garden is a formal one, a design in which architectural features +play an important part, one should take great care in the arrangement of +this flight. There is nothing that gives such a delightful atmosphere as +a well-planned stairway. It conveys a much better picture than does a +vista of successive flights of steps that ascend to higher grounds. + +The principal use for a feature such as this, is found to be in informal +or unpretentious lay-outs, yet, fashioned in marble it is shown in the +most elaborate Italian gardens found in this country. It takes on such a +variety of forms and is available for so many purposes that it is +fascinating to study where it will give best effects. Sometimes it helps +out in the making of a garden pool. Here it is specially alluring, +forming as it does, a step from one little world into another. + +If you wish originality in your work, do not attempt to copy from the +plans of others. Surely there is no lack of material from which to draw +and there is no reason why steps cannot be placed in any sort of a +garden nook. The material depends on the style of garden, but wooden +steps are not generally advisable on account of their rotting, which +makes them need constant repair. It is far better to use stone, slabs of +granite, concrete or marble, for each one of these has the lasting +qualities that make them durable. + +Measure the space carefully before the work is commenced. You should +make allowances for crevices between each step so that suitable planting +may be carried out. It is a very good idea to have the wide spreading +plants placed near the bottom, graduating to those of more moderate +growth at the top. Careful consideration should also be given to the +right planting on either side. Low plants should border the step with a +background of taller ones. They may, if you like, be used to express the +idea of balusters on either side and are much more picturesque than real +ones. + +Do not forget that rich soil should be employed, for the plants need it +to grow successfully. They require sustenance just as we need meat to +feed our bodies. In many cases it can be rich loam taken from the woods, +in other instances rotted manure can be used for a foundation with a +heavy soil covering. Great care should be taken to make proper planting, +for delicate growth near hardy is disastrous, the stronger plants +absorbing the strength of the weaker ones and doing permanent harm. Do +not flatter yourself that once planted nature will do the rest. This +part of the ground demands continual care, for weeds--plants' +enemies--will intrude and must be carefully removed lest they feed upon +the soil, taking away the richness and starving the plants. Water is a +necessity, for plants like human beings grow thirsty all the more when +exposed to the dry heat of the summer season. For best effects a +sprinkler should be used and it should be borne in mind that the plants +should be thoroughly soaked and not given merely a surface treatment. +The importance of this cannot be over-estimated, or through lack of +proper drink the plants will be in no condition to put out their full +strength during their season of blossoming. Better results will be +obtained if each fall before the winter sets in, they should be given a +heavy top dressing of grit. There is nothing that plants enjoy as much +as this and it provides them with strength during the next year's +growth. + +Concrete may not find favor with many garden lovers. It covers the +surface so thoroughly that there is no place to introduce growth, but a +little ingenuity and common sense removes this difficulty. Holes can be +bored through the cement, and these should be large enough to allow the +plants full scope to grow. + +Many people for step planting prefer a succession of blossoming plants +while others care for growth only. If the former plan is worked out, a +charming early bloomer is the Alpine Anemone. Of these the Pulsatilla, +or "Pasque Flower," is effective. It shows rich purple blossoms, which +rising above the green leaves with their downy, feathery collarette of +green, develop into handsome seed heads, which are decorative. They +nestle into the crevices of the rocks, sending forth their exquisite +blossoms nine inches in diameter during the months of April and May. + +Variety is always delightful. For this decorative purpose why not use +crocuses, "The Heralds of Spring." They thrive in any soil or situation, +but in order to obtain the best growth, they should be planted in rich, +deep, sandy loam. One of the choicest kinds is the Baron von Brunow. It +is free flowering, putting forth large blossoms, dark blue in coloring. +These can be mingled with a stripe variety such as La Majestueuse, which +shows large, violet markings, exquisite in shading. The Giants, of which +the Mont Blanc is a favorite, put out large, snow-white blossoms, +forming an effective foil for the dark blue flowers of the other +assortments. + +In planting your steps do not forget to have plenty of bulbs introduced +among the other plants. The graceful dwarf anemone seemingly fit into +this early scheme, their delicate blossoms giving a touch of daintiness. +For the best results these should be planted in the fall six inches +apart and three inches in depth. Few bulbs exceed in loveliness the +Blanda-Blue, Winter Wind Flower. This is matchless in coloring, +originating in the hills of Greece, and has been naturalized in this +country, where it takes kindly to the soil and produces flowers of +charming hue. A feature of this special plant is that it blossoms during +the winter months as well as the early spring. You make no mistake if +you place it in every development of steps in your garden. It +naturalizes best in grassy places in warm soil, and it can be +distinguished by its round, bulb-like roots. Should you, however, wish +to have more than one variety, why not try the Bride, that puts forth a +single white flower, or the single Fugens, "Irish Anemone," which is +semi-double, found in shades of scarlet, blue and purple. + +[Illustration: MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Anyone can carry out their own idea as there are so many plants to draw +from, each one of which is permissible for decorative effects. In our +choosing let us not forget the Lily of the Valley. It is surely one of +the most useful of our many spring flowers, pure white in coloring and +delicately scented. For best development it should be planted in open +ground, where it quickly spreads so that unless you wish masses of it, +it will have to be separated almost every year. The Dutch Valley is an +excellent kind to choose, as it sends forth so many flowering pits. This +dainty little plant is a general favorite with everyone. Its sprays of +drooping, white, wax-like, fragrant bells give a bit of color that is +picturesque. + +If you are looking for evening bloom there is the Ænothera or evening +Primrose; this has the advantage of blooming all through the summer +months. There are so many kinds, each one so beautiful that it is a +difficult matter to pick out the most decorative. Of these the Arendsii +is very popular, showing, as it does, a profusion of lovely rose-colored +flowers, and it is to be preferred to the Speciosa. Then there is the +Pilgrimi with its glorious golden clusters that seem to light the garden +during the twilight hour. + +In your planting do not forget the Acre, or golden moss. This is a +creeping variety and especially suitable for rock work. Its delicate +growth makes it particularly appropriate for this use. The Vinca Minor +can be mixed with this. This is evergreen, and excellent for covering or +rockery, and can be combined with the Moss Pink, sometimes known as +creeping phlox. This latter is in bloom in May or June. It shows broad +sheets of rosy pink, white or lavender flowers, and an evergreen +foliage. As it grows either in sun or shade, it is a very decorative +plant to be used for step treatment. + +For the border can be used as a setting low, old-fashioned, hardy +perennials, which are particularly adapted for grouping. In their +planting use good soil, let them be placed where there is a reasonable +amount of sunshine, keep them free from weeds and give them an +occasional surface cultivation. + +It is better to set these out in the fall, so that some of them will +blossom during April and May. The late blossomers, however, can be saved +until early spring, like Asters, and Heleniums. In making the selection, +consideration should be given to those that grow in certain settings, as +while some will flourish luxuriantly in ordinary garden loam, others are +not dependable unless very rich soil is given to them. + +For the outer border why not use hardy Candytuft (Iberis Sempervirens), +which sends forth a profusion of white flowers in April or May, showing +a spreading foliage that is evergreen and very attractive. With this can +be grown the Rock Cress or Arabis Albida, which from April to June sends +out sheets of pure white, fragrant flowers. Back of this one can plant +the Fleur-de-lis. They should be given a sunny position in any kind of +soil. As they come in all sorts of colors, there is no trouble in +getting them to carry out the scheme that you have in hand. The Silver +King, which is a silvery white with lavender shading, can be placed with +the Florantina, which is light lavender, and the Pallida Dalmatica, +which is lavender bloom. If you wish to carry out this color scheme +further, why not try the Purpurea, which with its rich, royal purple, +will make during the season one of the handsomest displays possible for +a setting to the low growth decoratively used in steps. + + + + +ENTRANCES + + +[Illustration: AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF +LATTICEWORK] + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ENTRANCES + + +We view our flower-plots at their best, gazing at them through the +vine-clad entrance, as we glance down the gravel walk bordered on either +side by masses of brilliant flowers. Involuntarily, our eyes wander +along farther afield till we meet the background of trees clad in +verdant foliage, a fitting setting for the picture laid out in patches +of color, fitting into the canvas with a well-defined plan. We can but +feel as we stand looking down on this paradise of flowers that we are +thankful for the thought that first created gardens. + +When they came into existence it is hard to determine, for mention is +found of flowers and the traditions of wonderful gardens, laid out long +before man had chiseled the hieroglyphics depicted on Egyptian tombs. +The love of flowers is a heritage handed down from generation to +generation. + +Homer, when speaking of Laertes, trying in vain to find consolation in +his flowers, while mourning the departure of Telemachus, goes on to show +us that great men turn to gardens to heal sorrow. Philosophy was taught +by Epicurus surrounded by his beloved pupils among the flowers. + +From the early Greeks the Romans took their first lesson in +floriculture. It was after their invasion of Brittany that they +introduced certain flowers and fruits, like grapes, roses and violets, +into English gardens. The art of gardening advanced steadily, reaching +its zenith in good Queen Elizabeth's time, when there were in England +many pleasing gardens, formal and stiff, to be sure, but a fit setting +for the architecture of that day. + +While the garden designs abounded in beautiful walks and flowers, yet +the entrance to the grounds formed as it were the key-note to it all. + +Has it ever occurred to you, as you stood hesitating at the portals of +the gardens, that these were suggestive of some well-thought-out plan, +as like grim sentinels they stand guarding the flower treasures? There +is as much contrast in this part of the plan as there is in the design +itself. Here we find a narrow, forbidding entrance, giving no glimpse of +the flowers within; again we come to a wide, welcoming one, beckoning, +as it were, for us to pass through the portals and gaze with delight on +the beauties hinted at beforehand and now disclosed to the eye. + +For Colonial treatment there is nothing more dignified or stately than +the square wooden posts, inclosing a locust inner one. They are built of +white pine, one of the most lasting woods to be found in our country, +and are Colonial or Georgian in design. Many of them are ornamental, +topped with balls, urns, or torch devices and with elaborate +hand-carving, so wonderful in its design that architects copy them in +their modified Colonial houses of to-day. This was the work of one of +the most noted wood-carvers in our country, Samuel McIntyre, whose name +is a household word to architects and landscape designers all over the +country. + +There are two ways of treating the entrance. One of them is by adding an +ornamental gate, corresponding in type with that of the posts. The other +is to leave the posts gateless; while both are correct, yet the former +way is more often used as it lends an air of privacy to the ground. It +also helps out the effect planned by giving a touch of picturesqueness +that would be otherwise lacking. A much too common mistake is the +introduction of Southern architecture into Northern gateways; the lines +and details do not always conform with the type of the house. + +Most of these gates are hung by iron or brass hinges, but the earliest +ones use the strap hinge, which carries out the Colonial idea. The +difficulty with the strap hinge is that it is not always strong enough +to hold the gates without sagging, and the wider the entrance the +heavier the strain. While the design varies, yet rarely do we find one +constructed in the seventeenth century that is not simple and with +picket effects. The pickets have pointed tops and are sometimes +irregularly spaced, while the brace often shows an artistic curve. + +Occasionally, we find the posts yoked, through a connecting arch. This +is often latticed and if rightly designed adds to the ornamental effect. +An old lantern is sometimes an attractive feature. The arch should be +painted to match the color of the posts, a very good combination for +this use is pure white lead, or zinc, combined with linseed oil. If you +do not care to mix it yourself it can be bought ready for use. For the +best effects, a thin coat should be used at first and it depends upon +how easily it is covered as to how many coats to apply. If you wish to +give a better finish, have an excess of turpentine over linseed oil in +the last coat. There is more economy in covering it properly at first, +as otherwise it will have to be re-painted each year. + +With the evolution of garden culture has come a similar change in the +design and material used to form our entrances. On the large estates of +to-day, rarely if ever, do we find the ornamental Colonial. It would be +as much out of place as if the mistress of the house affected silken +brocades with wig and patches. + +The white paling fence, unless for simple cottages, has entirely gone +out of style and in its place we find cement walls. Often these are +topped with a coping of limestone. The gate-posts, being formed over +strong locust posts that have been driven firmly into the ground, are +supported by brick or cement foundation. + +Where the mansion shows in exterior brick, often with trimmings of +limestone, the same idea is worked out in the wall. In cases like this +an ornamental iron gate, hung on staples, supercedes the simple +Colonial ones of former days. Occasionally, the name of the estate is +interwoven in the ornamentation, or sometimes it is carved on the stone +entrance posts. + +Natural material is coming more and more to be used and we find a rubble +wall, constructed from stone and boulders picked up on the grounds, left +often rough, and again filled in with red cement to make it more stable. +The rubble wall is generally topped with cement laid perfectly flat. The +entrance posts follow this same line of treatment and while they are +often left hollow for several inches down, these are packed solidly +inside with small rocks to keep them in place. The excavation is filled +in with rich soil and bright blossoming plants introduced. This gives a +bit of color scheme that is very effective as a foil for the cold gray +of the stone. Vines are often planted at the foot of the posts, the turf +being dug away for several inches, and rich loam introduced to better +insure their growth. It depends entirely upon how heavy one wishes the +covering to be as to the kind of vine planted. If it is the idea to hide +it effectively from sight and produce massing of green, an entirely +different planting should be made than if it was intended to have a +delicate coloring of green that would only enhance the color of the +background. + +[Illustration: A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY] + +Right combinations are very important in this line of work. It would be +foolish to use woodwork combined with heavy stone or iron. It is +sometimes in better form to have wide slabs of granite or cement +defining several layers of brick. The height and width naturally depend +upon what it intends to imply. + +Low piers of masonry capped with a pointed effect should stand by +themselves without any planting, as the latter often disfigures +architectural effects. It is not always necessary that this feature of +the exterior should be conspicuous, more particularly if the posts are +constructed of wood. Treat them to a light creosote stain, thus giving a +picturesque background for the overlapping vines. Sometimes combinations +work out well in producing artistic results. With a rough stone pillar, +it is sometimes in good taste to introduce gateways of oak, which while +effective under certain conditions, are very bad under others. These are +much more attractive the second year, when they have weathered to a +picturesque pearly gray. This color harmonizes delightfully, not only +with the walls but with the flowers and their foliage. An important +thing that should not be forgotten is the use of wooden pegs and copper +nails, neither of which are injured by rain. If you choose to use a wire +fence, let the gate-post and gates correspond for it is far better than +to combine materials inharmoniously. They are not only practical but +light and in their construction there is a chance to work into the +scheme ornamental designs. Do not finish this with a square box top, +rather give it a bit of ornamentation such as a ball or a lantern. There +can be had to-day so many ornamental lanterns, constructed of wrought +iron, that they can be purchased in almost any type desired. It is far +better not to cover the posts with vines and thus conceal the beauty of +the work. The most effective way would be to build up wire arches and +plant rambler roses back of the posts for them to run on. + +The Sweet Briar, if one is looking for perfume, is desirable. They can +be purchased in single and semi-double flowers, created through the +developing and crossing of the old-fashioned variety. Rambler roses are +always in good taste. It is better to plant three or four kinds that +show harmonious coloring. There is the Lord Penzance, a soft fawn, +turning to lemon yellow in the center. This is particularly adaptable +for covering arches as it is a strong grower and abundant blossomer. The +Meg Merrilies fits into this color scheme, putting forth gorgeous +crimson flowers during the six weeks of its flowering. Combine with +these the Brenda, and you will find that this mixture lends a brightness +that is very effective. Many people object to roses on account of their +many enemies. One of the most common is the powdery mildew. This is +easily distinguished by a powdery growth of white that is found on both +leaves and shoots. Use sulphur very freely, and you will find it +disappear. The stem cancer is a serious disease, and it is found on both +the cane and the branches. In dealing with this the grower must not be +afraid to use the pruning knife vigorously, so that the diseased parts +can be thoroughly removed, in this way preventing spreading and the ruin +of the vine. From the time of its planting the rambler needs constant +attention, but it brings its own reward, in that there is no vine that +can equal it in beauty. The advantage of having a variety of colors +instead of one is readily seen, for it prevents a large mass of one +individual color. + +There is a pleasure indescribable felt by lovers of plants when +designing any feature of their grounds. This is particularly true with +the gate and the planting. They must bear in mind, however, the true +purpose of gates and their proper use on country estates. It is designed +as a means of ingress, and as such, should be suited to the type of +mansion. Therefore, into its plan should be worked the atmosphere of the +residence as well as the characteristics of the surrounding country. For +instance, a wooden fence and gate-post would be entirely inappropriate +if one were dealing with a beautiful summer estate where the house was +to be built of brick. + +Compositions should not be carelessly used and it should be remembered +that there is great danger in our zeal for producing something unique, +of going to the other extreme and giving an over-ornamental creation. +One cannot be too particular in making the entrance and the adjoining +fence accord with the idea one is trying to bring out in the whole plan. + +The driveway is of fully as much importance as the entrance. It should +be kept scrupulously neat and free from weeds. To have it at its best +it should be thoroughly under-drained, and for this the open-joint +drain tile is advisable. It should be laid under ground and connected, +if possible, with the sewer. Properly attended to, this keeps the +road-bed dry and in good condition. The bed itself should be dug down +for several feet, a foundation of earth from six to ten inches should be +laid, over which can be thrown a layer six inches thick of either broken +limestone or chopped trap rock. Cover the whole with a screening of +limestone and finish it with gravel. Have it rolled hard and you realize +the advantage as the season ends. + +The drive should be sufficiently wide for carriages to pass through +without besmearing your gate-posts with mud and dust. One should realize +that the driveway is in reality a foot-path enlarged, and should always +be kept immaculate. The gate, if you wish to prevent its sagging, should +open in the center. A two-part gate gives often a better effect than one +long one. Nothing equals iron, which can be treated in so many different +ways that there is little danger of repetition in design. + +The capping is as important as the post itself. Simple square box +treatment is advisable in some cases. Balls fit into the scheme on some +estates, while Colonial urns are in keeping with wooden posts and +lantern effects belong to iron gateways. The latter, of course, are +effective for lighting at night. Gas pipes can be laid under the +roadway, connected with the ornamentation in such a way that they can be +turned on from the house. + +In many entrances, side gates, similar to the main ones have been +inserted, which relieve the main entrance from use by pedestrians. They +can be so laid out as not to interfere with the use of the motor cars. +They should be separated from the main driveway by a turf border and +covered with gravel. + +Planting is very effective for this feature of the ground, and trees, +that is if the right sort are chosen, are admirable, used in this +connection. White birches lend a picturesqueness that cannot be equaled, +but they are short-lived. The elm with its graceful branches seems to +fit into every landscape scheme. Do not plant them too near the posts. +If you do, their roots will reach out often causing upheaval and +creating havoc. For best effects the trees should be used outside rather +than inside the entrance. In the latter case they are too apt to cut off +the view. + +[Illustration: A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Many people prefer a hedge and this can be planted either with or +without a fence. Arbor-vitae is practical for such use as is the +Buckthorn and the Berberis Thunbergii (Thunberg's Japanese Barberry). +This is a Japanese hedge with round, drooping habit. It leaves out in a +fine brilliant green during the summer months and from autumn until +December takes on a wonderful showing of color. During the winter months +the branches, loaded with scarlet crimson berries, make an effective +contrast with the white of the snow. Its value as a hedge is because it +is impenetrable and thickly set with spines, never growing bare. The +most popular shrub for hedge treatment is Privet-Ligustrum. It is very +ornamental with a rich dark green foliage that is nearly evergreen and +remains on the plant until late winter. It is a good grower under the +most adverse circumstances. In order to form the most effective hedge it +should be planted from ten to twelve inches apart and pruned back during +the first two seasons. + +The Ampelopsis Arborea woodbine is useful for entrances. It is a +distinct variation from the other forms, making a spreading bush rather +than a strong climber. Its leaves are dark green and comparatively +coarse, and its autumn coloring is superb. The Boston Ivy clings even to +wood, its fine shoots cover walls and while it requires some covering +during the first two or three winters of its life, yet it pays. In the +fall, nothing can be so gorgeous as the varied colored tints of its +foliage. + +The Clematis Paniculata should never be forgotten. It is a rapid and +vigorous climber and can be depended upon to clothe large spaces +quickly. Originally, it was introduced from Japan and is allied to our +native Virgin's Bower. The flowers are effective, borne in long panicles +which are white and their fragrance is perceptible a long distance away. +They open the latter part of August, staying in bloom for nearly a +month. Combined with this should be the Clematis Coccinea (Scarlet +Clematis), whose showy bell-shape, brilliant scarlet flowers are +produced in great profusion. + +The Wisteria is adapted to almost any purpose and can be used +picturesquely on many types of entrances. The Wisteria Magnifica is +admirable and resembles Frutescens, but it varies from it in that the +clusters are larger and denser while the yellow lilac colored flowers +have yellow spots. + +Among the other vines it is well to plant some that will give a touch +of color during the dark, cold days of winter when the vines lie barren +and bare, their leafless branches swaying in the wind. Why not use for +that the Celastrus Scandens (Bitter Sweet or Wax Work). It is one of our +native climbing plants and can be found in almost any part of the New +England woods, a rapid grower, with attractive, light green foliage and +yellow flowers, followed by bright orange red berries that are cheering +in the fall and lead us to forget the shedding of the foliage by the +other vines. + +In order to hide the base of the vine, ferns can be planted. It is +better to use the hardy varieties rather than the more tender ones, +although a combination of the two is always attractive. Take, for +instance, the Adiantum Croweanum, which is one of the hardiest of the +maiden hair species. This, like every other of its kind, should be well +watered and fertilized, grown in a rich, open soil, with plenty of leaf +mould. There is nothing difficult in their culture and they need +absolutely no attention after planting. The Polypodium Vulgare, which is +evergreen, showing smooth, shiny fronds resembling the Boston fern, is +another that is adapted for this purpose. + +With these can be combined the Comptonia, or Sweet Fern, a native plant +with fern-like, dark green scented foliage, very useful for foliage +massing on rocky, barren places, and thriving best in dry, sterile soil. +There are many more varieties and it would be impossible to mention them +all. They are, each and every one, suitable for adding to the beauty of +private gardens and estates. + + + + +BIRD BATHS + + +[Illustration: THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH] + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BIRD BATHS + + +John Burroughs, in his description of a garden, has told us that "To +love the birds, to appreciate their place in the landscape," is one of +the most important things. It does much to bring happiness into our +lives. In the forming of a perfect garden, many things are requisite and +among them are birds, flowers, bees, and the flashing butterfly who +darts joyously from flower to flower, a thing of beauty and perishable +as the day. Should anyone doubt the truth of these assertions, let him +seat himself in some retired spot during a beautiful day in the month of +roses. He can then listen to the song of the birds, caroling as they +sway on the branches of the trees above our heads, nestling at our feet, +or hidden away deep down in the heart of the flower beds. Birds are +everywhere, they flit in and out of the garden, sipping sweet nectar +from the blossoming plants, and flaunting their bright colors when +catching the sunshine as they swing by. + +God made nothing more interesting than birds and man should care for +them, giving them a distinctive place in his garden, realizing that +through their industry they free the plants from harmful insects and +slugs. The birds can be coaxed into anyone's garden, that is, if care is +taken in proper planting, giving to the plots trees and plants that they +love. Under the rose bushes place a bath, where they can come and preen +their plumage, but if possible have it placed beyond the reach of +intruding cats. + +When the custom of providing drinking cups to quench the thirst of our +native birds first came into fashion, it is hard to determine. +Perchance, it was in the early days when in 1621, the colonists built +rail fences, to enclose their separate lots. Over these they trained the +wild morning glory and sweet-scented honeysuckle, the perfume of which +doubtless carried them back to the beautiful English gardens that still +existed in their native land. + +Doubtless, during the life of William Penn, when he encouraged the +laying out of old English gardens, he included in the design a planting +to attract bird life. This was still further encouraged when the first +botanical garden came into existence in 1728 through the thought of +Bertram Bartran, of Philadelphia. He was a man who had traveled much and +was thoroughly versed in the art of floriculture. In his garden he +planted rare and practical seeds partly for the mere joy of carrying out +his own whims. This garden, like many others, was individual in its +planting, a quality that lent to it an additional charm. + +During the early seventeenth century there were imported into seaport +towns principally at Salem, Massachusetts, unique bird baths. They came +packed in among the cargo that was stowed away in the holds of the slow +sailing ships that plied continuously between Singapore and the New +England shores. Many of these were the result of orders given by the +ship owners who wanted to set them in their posy beds, laid out at the +rear of their stately homes. Rare were these shells with their fluted +framework, and hard to find, yet so spacious that a whole colony of +feathered songsters could hold concourse within their pearly depths. + +Underneath the shade of the drooping lilac, they peered out at us from +the time the melting of the snow released the snow drops from their icy +cover, thus allowing them to lift up their pure white heads as if in +rejoicing to be free, to be followed later on by the gay little +crocuses, clad in their gowns of many hues. Few of these baths are still +in existence. We come across them occasionally, however, in +old-fashioned gardens where they are treasured for sentiment's sake. + +Just as the rustic bird houses, constructed of weathered boards, and +with floor covering of powdered sawdust or ground cork, have become a +necessity in the twentieth-century garden, tempting the summer +sojourners to rest their weary wings; so we must strive to create a +homelike atmosphere so attractive to the little songsters that they will +delight in revelling among the many flowers that are planted here. A +barren waste of land has no pleasure for them, neither has a garden +shorn of their favorite plants. + +There is no need of being deterred from using a feature such as this. A +bird bath need not be expensive, just a simple box, zinc-lined and +painted to correspond with the surroundings. The birds are not fussy as +to the exterior of their outdoor bathroom; all they wish is comfort and +a cooling drink during the hot summer days, when the dew has faded from +the grass, and the sun hangs high in the heavens. It is then that all +nature is panting from excessive heat. + +A simple zinc pan, large and wide enough, filled with fresh water daily, +is as satisfactory to them, as a marble pool standing in the heart of +the garden and surrounded by a bed of brilliant flowers. Place this pan +in the heart of a grassy knoll, at the edge of the garden proper and +watch results. You will not have long to wait before softly tripping +through the grass or dropping from their leafy covert, one by one, they +show their gratitude by revelling in the bath thus placed for their use. + +The most common type, if you wish to buy a bird bath, is the cement one. +It can be modeled in any shape and to follow any line of treatment that +you prefer. The simple, plain, low-lying ones are suitable for placing +under the shadowy bush or tree. Hand carving would be as much out of +place on a bath such as this, as if one used an expensive silver bowl +for their benefit. To be sure a little ornamentation, simply worked out, +makes them more artistic. This can be accomplished through proper +planting. A delicate fern unfolding its fronds and drooping until it +almost touches the water is appropriate, as is a low-lying pine that +adds a bit of shade which is truly appreciated by your little visitors +who perch on the curb, after shaking off the dust from their wings in +the water below, and pour out their gratitude in a melody of song. + +For ornament why not use a cement bath that is shaped like a large vase. +It makes an interesting feature in your twentieth-century garden, and +gives a chance to depict a favorite flower from which the garden takes +its name. + +Rising stately and dignified from their floral bed, showing wonderful +and delicate carving, are marble baths exquisitely shaped and resting on +a shaft of the same material. These are fitting for an Italian or a +formal garden. They seem to blend in with an elaborate architectural +scheme such as we find in the planning for the decoration of a large +area. + +There is no particular place where they seemingly do not fit in. They +are effective used as a central figure and surrounded with a circle of +well-chosen blossoming plants and they harmonize in the landscape scheme +even if used apart from the main gardens or designed to occupy a niche +in the wall. Here they are just as enjoyable as if they stood +prominently forth, the main axis around which the rest of the garden +revolves. + +[Illustration: A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH] + +They can be made much more picturesque if one trains over their side a +delicate vine whose tendrils cling to the foundation and bring out the +color effectively. Plant for the birds' enjoyment and combine with this +feature decorative beds, using not the strong colors, but the delicate, +dainty, pink, blue, white and lavender, of the many varieties that are +suitable for this purpose. + +Do not let the base of your expensive bird bath rest on the earth, +rather place under it a pedestal of marble, granite, or cement. It need +not be conspicuous, a growth of turf, the planting of an ivy or some +other vine, will add much to its attractiveness, making an artistic +foundation for it. + +Whoever lays out his garden plot with a thought of thorough enjoyment, +he who looks forward to sitting under the vine, will take special +thought of the birds. He will endeavor even if he is an amateur not to +make an ugly muddle in his planting, but aim for picturesque garden +vistas, and have his flowers properly balanced so they will show +harmonious massing of colors. One should be as careful not to give +sun-loving plants a shady place, as to put the shy little flowers in the +glaring sunlight. + +It is a necessity if you are a bird lover, or if you wish to rid your +plants of insects and your grounds of worms, to attract the birds. This +can be accomplished by giving them not only proper planting but the +right place where they may enjoy their daily bath. If you wish the best +results, seek shade rather than sunshine. Our little friends prefer +shelter to warmth, so cater to their taste in the placing of their +drinking pool. + +It is rather important that you seek a spot, just near enough to the +grounds to be companionable, there to place a mulberry tree. There is no +fruit that is more to their mind than this and it will be a source of +delight to watch the shyest birds reward you by flaunting their colors +before you as they flit in and out, feeding off the berries so +temptingly displayed for their exclusive use. + +It is a mistake to look upon the robin as common and a pest. This fact +has been firmly fixed in our minds through his thieving qualities. When +you consider that he has been known to devour as many as seventy worms a +day, and multiply that by the voracity of his mate and his children, you +will then commence to realize what a benefit he is to your garden. Try +and cajole him into being a friend, and entice him to nest in the heart +of your flower patch. Listen to his song; there is a mellow quality to +his voice and he can put more expression into his music than any other +bird. There is a flash of color and a burst of sweet melody, +listen--there is a scarlet tanager, singing love songs to his mate. He +is a veritable bird of Paradise and once sported fearlessly among our +trees, but has now grown shy through being used as a target for the +sportsman's gun. Cultivate him by all means. Toll him into your garden. + +Darting in and out of the garden one finds the humming bird, so tiny +that he measures only from three and a half to three and three-quarters +inches, the smallest bird in our country. There is a glint of color as +he dashes fearlessly from flower to flower, his brilliant metallic +throat and breast sparkling in the sunlight like a precious gem. The +trumpet flowers with their deep cup-shape blossoms are his special +delight, although he never scorns the sweet-scented flowers that he +finds on every side. For a moment he poises in the air motionless, +sighting his flower, then winging his flight, he drains the nectar, +uttering a shrill little squeak of delight, as he spies some especially +fat aphides on the garden foliage. These he shoots off like a streak of +lightning rapidly searching for more food. + +How to attract the birds is a question that all bird lovers are seeking +to answer. It is such a simple matter that you do not have to look far +afield to obtain what you wish. There are many fruit-growing shrubs each +one of which is suitable for his majesty's needs. These should be +planted somewhere in the garden. If you prefer them surrounding the bird +bath, you will have more chance for bird study, but they will come +without that if you give them a chance and plenty of edible berries all +the year round. The red berried elder is one of their favorites, as is +the Canadensis or common elder, which flowers in June, and shows reddish +purple berries during the autumn; then there is the Arbutifolia or red +chokeberry. This is a native dwarf shrub, which is particularly tempting +to the feathered tribe. When planning for this feature, one should +remember that these bird-attracting shrubs should not be planted with +only one idea in view. They should be made to form a part of the +decorative plan, and the situation chosen should be among flowers that +would bring out its artistic value, far more than if they were grouped +in a mass. One is apt, in their enthusiasm in arranging their garden for +the birds' benefit, to forget that attractive color schemes must be +worked out, otherwise it will be a heterogeneous mass that will be an +eye-sore rather than a pleasure. + +[Illustration: AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF +PATHS THROUGH WOODS] + +There is very little choice as to what kind of flowers to mix with the +shrubs. Take it all in all, the perennials stand first. The reason for +this is that they are more suitable for this purpose than annuals, which +have to be re-planted every year. Like the shrubs the perennials die +down in the fall and re-appear when the breath of spring sweeps over the +land, in greater profusion and showing added vigor through having +conserved their strength by resting during the winter months. + +You are very foolish if you have taken no thought for the future life of +your shrub or perennial. Once planted they do not take care of +themselves and if neglected it only means the survival of the fittest. +Different species require different treatment, and a great many kinds +need to be subdivided every two or three years. The scarlet and crimson +Phlox, Spirea, and many other varieties should never be left longer +than two years, they should then be carefully gone over and an +experienced hand should determine how much should be left and what +removed. If you have planting of Iris, Shaster daisies, and Veronicas, +they can readily wait until the third year. + +The ground is of just as much importance as the planting. Just because +you wish to grow flowers and shrubs, you must remember that they must +have food to live on, that this food must be properly prepared and +contain plenty of nourishment, otherwise you will have spent money and +time for naught. First of all comes fertilizing. Doubtless, in some part +of the ground you can find a corner that will be the proper place for +the compost heap. In its selection, it is better that it should be +concealed by shrubs or trellis, vine covered. It would be a blot in the +landscape if you treated it otherwise. + +Every time you rake over the lawn or weed the garden, throw into a large +basket the refuse and let it form part of the compost heap. The +foundation for this should be plenty of manure and this, to be at its +best, must be well rotted and mixed in with other material to lighten +and bring about better results. You will be surprised, that is if you +have never tried it, to see how quickly it grows. Almost before you know +it you have enough to use in the garden next year. No matter how rich it +is, a liberal amount of coarse bone meal added will pay in the end. + +Your fertilizer ready, as early as possible in the spring dig your +ground to the depth of eighteen or more inches. It is better if the +earth is pulverized; some people go so far as to sift it. Next put in +your fertilizer, mixing it with the earth previously removed. Give it +time to settle before planting and you will never be dissatisfied with +results. + +Opinions vary as to proper time for planting perennials. Many people +feel that the spring is the safest. It is foolish to follow this plan +unless it can be accomplished as soon as the frost is well out of the +ground. Many of them are likely to die. Therefore, if you pot them in +the fall, and winter them under glass, the result will be much more +satisfactory. It is simply the working out of the garden lover's idea as +to what is correct and what incorrect as to the time of planting. + +Many kinds are better massed. This applies to the Sweet William, the +Hollyhock, Delphinium, and other varieties, that seemingly belong to +the same family. The hardy Asters, which are late flowering, are +invaluable for massing. They burst into blossom at a period when the +early frosts have lolled the more tender plants, making their bright +hues a dominant feature in the garden. It is better to shade colors than +to plant one variety. For September and October blossoming why not use +the Abendrote or Evening Glow? It has a bright rosy red flower and is a +very free bloomer. Mix with that the Glory of Colwall, which is ageratum +blue, showing double flowers, grown on stout, erect stems. The pink of +the blossom contrasts admirably with the rosy red. The White Queen will +mix with these two colors very effectively. This is a pure, splendid +white and comes into blossom at the same season of the year. + +A very interesting way of treating the defining line of the garden +proper is by a low hedge. Many of these are berry bearing, thus working +into the bird scheme. The Hawthorn Oxyacantha is well suited for this +purpose. It is used in England for hedges and during the time of its +blossoming shows a pure white, sweet-scented flower followed by a +scarlet fruit. The Berberis is excellent for hedging. It blooms in the +summer and is succeeded by a bright colored fruit that lasts into the +winter. + +Once interested in this feature of garden culture, by careful study one +will realize what an inexhaustible theme it becomes. Color shades in +berries often help out landscape effects in winter, therefore it is best +not to plant promiscuously. + + + + +GARDEN SEATS + + +[Illustration: A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT] + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +GARDEN SEATS + + +The ever-changing tide of fashion brings in its wake a constant +development of new and original ideas in the furnishing of our garden +plots. Flowers have been with us ever since the first settlement of our +country and so has a love for life in the open. This is an inheritance +that has deepened with the passing years. So rapidly has this developed +that to-day it demands our gardens as living rooms. It is this aspect of +garden life that develops new and unusual features in equipment. + +While we may flatter ourselves that we as garden lovers have originated +this idea, yet it is of ancient origin. History relates that in the +gardens of the early Romans and Greeks, garden seats were found. With +the changing of styles in floral-culture the ornate came into existence, +much used during the Italian Renaissance. Reproductions of their ideas +are found in replica in many of the formal gardens of the twentieth +century. + +Logs, carelessly thrown on the ground, may have been the first seats +used by our garden ancestors. Later on with the development of the +one-path posy bed, seats were hollowed out of old trees. They formed a +picturesque bit, clothed during the summer months in their garments of +green, for trailing vines were encouraged to run rampant over their +sides. These with the green arbor or pergola and the vine-clad summer +house were the three styles of seats favored by the Colonial dames. + +Styles and usage of furniture in this special way are as clearly defined +as in interior decoration. The modern garden equipped with English, +American or Italian furniture, gives a pleasing variety. The principal +materials necessary for manufacture are stone, marble, terra cotta or +wood. Of these, the latter suggests less expense, while the former can +be purchased at any sum you wish. + +Stone or marble are absolutely necessary in formal or Italian gardens, +as they provide a proper medium for expression that nothing else would +satisfy. Look at the gleam of the white marble shown up by its +background of green trees and see what a charm it has in the furnishing +of your garden plot. Take it all in all, it is the only right setting +for an elaborate garden, partly on account of its being a descendant of +the Italian Renaissance period which makes it desirable in designs that +follow out the character of that period. Rarely, if ever, do we find +this simple in form, but rather elaborately carved with representations +of animals or figures. As an ornamental feature, it cannot be excelled, +but as a garden seat it is not practical, being cold and hard to sit +upon. Properly speaking, it should be placed at the head of a walk or +topping the garden steps. This is on account of its decorative character +and the necessity of making it fit into the floral scheme. The price is +prohibitive except to the rich, although it varies with the elaboration +of the carving. + +Terra cotta, while not as often used, has its advantages. It can be +moulded readily into any form desired. While it is not always suitable, +yet its warmth of color, which is either buff or red, makes it admirable +when one desires to bring out certain effects in the planting of beds. +It is, perhaps, the least used of any of the materials. A seat four feet +in length can be purchased for from forty dollars upwards. + +Concrete seats are the kind that are most commonly used for formal and +informal gardens. We should remember, however, that we must not mix +formal and informal furniture promiscuously, otherwise the result will +be disastrous. One should bear in mind in treating this subject that +formal pieces resemble well-bred people. They fit suitably into any +place in their surroundings. It is far different, however, with informal +pieces which are entirely wrong and out of place in formal settings. +This fact applies to concrete which is suitable for almost any occasion +for it possesses almost endless possibilities as far as form is +concerned. Rightly mixed, it can be moulded into almost any shape that +you desire, which accounts for the fact that in its designs many of the +elaborate garden seats are copied. This makes it popular and constantly +in demand, on account of its less cost. To all intents and purposes, it +is quite as durable as stone or marble. It has still another advantage, +in that its neutral gray tint harmonizes picturesquely with almost any +setting of shrubbery or flowers. + +The least expensive of any of the materials that is used for this +purpose is wood. It has this advantage, that it can be formed in such a +great variety of shapes that there is always found some piece that is +suitable for every taste and occasion. If you contrast it with marble or +stone, you will realize that it has the advantage of being lighter in +weight, and capable of being carried around from place to place with +little or no trouble. Take it all in all, the best place for it to be at +home in is the informal garden. + +The kind of garden that most of us live in and enjoy intimately is the +plot where wooden settles and chairs are used. Care should be taken, +however, in the selection of material in order that it may have lasting +qualities. One reason for its use is that unlike marble and stone it is +not cold to sit upon, and is really comfortable. The best kind of wood, +if you can afford it, is teakwood, which lasts for centuries. It is the +most expensive, particularly the antique pieces. Those of to-day are +shoddily put together and cannot resist weathering as do the century-old +ones. + +Many people prefer pine on account of less cost. This is all right, +provided great care is taken to keep it well covered with paint of the +glossy kind. The advantage of this over the other is that it can be +readily wiped clean before using. Anyone who is a garden lover will +appreciate this fact, for no matter how carefully placed, the seats will +accumulate a reasonable amount of leaves and dirt. + +Plain settles and benches which belong to the informal type can be +placed anywhere, according to inclination. These need not, of necessity, +be made of plain wooden strips, but can be varied by making them rustic +in design. Use for this purpose limbs of the same size without removing +the bark. They require so little work in putting them together that a +village carpenter can accomplish this task, or if you are a genius you +can do it yourself. An objection which many people offer is that they +need repairing often, or replacing. Considering the cost, this is not a +serious objection. + +For a simple Colonial cottage, such pieces as these would be appropriate +for use in your garden and you can add a tea table and a few chairs +suggestive of afternoon tea, the position being determined by views, for +the placing is of as much importance as the piece itself. If possible, +have low-growing trees droop over it to give the required shade. + +[Illustration: A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT] + +For the elegant mansion, the home of the wealthy, more elaborate pieces +are a necessity. One thing should not be forgotten in their choice and +that is they should be heavy enough to stay on the ground and resist the +strong northeast winds that during a heavy rain sweep over your +flower-plot. + +Flagstone sometimes gives a variety as well as limestone, but there are +several other materials that give a pleasing color and texture, such as +the pink granite and the red, black and green slates. Of these, the red +is most effective when streaked with another color. Do not choose the +Quincy granite; the texture is cold in appearance and the weather never +softens the color. + +A fault that must not be overlooked is to build your seats too high, +thirteen inches being the proper height. The back should always be taken +into consideration and made tall enough to support the head so that you +will be comfortable when you come to view your garden plot. + +It is not always possible to have this piece of furniture placed under +the shade of a tree or shrubbery. This necessitates the planning of a +summer house, arbor or pergola. Over these, vines can be trained, so +that in reality it is much more picturesque than if you had used simply +the green shade. + +Chairs can be used for this same purpose, in fact, they are very good as +they provide a variation of the general theme. They are particularly +advisable if it is a backyard garden where a settle might prove too +overpowering. Like the garden seat, they can be made of wood. Cedar and +locust are preferable if you wish pretty rustic effects. Cypress also is +lasting, and if you prefer to give it a coat of paint, it will do +service for many years. + +For rustic chairs or seats, there is another idea for shelter that is +practical. It is to roof it over and shingle the board. It has +advantages over anything else in that it affords protection from the +summer sun and acts as a windbreak on cold days, besides doing away with +the dropping of insects from the leafy tangle of an arbor. No matter how +charming a garden may be in its floral arrangement, it requires +additions and accessories to display to the best advantage its worth. +Just as a house is cozy or barren according to the style of furniture +employed, so a garden is beautiful in proportion to the type of +ornaments used. + +Probably the coming into style of the formal Italian type of garden has +done much to develop this feature. Until late years, scant heed was +paid to fitness, and in consequence much of the old-time charm found in +the Colonial garden was lost. + +When planning for your garden seat or chair, take into consideration the +planting. In your choice of colors you should vary the scheme to fit in +with the particular seat. A white requires different surroundings from a +gray or a rustic type. Wrong coloring brings about inharmonious effects +and they should be carefully considered in the making a perfect whole. +Another thing should be thought out and that is as to whether there is a +shade provided by the over-hanging limbs of a tree or by the trailing of +vines. + +Vines are always interesting. You can use them in a mass, showing one +general effect, or you can combine them. Nothing is so pretty in the +early spring as the Wisterias, on account of their being not only hardy, +but tall growers. Many people claim the best varieties are those grafted +on to specially selected stock, thus making them sure bloomers. The soil +should also be taken into consideration, for while they thrive in light, +sandy conditions, yet deep, rich earth promotes stronger growth. The +Magnifica is, perhaps, as vigorous as any. It is such a rapid grower +that it shoots up from thirty to forty feet in a season. It blossoms +rather later than some varieties which show soft, lavender blue blooms. +Why not mix this with the Chinese white, whose pure white flowers show +long, drooping clusters. + +If you are looking for foliage in the early fall, the Vitis Henryana can +be used. Its leaves are decorative in effect, being a velvety green with +veins of silvery white. It is of Chinese origin and in the fall the +foliage turns to a beautiful red. For July and August blossoming, there +is the Bignonia Grandiflora or Mammoth-flowered Trumpet creeper. This is +a splendid climbing vine, perfectly hardy, giving a growth of from eight +to ten feet in a season. Its flowers, which are shown during July and +August, are orange red and trumpet-shaped, following as they do after +the Wisteria has faded, they bring about an entirely different color +scheme. This makes it practical for one to plant a succession of bloom, +making each set of flowers correspond with the coloring of the vines. + +A very pleasing contrast can be brought out by combining the +magnolia-scented White Moon Flower, with a beautiful Blue Dawn. The +former is a summer climber, growing from fifteen to twenty feet in +height. It makes a beautiful shade for trellises and bears in the season +a profusion of large trumpet-shape snow-white flowers that are richly +scented and very beautiful. There is also a heavenly blue that combines +artistically with the white. One feature of this vine is its thick, +overlapping, glossy foliage, and its nightly scores of immense silky +blooms which are of rare fragrance. By actual count a strong vine will +bear from one to three thousand blossoms in a season. There has within +the last few years been discovered a new variety that opens early in the +morning and remains so nearly all day. + +The beautiful blue of the Paradise Flower is used when one wishes for +this color in decorations. The clusters are large, showing from twenty +to thirty at a time and it blossoms continually from the time it becomes +established until frost. + +For a rustic seat, why not try the wild grape or Crimson Glory vine? It +is so strong and hardy, notable for its heavy foliage which makes a +splendid shade and in the fall is a mass of rich crimson. We have grown +to think of morning glories as a pretty, small flower that grew in our +grandmother's garden. Many of us have not realized that they have been +developed until now they show gigantic bloom as large as the moon +flowers. They have wonderful coloring, marking and variations of +indescribable beauty. As a flowering vine they cannot be surpassed, the +flowers being borne by the hundreds and of enormous size, measuring +often five and six inches across. Many show a rich combination of +shading blended together in an enchanting way, being spotted, penciled, +mottled, and variegated in every conceivable manner. + +[Illustration: STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK] + +If your garden seat is low, let your planting follow the same line, but +if it is high and conspicuous, it can be accentuated by tall plants. +Hollyhocks, with their stately stalks, are charming for this particular +use. There is the hardy perennial with the foliage dwarf and compact. +This is found in the Heuchera, which is easily grown from seed and +reaches a height of eighteen inches. Of this variety, the Sanguinea is +admirable, being the finest of all the red varieties, the flowers taking +on the shade of coral red. If you wish, instead of a solid color, to +make a combination, why not use the Sanguinea, Sutton's Hybrid, which is +found in pretty shades of pink, as well as creamy white, rose and +crimson. These blossom in July and August, their stately, well-filled +cups, giving a distinction to the seat that could not well be missed. + +Fleur-de-lis, sometimes spoken of as the Fairy Queen's home, is always +satisfactory and never fails to bloom. No flower can surpass this in +delicacy of texture and coloring, and it rivals even the orchids of the +tropics in its beauty. They thrive in almost every soil, being one of +the easiest plants to cultivate, although a fairly rich earth will +materially increase the number and size of the bloom. In planting them, +nearly cover the rhizomes. The earliest flowering ones are the Germans, +which come into bloom the latter part of May or early in June. These are +followed by the Japan variety which follow closely on the former and +stay in blossom for a month. Of the German, the Lohengrin is the most +vigorous, deep violet mauve in coloring, and the flowers are nearly five +inches deep, showing petals two inches across. In direct contrast is the +Princess Victoria Louise, light sulphur yellow or rich violet red, edged +with crimson, both of which varieties are very handsome. + +The double Iris is particularly beautiful for some situations. There is +the Antelope with white ground flaked with purple; the Diana, reddish +purple flaked with white; the Mount Fell, grayish white, veined with +blue and showing yellow center; and the Victor, white veined, violet +blue with purple center. Each one of these is well worthy of +cultivation. + +Nothing is so beautiful as roses, be they climbing or dwarf. For the +former, why not use the Climbing Jules Graveraux, which is one of the +most valuable, ever-blooming climbers ever introduced. The value of this +is that the blooms are immense in size, being as large or larger than +any other rose. It even exceeds the J. B. Clark. These roses are +perfectly double, white, tinged with blush pink, with a yellow base. In +freedom of bloom, it is superior to either Mrs. Peary or Climbing +Meteor. Then there is the Empress of China or Appleblossom rose, a +strong rampant grower, and a very free bloomer. The buds are pointed, +being soft red, turning to lighter. It blooms from May to December in +the open ground. + +Tea Roses, distinguished by the delicate tea fragrance, are absolutely +ever-blooming. They are carried through the winter even in the northern +states with careful protection. The most satisfactory method is the +banking up with soil. Of these, the yellow Souvenir de Pierre Notting +is the most beautiful. It has been introduced by one of the foremost +firms of France and is not exceeded by any rose sent out from that +country. The blossoms are large, well filled, and open easily. The buds +are beautiful and elongated. When fully bloomed, they show an apricot +yellow, tinged with golden and mixed with orange yellow. One charm of +these flowers is that the edge of the petal shades to a beautiful +carmine rose. The open flower is full and double, it being an extremely +free blossomer. + +One of the latest introductions is the Lady Hillingdon, the color being +beyond description. Apricot yellow, shaded to orange on the outer edge +of the petal, and becoming deeper and more intense as it reaches the +center of the bloom. The buds are produced on long, strong, wiry stems, +which are placed well above the foliage, thus giving it a slender and +graceful effect. It is valuable in both the amateur and professional +growers' gardens. It would be impossible to enumerate the different +kinds that are used for this purpose. + + + + +GARDEN POOLS + + +[Illustration: A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +GARDEN POOLS + + +With the revival of old-time garden features that has been brought about +through interest in floriculture, fascinating specialties have been +evolved. This is particularly true of the garden pool which lends itself +to almost every kind of setting. It is no new idea, this introduction of +pools into even small gardens. + +The ancient Egyptians had great reverence for pools and we read of their +interest in bringing into life the sacred Lotus, giving it a prominent +place in their gardens. This may be better known to moderns as "the rose +lily." In the early days it was used for religious purposes and was a +prominent feature in their festivals. It was also used ornamentally for +feasts where the walls were decorated with the beautiful blossoms that +were repeated in the centerpiece for the elaborately-spread table. Not +content with this use for decorative purposes, it was made in forms of +garlands that were thrown over the shoulders of the assembled guests +while wreaths of the same flower crowned their brows, great care being +taken that a bud or cluster of blossoms was placed in the center of the +forehead. + +Ever since that period, we read of the constant introduction of water +into gardens of every clime. While pools were not commonly used during +the Colonial period, they have to-day, with the coming in of the formal +and Italian gardens, grown to be one of the most interesting features. +The form and the immediate surroundings have been carefully thought out +and depend upon the type and the shape of the whole plan. + +When the mercury registers at ninety and the whirling dust rises in +clouds, parching one's throat as it settles like a dingy pall on +sun-burned grass and drooping foliage, it is a pleasure to come suddenly +upon a pond where over-hanging plants cast lengthened shadows far over +the surface. They shelter the waxen lily cups that gleam like pearls +against a background of dark green pods--a perpetual joy and delight to +the eye. + +There is no doubt but water, be it large or small in area, holds a +charm for us all. How much more if it is inhabited and made beautiful +through the use of aquatic plants and fish. These scattered apparently +carelessly over the surface of the water add much to its +picturesqueness. This is particularly true during the season of bloom +when we find varied colored cups, resting on saucers of green, lifting +their heads above the surface as if in delight with their surroundings. + +Surely when you view a pond such as this you will find a double delight +in watching a flutter of wings, a hopping about on the plants and glad +dipping of little bills and uplifting of heads. These are the birds that +form a part of garden life and who are attracted here by the flowers and +the chance of a bath. Splashing and sparkling in the sunlight, they dive +into the water below, drying themselves on the large pads that float +artistically on the surface. Over yonder is a large gray cat bird +calling to its mate. We can but note the fine proportion, the poise of +the black head and the beauty of the satin gray coat which is pruned by +the hour. There is the Indigo Bird, a delightful symphony of blue and +cinnamon red. He sits swinging on a lily while his musical note comes +to our listening ears. The Ruby Throated Humming Bird swings +noiselessly over the pond, dipping his long beak here and there to +gather honey from the wide-open flowers. + +It depends upon the size of the pool, the shape and the finish as to the +planting. It is a great mistake to have it so thickly over-spread with +leaves that no water is visible. A good rule to be observed is +two-thirds water and one-third lilies. This gives a chance to watch the +gold fish darting in and out for food. For a small beginning of a water +garden, why not try a pocket in the rock? It is a very easy matter to +arrange for lilies in a case like this. All you have to do is to cement +the hollow, put in your loam and plant one or two roots. It is these +diminutive water gardens that attract the birds more than the large +pools, and they form a charming vista in the garden scheme. Little +pockets of earth can be made to surround them, and here we can plant +rock-loving plants that will give a touch of picturesqueness to this +cunning little scheme. + +The shape of the garden determines that of the pool. A square garden +demands square treatment in the lay-out of your design. A round garden, +to be correct, should have a circular formation for the planting of +your lilies. Then, too, the treatment of the planting should be +determined by the formality or informality of the plan. Great care +should be taken that they are not aimlessly placed but form a part of +the design. Any attempt to digress from this rule is fatal for correct +composition. + +Great attention should be paid to the margin. It should not be stiff and +formal; it should rather be broken here and there, so that there will be +open spaces showing between. Copy nature in this treatment and you will +not go far astray. + +In order to make this pool successful, one thing should never be +forgotten and that is that you are dealing with sun-loving plants to +whom shadow is objectionable. There is another reason why the sunshine +should fall unobstructed on the pond and that is that it shows +reflections that are effective, and bring cheer to your garden plot. + +Many people consider that stagnant pools should not exist, as they are +mosquito breeders. They do not realize that the stocking of pools with +both fish and plants, carefully carried out so that they are properly +balanced, results in the water never being putrid but remaining fresh +and sweet, making a delightful water garden that is healthful and not +malaria breeding. + +There are two essentials if you wish your idea to be successful; first, +that the bottom be water-tight and second, that it be proof against +frost. While these two things are easy to accomplish, yet many people +fail in them. Cement is the only proper material to be used for +foundation. Some people have an idea that puddled clay is cheaper. It +may be if properly handled, but great care has to be taken that it is +thoroughly puddled or it melts away and your work has been for naught. + +Cement is the most reliable material if correctly applied. Before +putting it on, the pool should be dug out to the proper depth and size. +It should then be well packed for several inches with broken stone. Over +this should be put Portland cement, using one part of the former to +three of sand. Some people cement it for six inches while others prefer +to use two coats, each three inches thick. It should never be so high +that it will come above the frost line which is two and a half feet in +depth. + +Water lilies, as well as all kinds of aquatics, will grow in any kind of +good garden soil; that is, if one-fifth well-rotted manure is added to +it. Possibly this is not to be obtained and if so, a quart of ground +bone allowed to each bushel of soil will bring about the right results. +It should be remembered that the plants should be set out so they will +get the greatest exposure to the sunlight. + +[Illustration: A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN] + +We have supposed that you have chosen a spot for your water garden that +obtains the greatest amount of sun, also that it is sufficiently +sheltered from the winds. It has been dug down from fifteen to +twenty-four inches and then carefully cemented. Now you are ready to +plant your pool, the soil being taken into consideration. If, by some +chance, you are not able to secure the kind recommended, it can be made +of three parts rotted sod and one part cow manure. Remember that it +should be thoroughly rotted if you do not wish ferment in the water. Too +many people take little care on this subject and then wonder at the +disappointing results. + +Possibly there is no place for your garden pool. In that case why not +use half barrels or tubs? They have the advantage of taking up very +little room, can easily be sunk in the ground and are really well worth +the trial. Nothing should be used that has a diameter of less than two +feet and the greater the surface space the better will be the result. +Tub culture requires two-thirds filling of soil and covering with sand +to have it the right depth. If more than one tub is used, why not make a +rockery between? It has the advantage of making another feature for your +garden, besides adding picturesqueness. + +There are two ways of planting as well as two kinds of tubers. They can +be put directly in the soil, or they can be planted in tubs or boxes +that can be sunk, but the latter recommends itself as more practical. +The reason for this is that they are easily removed in winter and the +water is kept much cleaner when the earth is free from tubers. It must +be remembered that each plant requires from eight to nine square feet of +surface room so that it would be bad taste to allow too many for an +individual pool. If you wish, you can make the boxes yourself, using +pieces of board for that purpose. + +Next come the gold fish. For a tub, only two are necessary, but for a +pond one hundred feet in diameter, twenty-five should be used. These +fish spawn in June and have been known to breed enough to stock a large +pond. There is an old theory,--doubted by many, that the old fish turn +cannibals and devour their progeny. These people advise the putting of +roots and stock into a tub, this is so the egg may be attached, removed, +and hatched separately. In cases like this the small fish are allowed to +grow considerably before being returned to the tub. + +There are two kinds of tubers, the tender and the hardy. The latter +require practically no care during the winter months, that is, always +provided the water is deep enough to allow no freezing of the crown of +the plant. They should be planted about the first of May and both +varieties can be given the same treatment, with the exception that the +hardy variety do best when planted in soil two feet deep and covered +with six inches of water. + +All pools should have planting in addition to the tubers of submerged +plants. This is to aerate the water and keep it pure and sweet. The best +kinds to be used for this purpose are Anacharis Canadensis Gigantea, and +Canbomba Viridifolia, ten of them being enough for a large pool. The +former is a giant water weed with dark green ovate leaves and light +stems. It is a quick grower and considered by authorities to be one of +the best oxygenators in existence. The latter, sometimes known as +Washington grass, is also popular. It has brilliant glossy green leaves, +fan-shaped and more beautiful than a delicate fern. In addition to this +why not use the Ludwigia Munlerti, which is one of the prettiest +submerged plants. It shows small ovate leaves that are green on the +upper side and pink on the under. This makes it distinct from any other +aquarium plant. + +A great help in the way of nourishment for these water lilies is the +application when first planted or in the early spring of dried blood +manure. The proper way of using this is to broad cast it on the surface +of the water, using one pound to every ten square feet of surface. + +Too many people make the mistake of keeping the water too cold. This +necessitates the filling of the pool and the leaving it to grow warm +through exposure to the sun for several days before planting. When +additional water has to be added, it should be some that has stood in +the sun for several days, as cold water injures the growth. The +condition for growth is the same for both the tender and the hardy +Nymphæas with the exception that the former should not be planted until +after warm weather sets in. It is well, however, to grow them in pots so +that they will be of fair size by June first when the weather has become +suitable for their outdoor existence. + +If the pond is to be large, why not use groups, but if small, single +ones will do. For their planting, the hardy variety can be sown in +either fall or spring, as one fancies. They should have a small hole cut +through the shell of each seed with a sharp knife that they may do +better. For the tender kind, do not put them out until they are well +started. They should be sown in pots or pans, covering the seeds with +one-fourth of an inch of sand, giving them a thorough watering and +allowing them to drain for an hour. Then submerge them under two inches +of soil at a temperature of seventy degrees. These can be removed into +separate pots when they have shown two leaves. This kind is very +desirable for cutting, the best for this purpose being the +night-blooming varieties. + +The Pygmæa hybrid type and the Laydekri, as well, are desirable for +hardy variety. The former is the smallest water lily in cultivation, a +free bloomer showing white flowers, one and a half inches in diameter, +while the Pygmæa Helvola, yellow in coloring, is very dainty. A +combination of these two colors is always interesting, while if you wish +the latter kind, why not try the Laydekria Rosea, which is a French +hybrid and one of the earliest in introduction. Only a few specimen +plants are found cultivated at the present time. The flowers are of +delicate pink with a deep golden center that deepens into a dark shade +of rose, presenting a novel feature in that it seemingly is one plant +showing different colors. Another variety of this same order is the +Laydekri Lilacea, three to five inches across, shading from rosy lilac +to bright carmine and sending forth a fragrance like a tea rose. The +Sultan is also very valuable on account of its free flowering, the +plants showing never less than six flowers open daily. These are of good +size Solferina red with white shading and yellow stamens. This is very +rare and therefore brings a high price. + +[Illustration: THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS +ARE BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS] + +Of the day-blooming varieties, we find the Capensis with flowers of rich +sky blue. This planted in contrast with the Ovalifolia, a new variety +from East Africa, produces flowers eight to ten inches across of deep +creamy white, faintly tinged with blue that deepen until the tips are +a light corn flower blue with sulphur yellow stamens. The charm of this +flower is its petals which are long and narrow, giving it a pretty star +shape. + +For the night blooming Nymphæas, why not use the Dedoniensis, which +throws out large, pure red flowers often showing from twelve to eighteen +blooms at a single time, also the Dentata whose white flowers measure +from eight to twelve inches in diameter and open out horizontally. + +Do not forget in your collection to include the Royal Water Lily. Of +these, the Victoria Regia is a well-known species. While the plants are +expensive, the seeds can be bought for a much more reasonable price and +are more interesting as one can watch them from their start until +blossoming. The Victoria Trickeri is also desirable. In good condition +its leaves are from four and a half to five and a half feet across, a +single plant having from twelve to fifteen leaves and producing three or +four flowers in a single week. These flowers are picturesque, being +white at the time of opening and changing to deep rose pink, admitting a +strong fragrance not unlike that of a ripe pineapple. + +In addition to water lilies one should plant different aquatics, to +make a variety. There is the Sagittaria Montevidensis, which attains +gigantic proportions, growing four or five feet high with leaves fifteen +inches long, the flower towering above, the foliage white with dark +blotches at the base of each petal. Then there is the Butterfly Lily, a +tender sub-aquatic plant that forms a dense clump three to six feet high +bearing masses of pure white fragrant flowers that look like large white +butterflies borne in large terminal clusters. + +The Water Poppy must not be forgotten. It is a very pretty aquatic plant +with floating leaves and large yellow poppy-like flowers, and a +continual bloomer. + +The border of the lily pond is of almost as much importance as the +flowers themselves. Iris makes a good setting. Of these, the Iris +Hexagona, or Blue Flag, is interesting from the fact that it is a hardy +Southern kind, showing rich purple and blue with yellow markings three +to four inches across and resembling the costliest and rarest orchid +flowers. The Dalmatica is one of the finest of the German type. It grows +four feet high with exceptionally large flowers of fine lavender, the +falls shaded blue. The Japanese Iris is the grandest of all the hardy +ones and the best are the double varieties with six petals. Kokinoiro, a +rich royal purple with white veining is very satisfactory in growth. +Combine it with the Sano-Watashi, which is white with canary yellow +center, and the Tokyo, a magnificent large, white flower, and you will +find one of the best combinations possible. + +Ornamental grasses are very effective for this use. Of these, there are +so many varieties it would be impossible to name them all. One of the +most ornamental kinds is the Zebra grass, which has long, narrow green +leaves, striped white and feathery plumed. Mix it with the Pampas grass +and you will note the artistic result. This grows very rapidly from seed +planted in the spring and is useful for decorative purposes. The Feather +grass, growing two feet in height, fits into this scheme as does the +Tricholæna Rosea, which is rose tinted, making a color scheme when +massed with the other ornamental grasses that is most fascinating. + +The form and surroundings of the pool, carefully thought out, make it a +most desirable feature for both small and large gardens, and everyone, +no matter how limited their means, can indulge in one if they wish. + + + + +THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN + + +[Illustration: GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL] + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN + + +The life story of the sundial reads like a fascinating page from some +old romance of an early century. The first record of its use was in the +eighth century before Christ, when it was employed by the Babylonians +for the purpose of marking time. Later on, it came into use in England, +attached to public buildings. One of the most interesting was shown late +in the sixteenth century on the Belton House, Lincolnshire, England. It +was a representation of old Father Time and Cupid cutting stone. + +A passing fad at one time was diminutive sundials, so small that they +folded and could be used much as watches are to-day. They soon became +very popular and attracted the attention of royalty, when Charles I was +seated on the throne. His collection was the largest in existence and +represented all sorts of odd shapes and forms. The Stuarts were all +interested in sundials, and Charles II had a large one designed and +placed in the garden at Holyrood. + +While the first invented were crude, yet, as time went on, they became +more popular, and different materials were used, such as wood, bronze +and metal. The hour spaces were computed to comply with the locality in +which they were placed. This required a great deal of thought and it was +necessary to employ an expert workman. + +Flowers and hedge plants were occasionally used to represent this idea. +One of these stood between the "Shakespeare garden" and the "garden of +friendship" at Lady Warwick's summer home. The gnomon being of yew while +the dial was worked out by the use of box, the lettering was outside and +spelled the following motto--"Les Heures Heureuses ne se comptent pas." +This, as far as we know, was the first attempt at the use of +floriculture in time pieces. + +Sundials might be divided into two kinds, the perpendicular and the +horizontal. Each one of these has its own special place, the former +being used on buildings while the latter was for garden purposes solely. +In New York, one of the old perpendicular dials may still be seen on the +Dutch Reformed Church. + +The horizontal was extremely popular in both England and Scotland, so +much so that no garden of any pretention was considered complete without +one or more of these ornamental time-keepers. The high favor in which +the "simple altar-like structure," with its "silent heart language," was +held in England was well expressed by Charles Lamb, who said of the +sundial, "It stood as the Garden god of Christian gardens." + +It is the revival of this old-time custom that has given a delightful +touch of sentiment to the gardens of to-day, where sundials have become, +more especially of late years, a permanent fixture. Many of these have +interesting mottoes, some repeating the legends of other days, while +later designs bear on their face a modern inscription. + + "_Let others tell of storm and showers, + I'll only count your sunny hours._" + + "_Time goes you say--ah, no! + Time stays, we go._" + + "_I mark the time, dost thou?_" + + "_Tyme passeth and speaketh not, + Deth cometh and warneth not, + Amend to-day and slack not, + To-morrow thyself cannot._" + +By the time the American colonists had leisure to devote to the laying +out of beautiful gardens, the day of the sundial was drawing to a close. +The introduction of clocks had done away with the necessity of depending +upon such fair-weather time pieces, and furthermore, they were no longer +popular in other lands. So, despite its charm and value as an ornament, +it was not widely adopted in this country. Of late years, however, in +the general revival of old-time customs, this interesting feature for +gardens has come into favor. + +The making of one of these time pieces can be carried out by a village +carpenter, but the purchasing of an old one had better be done by an +expert as there are so many reproductions placed to-day on the market. +All that is essential in order to work out proper results is that the +dial should have a firm and absolutely level base to rest on, and that +the gnomon should point directly towards the North Star, so that time +may be accurately computed. A stone pedestal is correct, although +concrete is often used. + +The design depends largely upon the type of garden and the owner's +taste. The beautiful, carved pedestals imported from Italy are suitable +only for the formal garden, and for our simple, less pretentious ones, +wood or stone can be used, although cement has become very fashionable. +To soften the lines of a severely simple column, Ivy and other clinging +vines can be placed around the base. The location is a matter that +requires some thought, as the sundial's charm depends upon harmonious +setting. It should be exposed to the sun continuously and placed far +enough away from trees or buildings to preclude the possibility of its +being shaded. + +There is no set rule that can be laid down for its placing. One is +usually safe, however, in locating it at the intersection of two paths +near a vine-clad pergola or within sight of a summer house or garden +seat. Formal gardens use it frequently as a central feature. If, +however, a water garden takes this central place, the sundial should be +at the end of some alluring path surrounded by masses of bright bloom. +The chief fault that we find in contrasting the sundials of a century +ago with those of the twentieth century is that there is now too much +sameness. They seem to follow the same lines, more perhaps, than any +other form of garden furniture. + +This can be overcome by designing them yourself, working out new ideas +in the decoration and its motto. Here the gnomons offer a chance for +variation for instead of a plain, simple shaft, it can be changed into +an ornamental design that helps out in changing it from monotony to +originality. + +For the simple garden, why not make one yourself? It is not a hard +matter, that is if you have any ingenuity. The only thing we must +consider is to have it set perfectly even, to be sure the pedestal is +carefully laid so that it will not tip and spoil the marking of the +hours. There are so many materials that you can construct one from, +there is no need of sameness. The most inexpensive is the rustic +sundial. This is made from a small tree trunk. It should be about six to +eight inches in diameter, tapering at the top, and show branches +irregularly cut within three or four inches of the main trunk. There is +a reason for this; it adds picturesqueness to the effect and gives +pegs for the vines to climb over. Do not top it with a wooden dial. They +are never satisfactory, for they are apt to warp and thus ruin the +entire scheme. You need not go to great expense to procure a +satisfactory one, for there are many materials to draw from, iron, brass +and slate being the most desirable. The latter are not expensive as they +cost simply the price of the material and engraving. It takes a piece +that ranges from an inch to an inch and a half in thickness and should +not be more than a foot square. For this, one should not pay more than +seventy-five cents, although if it is cut round it will be a little more +expensive. If you prefer to use brass it costs more and needs a +machinist who is used to handling this material to put it together for +you and burnish the surface. You must remember that this applies to the +dial only, the pedestal being a separate proposition. + +[Illustration: THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF] + +For a little inexpensive time piece for your garden you can make one of +wood, coloring it any shade that you like but so that it will contrast +prettily with the flowers. The only thing that you must bear in mind is +that care should be taken in its setting. If it is out of plumb it will +not keep good time. Should you, by chance, be able to procure an old +mill stone, it serves two purposes, first it is a practical foundation +and second it lends an old-time setting that is appropriate. For a +simple, every-day foundation, stones can be laid about six inches deep +and filled in with mortar. Cement is also appropriate and oftentimes +bricks can be used to good advantage. + +For a pedestal, a rather good idea is to use second-hand bricks. These +can be cemented together with mortar, the red giving a touch of color to +the drapery of the sundial that is picturesque. Sometimes a boulder is +used for this purpose or a slab of stone. + +If you purchase a sundial, you should bear in mind that if it is a +genuine antique, it may not be suitable for our latitude. In cases like +that it is best to have it looked after by an expert and so placed that +it will be a correct timekeeper. + +We tire of the same idea continuously reproduced so why not work out a +design of your own? This is hard to do, however, unless cement is used, +when some floral design or ornamentation that is appropriate for the +garden can be introduced. For the dial the gnomon is made much more +interesting if it shows a unique formation rather than a straight +shaft, as in the sundial at Didsbury, England, where a harp is +introduced, and in another case where a dragon holds the uplifted shaft. + +The situation of this feature has much to do with its practicability. As +it is a sun-loving formation, its proper place is necessarily in the +open, but whether surrounded by lawn or flowers, is something that +everyone must decide for themselves. One reason against the flower +setting is that it serves to hide the dial's meaning until you approach +it closely. The eye is attracted to the bright blooming flowers rather +than to the dial itself. This is not so if it has only a sward setting. +It then becomes a prominent piece of garden furniture, its pure white +surface standing out vividly from its surrounding of soft green grass. + +Occasionally, all attempt at floriculture or gardening is abandoned. +This is when it stands in the heart of a garden at the intersection of +two paths. Then care should be taken that in immediate proximity there +should be pure white pebbles picked up on the beach. This may re-act on +the shaft, giving it an air of sameness, and in that case different +colored stones can be introduced. One can even go so far as to work out +mottos in this way, forming the letters out of highly colored pebbles. + +To give it a rural appearance, some people set it in the heart of a bed +of ferns. These can be chosen from a single variety such as the Boston +fern, which is one of the most popular on account of its graceful fronds +and the durability which causes it to keep green for a long time. + +Should, however, a lower growth be necessary, there is the Dreyii, which +is a dwarf variety of the same species. A much better effect, however, +is obtained by planting the dwarf fern as a border to the circle and +placing inside the Elegantissima, which belongs to the crested variety +and is especially adapted for massing. For a delicate, dainty setting, +there is nothing more beautiful than the Adiantum Ruhm von Mordrecht, +which is the most beautiful of all the maiden hair ferns and easily +cultivated. It is so graceful that it seems to add an almost poetic +touch to the foundation on which the sundial stands. + +Have you ever considered placing your sundial in the heart of a rose +garden? Unconsciously, the sweet perfume of the rose does much to +increase the sentiment of this particular feature of garden culture. It +depends in part on the pedestal as to whether low roses or delicate +climbing ones should be used. If it is a plain, simple shaft, it can be +delicately draped to within a few inches of the dial, but great care +should be taken to obtain delicate coloring that will bring out the +whiteness of the marble. + +One should be very careful not to have the roses grow so high that only +the dial is visible. This would spoil the idea which it represents--a +sundial in a garden. One of the most artistic ways is to plant low, +dwarf roses, near the pedestal just far enough away so there will be +several inches of space between. The roses themselves should be planted +in heavy clay loam, although light and sandy soil can be used for this +purpose. Many people make a mistake in having their rose beds too rich. +The fertilizer can be replaced, if exhausted, by fine-ground bone, which +can be used only once a year. + +The dwarf Polyanthas are a charming class of ever-blooming roses with +bushy habits. The flowers are double, delightfully fragrant and borne in +large clusters, being covered with a large mass of bloom. For a +combination planting, the Baby Dorothy is very effective; it is +carnation pink, with the habit and growth similar to that of the Baby +Rambler. The latter is very effective, rosy crimson in coloring, very +free flowering, and useful in massing effects. Add to that Catherine +Zeimet, which is a great acquisition, to the Baby Ramblers, and produces +an abundance of double white flowers. + +Directly around the base of the pedestal, you can plant your climbing +roses, taking great care to nip them back so that they will only show a +tracery of leaves and flowers and allow the white of the sundial to peer +through. For these, use the Lady Gay whose delicate cerise pink blossoms +fade to soft white, making a most pleasing combination of white flowers, +crimson buds and green foliage. In connection with that, why not plant +the Source d'Or, which is deep yellow, gradually paling. This bears +large clusters of double flowers, and shows fine foliage. For red, the +Wall Flower is the best, as it shows a distinct coloring and has +vigorous habits. Mix with that the Shower of Gold, a fine coppery gold +color with glossy foliage. + +For the outer edge of the rose bed, do not forget those used in our +grandmother's time. They have lasted long and on account of their +sterling qualities are still popular. They have a range of coloring +and are so absolutely hardy, easy to grow and fragrant that they are +advisable for this use. The Clothilde Soupert is a good color to choose. +It is a strong, vigorous grower, putting forth large, double flowers +like a ball of snow. The color blends from soft shell pink to pure +satiny white. Mix with these the Souvenir de Malmaison, which blooms +well in hot weather, its rich colored flowers being of large size, +doubled to the center and produced in abundance. + +[Illustration: AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE] + +For a Hybrid, there is nothing more effective than the Killarney, whose +color is a sparkling brilliant pink, the buds long and pointed, the +petals very large and of great substance, being just as handsome in the +bud form as in the full-blown flower. For a soft, pearly white, the +Kaiserin Augusta Victoria is advisable, tinting to a soft lemon, its +fragrance added to its beautifully formed flowers, make it a joy in your +garden. + +A rustic sundial requires far different treatment, and only vines that +bring forth white blossoms or pale colors should be used. If Clematis is +chosen, the Duchess of Edinburgh is suitable as it shows double white +flowers that are very fragrant. Mixed with this can be the Jackmania +Alba, which is white, shaded with blue. The Fair Rosamond, if one +wishes a combination, fits in with the color scheme, being tinted white +with red stripes. The advantage of these flowers is that the blossoms +open in masses that bring out the dark of the wood and lend themselves +to picturesque effects. + +Around the foot of the sundial, why not plant Poppies, making a circle +about five inches in width. The Perennial Poppies are among the most +brilliant in coloring, the graceful bright-colored, cup-shaped flowers +being borne on long stems. Mix with them the Oriental Poppies, which are +the most showy plants possible for decorative effects. To fill in the +spaces put in a package of Shirley, the combination of the three +varieties giving a most fascinating touch of color. For the Shirley, why +not use the finest mixed, as it will bring out white, delicate pink, +deep crimson, and handsomely striped varieties. The Perennial is +advantageous because it comes up every year while the Oriental are +magnificent in coloring, more especially the Grand Mogul with bright +crimson flower of immense size, the Princess Ena, bearing large, bright, +orange-scarlet and the Marie Studholme, which is a delicate shade of +salmon with a silver sheen. Nothing can give better effects for this +style of sundial than the clematis with a poppy in the foreground. + +Color makes a great difference in proper planting, the white marble or +concrete and possibly wood painted white, demands a strong color to +bring out effectively the white of the surface. The gray stone is not +picturesque unless blues, yellows, or reds are used. These three colors +can be blended so that they form a scheme that is most attractive. When +it comes to brick you will have to depend upon white, or light blue for +coloring. More care should be taken with the planting around this kind +of a pedestal than any other. The red of the brick demands more covering +than any other type. The Hop vine fits into the scheme, but requires a +great deal of trimming lest it overshadows the brick, making a mass of +green without any hint of the brick below. The leaves are fine, +three-lobed, and rough on both sides while the loose paper-like +straw-yellow Hop in the fall hang gracefully from the brick, making a +fluffy but attractive covering. + +Fragrance is necessary in the planting of a sundial, then why not use +the Honeysuckle? The Brachypoda is particularly effective for this +purpose. It shows white flowers in pairs, and sends forth a delicious +perfume that attracts one even before the sundial is viewed. The Hall +Evergreen Honeysuckle is also good for this purpose, being a strong +grower and constant bloomer. The flowers open white, change to buff, and +are very delicate in appearance. + +This sundial should be set in a circle of green. At the edge of the +border plant Iris. This makes a more effective setting than if a whole +bed of this should be used. The well-known, beautiful Iris of Japan +displays a great variety of colors, the chief of which is white, maroon, +dark blue and violet. Most of them are veined, mottled or flaked with +different colors. There are both single and double varieties. The beauty +of this plant is that it succeeds in any good soil, that is if well +drained and given plenty of water when dry. They can be planted either +in the late summer or spring, as desirable, and should be shown in +masses, growing from two to three feet in height and lasting in blossom +for a month. For double use the Antelope, which shows a white ground +flaked with purple. Mix with it the Beauty which is a pure white. Add to +it the Mount Hood, light blue, shaded darker in the center. These can +be intermixed with the Crested Iris, a dwarf, showing handsome, +light-colored flowers, and the Snow Queen, whose large snow-white +blossoms are free flowering. + +The planting around the sundial rests with the whim of the owner, +though, if out-of-the-way ideas can be evolved, it will add much to the +attractiveness of this feature of the garden. + + + + +THE FOUNTAIN + + +[Illustration: NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FOUNTAIN + + +Have you ever seated yourself in your garden, more especially on a warm +summer day, and dreamily listened to the musical tinkle of the water +that flowed from the mouth of the fountain, dripping down from the +over-flowing basin into the pool below? It is then you realize what an +attractive ornament it is for your garden for it appeals not only to the +eye but to the ear. Lowell picturesquely describes his idea of this bit +of garden furnishing when he speaks of it as "leaping and flashing," in +the sunlight. + +While the pergola, the garden seat and the sundial each have their own +appropriate use, they serve one purpose only. Not so the fountain, which +never fails to convey a delightful impression of coolness, as it gurgles +and murmurs, on its way. Surely there is nothing that gives to the +garden a more picturesque charm than this, standing like a spot of color +in a vivid setting of bright flowering plants. In the pool below one +finds constantly changing pictures of the blue sky, snowy clouds or +summer blossoms, each one worthy of its floral frame. + +As the garden fountain is merely an accessory and the beauty of the +constantly dripping water and the rising of the spray are what +constitutes its real charm, the conventional design can be simple or +elaborate but it should follow the garden scheme. It depends upon its +environment as to whether we make it the central feature in the design +or a setting in the wall. Lovely effects can easily be produced if one +is careful in trying to work out a right treatment, for the placing is +fully as much of importance as the planting. Balance should be the main +object. + +To the amateur who has had no special training in floriculture, the +introduction of even a simple water spout is of interest. He watches its +workings with a newly awakened enthusiasm, directing its course so that +it falls artistically over the different levels of the rock garden into +the home-made concrete pool below. The introduction of this water +feature gives a distinctive touch to even the simplest little flower +plot. For a larger garden, what is more alluring than a fountain +sending forth a high, vapory stream, bursting into a cloud of filmy +spray? This is especially true when it is viewed through a vista or at +the ending of a vine-shaded pergola. Around it should be planted a +carefully selected combination of flowers or shrubs, great care being +taken that they blend harmoniously. + +The size of the fountain and the breadth of the pool lend themselves +more or less effectively to producing alternating sunshine and shade on +the surface of the water. The basin is, in a way, of as much importance +as the fountain design. It is generally round, although occasionally an +oblong design fits better into the landscape effect. It should be from +two to three feet deep and so constructed that the sides slope outward +much like the ordinary wooden water bucket. There is a practical reason +for this, as it prevents cracking during the winter months. The cost +naturally varies, the size materially affecting the price. + +The background demands more than passing notice. Nearness of trees is a +decided drawback, as the falling leaves, especially in the autumn, mar +the surface and clog the outlet and make it necessary to clean the basin +frequently. + +The best time to plan for any garden ornament is just before the early +fall. The flowers are in their prime and one can better determine +placing than in the early spring when the garden lies bleak and +desolate. + +Many garden lovers with a desire for originality feel confident that +they can rely upon their imagination to work out color schemes even +during the winter months. Fortunate is he who accomplishes this +satisfactorily. There is great danger, however, that his castles in the +air may fall to the ground through taking too much for granted. The +grounds do not always meet requirements, and the result is not only +wrong placing but an ornament that is either too large or too small for +its allotted space. + +We are far too impatient to obtain results and it is this undue haste +that often ruins the composition of gardens. There is a great +satisfaction in adding to and improving our grounds, much more so than +if the whole work were developed at once. Almost every garden into which +careful thought has been placed grows with its years. Few, if any garden +lovers, but have felt a keen sense of disappointment at the finished +results of their garden schemes. What was satisfying the first year, +has later brought about unhappy combinations. It is this fact that +should be impressed on everyone's mind, if they wish a perfect lay-out. + +[Illustration: A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE +BACKGROUND] + +Probably everybody who has become interested in floriculture finds the +same difficulty in obtaining exactly what they wish. It is often hard to +match ideas with reality. This is another reason for curbing one's +impatience. The right things are sure to be found, that is if one is +willing to take time. + +It is when comparing the gardens of the old world with those of to-day +that we are impressed with the atmosphere of the twentieth-century +garden, where nature is encouraged to be genuine rather than artificial. +This is the height of success, the bringing into harmony of paths, +ornaments, and flowers, omitting gaudy effects or over-crowding with +marble fragments. Simplicity should be the key-note in arranging this +part of our ground, a simplicity that has been worked out by careful +thought for it means hard study to obtain natural effects. + +There are many materials from which our fountain can be manufactured. +The most expensive of these are marble, terra cotta and manufactured +stone, the former leading the list, while the latter is better suited to +the moderate purse. This last is, in reality, a composition of marble +dust with cement, and the result is most satisfactory, the finished +product showing a smooth surface resembling as nearly as possible that +of unpolished marble. In rare cases, however, chemicals have been used +to produce an antique look. Many people are under the impression that +manufactured stone is always white. As a matter of fact, in the finished +product, there are as many as half a dozen neutral tints shown. These +all incline to a soft, delicate gray, sometimes with a blueish cast. + +Terra cotta comes next in cost. A detriment to its use is that, +particularly when it is shown in deep bronze coloring, it does not lend +itself artistically to landscape effect, through lack of contrast with +its surroundings. We find this material with both glazed and unglazed +surfaces, the former being more expensive but not as practical as the +latter. The most strongly recommended coloring is limestone gray, whose +soft, delicate finish brings out the tone of the vines, and emphasizes +the color of the surrounding flowers. Next comes the Pompeian red, only +to be used under certain conditions on account of its color. Colonial +yellow has also been introduced. The two last colors are rarely, if +ever, used for fountain designs, the gray being considered much more +advisable. + +There are many reasons why cement is considered practical; its cost, its +wearing qualities, and its appropriate coloring. All these qualities +lend themselves to constructive purposes, and making it decoratively +most desirable. + +The architect who suits the design of the garden to the type of the +house will take advantage of this particular material. He has his ideas +concerning the effect that he wishes to bring out, to emphasize the +design of the house. He realizes that there is something more than +interest in botany to be shown if he wishes to make this part of his +plan a success. We have grown to a realizing sense that for the best +results it is better to employ a skilled man. No clever result can be +brought out through an inexperienced person planning the grounds, that +is, unless they have natural ability such as few people possess. We have +only to go back to our Colonial ancestors and study effects. It is then +we realize the difference between home planting and architectural +planting. + +Cost is not the only thing to be taken into consideration when creating +garden effects. Character should be considered as well. In order to +obtain this satisfactorily, the accessories should be planned by a +connoisseur, such as an architect becomes after many years' study of the +subject. The fountain is the most important detail and requires more +careful thought than any other part of the garden setting. It makes no +difference what its construction is, so that it fits in with the scheme. + +Great care should be taken not to introduce different periods or +materials when placing garden ornaments on our grounds. Take, as an +instance, a home-made fountain and place it in close proximity with an +imported one and note the result. You will see the lack of harmony. The +Italian fountain belongs distinctively to the formal or Italian lay-out, +and should never be used, with the exception of making a central feature +on a lawn, in any other way. If you place the Greek fountain on a +hillside where landscape effects have been worked out through the use of +cascades that dash over terraces and under rustic bridges, you will see +it is entirely out of place and in the wrong surroundings. + +[Illustration: AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED] + +Occasionally, we come across an iron fountain painted black or red. This +metal is cheap and stock designs can be purchased, but the very best +ones are private orders and can never be reproduced. The price varies as +with every other bit of garden furniture from a few dollars up to as +many thousands. The advantage of this metal is that it fits into places +where marble should be avoided. + +Pottery fountains have been used within the last few years, and many of +them are very graceful, being turned and finished by hand. This type has +a special mission in our garden, its proper placing being in New England +where the gray rocks, hedges and evergreen predominate. This material is +shown in more colors than almost any other. These include gray, brown, +green, blue, and many shades of terra cotta. This variation of color +makes it adapted to almost any situation. One advantage in their use is +that, strongly reinforced as they are by galvanized steel wires, they +are climate-proof and practically indestructible. + +The location of this special garden ornament demands serious attention. +It is often placed where it will attract attention to some special +feature that has been carefully worked out in detail. More especially +is this true when it has been inserted as a part of the retaining wall +and is surrounded by some choice vine whose flowers accentuate the +architecture. + +There are so many forms and features connected with this special garden +ornament that there need never be any sameness. It is an ideal medium +with which to recreate the fauns, satyrs and nymphs of the garden. +Animals, too, are often used and so are cupids. + +The planting, which is of as much importance as the ornamentation, +depends upon the size of the pool and its location. Shade requires far +different treatment from sunny exposures, while the heart of a grass +plot lends itself to little or no floral embellishment. The finish of +the pool influences the arrangement of the flowers. Should it be very +ornamental, the planting should be far enough away not to shut off its +picture effect in the landscape. If it is simply a curbing, it should +have a setting of green or of low-growing plants. + +Often an effective treatment is worked out through a border of velvety +turf outlined by plants. Peonies never fail to bring out the right +coloring of the fountain, that is if they are far enough away not to +cut off the design. They are called rightly the aristocrats of the +flower garden. For mass planting, they are most effective, their great +gorgeous blossoms, daintily dyed and ranging from white to the deepest +red, their wonderful fragrance and their decorative value are +unsurpassed. They can either be planted in solid color or in a +combination that is artistic. The Couronne d'Or, beautiful white in +coloring and showing blossoms of red in the center with a halo of yellow +around, makes a picturesque contrast to the deep green of the tree +leaves. The large, double, ball-shape bloom of the Felix Crousse +intermixed with white, gives one of the most fascinating combinations of +red and white. The beauty of peonies is that they grow anywhere although +they do best in rich, deep soil and with a sunny exposure. They are +perfectly hardy, require no protection and unlike most other plants are +not infested by either insects or disease. All they ask for is plenty of +water during their growing season. + +Grandmother's flowers, which are so fashionable to-day, are particularly +desirable as a planting around a fountain. The sweet moss rose trailing +through the grass and mixing its blossoms with the yellow of the Scotch +rose is often used for low effects, or where very little coloring is +advisable. The amount of planting and the height naturally depend upon +the design of the individual fountain. Those that are ornamental are so +effective that they need practically nothing to bring out right effects. + +Iris is always in good form. We find it to-day so highly developed that +in comparison to the little fleur-de-lis that grows unmolested in the +neighboring swamp, it seems scarcely a variety of the same flower. As we +are able to buy both double and single Irises, we should make a choice +and not mingle the two. The double with its flowers averaging from eight +to ten inches across, is an artistic foil for the white of the fountain. +Commencing with the German, which comes into bloom about the middle of +May, we can follow the time of blossoming through the introduction of +the Japanese Iris which lasts through July. In their planting, better +effects are produced if two colors only are used. This can be +supplemented by a third if the coloring is broken by the introduction of +a thread of white. For the German, why not use the Honorabilis, which is +a golden yellow with outside yellow petals shading to a mahogany brown, +or the King of Iris, which is a clear yellow. The Florentina Alba +gives the white coloring, its flowers being very large and fragrant. +These two colors can be enhanced by the adding of the Camillian which is +a delicate blue with falls tipped a little darker shade. These are more +suited for a fountain with a low curbing or for an informal garden where +cement is used. They give a very pretty effect, their flowers being +pictured in the water below. + +[Illustration: THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS +MOST FITTINGLY PLACED] + +Pansies are never out of place. A very pretty idea is to have them +massed for as many as eight inches around the curb. Choose for these, +bright-colored varieties rather than dark. The tufted pansies, which are +one of the most important bedding plants in Europe, are rapidly growing +in favor in our country. One reason for this is that they flower +continuously for nearly eight months in the year. The flowers are not as +large as those of the single pansy, but their bright colors make them a +welcome addition to our garden. The rich, golden yellow, the violet with +a dark eye and the white, are all three admirable for this purpose. + +Pansies love coolness and give their largest and finest flowers in early +spring and late fall. They are so easy to grow, rioting in the cool, +deep mellow beds they love, that everybody should use them. They will +endure all winter long if protected by a few evergreen vines. The size +needed for bedding for your fountain depends entirely upon the width of +the bed. The most superb specimens are found among the orchid flowering +ones. They take their name mainly from their tints and variation of +color resembling the gorgeous shades seen in orchids. These are the most +novel and distinctive strain that we have used for years. + +Have you ever considered the graceful effect of ornamental grasses? They +can be used with telling effects for the margin of the fountain, +although care must be taken not to plant those that grow to enormous +height. The Euallia Japonica is appropriate. Its long, narrow, graceful +green foliage, flowering into attractive plumes, give it a distinctive +place for this purpose. Mix with it the Zebra grass, whose long blades +are marked with broad yellow bands across the leaf. Intermix with this +the hardy fountain grass which grows only four feet in height and has +narrow foliage, bright green in coloring, cylindrical flower-heads +carried well above the foliage, tinged with a bronze purple and is one +of the most valuable of the hardy grasses. + +In the planting of the grasses, to make the best effect give the taller +ones the outside row, letting the low ones fall over the water, +mirroring in the surface below. One of the advantages in using this is +that it attracts birds and butterflies. Nothing can attract the +songsters quicker to your fountain than this kind of surrounding. + +Occasionally, we find that instead of planting, beds are geometrically +laid out to surround this, the axis of the garden design. In cases like +this we have to depend upon the borders for effect. These can be +hedge-loving plants or they can be a solid, low planting. Scotch heather +is very pretty. It should be grown in sunny places with moist +surroundings. Its racimes of dark rose pink petals, lasting from July to +September, make it very effective for this purpose. The Japanese +Barberry can also be included, nothing equals it in artistic value. It +requires but little pruning to keep it in shape, while its fruit or +berries, assuming rich brilliant colors in the fall, are most effective +when used for a setting like this. + +If possible, try for flowers that have fragrance. It adds so much to the +effect to breathe in the sweet odor as you sit watching the shading of +the flowers, the swaying of the birds, and listening to the musical +tinkle of the water as it drips into the basin below. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Garden Ornaments, by Mary H. 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Northend. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Garden Ornaments, by Mary H. Northend + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Garden Ornaments + +Author: Mary H. Northend + +Release Date: January 8, 2011 [EBook #34885] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDEN ORNAMENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from +scanned images of public domain material from the Google +Print archive. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 426px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="426" height="600" alt="Book Cover" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GARDEN ORNAMENTS</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 356px;"><a name="ILL_002" id="ILL_002"></a> +<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="356" height="500" alt="TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING" title="" /> +<span class="caption">TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>GARDEN</h1> + +<h1>ORNAMENTS</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>MARY H. NORTHEND</h2> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATED</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 74px;"> +<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="74" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h4>NEW YORK</h4> + +<h4>DUFFIELD & COMPANY</h4> + +<h4>1916</h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">Copyright, 1916,</p> + +<p class="center">by <span class="smcap">Duffield & Co</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h4><i>I Dedicate This Garden Book</i></h4> + +<h4><i>to My Friend</i></h4> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Ekin Wallick</span></h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='right'></td><td align='left'><a href="#FOREWORD"><b>FOREWORD</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_GARDEN_PATH_AND_BORDER"><b><span class="smcap">The Garden Path and Border</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_PERGOLA_AND_ARCH"><b><span class="smcap">The Pergola and Arch</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_TEA_HOUSE_IN_THE_GARDEN"><b><span class="smcap">The Tea House in the Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_GARDEN_STEPS"><b><span class="smcap">The Garden Steps</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><a href="#ENTRANCES"><b><span class="smcap">Entrances</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><a href="#BIRD_BATHS"><b><span class="smcap">Bird Baths</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><a href="#GARDEN_SEATS"><b><span class="smcap">Garden Seats</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><a href="#GARDEN_POOLS"><b><span class="smcap">Garden Pools</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_SUN-DIAL_IN_THE_GARDEN"><b><span class="smcap">The Sun-dial in the Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><a href="#THE_FOUNTAIN"><b><span class="smcap">The Fountain</span></b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_002"><b><span class="smcap">Tall Poplars Lend Dignity to a Garden Setting</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_004"><b><span class="smcap">Let Gutters of Cobblestones Line Your Path</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_005"><b><span class="smcap">A Successful Grass Path</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_006"><b><span class="smcap">A Brick-paved Path Flanked by Many-hued Iris</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_007"><b><span class="smcap">The Sunlight Sifts Through the Sheltering Vines of the Pergola</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_008"><b><span class="smcap">Build Your Pergola with Cobblestone Supports and Rustic Top</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_009"><b><span class="smcap">The Moss Grows Between the Stone Walk</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_010"><b><span class="smcap">A Tea-house</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_011"><b><span class="smcap">Stepping-stones in a Grass Path</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_012"><b><span class="smcap">Lily Ponds in a Formal Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_013"><b><span class="smcap">Stone Steps Attractively Planned</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_014"><b><span class="smcap">A Fountain that Serves as a Background for a Lily Pond</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_015"><b><span class="smcap">Marble Steps Leading to the Water in a Formal Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_016"><b><span class="smcap">An Old-fashioned Garden Is Often Entered Under an Arch of Latticework</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_017"><b><span class="smcap">A Fine Decorative Iron Gateway</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_018"><b><span class="smcap">A Successful Entrance to a Formal Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_019"><b><span class="smcap">The Central Feature of the Garden May Be a Bird-bath</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_020"><b><span class="smcap">A Well-placed Bird-bath</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_021"><b><span class="smcap">An Ornament Delightfully Used to Mark the Opening of Paths Through Woods</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_022"><b><span class="smcap">A Formal Garden Seat</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_023"><b><span class="smcap">A Simple and Attractive Garden Seat</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_024"><b><span class="smcap">Stately Lilies Add Charm and Dignity to a Gravelled Walk</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_025"><b><span class="smcap">A Pond-lily Pool of a Very Attractive Shape</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_026"><b><span class="smcap">A Lily Pond that Fills Charmingly a Corner of a Garden</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_027"><b><span class="smcap">There Is an Ever-changing Beauty to a Garden Whose Paths Are Broken Here and There by Pools</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_028"><b><span class="smcap">Grassy Paths Lead Pleasantly to the Sun-dial</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_029"><b><span class="smcap">The Sun-dial Is a Feature in Itself</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_030"><b><span class="smcap">An Old Well Used Effectively as a Decorative Feature</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_031"><b><span class="smcap">Narcissus Stands in the Heart of the Fountain</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_032"><b><span class="smcap">A Roman Fountain Placed Against a Very Appropriate Background</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_033"><b><span class="smcap">An Artistic Fountain Particularly Well Placed</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_034"><b><span class="smcap">This Wall Fountain with Its Shell Background and Basin Is Most Fittingly Placed</span></b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FOREWORD" id="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD</h2> + +<p>Doubtless we have all realized the allurement of the garden, as we walk +between the beds, drinking in the sweet perfume of the many flowers, or +as we watch the birds perched on the branches or lazily swinging on the +flowers, twittering to their mates as they sip the nectar or prune their +plumage, after bathing in the sparkling water of the pool.</p> + +<p>There is more than enjoyment that comes to the garden lover through his +life among the plants. He grows broader and becomes forgetful of the +trivial cares and prejudices of every-day life as he watches their +development. He comes to the garden for inspiration and finds it among +the flowers.</p> + +<p>We are by nature garden lovers, and though with some the feeling has not +as yet been developed, yet deep in the depths of their soul is a +yearning for intercourse with Nature and her lessons—taught through the +cultivation of flowers. It spells Contentment, Happiness and Love.</p> + +<p>It is a delight to visit gardens, and study the character of the +designer. It is no hard matter to read through varied planting likes and +dislikes in the owner. It brings us closer together, this mutual love of +floriculture, and it is in discussion of this theme that we forget the +sordid phases of life.</p> + +<p>Visit the gardens with me, listen to the anthem of the birds sung at +morn and eventide. Learn their habits, and make them friends, so that +they will nestle into your often lonely life, bringing with them a +gladness that is not only delightful but alluring.</p> + +<p>Many a love story has been told among the flowers, many a real story has +been developed as one sat gazing at some flower-laden field. Joy and +sadness has been our varied lot since we began our garden work, but as +the years go on, gladness predominates. We grow to look forward with a +tender longing for the coming spring. We hang lovingly over the opening +buds of the early flowers. We are glad that we, too, have grown to know +the flowers, that we have learned through their poetic language solace +for the wounded soul, and how to live better lives, through intercourse +with them.</p> + +<p>To my many friends who have made it possible for me to visit their +gardens, and to reproduce their carefully thought out schemes in +pictures, I extend my hearty thanks. It has done much to make not only +my life but other lives happier. It is with the hope that others may +find the same enjoyment in this work that I have that I send it forth to +perform its mission and with the hope that it may encourage others to +start gardens of their own and to give to them a happiness they have +never known before. If I have accomplished this I have met the desire of +my heart.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_GARDEN_PATH_AND_BORDER" id="THE_GARDEN_PATH_AND_BORDER"></a>THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;"><a name="ILL_004" id="ILL_004"></a> +<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="352" height="500" alt="LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH" title="" /> +<span class="caption">LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER</h3> + +<p>"All the world's a garden and we are garden lovers in it." This is not a +new theme, for it has been in existence ever since the planting of the +early flower plots, those that were in evidence in our grand-dames' +time. There is a distinct atmosphere connected with those simple +one-path gardens that is most delightful. It lies not only in the gravel +paths and the stiff box-borders, but in the fragrant old-fashioned +flowers that were grown promiscuously inside the trim line of box. +Perchance some dainty line of cinnamon pinks whose delicate blossoms +when we find them in the twentieth-century gardens, carry us back +vividly to the Colonial days when they so often formed a part of the +garden scheme.</p> + +<p>Great changes have taken place in the evolution of the posy beds, for, +with the passage of time, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> have developed into wide expanses of +floral landscape, subtly moulded into charming pictures and fascinating +vistas.</p> + +<p>In the planting and the planning of the flower beds of the present day +many of the general motives of the older gardens have been retained. +They have, however, been enlarged upon and developed until they are +perfected in every detail. The landscape architect of to-day realizes +that the achievements of yesterday can be interwoven with the +possibilities of to-morrow.</p> + +<p>As we saunter leisurely through the twentieth-century garden, we come +occasionally upon a simple box-border, much more scientifically treated +than those of long ago. This special feature of garden culture should be +planted in the early spring that it may obtain deep rooting, so as to +resist the ravages of the winter season. The plants should not overcrowd +but be set three inches apart in narrow, shallow trenches, with plenty +of mulching to insure the best results. Unlike those found in the +gardens of Colonial days, they should be carefully clipped, sometimes +for topiary effects.</p> + +<p>Here and there, we come unexpectedly upon old-time flower plots, showing +a box-border, not like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> those of the present day, carefully trimmed, but +scraggly and unkempt, preserved for sentiment's sake. They still line +the central walk, much as they did long years ago. In those days there +was no laying-out of gardens or creating odd designs, but, instead, +there was a simple, narrow, dividing line, worked out by the removal of +turf and filling in with earth.</p> + +<p>Few realize that garden culture can be divided into periods, each one of +which is well defined, so that it is possible to determine where the +old-fashioned ideas left off and the new-fashioned ones began. The +earliest period has a straight, simple path, about six feet in width. +These gardens came into existence when our shipping was greater on the +sea and the merchant princes demanded large and more elegant houses with +gardens laid out in the rear. Many of these were planned by the +mistresses of the stately homes, while some were designed by English or +German gardeners, who in their planting reproduced the gardens across +the seas. There are a few only that deviate from the general plan of the +single walk dividing the beds and ending in a summer house, vine-clad, +where the Colonial dames during the summer months held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> afternoon teas. +These garden houses were the nucleus of the garden furniture that has +come into fashion with the passing of time.</p> + +<p>One of the distinctive features connected with these gardens is the +border. This varies in width with the size of the plot and the flowers +enclosed. It must be borne in mind that the gardeners of those days knew +little of the theory of color schemes, yet the results were pleasing to +the eye, so much so that to-day the old-fashioned garden stands in a +class by itself.</p> + +<p>With the evolution of gardens, new ideas sprang into existence. All +landscape architects realize the importance of giving particular +attention to the laying-out of the path. Here the bit of garden demands +a straight path, yonder to bring gardens into unity a grass path should +be laid, while level stretches demand charming floral treatment, wrought +out through proper use of flowers in the borders.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_005" id="ILL_005"></a> +<img src="images/ill_005.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH</span> +</div> + +<p>Every ambitious gardener realizes that during the summer months, his +particular garden will be on dress parade, and must be always at its +best. Therefore, he gives special attention to the trimming of the +borders, the smoothing of the path and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> the right coloring in beds, so +that no discordant note be found. Every part must be kept in good +condition, for there are no closed doors for untidiness to skulk behind. +This he knows means constant and unremitting care and that he may avoid +sameness, he changes the flower scheme every year, to give a fresh note +to the planting of his own particular plot.</p> + +<p>The greatest care must be taken that borders are properly balanced, for +any deviation from this rule results in lop-sided effects that spell +failure. No walk in any part of the garden but should be planned to +serve a definite purpose, either to connect other paths or at its end to +bring out some carefully laid plan that will lend a picturesque effect +to the finished design.</p> + +<p>Let us take as an instance a curved path. First of all, we must realize +that it is not following any haphazard plan but has a definite aim. +Perchance it has been most carefully laid out to avoid the felling of a +tree that is needed for picturesque effect, but whatever the object may +be, it is fulfilled by the design of this particular path.</p> + +<p>There are to be found, quite frequently on large, extensive grounds, +grass paths that cut the lawn,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> connecting separated gardens. In any +case like this, how much better to introduce English stepping stones. +There is a picturesque coloring in their soft, gray hue, contrasting +pleasingly with a line of grass between. They also break the monotony +given by a solid mass of green and lend to this particular part of the +ground an old-world aspect.</p> + +<p>Have you ever stopped to think when planning for your next year's garden +that designs can be easily varied to bring out some new thought and make +a change that is alluring? It is the careful introduction of these novel +ideas that gives zest to garden culture. Every person has a different +idea of what is right in garden culture and unconsciously treats the old +plan in an individual manner. A little touch here and there goes a great +way in producing odd effects.</p> + +<p>Among the many materials that can be used for this feature of the garden +is brick, and of this there are many kinds. For the old-fashioned garden +the second-hand brick gives a Colonial atmosphere. For the gardens of +to-day it is generally better to use the hard, burned brick—these can +be laid in straight lines or herring-bone fashion as fancy dictates,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +and should show a line of straight brick or headers as they approach the +border. This feature should be used generally in formal types of garden +landscape. Great care should be taken, however, that the brick be laid +perfectly dry and cemented in mortar.</p> + +<p>If you are looking for novelty, why not try cobblestones? They are very +inexpensive, particularly if you live in a seaport town where the +beaches are strewn with them. Be sure to pick out those that are nearest +the same size and shape, for this gives a better effect. There is +nothing that gives a better backing for earth beds, especially as they +are easily kept weeded. If the cobblestones prove too conspicuous for +the scheme of the garden, it is a comparatively easy matter to plant as +a background a flowering plant that will in time fall over them and hide +them from view.</p> + +<p>A turf walk is, properly speaking, the most effective path. It also has +many advantages, chief among them the fact that it is not hard to keep +up and can be replaced with very little trouble, save the cutting of new +sod. Be very careful not to make the mistake of laying old sods that +have been piled for a considerable length of time and have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> thus lost +much of their vigor. In order to have them at their best they should be +freshly cut and laid carefully in a rich foundation, the pieces joined +as closely as possible together and the crevices filled in with either +grass seed or dirt. Plenty of watering means success; still one should +not be impatient, for it is not until a second season that grass comes +to its own. One difficulty in a border like this, which can, however, be +easily remedied, is that it needs constant cutting to keep the grass +from overrunning the beds.</p> + +<p>If you are planning a garden of the English type, it is well to carry +out the idea of introducing irregular stones for the walk. It is +desirable that the stones should not all be of the same size, otherwise +there will be no chance for grass and moss to grow between them and give +them the old-world aspect. In gardens of this type such a path is really +imperative, for the flowers crowd against the dividing line and would be +much less interesting if stones were not introduced.</p> + +<p>Bear in mind, in dealing with this particular subject that the width of +the walk depends in a great measure on the size of the garden. Here a +narrow path is all that is necessary to carry out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> the scheme; there, a +wide one seems to fit appropriately into the plan. It is not always +possible to have gardens large enough to allow a wide path, yet the +effect of one can be produced by a little contriving; for instance, if +you use grass for the central feature with an earth border on either +side.</p> + +<p>If you desire a successful garden you should seek for variety, not only +in the cutting of the walk, but in the planting of the borders. To-day +everybody is striving for originality and to work out odd ideas that +still are practical. One should remember, too, that no two gardens are +exactly alike, any more than two faces bear an exact resemblance.</p> + +<p>In describing the border, one might liken it to the setting of a gem. +Doubtless, it might be said to be artificial but so is the planting of +the flower plot. It is not nature's work, but designed by the hand of +man and in it harmony should be developed in the highest degree.</p> + +<p>Let us take as an example the damp garden. This is usually laid out in +one corner of the estate. If we should treat it with a gravel walk, what +would be the result—dampness and disappointment. Now, let us change the +whole plan and place stringers on which boards are laid, so nailed that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +they can be lifted during the winter season and stored away in a +friendly barn or cellar. Watch the result and you will find it is always +dry and practical for usage. Better still, if wearing properties do not +have to be taken into consideration, use cedar boughs that resemble in +contour miniature logs. They fit into place as if put there by nature, +all the more if they are bordered by ferns. If you build at the further +end a rustic summer house, it gives a refreshing touch.</p> + +<p>Many garden lovers delight in collecting wild flowers, digging them up +in the neighboring woods to blossom in their cultivated garden. Why not +give them a home by themselves in a rough rockery? This can easily be +built from stones found on the estate. Here we deviate from the stilted +idea of paths and introduce stone steps. These should be large and rough +enough to fit in with our plan. Hardy ferns should be planted on either +side and rock plants between the steps. You will then see the wisdom of +creating a path like this which is in sympathy with the general idea of +the garden.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_006" id="ILL_006"></a> +<img src="images/ill_006.jpg" width="500" height="360" alt="A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS</span> +</div> + +<p>Landscape gardeners are at the present day endeavoring to work out +results that are in harmony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> with any period that they are called upon +to reproduce. Occasionally they come upon a subject that is very +difficult to treat, such as the concrete walk. This is an absolute +necessity in some locations. Yet, when finished, it presents a bare +appearance and demands special treatment. Very successful results are +produced by bright borders of flowering plants, and if in addition to +this an arch of wire or rustic boughs is made for the entrance and +covered with rambler roses, of which to-day there are many varieties, a +happy solution will be found to the perplexing problem of a colorless +path. During the time of blossoming, the touch of brightness adds to the +effect while later on the bright green of the leaves relieves the cold +gray of the concrete.</p> + +<p>The late Joseph Jefferson, in speaking of gardens and their borders, +once said, "They are all expectation." And so they are from the early +spring when the first bulbs come into bloom until the falling of the +late chrysanthemum. As we con the seedman's list to prepare for the +spring gardening, we go through the procession of the seasons noting the +colors and finding a joy in anticipation that is exhilarating.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>In order to give correct handling to your paths, the color scheme of the +borders should be taken into consideration. Different kinds of gardens +demand varied treatment, and for this, the situation on the grounds and +the type of the walk, should be carefully thought out.</p> + +<p>For earliest bloom, one should use bulbs. To have them at their best +they should be planted in the fall, about six weeks before the hard +frost sets in. Trenches are first dug, from twelve to eighteen inches +deep, enriched and topped with a layer of sand, to insure the bulbs +touching nothing else. Each bulb should be planted six inches deep and +the same number of inches apart. They should be covered with from four +to six inches of straw, dead leaves—hardwood ones being best for this +purpose—or pine branches. Great care should be taken that these are not +removed too early in the spring. Years of careful experiment have +developed better colors and more strength in bulbs and have succeeded in +producing a greater variety, both single to double. This evolution in +bulbs makes it possible to choose suitable varieties for any border +work.</p> + +<p>Snow drops are the first to poke their tiny heads<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> up through the cold, +hard earth. They rise above the snow, bringing gladness in their train. +Then comes a procession of dainty bulbs including the hyacinth with its +many hues, and the tulips, that stay by us until late in May, clothed in +Dolly Varden gowns, or simple Quaker garb. It is a good plan to plant +pansies among the bulbs, so that they will show their painted faces +before the last bloom has disappeared. Many people in such borders use +sweet alyssum for the outer row, but this, while it is decorative, is +not always satisfactory for it grows so high that it is apt to shadow +the major scheme. Bulbs can be left in the ground for a second year's +blossoming or if new varieties are desired they can be carefully lifted +and replaced by potted plants, such as the scarlet geranium or the dusty +miller, whose soft gray sheen makes an interesting note of color as a +foreground for the bed that stretches down to touch it, a solid mass of +one-toned flowers.</p> + +<p>Within the last few years iris has become a popular accessory for border +use. One reason for this is that it stays in bloom from the time of its +first opening until the hot blast of the August sun touches its closed +head. Well may this be termed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> the "fairy's favorite flower," it is so +dainty in its hues.</p> + +<p>The rose moss or portulaca is a valuable border plant. It grows +luxuriantly in sandy soil, where no moisture is retained, and seems to +draw sufficient sustenance from the dews that fall at night, rather than +from the unkindly sand which touches its tiny roots. One advantage in +its use is that it grows quickly from seed, that is, if it is planted in +a dry spot. The needle-shaped foliage is inconspicuous, while the +blossoms are as brilliant as poppies and are produced in large numbers. +A serious fault, however, is that it closes during the afternoon. If one +decides to use portulaca, choose solid colors rather than to mix a mass +of varied ones.</p> + +<p>For a shady bit of garden, why not try out delphiniums? They are not +expensive, the roots costing about a dollar and a quarter a dozen, but +they are so graceful that they are effective for use of this sort.</p> + +<p>The plants chosen must be in harmonious contrast to those that fill the +beds, otherwise one shudders as they view the completed scheme and +wonders how it is that the gardener is so color-blind. Hardy borders or +annuals are used very often.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> Each of them having a distinctive charm, +some gardens demanding one, and others another, so that one cannot +dictate to the owner of a garden which kind is best for his use, it lies +with his own whims and fancies, to develop beautiful combinations, and +to work out variations of the last year's scheme, so that the gardens of +yesterday may differ essentially from those of to-day.</p> + +<p>It may be that long borders of bright-eyed verbenas greet our eyes as we +gaze upon the vari-colored beds, or perchance gorgeous Sweet Williams, +vieing in hue are shown. Tall rosy spikes of lythrum lift their heads, +while stately hollyhocks uncurl their silky petals, shaking out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +tucks and wrinkles of the bud like newly awakened butterflies stretching +their wings. There is a busy hum of bees as we saunter down the garden +path, stopping now and again to watch their flight as they light on +flowers to sip their nectar, furry with golden pollen dust.</p> + +<p>So we stand wondering what our grand-dames would say could they view, +with us to-day, the transformation of the old-fashioned garden, into a +magnificent show of rare plants in a well-developed design.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_PERGOLA_AND_ARCH" id="THE_PERGOLA_AND_ARCH"></a>THE PERGOLA AND ARCH</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 424px;"><a name="ILL_007" id="ILL_007"></a> +<img src="images/ill_007.jpg" width="424" height="600" alt="THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE PERGOLA" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE PERGOLA</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE PERGOLA AND ARCH</h3> + +<p>"I have made me a garden and orchard, and have planted trees and all +kinds of fruit." Thus spake the wise Solomon who in all his glory found +time to enjoy his flowers. Nowadays, blossoming plants are intermixed +with marble fragments, and the garden contains many interesting features +that were then unknown. Sir William Temple, on his return from a visit +to Holland, where he went for garden study, tells us that he found that +four things were absolutely necessary in order to complete a perfect +garden. "Flowers, Fruit, Shade, and Water."</p> + +<p>Originality is to-day the key-note in every garden design. Gardens have +been developed with the passing of time so that instead of one type we +find an infinite variety of styles, each one of them so distinctive that +one need have little fear of repetition in results. Here we find the +formal, the Italian garden while over yonder is the wild, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +rambling one. They are carefully designed to bring out some individual +scheme. Unlike the little posy plots of long ago with their unobtrusive +green arbors, now we come upon a large space which has been laid out for +picture effects. This is the work of the landscape architect, who takes +as much pride in his garden structures, as does the architect in the +design of his house. He vies with his rivals in producing odd effects +with marble fragments and artistic combinations in his color scheme.</p> + +<p>Each one of the many types, that are shown at the present day, shows +distinctive features. These appear and disappear in endless variety, and +among them are the pergola and the arch, the latter a grandchild of the +green arbor that was in evidence in our grand-dames' time.</p> + +<p>Unlike those seen in the old-fashioned gardens, it is not always built +of wood. Sometimes it is so placed as to define the terraces, leading +with its shadowy treatment to delightful glimpses of vistas beyond, well +laid out for this very purpose. Again we find it shadowing the garden at +one side, where it makes a covered walk, under which one can pass, and +view the garden pleasantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>Simple and unostentatious were the early gardens, for not until 1750, +was there found any trace of garden architecture in the North. It was +about that year that one Theodore Hardingbrook, came to this country +bringing with him a fund of information to strengthen and enlarge this +line of work. He gathered around him a faithful, interested little band +of students, and taught them new ideas, and awakened an ambition for new +designs in Colonial flower plots. Then was evolved the little summer +house with its cap of green, which stood generally at the foot of the +garden path ending the central walk and it was then that the green arbor +came into existence, spanning the centre of the little plot. Covered +with vines it made a pleasant break in the otherwise straight lines of +the old-fashioned garden, and it also gave a touch of old-world gardens +to the new-world plan.</p> + +<p>This was not the commencement of pergola construction, which had its +origin in the vineyards of sunny Italy. They were not like those of +to-day, wonderfully beautiful in design but rude and rustic, roughly put +together as a support for the vines. Through the intersecting crevices +fell glorious clusters of pale green and royal purple grapes, to ripen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +in the glimmering shade. These rough arbors, shadowed by hardy vines, +graced the Italian hillsides, when Columbus as a wool comber's son +frolicked the summer days away long years before he discovered the new +country that lay across the sea.</p> + +<p>The birth of this feature was not romantic but plebeian, for it was +built for practical use only. The hardy Italian grape growers had come +to a realizing sense that their fruit throve better if held aloft, and +so they conceived the idea of a supporting arbor. As the bright sun +filtered through the vines, the picturesqueness caught the attention of +gardeners on large estates and from this was evolved the long pillared +pathways over which cultivated vines were twined, casting their long +shadows far over the path beyond in Roman gardens.</p> + +<p>When larger and better gardens were demanded to meet the architecture of +the large, square, Colonial homes, green arbors were popular. They were +crudely put together, often the work of the village carpenter, simple +and unconventional in their treatment yet prettily draped with vines. +During the summer months they were especially picturesque and inviting, +with their little wooden seats placed on either side. To the garden came +the gallant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> dressed in knee breeches and wearing powdered wig, there +to meet his lady love, bending low he plucked from the branches of the +trailing vine a flower to deck his fair beloved's hair.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_008" id="ILL_008"></a> +<img src="images/ill_008.jpg" width="500" height="355" alt="BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC TOP" title="" /> +<span class="caption">BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC TOP</span> +</div> + +<p>These green arbors gave a distinct individuality to the old-time garden. +Over them were carefully twined the Dutchman's pipe. It showed nestled +away beneath its leaves, tiny, almost invisible little green pipes that +were coveted by the little ones for "Let's pretend smoke." Invariably, +the yellow and white Baltimore Belle rose sometimes known as the Seven +Sisters, lent their charm, boldly peering out from under the vine to +watch the lovers seated on the simple seats. They gave them a welcoming +nod as they swayed to and fro in the passing breeze, mingling their +blossoms, with a dainty Scotch rose and the pink moss, that seemingly +grew on the same stem. It is the former rose that was the greatest +favorite, for it lasted longer, giving dashes of yellow like sunshine to +light the dark, autumnal days.</p> + +<p>Now and again, we come unexpectedly upon a garden such as this. It lies +in the heart of a Colonial city, hidden away from passers-by behind a +high paling fence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>The twentieth century pergola in the modern garden lends itself to a +great variety of treatment. It is an important feature and should be +properly treated in order to bring out the right effect. Often the +amateur, when dabbling with garden culture, neglects this feature on his +grounds and gives it a wrong setting.</p> + +<p>It must be remembered that the mere setting out of a garden does not +always bring about the best results. It should be done with some +definite aim in view, such as color or suitability to situation. In this +way only can one obtain perfection. There should be taken into +consideration the formation of the different beds, especially those that +are in close proximity. It cannot be a successful experiment unless +carefully planned.</p> + +<p>If you have never tried to form combinations that will intensify the +loveliness of the grounds by a happy gathering of right colors, you have +missed a delightful experience. This idea does not come quickly to the +amateur floriculturist, but once he fully grasps it, he turns as if by +instinct to the structural part of the garden plan. It is then that he +realizes that while he has not seemed to have progressed during his +first year's work, yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> he has laid a solid foundation that will stand +him in good stead. In the midst of his garden he rears a house of +flowers, placing it in a situation where he can watch the growth and +maturing of the plants. Each corner of the garden is given separate +treatment. In some gardens, where the space is small, it would be +impossible to carry out the pergola scheme. Then it can be simplified +and condensed into the child of the pergola, the arch, excellent for +decorative effects. This means for flower showing can be made of wire, +simply fastened to posts, bent into shape, or of wood and painted white; +either of these methods is satisfactory and can, if properly used, be +most successful.</p> + +<p>The arch, to fit in with the garden plan, should span the entrance. Over +it should be trained either a blossoming vine or many, to work out a +succession of bloom. Sometimes it will be the wisteria with its drooping +clusters of lavender, or the rambler rose found in such a variety of +colors to-day. These two with the clematis, are especially adapted for +this purpose, if one is willing to use proper fertilizer and depth of +planting.</p> + +<p>In order to insure better and more prolific growth, the vines should be +cut back to about six or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> eight inches in height when first set out. It +must be remembered in dealing with them that they are like little +children, each one requiring individual care. We must also be sure that +the soil is frequently stirred to avoid caking.</p> + +<p>Properly placed, the curved trellis is a joy. It gives a decorative +setting to the garden proper. As the eye travels down the path, it +greets a charming bit of color in the bed of solid green that tops the +roof.</p> + +<p>The arch would not be a proper note of setting for every garden. There +are only certain kinds with which it blends. The narrow path demands it, +for it needs a break to show it at its best. A judicious fashioning of a +series of arches, extending here and there along the entire depth of the +walk is sometimes attractive. They serve to break the monotony and add a +flower note that is delightful. In the planning of these, great care +should be taken that they are set at proper intervals. They should be on +the same level and correspond in width, otherwise the result would be a +wavy line that is most distressing.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_009" id="ILL_009"></a> +<img src="images/ill_009.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK</span> +</div> + +<p>The color scheme depends on garden planting. If lavender is chosen it +should be reproduced all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> through the line. Do not be so foolish as to +choose one vine only but plant them in order to make a succession of +bloom. One does not wish to view a spot of color now and a mass of green +later on.</p> + +<p>There are so many different kinds of vines that can be planted for this +use, each one of which is admirable, that it is hard to choose. +Commencing with the earliest why not take the American or the +loose-cluster wisteria. It has many advantages over other vines, in that +it is a strong grower and bears an abundant cluster of flowers +resembling the sweet pea in formation.</p> + +<p>One can reasonably assert, that the wisteria is the leading flower for +the pergola or arbor. It dons a rich and graceful foliage and unlike +other vines, has two distinct seasons of bloom. It is especially good if +one wishes to carry out a one-tone color scheme, making lavender the +key-note, and using this particular vine for the early bloom in May, at +which time the luxuriant clusters of drooping flowers show their +wonderful shading as they peer through the arches dropping down below +the leafy growth and making a note of exquisite beauty. In August, when +they show their second season of bloom, the flowers are less abundant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<p>They should be followed by the Clematis Jackman. This vine, if it +reaches maturity, is most effective, but it has the distinct +disadvantage that though it starts right, and sends out shoots, they are +apt to blight early and disappoint the gardener by dying before putting +forth its wonderfully beautiful flowers. June, the month of roses, is a +suitable time for one to watch for the blossoming of this vine.</p> + +<p>Many people avoid the Cobœa Scandens on account of the large, +conspicuous flowers it produces. They make a decided mistake when they +shun this particular vine, for it has good qualifications for pergola +covering. No vine grows more rapidly, as it reaches often from +twenty-five to thirty feet in a single season. It bursts into blossom in +July, in rich, purple, trumpet-shaped flowers.</p> + +<p>For the successful growth of vines many things have to be considered but +principally the soil. The amateur makes a mistake in starving the +ground, and thus losing half the quality it would otherwise have had. In +order to obtain the best results, put plenty of barn-yard manure, or +bone meal, at the foot of the trellis, and this should be plentifully +renewed at the commencement of each year.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rambler roses are one of the most effective treatments for arbor or +pergola growth, and the most popular of these are the white, yellow, +crimson and pink. Each year new varieties are put upon the market and if +one wishes to follow the new ideas they will be forced to constantly +change the plants.</p> + +<p>In some cases, the pergola is used to form a trellised pavilion or +summer house to shelter a marble statue and again with carved setting to +outline a bed, as the central feature around which the flowers are +arranged. Thus the simple vineyard trellis has been transformed into a +gem of graceful construction, and we find it to-day, with its slender +marble columns, supporting a delicately carved marble roof of slabs, +over and through which the green of the vine, and the glint of the +flower hover, dipping down between the intervening sections, in festoons +of green and color.</p> + +<p>It can well be called a distinctive summer structure, for with the sun +streaming through its mass of vines, it shadows the walks from May until +late October. In the long winter months boxed in it stands like a +sentinel guarding the long, bare paths, and showing a leafless network +of interlacing vines.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>The pergola of to-day is not like that of yesterday. When first +introduced into our gardens it was taken up on many small estates, and +so badly designed that it combined badly with the garden. It was then it +fell into disfavor and was pronounced a failure for use in our garden +plan.</p> + +<p>But landscape gardeners, with an eye to the unique, felt that it was a +necessary rounding-out of the garden design, and rescued from ignominy, +it took its place in right surroundings, in the heart of the garden with +a border of elaborate flower designs. Garden seats were placed inside +and when it fronted on an Italian garden, a fountain was often +introduced, the musical tinkle of the spouting water giving a special +charm.</p> + +<p>Among the many designs the simplest is a simple rustic frame structure, +appropriate for small or wild gardens. It is formed of cedar posts +driven four feet into the ground, and reaching to the height of eight +feet. This is covered with a beam or a slab roof structure over which is +trained the morning glory, the California creeper, or the grape. This +latter is much used, the picturesqueness of the ripening fruit adding to +its attractiveness. These<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> pergolas are generally eight feet wide and +have for a flooring irregular flags through which peer grass or moss.</p> + +<p>This type of garden furniture is perfectly well adapted to Italian, +English, or Colonial types of architecture, and is constructed often of +marble. It is not merely an ornament but a useful adjunct to a garden, +and can be made of concrete, or cobblestone, if one does not wish to go +to the expense of using marble.</p> + +<p>There is a modern form of this feature that is a development from +century-old customs, the porch-pergola which is fast supplanting the old +covered porches of yesterday. This is designed with an open, +vine-covered roof. It gives an added charm to the exterior of the house +and furnishes a shady nook for sunny days, without the drawback of the +old porch whose roof darkened the house in winter by withholding the +sun.</p> + +<p>No one, no matter how small their grounds, need deny themselves a +pergola. It is such an important feature and so decorative that it is +almost a necessity. For the little backyard it may be simply a rustic +porch planted in the middle of the garden. Properly laid out, it can be +used as an out-of-doors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> living room. Across the end a hammock can be +swung, while table and chairs can be fitted in at one side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_TEA_HOUSE_IN_THE_GARDEN" id="THE_TEA_HOUSE_IN_THE_GARDEN"></a>THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_010" id="ILL_010"></a> +<img src="images/ill_010.jpg" width="500" height="336" alt="A TEA-HOUSE" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A TEA-HOUSE</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN</h3> + +<p>There is a delightful imaginary intimacy that seemingly exists between +we garden lovers who live in the twentieth century and those of early +days. So closely are we connected by a common band of sympathy that we +eagerly scan their books to glean here and there some important bit of +garden lore that can be introduced into our work of to-day. It is this +pleasant mingling of old and new-world gardens that gives to present-day +designs such a delightful atmosphere.</p> + +<p>One of the old-time floriculturists, John Lyle, tells us in his +old-fashioned way, about the flowers that bloomed ages before our +grand-dames were born. "Gentlemen," he says, "what floure like you best +in all this border? Here be fine roses, sweete violets, fragrant +primroses, gille floures, carnations, sops of wine, sweete John, and +what may please you at sight." Surely we see in retrospect, the gardens +of that early day, and we come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> more and more to realize that all +through the ages, the hand of Man has fashioned nothing more beautiful +than a garden of flowers. The most famous poets have not found any more +ideal trysting spot in which to place their lovers.</p> + +<p>Each individual part of the flower garden has its own distinctive charm. +It lies not solely with the flowers that bloom so profusely in the beds +nor with the marble fragments, for the romance of it all is centered in +the little summer house, as it was quaintly named by our ancestors in +the long ago. In these little tea houses, built in a retired part of the +garden, the mistress loved to spend a pleasant summer afternoon, seated +inside knitting flower thoughts into a shapely bag or reading some +delightful book, which dropped from her hand, as she sat dreamily +watching the unfolding of some favorite flower.</p> + +<p>Let us enter one of these gardens, rich in its summer garb, walk slowly +down the path, stopping now and again to view some bud slowly unfold its +petals one by one, disclosing a new specimen to be added to the +ever-increasing number that are comprised in the floral scheme, and +waving a welcome as it is tossed to and fro by every passing breeze.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + +<p>Over there against the white paling fence stands the stiff hollyhock +nodding his satiny head to greet the dainty heliotrope who glances +coquettishly up to meet his eye. Nearby is a dialetrea or bleeding +heart, the pet of the little ones, who pluck them to form tiny boats +with snow white sails to float down the lily pond. Bursting into bloom +behind the stiff box border is the old-time "piny," sending bits of +color into the sober green.</p> + +<p>None of the old Colonial gardens were considered complete without an +ever varying assortment of bloom. There were the Sweet Williams, +Bouncing Bet, and perky little Johnny-jump-up, sending greetings to his +comrades nearby. Flowers are everywhere, they peer out at us from hidden +corners, swing their heads in very ecstasy of enjoyment of their being.</p> + +<p>Simplicity was the key-note in the construction of those summer houses +that came into existence during the latter part of the seventeenth +century. They stand for the first type of garden furniture made in our +country, coming into vogue after the close of the grim struggle for +existence made by our Puritan forbears. Then when the tide turned, and +money flowed into the colonies, houseowners had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> more time to devote to +garden culture. Behind the large Colonial houses sprang into existence +gardens devoted to flowers, the owners doing the best they could with +the material at hand. These delightful little plots secluded from the +world outside by high paling fences were the homes of the old-fashioned +flowers, many of them descendants of the originals, brought over in the +ships that first touched our shores.</p> + +<p>They were not like the twentieth-century ones constructed of marble or +concrete clothed with vines and standing in a wealth of up-to-date +blooms, showing slender marble columns and carved capitals supporting +the marble roof.</p> + +<p>Rather are they covered with plain, every-day vines, such as the +Dutchman's Pipe with its heavy leaving, clambering roses and the Bitter +Sweet or Roxbury Waxwork, whose drooping bunches of yellow and red poke +their heads through the lattice work, making a bit of bright color all +through the winter months. This when the ground is covered with snow +livens up the surroundings. On either side are planted a wealth of +timely flowers, these include the Sweet William, the Hooded Larkspur, +and the many-colored Phlox.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>Many of these little garden houses show such a variety of form that they +are interesting, fitting into their surroundings as if they had always +been there. Some are square, formed like a large box, depending for +their picturesqueness on their coverings of vines. Others are round, and +still again we find oblong summer houses, each one fitted up with seats +and sometimes a rustic table.</p> + +<p>Occasionally, we come upon a more pretentious one that is two stories in +height. They were planned in the early nineteenth century, some of these +are still standing and among them we find that of Elias Haskett Derby, +designed by Samuel McIntyre, Salem's noted architect and wood-carver. +For years it stood on the grounds of the summer home of Mr. Derby and +to-day is so well preserved that it seems as if it had been recently +built. Exquisite carving is a feature of this particular tea house, +where rural images top the roof.</p> + +<p>It is only in the gardens of the rich, that elaborate tea houses are +found, simple designs grace the little gardens and are in harmony with +their surroundings. The rustic summer house has its own mission to +fulfill. Its cost can be determined by conditions. Some are finished in +elaborately decorative<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> designs while others show plain treatment.</p> + +<p>The best kind of wood to be used for this purpose is the red cedar which +has wonderful lasting qualities. It is more expensive than the locust +but out-wears any wood on the market. Great care should be taken that +the supports be placed deep enough to avoid throwing by the heavy winter +frost. Holes should be dug at least four feet deep, and squares of stone +or cement pounded into the bottom to prevent its coming in contact with +the earth and rotting. This makes a solid foundation, and durable. Do +not have the roof made flat, so that water can stand upon it and rot it, +but raise it slightly and either shingle or thatch it.</p> + +<p>This last is an old-time handicraft that has recently been revived. +Following the old English rule, reeds are more endurable, while straw is +admissible. An advantage of its use is that it grows handsomer with age. +In its second year it has collected moss, weeds and plants, and these, +matted down and weather-beaten, give it the hue of a gray lichen. If +properly treated it will last for years.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 355px;"><a name="ILL_011" id="ILL_011"></a> +<img src="images/ill_011.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH" title="" /> +<span class="caption">STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH</span> +</div> + +<p>One should, if possible, when planning the garden, include a summer +house. There is no more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> enjoyable feature that can be constructed on +the grounds. Its design, size, situation and type, must correspond with +the period of the garden. A formal lay-out should, in order to be +correct, receive entirely different treatment in its setting from the +Italian, while the rambling depends upon simpler characteristics to +produce correct results. Rustic tea houses fit into this project +appropriately. They would be entirely incongruous if placed in Italian +gardens elaborate in their plan and full of wonderful bits of marble +fragments transplanted from foreign lands.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for us, there are so many different types of gardens that +one is not continually finding a repetition. Garden houses, covered with +bark, fit into simple plans, such as the rambling and the wild gardens, +their rustic effect being in harmony with the flowers and beds.</p> + +<p>It is one thing to plan a summer house but quite another to pick out a +suitable situation. It should not be placed in the heart of the flowers +more especially where there are tall blossoms. Let the beds in the +foreground be low and show quiet colors, shading the height and +brightness as they go farther afield, the most conspicuous being used<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +for the extreme edge. Here, like a beautiful picture, they fit into the +landscape and produce correct effects.</p> + +<p>Level stretches do not always bring about right results. If your ground +slopes to the garden edge why not design a rustic tea house to fit into +the hillside? Should you visit it of a clear afternoon, seat yourself on +the wooden settle and glance around you, you will be delighted with the +view obtained. Below is the garden rolled out like a carpet brightly +patterned at your feet, smooth stretches of lawn between rest the eyes +as they gaze off to the horizon when the blue of the sky seems to melt +into the masses of waving bloom.</p> + +<p>Do not start this feature of the garden unless you have first planned +situation, size and cost, otherwise you will be disappointed, and may +feel it is more expensive than you wished. If you do not care to bed it +underneath, you will be sorry. Every house of this sort should have a +hard ashes or cement foundation in order to keep out the dampness. This +is a serious fault which if not carefully watched results in quick +rotting of the wood and constant expense. It is better to start right +and in the end it will cost less. Posts used for supports<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> should be +made of cedar or locust, driven four feet into the ground and resting on +stone supports, used as preservatives. They can be elaborately designed +or simple in finish and if plenty of air and light are wished for, +trellis supports can be used, but if it demands shade, shingles or +canvas painted, are advisable, the former better for rounded effects and +the latter when a flat surface is used.</p> + +<p>Marble is used prominently in Italian gardens, whose elaborate setting +demands striking effects. Give the tea house a cover of soft green +vines, dotted here and there with a bit of color and it will be a joy +forever, taking on a dignity that is in keeping with its surroundings. +Cement, no matter where it is used, is always effective. In coloring and +lines it seemingly fits into the elaborate landscape scheme and it +improves with age. There is an advantage in the use of cement, in that +it costs nothing for repairs, is fireproof, does not collect vermin, and +is never shabby. With its clinging vine cover, it is a desirable +material for use in the construction of tea houses when wood and marble +are not suitable.</p> + +<p>There is a romantic charm in vine-clad tea houses. The clinging vine +lends a picturesqueness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> to the slender columns and the slanting roof +emphasizes the beauty of it all.</p> + +<p>There are so many decorative vines that are suitable for its use that it +would be impossible to name them all.</p> + +<p>For marble, delicate, tender climbers are the best. For concrete a +larger leaf can be used to give more stable effects, while for rustic +tea houses, the large, hardy vines and stronger climbers are more +suitable. Each one has its own use, and appears at its best in congenial +environment. The tiny canary-bird vine would make little show if allowed +to clamber over rustic supports, while the Boston or Japanese ivy are +especially adapted for this treatment. This is on account of the small, +flat leaf that clings to the side, helping out the design without a deep +massing of leaves.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_012" id="ILL_012"></a> +<img src="images/ill_012.jpg" width="500" height="355" alt="LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN" title="" /> +<span class="caption">LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN</span> +</div> + +<p>Some summer houses depend upon hardy vines for their cover and others on +tender climbers whose delicate tendrils wind in and out clouding but not +hiding the exterior coloring. It is the wise man who is able to provide +a suitable over-spread for houses of this description. It must be +remembered that it is not the cover alone but the planting that +surrounds it that aids in the picturesque effect.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> There is as much +need of careful thought here as there would be in any part of the +scheme. For right coloring, height, and time of blossoming help or mar +the plan.</p> + +<p>There is as much difference in the growth of vines as there is in +children. Some to be at their best require a very rich soil, while +others will do equally well if it is poorer. The important thing, if you +wish successful results, is to give them plenty of food, plenty of water +and look out for a proper insecticide, in order not to retard their +growth. A general rule that is permissible for almost any grounds is to +dig a ditch from three to four feet deep and put in the bottom a foot of +rotted manure. This can better be attended to in the fall, leaving time +for it to get well soaked into the ground and ripen before planting. +Fill in alternate layers of soil and manure until the trench is even +with the ground. In clay soil, it is better in order to lighten it to +mix in a little sand.</p> + +<p>For a rustic summer house, where heavy planting is needed, a honeysuckle +is effective. The scarlet or Sempervirens is a very decorative variety +and this differs greatly from the Japanese one, bearing tubular scarlet +flowers that continue in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> blossom all summer. Of the many varieties this +is the freest and the best. Its leaves are a blueish green which make a +pleasing contrast with the coral color of the flower.</p> + +<p>The Clematis is always effective and is the best vine of medium growth +in existence. Its small, white, star-shaped flowers, deliciously +fragrant, cover the vine completely in August. The Japanese Clematis or +Paniculata is most attractive. It prefers a sunny position, the foliage +is handsome and at the end of August it bursts into a wonderful mass of +fragrant, pure white, star-like flowers that last nearly a month.</p> + +<p>For shady places, the Helix or English ivy is advisable. This +well-known, small-leafed ivy is perfectly hardy in this section and is +much used for covering the ground in shady places where grass refuses to +grow. Young growth sometimes gets winter killed, but this is due to +sunburn rather than frost.</p> + +<p>For tea houses painted white and for concrete, wisteria takes a +prominent place. It grows equally well in city and country, being able +to withstand the smoke of cities. Of these the Multijuga loose cluster +is advisable. It is not so strong a grower as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> the Chinese varieties but +distinguished from them by long, loose clusters of purple flowers +sometimes obtaining a length of two feet.</p> + +<p>The Crimson Glory Grape Vine, Coignetiae, is a strong grower, showing +large, heart-shaped leaves, ten inches long, deep rich green on top and +bright yellow beneath, which assume a brilliant scarlet in autumn. The +grapes are black and form a pleasing contrast to the bright colors of +the leaves.</p> + +<p>The Canary Bird Vine is suitable for either this kind of a tea house or +a marble one. It is a beautiful, rapid, annual grower and when in +blossom, the charming little canary-colored blooms bear a fancied +resemblance to a bird with wings half expanded. Do not forget the +Cardinal Climber which is a cross between the Cyprus Vine and the Star +Glory. It attains a height of thirty feet or more with a beautiful form +like laciniated foliage and is literally covered with a blaze of +circular fiery cardinal red flowers from midsummer until frost. The +flowers are about one and one-half inch in diameter and are borne in +clusters from five to seven blossoms each. Wherever it has been grown it +has attracted favorable comments. It delights in a warm sunshiny +situation and good soil.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Kudzu Vine or Peuraria Thunbergiana is very popular. It came from +Japan and is still rare. Its flowers are large clusters similar to a +white Hydrangea and when in flower during July and August make a +wonderful display. It is one of the best of the flowering vines to plant +against a wall as it clings naturally to any rough surface.</p> + +<p>The plants selected for either side of the tea house need as much care +in choosing right colors as do the vines.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_GARDEN_STEPS" id="THE_GARDEN_STEPS"></a>THE GARDEN STEPS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 355px;"><a name="ILL_013" id="ILL_013"></a> +<img src="images/ill_013.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED" title="" /> +<span class="caption">STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE GARDEN STEPS</h3> + +<p>The air was laden with the sweet fragrance of flowers. They wafted a +delightful welcome to the hardy explorers, who, worn with the long +voyage, viewed for the first time the rocky shores of New England. Their +soothing influence brought heart to the wearied men, as they revelled in +the spicy odors that brought in their train pleasant thoughts of the +wonderful gardens they had left behind them. From the sandy coast of +Florida to the bleak New England shores they felt its enticing power. So +pungent was the perfume, that it touched the heart of Barlow, one of the +commanders of Raleigh's expedition who wrote on landing on the newly +discovered shore, "We smelt so sweet and strong a smell, as if we had +been in the midst of some delicate garden. The woods were not such as we +find in Europe, barren and fruitless, but the highest and reddest +cedars, pines, cypresses, and many others of excellent quality. Of +grapes we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> found a plenty climbing over every shrub and tree down to the +waters very edge. I think in all the world there is not the like in +abundance."</p> + +<p>Among the earliest settlers, came a colony of Spaniards choosing for +their home the sunny shores of Florida. Here in the heart of the +woodland they made clearings, laying out extensive grounds that followed +no set plan, but with semblance of the old-world garden. Here they +planted for coolness and shade, vines and trees, laid out their grounds +with walks, paved like mosaic with vari-colored stones. In these gardens +no semi-tropical plants, such as abounded on every side, were planted. +It has always been man's way when warring with the wilderness that lay +beyond his door, to gather into the enclosure flowers and plants that +had been dear to his heart in his far-away native land, to re-establish +the atmosphere of his old home in new surroundings.</p> + +<p>The colonists who settled on the southern shores of Virginia, were men +of rank, wealthy men, who had left stately homes to settle in this +unknown land. In the lay-out of their gardens they introduced the +Elizabethean style of floriculture, following the fashion of the English +gardens of that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> day. These old gardens showed terraces, steps, leading +from walk to walk, paths laid at right angles, through which one walked +to view the spaces intricately designed with "knotted" beds and mazes, +each one of which conformed to details in the buildings of their stately +homes.</p> + +<p>There were the first steps laid out in gardens in America, a novel +feature that has been evolved into elaborate designs with the passing of +the years. To-day no garden is complete that does not show some form of +steps or terrace.</p> + +<p>Rockeries have come into vogue not only in large, elaborate garden plots +but in simple little home grounds. They are approached by steps of stone +that correspond with the rough, rural aspect of this feature of garden +culture. Shy wild flowers peep timidly out from their homes between the +crevices of the rock. Here in the early spring we find the cup-shaped +crocus with its yellow tongue nestled contentedly in among the brown +furred fern fronds, that soon will unfurl in dainty loveliness. Leading +from the steps are grass banks and low walks, surrounding the rockery +and affording pleasant promenades, from which to view the garden in its +entirety.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>Like every other plan contrived by man, the garden step should be +fashioned to fit into its proper place, adding and not detracting from +the general picturesqueness. It depends upon the personality of the +creator as to its success, for steps while seemingly a minor detail, can +add or detract from a garden's beauty materially.</p> + +<p>One should never swerve from the thought that practicability should be +the motive in planning stepping stones to connect different levels of +your garden. They should not be added just for appearance sake, any more +than one should wear a showy gown to attract attention. They should +carry out some well-thought-out plan.</p> + +<p>It would be bad taste to introduce rustic steps into a formal garden, as +much so as it would to place delicately wrought slabs of marble in the +heart of a thicket. One should, that is if they wish to excel other +creators in the introduction of original ideas, think out each +individual part of the ground assigned for garden purposes and determine +where each feature can make the best showing. It is then and then only +that we come to a realizing sense not only of the kind of material that +should be used but the shape and the setting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<p>There should be a definite purpose in the use of this particular feature +and the most important one is that it should be so arranged that one can +reach different levels easily. There should be no precipitous pitch that +makes one feel while ascending that they are performing tiresome +gymnastic feats. This necessitates that they should be constructed on a +gradual incline, thus making the ascent so easy that one is hardly +conscious they are walking always upward until they have reached the +top, and stand on level ground. This is often not enough considered and +yet is most important.</p> + +<p>In laying the stepping stones, there should be definite proportions +thought out between the risers, breadth of the treads and the height +between. Any variation would produce awkward results. Great care should +be taken in choosing slabs either of stone or marble that are of the +same size.</p> + +<p>If the steps connect different parts of the garden scheme or lead to a +rock garden, they should be cunningly introduced into the side of the +ascent, placed so that they will add to the picturesqueness of the +effect. They should break the hillside pleasingly, so that when +completed they will form a pleasant picture, delightful for the eye to +gaze<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> upon. More than this, there should be planting, not only between +the risers but on either side, and this requires careful thought, for a +stately hollyhock rearing its gorgeous stock of rich coloring would be +entirely out of place while delicate ferns or humble rock plants +emphasize the desired effect.</p> + +<p>If the height of your step should be low, then risers, six inches in +height would be in good form, and the treads in order to correspond must +be twelve and a half inches in width. Should, however, five inches be +the height needed, then an additional inch and a half should be added to +the treads. This point is such an important one that garden owners and +landscape architects should see that it is properly carried out, if they +wish to get the right results.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_014" id="ILL_014"></a> +<img src="images/ill_014.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND</span> +</div> + +<p>Ramping steps, if successfully developed, brings about an additional +ease in mounting. This can be accomplished by placing the tread so that +it shall imperceptibly slope downward. This is not an easy matter to +accomplish successfully. It requires much care, so that the steps shall +not slope too noticeably and yet enough to add to the comfort of the +garden lover who walks from path to path<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> using the steps to aid him in +reaching the upper level of the ground. This idea of ramping is not +original, for it has been carried out in the old Italian gardens for +centuries, but it is only within recent years that it has been +successfully developed by landscape gardeners in our country.</p> + +<p>Two important things connected with these stairways are ease and +comfort. There is no doubt but within the last few years, marvels have +been accomplished by introducing them into steep hillsides. In this way +they connect the lower level and the terrace, making it practical to +develop unused land for flower purposes.</p> + +<p>The placing of steps cannot be determined by cast-iron rules, rather +should good taste predominate. Nothing can give such an awkward look to +your garden or terrace as a series of narrow, cramped stairs. If, +however, you should in the same place introduce a flight ample in +proportion, then even if it is a small space there will be imparted to +it an agreeable air of breadth.</p> + +<p>Be sure that each step should extend farther to the side than the one +above it. They should be rectangular so that the outline of the stair +mass is pyramidal or circular in formation. If stone is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> used, a very +good result is brought about through the use of carefully selected field +stone or cobble. There are sheltering crevices in which to plant tiny +roots which when grown add much to the general appearance of the whole. +If the garden is a formal one, a design in which architectural features +play an important part, one should take great care in the arrangement of +this flight. There is nothing that gives such a delightful atmosphere as +a well-planned stairway. It conveys a much better picture than does a +vista of successive flights of steps that ascend to higher grounds.</p> + +<p>The principal use for a feature such as this, is found to be in informal +or unpretentious lay-outs, yet, fashioned in marble it is shown in the +most elaborate Italian gardens found in this country. It takes on such a +variety of forms and is available for so many purposes that it is +fascinating to study where it will give best effects. Sometimes it helps +out in the making of a garden pool. Here it is specially alluring, +forming as it does, a step from one little world into another.</p> + +<p>If you wish originality in your work, do not attempt to copy from the +plans of others. Surely there is no lack of material from which to draw +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> there is no reason why steps cannot be placed in any sort of a +garden nook. The material depends on the style of garden, but wooden +steps are not generally advisable on account of their rotting, which +makes them need constant repair. It is far better to use stone, slabs of +granite, concrete or marble, for each one of these has the lasting +qualities that make them durable.</p> + +<p>Measure the space carefully before the work is commenced. You should +make allowances for crevices between each step so that suitable planting +may be carried out. It is a very good idea to have the wide spreading +plants placed near the bottom, graduating to those of more moderate +growth at the top. Careful consideration should also be given to the +right planting on either side. Low plants should border the step with a +background of taller ones. They may, if you like, be used to express the +idea of balusters on either side and are much more picturesque than real +ones.</p> + +<p>Do not forget that rich soil should be employed, for the plants need it +to grow successfully. They require sustenance just as we need meat to +feed our bodies. In many cases it can be rich loam taken from the woods, +in other instances rotted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> manure can be used for a foundation with a +heavy soil covering. Great care should be taken to make proper planting, +for delicate growth near hardy is disastrous, the stronger plants +absorbing the strength of the weaker ones and doing permanent harm. Do +not flatter yourself that once planted nature will do the rest. This +part of the ground demands continual care, for weeds—plants' +enemies—will intrude and must be carefully removed lest they feed upon +the soil, taking away the richness and starving the plants. Water is a +necessity, for plants like human beings grow thirsty all the more when +exposed to the dry heat of the summer season. For best effects a +sprinkler should be used and it should be borne in mind that the plants +should be thoroughly soaked and not given merely a surface treatment. +The importance of this cannot be over-estimated, or through lack of +proper drink the plants will be in no condition to put out their full +strength during their season of blossoming. Better results will be +obtained if each fall before the winter sets in, they should be given a +heavy top dressing of grit. There is nothing that plants enjoy as much +as this and it provides them with strength during the next year's +growth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + +<p>Concrete may not find favor with many garden lovers. It covers the +surface so thoroughly that there is no place to introduce growth, but a +little ingenuity and common sense removes this difficulty. Holes can be +bored through the cement, and these should be large enough to allow the +plants full scope to grow.</p> + +<p>Many people for step planting prefer a succession of blossoming plants +while others care for growth only. If the former plan is worked out, a +charming early bloomer is the Alpine Anemone. Of these the Pulsatilla, +or "Pasque Flower," is effective. It shows rich purple blossoms, which +rising above the green leaves with their downy, feathery collarette of +green, develop into handsome seed heads, which are decorative. They +nestle into the crevices of the rocks, sending forth their exquisite +blossoms nine inches in diameter during the months of April and May.</p> + +<p>Variety is always delightful. For this decorative purpose why not use +crocuses, "The Heralds of Spring." They thrive in any soil or situation, +but in order to obtain the best growth, they should be planted in rich, +deep, sandy loam. One of the choicest kinds is the Baron von Brunow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> It +is free flowering, putting forth large blossoms, dark blue in coloring. +These can be mingled with a stripe variety such as La Majestueuse, which +shows large, violet markings, exquisite in shading. The Giants, of which +the Mont Blanc is a favorite, put out large, snow-white blossoms, +forming an effective foil for the dark blue flowers of the other +assortments.</p> + +<p>In planting your steps do not forget to have plenty of bulbs introduced +among the other plants. The graceful dwarf anemone seemingly fit into +this early scheme, their delicate blossoms giving a touch of daintiness. +For the best results these should be planted in the fall six inches +apart and three inches in depth. Few bulbs exceed in loveliness the +Blanda-Blue, Winter Wind Flower. This is matchless in coloring, +originating in the hills of Greece, and has been naturalized in this +country, where it takes kindly to the soil and produces flowers of +charming hue. A feature of this special plant is that it blossoms during +the winter months as well as the early spring. You make no mistake if +you place it in every development of steps in your garden. It +naturalizes best in grassy places in warm soil, and it can be +distinguished by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> its round, bulb-like roots. Should you, however, wish +to have more than one variety, why not try the Bride, that puts forth a +single white flower, or the single Fugens, "Irish Anemone," which is +semi-double, found in shades of scarlet, blue and purple.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_015" id="ILL_015"></a> +<img src="images/ill_015.jpg" width="500" height="304" alt="MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN" title="" /> +<span class="caption">MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN</span> +</div> + +<p>Anyone can carry out their own idea as there are so many plants to draw +from, each one of which is permissible for decorative effects. In our +choosing let us not forget the Lily of the Valley. It is surely one of +the most useful of our many spring flowers, pure white in coloring and +delicately scented. For best development it should be planted in open +ground, where it quickly spreads so that unless you wish masses of it, +it will have to be separated almost every year. The Dutch Valley is an +excellent kind to choose, as it sends forth so many flowering pits. This +dainty little plant is a general favorite with everyone. Its sprays of +drooping, white, wax-like, fragrant bells give a bit of color that is +picturesque.</p> + +<p>If you are looking for evening bloom there is the Ænothera or evening +Primrose; this has the advantage of blooming all through the summer +months. There are so many kinds, each one so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> beautiful that it is a +difficult matter to pick out the most decorative. Of these the Arendsii +is very popular, showing, as it does, a profusion of lovely rose-colored +flowers, and it is to be preferred to the Speciosa. Then there is the +Pilgrimi with its glorious golden clusters that seem to light the garden +during the twilight hour.</p> + +<p>In your planting do not forget the Acre, or golden moss. This is a +creeping variety and especially suitable for rock work. Its delicate +growth makes it particularly appropriate for this use. The Vinca Minor +can be mixed with this. This is evergreen, and excellent for covering or +rockery, and can be combined with the Moss Pink, sometimes known as +creeping phlox. This latter is in bloom in May or June. It shows broad +sheets of rosy pink, white or lavender flowers, and an evergreen +foliage. As it grows either in sun or shade, it is a very decorative +plant to be used for step treatment.</p> + +<p>For the border can be used as a setting low, old-fashioned, hardy +perennials, which are particularly adapted for grouping. In their +planting use good soil, let them be placed where there is a reasonable +amount of sunshine, keep them free from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> weeds and give them an +occasional surface cultivation.</p> + +<p>It is better to set these out in the fall, so that some of them will +blossom during April and May. The late blossomers, however, can be saved +until early spring, like Asters, and Heleniums. In making the selection, +consideration should be given to those that grow in certain settings, as +while some will flourish luxuriantly in ordinary garden loam, others are +not dependable unless very rich soil is given to them.</p> + +<p>For the outer border why not use hardy Candytuft (Iberis Sempervirens), +which sends forth a profusion of white flowers in April or May, showing +a spreading foliage that is evergreen and very attractive. With this can +be grown the Rock Cress or Arabis Albida, which from April to June sends +out sheets of pure white, fragrant flowers. Back of this one can plant +the Fleur-de-lis. They should be given a sunny position in any kind of +soil. As they come in all sorts of colors, there is no trouble in +getting them to carry out the scheme that you have in hand. The Silver +King, which is a silvery white with lavender shading, can be placed with +the Florantina, which is light lavender, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> Pallida Dalmatica, +which is lavender bloom. If you wish to carry out this color scheme +further, why not try the Purpurea, which with its rich, royal purple, +will make during the season one of the handsomest displays possible for +a setting to the low growth decoratively used in steps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="ENTRANCES" id="ENTRANCES"></a>ENTRANCES</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 356px;"><a name="ILL_016" id="ILL_016"></a> +<img src="images/ill_016.jpg" width="356" height="500" alt="AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF LATTICEWORK" title="" /> +<span class="caption">AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF LATTICEWORK</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>ENTRANCES</h3> + +<p>We view our flower-plots at their best, gazing at them through the +vine-clad entrance, as we glance down the gravel walk bordered on either +side by masses of brilliant flowers. Involuntarily, our eyes wander +along farther afield till we meet the background of trees clad in +verdant foliage, a fitting setting for the picture laid out in patches +of color, fitting into the canvas with a well-defined plan. We can but +feel as we stand looking down on this paradise of flowers that we are +thankful for the thought that first created gardens.</p> + +<p>When they came into existence it is hard to determine, for mention is +found of flowers and the traditions of wonderful gardens, laid out long +before man had chiseled the hieroglyphics depicted on Egyptian tombs. +The love of flowers is a heritage handed down from generation to +generation.</p> + +<p>Homer, when speaking of Laertes, trying in vain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> to find consolation in +his flowers, while mourning the departure of Telemachus, goes on to show +us that great men turn to gardens to heal sorrow. Philosophy was taught +by Epicurus surrounded by his beloved pupils among the flowers.</p> + +<p>From the early Greeks the Romans took their first lesson in +floriculture. It was after their invasion of Brittany that they +introduced certain flowers and fruits, like grapes, roses and violets, +into English gardens. The art of gardening advanced steadily, reaching +its zenith in good Queen Elizabeth's time, when there were in England +many pleasing gardens, formal and stiff, to be sure, but a fit setting +for the architecture of that day.</p> + +<p>While the garden designs abounded in beautiful walks and flowers, yet +the entrance to the grounds formed as it were the key-note to it all.</p> + +<p>Has it ever occurred to you, as you stood hesitating at the portals of +the gardens, that these were suggestive of some well-thought-out plan, +as like grim sentinels they stand guarding the flower treasures? There +is as much contrast in this part of the plan as there is in the design +itself. Here we find a narrow, forbidding entrance, giving no glimpse of +the flowers within; again we come to a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> wide, welcoming one, beckoning, +as it were, for us to pass through the portals and gaze with delight on +the beauties hinted at beforehand and now disclosed to the eye.</p> + +<p>For Colonial treatment there is nothing more dignified or stately than +the square wooden posts, inclosing a locust inner one. They are built of +white pine, one of the most lasting woods to be found in our country, +and are Colonial or Georgian in design. Many of them are ornamental, +topped with balls, urns, or torch devices and with elaborate +hand-carving, so wonderful in its design that architects copy them in +their modified Colonial houses of to-day. This was the work of one of +the most noted wood-carvers in our country, Samuel McIntyre, whose name +is a household word to architects and landscape designers all over the +country.</p> + +<p>There are two ways of treating the entrance. One of them is by adding an +ornamental gate, corresponding in type with that of the posts. The other +is to leave the posts gateless; while both are correct, yet the former +way is more often used as it lends an air of privacy to the ground. It +also helps out the effect planned by giving a touch of picturesqueness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +that would be otherwise lacking. A much too common mistake is the +introduction of Southern architecture into Northern gateways; the lines +and details do not always conform with the type of the house.</p> + +<p>Most of these gates are hung by iron or brass hinges, but the earliest +ones use the strap hinge, which carries out the Colonial idea. The +difficulty with the strap hinge is that it is not always strong enough +to hold the gates without sagging, and the wider the entrance the +heavier the strain. While the design varies, yet rarely do we find one +constructed in the seventeenth century that is not simple and with +picket effects. The pickets have pointed tops and are sometimes +irregularly spaced, while the brace often shows an artistic curve.</p> + +<p>Occasionally, we find the posts yoked, through a connecting arch. This +is often latticed and if rightly designed adds to the ornamental effect. +An old lantern is sometimes an attractive feature. The arch should be +painted to match the color of the posts, a very good combination for +this use is pure white lead, or zinc, combined with linseed oil. If you +do not care to mix it yourself it can be bought ready for use. For the +best effects, a thin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> coat should be used at first and it depends upon +how easily it is covered as to how many coats to apply. If you wish to +give a better finish, have an excess of turpentine over linseed oil in +the last coat. There is more economy in covering it properly at first, +as otherwise it will have to be re-painted each year.</p> + +<p>With the evolution of garden culture has come a similar change in the +design and material used to form our entrances. On the large estates of +to-day, rarely if ever, do we find the ornamental Colonial. It would be +as much out of place as if the mistress of the house affected silken +brocades with wig and patches.</p> + +<p>The white paling fence, unless for simple cottages, has entirely gone +out of style and in its place we find cement walls. Often these are +topped with a coping of limestone. The gate-posts, being formed over +strong locust posts that have been driven firmly into the ground, are +supported by brick or cement foundation.</p> + +<p>Where the mansion shows in exterior brick, often with trimmings of +limestone, the same idea is worked out in the wall. In cases like this +an ornamental iron gate, hung on staples, supercedes the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> simple +Colonial ones of former days. Occasionally, the name of the estate is +interwoven in the ornamentation, or sometimes it is carved on the stone +entrance posts.</p> + +<p>Natural material is coming more and more to be used and we find a rubble +wall, constructed from stone and boulders picked up on the grounds, left +often rough, and again filled in with red cement to make it more stable. +The rubble wall is generally topped with cement laid perfectly flat. The +entrance posts follow this same line of treatment and while they are +often left hollow for several inches down, these are packed solidly +inside with small rocks to keep them in place. The excavation is filled +in with rich soil and bright blossoming plants introduced. This gives a +bit of color scheme that is very effective as a foil for the cold gray +of the stone. Vines are often planted at the foot of the posts, the turf +being dug away for several inches, and rich loam introduced to better +insure their growth. It depends entirely upon how heavy one wishes the +covering to be as to the kind of vine planted. If it is the idea to hide +it effectively from sight and produce massing of green, an entirely +different planting should be made than if it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> intended to have a +delicate coloring of green that would only enhance the color of the +background.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 427px;"><a name="ILL_017" id="ILL_017"></a> +<img src="images/ill_017.jpg" width="427" height="500" alt="A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY</span> +</div> + +<p>Right combinations are very important in this line of work. It would be +foolish to use woodwork combined with heavy stone or iron. It is +sometimes in better form to have wide slabs of granite or cement +defining several layers of brick. The height and width naturally depend +upon what it intends to imply.</p> + +<p>Low piers of masonry capped with a pointed effect should stand by +themselves without any planting, as the latter often disfigures +architectural effects. It is not always necessary that this feature of +the exterior should be conspicuous, more particularly if the posts are +constructed of wood. Treat them to a light creosote stain, thus giving a +picturesque background for the overlapping vines. Sometimes combinations +work out well in producing artistic results. With a rough stone pillar, +it is sometimes in good taste to introduce gateways of oak, which while +effective under certain conditions, are very bad under others. These are +much more attractive the second year, when they have weathered to a +picturesque pearly gray. This color harmonizes delightfully, not only +with the walls but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> with the flowers and their foliage. An important +thing that should not be forgotten is the use of wooden pegs and copper +nails, neither of which are injured by rain. If you choose to use a wire +fence, let the gate-post and gates correspond for it is far better than +to combine materials inharmoniously. They are not only practical but +light and in their construction there is a chance to work into the +scheme ornamental designs. Do not finish this with a square box top, +rather give it a bit of ornamentation such as a ball or a lantern. There +can be had to-day so many ornamental lanterns, constructed of wrought +iron, that they can be purchased in almost any type desired. It is far +better not to cover the posts with vines and thus conceal the beauty of +the work. The most effective way would be to build up wire arches and +plant rambler roses back of the posts for them to run on.</p> + +<p>The Sweet Briar, if one is looking for perfume, is desirable. They can +be purchased in single and semi-double flowers, created through the +developing and crossing of the old-fashioned variety. Rambler roses are +always in good taste. It is better to plant three or four kinds that +show harmonious coloring. There is the Lord Penzance, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> soft fawn, +turning to lemon yellow in the center. This is particularly adaptable +for covering arches as it is a strong grower and abundant blossomer. The +Meg Merrilies fits into this color scheme, putting forth gorgeous +crimson flowers during the six weeks of its flowering. Combine with +these the Brenda, and you will find that this mixture lends a brightness +that is very effective. Many people object to roses on account of their +many enemies. One of the most common is the powdery mildew. This is +easily distinguished by a powdery growth of white that is found on both +leaves and shoots. Use sulphur very freely, and you will find it +disappear. The stem cancer is a serious disease, and it is found on both +the cane and the branches. In dealing with this the grower must not be +afraid to use the pruning knife vigorously, so that the diseased parts +can be thoroughly removed, in this way preventing spreading and the ruin +of the vine. From the time of its planting the rambler needs constant +attention, but it brings its own reward, in that there is no vine that +can equal it in beauty. The advantage of having a variety of colors +instead of one is readily seen, for it prevents a large mass of one +individual color.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is a pleasure indescribable felt by lovers of plants when +designing any feature of their grounds. This is particularly true with +the gate and the planting. They must bear in mind, however, the true +purpose of gates and their proper use on country estates. It is designed +as a means of ingress, and as such, should be suited to the type of +mansion. Therefore, into its plan should be worked the atmosphere of the +residence as well as the characteristics of the surrounding country. For +instance, a wooden fence and gate-post would be entirely inappropriate +if one were dealing with a beautiful summer estate where the house was +to be built of brick.</p> + +<p>Compositions should not be carelessly used and it should be remembered +that there is great danger in our zeal for producing something unique, +of going to the other extreme and giving an over-ornamental creation. +One cannot be too particular in making the entrance and the adjoining +fence accord with the idea one is trying to bring out in the whole plan.</p> + +<p>The driveway is of fully as much importance as the entrance. It should +be kept scrupulously neat and free from weeds. To have it at its best +it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> should be thoroughly under-drained, and for this the open-joint +drain tile is advisable. It should be laid under ground and connected, +if possible, with the sewer. Properly attended to, this keeps the +road-bed dry and in good condition. The bed itself should be dug down +for several feet, a foundation of earth from six to ten inches should be +laid, over which can be thrown a layer six inches thick of either broken +limestone or chopped trap rock. Cover the whole with a screening of +limestone and finish it with gravel. Have it rolled hard and you realize +the advantage as the season ends.</p> + +<p>The drive should be sufficiently wide for carriages to pass through +without besmearing your gate-posts with mud and dust. One should realize +that the driveway is in reality a foot-path enlarged, and should always +be kept immaculate. The gate, if you wish to prevent its sagging, should +open in the center. A two-part gate gives often a better effect than one +long one. Nothing equals iron, which can be treated in so many different +ways that there is little danger of repetition in design.</p> + +<p>The capping is as important as the post itself. Simple square box +treatment is advisable in some cases. Balls fit into the scheme on some +estates,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> while Colonial urns are in keeping with wooden posts and +lantern effects belong to iron gateways. The latter, of course, are +effective for lighting at night. Gas pipes can be laid under the +roadway, connected with the ornamentation in such a way that they can be +turned on from the house.</p> + +<p>In many entrances, side gates, similar to the main ones have been +inserted, which relieve the main entrance from use by pedestrians. They +can be so laid out as not to interfere with the use of the motor cars. +They should be separated from the main driveway by a turf border and +covered with gravel.</p> + +<p>Planting is very effective for this feature of the ground, and trees, +that is if the right sort are chosen, are admirable, used in this +connection. White birches lend a picturesqueness that cannot be equaled, +but they are short-lived. The elm with its graceful branches seems to +fit into every landscape scheme. Do not plant them too near the posts. +If you do, their roots will reach out often causing upheaval and +creating havoc. For best effects the trees should be used outside rather +than inside the entrance. In the latter case they are too apt to cut off +the view.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_018" id="ILL_018"></a> +<img src="images/ill_018.jpg" width="500" height="353" alt="A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN</span> +</div> + +<p>Many people prefer a hedge and this can be planted either with or +without a fence. Arbor-vitae is practical for such use as is the +Buckthorn and the Berberis Thunbergii (Thunberg's Japanese Barberry). +This is a Japanese hedge with round, drooping habit. It leaves out in a +fine brilliant green during the summer months and from autumn until +December takes on a wonderful showing of color. During the winter months +the branches, loaded with scarlet crimson berries, make an effective +contrast with the white of the snow. Its value as a hedge is because it +is impenetrable and thickly set with spines, never growing bare. The +most popular shrub for hedge treatment is Privet-Ligustrum. It is very +ornamental with a rich dark green foliage that is nearly evergreen and +remains on the plant until late winter. It is a good grower under the +most adverse circumstances. In order to form the most effective hedge it +should be planted from ten to twelve inches apart and pruned back during +the first two seasons.</p> + +<p>The Ampelopsis Arborea woodbine is useful for entrances. It is a +distinct variation from the other forms, making a spreading bush rather +than a strong climber. Its leaves are dark green and comparatively<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +coarse, and its autumn coloring is superb. The Boston Ivy clings even to +wood, its fine shoots cover walls and while it requires some covering +during the first two or three winters of its life, yet it pays. In the +fall, nothing can be so gorgeous as the varied colored tints of its +foliage.</p> + +<p>The Clematis Paniculata should never be forgotten. It is a rapid and +vigorous climber and can be depended upon to clothe large spaces +quickly. Originally, it was introduced from Japan and is allied to our +native Virgin's Bower. The flowers are effective, borne in long panicles +which are white and their fragrance is perceptible a long distance away. +They open the latter part of August, staying in bloom for nearly a +month. Combined with this should be the Clematis Coccinea (Scarlet +Clematis), whose showy bell-shape, brilliant scarlet flowers are +produced in great profusion.</p> + +<p>The Wisteria is adapted to almost any purpose and can be used +picturesquely on many types of entrances. The Wisteria Magnifica is +admirable and resembles Frutescens, but it varies from it in that the +clusters are larger and denser while the yellow lilac colored flowers +have yellow spots.</p> + +<p>Among the other vines it is well to plant some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> that will give a touch +of color during the dark, cold days of winter when the vines lie barren +and bare, their leafless branches swaying in the wind. Why not use for +that the Celastrus Scandens (Bitter Sweet or Wax Work). It is one of our +native climbing plants and can be found in almost any part of the New +England woods, a rapid grower, with attractive, light green foliage and +yellow flowers, followed by bright orange red berries that are cheering +in the fall and lead us to forget the shedding of the foliage by the +other vines.</p> + +<p>In order to hide the base of the vine, ferns can be planted. It is +better to use the hardy varieties rather than the more tender ones, +although a combination of the two is always attractive. Take, for +instance, the Adiantum Croweanum, which is one of the hardiest of the +maiden hair species. This, like every other of its kind, should be well +watered and fertilized, grown in a rich, open soil, with plenty of leaf +mould. There is nothing difficult in their culture and they need +absolutely no attention after planting. The Polypodium Vulgare, which is +evergreen, showing smooth, shiny fronds resembling the Boston fern, is +another that is adapted for this purpose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<p>With these can be combined the Comptonia, or Sweet Fern, a native plant +with fern-like, dark green scented foliage, very useful for foliage +massing on rocky, barren places, and thriving best in dry, sterile soil. +There are many more varieties and it would be impossible to mention them +all. They are, each and every one, suitable for adding to the beauty of +private gardens and estates.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="BIRD_BATHS" id="BIRD_BATHS"></a>BIRD BATHS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 462px;"><a name="ILL_019" id="ILL_019"></a> +<img src="images/ill_019.jpg" width="462" height="500" alt="THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>BIRD BATHS</h3> + +<p>John Burroughs, in his description of a garden, has told us that "To +love the birds, to appreciate their place in the landscape," is one of +the most important things. It does much to bring happiness into our +lives. In the forming of a perfect garden, many things are requisite and +among them are birds, flowers, bees, and the flashing butterfly who +darts joyously from flower to flower, a thing of beauty and perishable +as the day. Should anyone doubt the truth of these assertions, let him +seat himself in some retired spot during a beautiful day in the month of +roses. He can then listen to the song of the birds, caroling as they +sway on the branches of the trees above our heads, nestling at our feet, +or hidden away deep down in the heart of the flower beds. Birds are +everywhere, they flit in and out of the garden, sipping sweet nectar +from the blossoming plants, and flaunting their bright colors when +catching the sunshine as they swing by.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>God made nothing more interesting than birds and man should care for +them, giving them a distinctive place in his garden, realizing that +through their industry they free the plants from harmful insects and +slugs. The birds can be coaxed into anyone's garden, that is, if care is +taken in proper planting, giving to the plots trees and plants that they +love. Under the rose bushes place a bath, where they can come and preen +their plumage, but if possible have it placed beyond the reach of +intruding cats.</p> + +<p>When the custom of providing drinking cups to quench the thirst of our +native birds first came into fashion, it is hard to determine. +Perchance, it was in the early days when in 1621, the colonists built +rail fences, to enclose their separate lots. Over these they trained the +wild morning glory and sweet-scented honeysuckle, the perfume of which +doubtless carried them back to the beautiful English gardens that still +existed in their native land.</p> + +<p>Doubtless, during the life of William Penn, when he encouraged the +laying out of old English gardens, he included in the design a planting +to attract bird life. This was still further encouraged when the first +botanical garden came into existence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> in 1728 through the thought of +Bertram Bartran, of Philadelphia. He was a man who had traveled much and +was thoroughly versed in the art of floriculture. In his garden he +planted rare and practical seeds partly for the mere joy of carrying out +his own whims. This garden, like many others, was individual in its +planting, a quality that lent to it an additional charm.</p> + +<p>During the early seventeenth century there were imported into seaport +towns principally at Salem, Massachusetts, unique bird baths. They came +packed in among the cargo that was stowed away in the holds of the slow +sailing ships that plied continuously between Singapore and the New +England shores. Many of these were the result of orders given by the +ship owners who wanted to set them in their posy beds, laid out at the +rear of their stately homes. Rare were these shells with their fluted +framework, and hard to find, yet so spacious that a whole colony of +feathered songsters could hold concourse within their pearly depths.</p> + +<p>Underneath the shade of the drooping lilac, they peered out at us from +the time the melting of the snow released the snow drops from their icy +cover, thus allowing them to lift up their pure white heads<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> as if in +rejoicing to be free, to be followed later on by the gay little +crocuses, clad in their gowns of many hues. Few of these baths are still +in existence. We come across them occasionally, however, in +old-fashioned gardens where they are treasured for sentiment's sake.</p> + +<p>Just as the rustic bird houses, constructed of weathered boards, and +with floor covering of powdered sawdust or ground cork, have become a +necessity in the twentieth-century garden, tempting the summer +sojourners to rest their weary wings; so we must strive to create a +homelike atmosphere so attractive to the little songsters that they will +delight in revelling among the many flowers that are planted here. A +barren waste of land has no pleasure for them, neither has a garden +shorn of their favorite plants.</p> + +<p>There is no need of being deterred from using a feature such as this. A +bird bath need not be expensive, just a simple box, zinc-lined and +painted to correspond with the surroundings. The birds are not fussy as +to the exterior of their outdoor bathroom; all they wish is comfort and +a cooling drink during the hot summer days, when the dew has faded from +the grass, and the sun hangs high in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> heavens. It is then that all +nature is panting from excessive heat.</p> + +<p>A simple zinc pan, large and wide enough, filled with fresh water daily, +is as satisfactory to them, as a marble pool standing in the heart of +the garden and surrounded by a bed of brilliant flowers. Place this pan +in the heart of a grassy knoll, at the edge of the garden proper and +watch results. You will not have long to wait before softly tripping +through the grass or dropping from their leafy covert, one by one, they +show their gratitude by revelling in the bath thus placed for their use.</p> + +<p>The most common type, if you wish to buy a bird bath, is the cement one. +It can be modeled in any shape and to follow any line of treatment that +you prefer. The simple, plain, low-lying ones are suitable for placing +under the shadowy bush or tree. Hand carving would be as much out of +place on a bath such as this, as if one used an expensive silver bowl +for their benefit. To be sure a little ornamentation, simply worked out, +makes them more artistic. This can be accomplished through proper +planting. A delicate fern unfolding its fronds and drooping until it +almost touches the water is appropriate, as is a low-lying pine that +adds a bit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> shade which is truly appreciated by your little visitors +who perch on the curb, after shaking off the dust from their wings in +the water below, and pour out their gratitude in a melody of song.</p> + +<p>For ornament why not use a cement bath that is shaped like a large vase. +It makes an interesting feature in your twentieth-century garden, and +gives a chance to depict a favorite flower from which the garden takes +its name.</p> + +<p>Rising stately and dignified from their floral bed, showing wonderful +and delicate carving, are marble baths exquisitely shaped and resting on +a shaft of the same material. These are fitting for an Italian or a +formal garden. They seem to blend in with an elaborate architectural +scheme such as we find in the planning for the decoration of a large +area.</p> + +<p>There is no particular place where they seemingly do not fit in. They +are effective used as a central figure and surrounded with a circle of +well-chosen blossoming plants and they harmonize in the landscape scheme +even if used apart from the main gardens or designed to occupy a niche +in the wall. Here they are just as enjoyable as if they stood +prominently forth, the main axis around which the rest of the garden +revolves.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 353px;"><a name="ILL_020" id="ILL_020"></a> +<img src="images/ill_020.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt="A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH</span> +</div> + +<p>They can be made much more picturesque if one trains over their side a +delicate vine whose tendrils cling to the foundation and bring out the +color effectively. Plant for the birds' enjoyment and combine with this +feature decorative beds, using not the strong colors, but the delicate, +dainty, pink, blue, white and lavender, of the many varieties that are +suitable for this purpose.</p> + +<p>Do not let the base of your expensive bird bath rest on the earth, +rather place under it a pedestal of marble, granite, or cement. It need +not be conspicuous, a growth of turf, the planting of an ivy or some +other vine, will add much to its attractiveness, making an artistic +foundation for it.</p> + +<p>Whoever lays out his garden plot with a thought of thorough enjoyment, +he who looks forward to sitting under the vine, will take special +thought of the birds. He will endeavor even if he is an amateur not to +make an ugly muddle in his planting, but aim for picturesque garden +vistas, and have his flowers properly balanced so they will show +harmonious massing of colors. One should be as careful not to give +sun-loving plants a shady place, as to put the shy little flowers in the +glaring sunlight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is a necessity if you are a bird lover, or if you wish to rid your +plants of insects and your grounds of worms, to attract the birds. This +can be accomplished by giving them not only proper planting but the +right place where they may enjoy their daily bath. If you wish the best +results, seek shade rather than sunshine. Our little friends prefer +shelter to warmth, so cater to their taste in the placing of their +drinking pool.</p> + +<p>It is rather important that you seek a spot, just near enough to the +grounds to be companionable, there to place a mulberry tree. There is no +fruit that is more to their mind than this and it will be a source of +delight to watch the shyest birds reward you by flaunting their colors +before you as they flit in and out, feeding off the berries so +temptingly displayed for their exclusive use.</p> + +<p>It is a mistake to look upon the robin as common and a pest. This fact +has been firmly fixed in our minds through his thieving qualities. When +you consider that he has been known to devour as many as seventy worms a +day, and multiply that by the voracity of his mate and his children, you +will then commence to realize what a benefit he is to your garden. Try +and cajole him into being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> a friend, and entice him to nest in the heart +of your flower patch. Listen to his song; there is a mellow quality to +his voice and he can put more expression into his music than any other +bird. There is a flash of color and a burst of sweet melody, +listen—there is a scarlet tanager, singing love songs to his mate. He +is a veritable bird of Paradise and once sported fearlessly among our +trees, but has now grown shy through being used as a target for the +sportsman's gun. Cultivate him by all means. Toll him into your garden.</p> + +<p>Darting in and out of the garden one finds the humming bird, so tiny +that he measures only from three and a half to three and three-quarters +inches, the smallest bird in our country. There is a glint of color as +he dashes fearlessly from flower to flower, his brilliant metallic +throat and breast sparkling in the sunlight like a precious gem. The +trumpet flowers with their deep cup-shape blossoms are his special +delight, although he never scorns the sweet-scented flowers that he +finds on every side. For a moment he poises in the air motionless, +sighting his flower, then winging his flight, he drains the nectar, +uttering a shrill little squeak of delight, as he spies some especially +fat aphides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> on the garden foliage. These he shoots off like a streak of +lightning rapidly searching for more food.</p> + +<p>How to attract the birds is a question that all bird lovers are seeking +to answer. It is such a simple matter that you do not have to look far +afield to obtain what you wish. There are many fruit-growing shrubs each +one of which is suitable for his majesty's needs. These should be +planted somewhere in the garden. If you prefer them surrounding the bird +bath, you will have more chance for bird study, but they will come +without that if you give them a chance and plenty of edible berries all +the year round. The red berried elder is one of their favorites, as is +the Canadensis or common elder, which flowers in June, and shows reddish +purple berries during the autumn; then there is the Arbutifolia or red +chokeberry. This is a native dwarf shrub, which is particularly tempting +to the feathered tribe. When planning for this feature, one should +remember that these bird-attracting shrubs should not be planted with +only one idea in view. They should be made to form a part of the +decorative plan, and the situation chosen should be among flowers that +would bring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> out its artistic value, far more than if they were grouped +in a mass. One is apt, in their enthusiasm in arranging their garden for +the birds' benefit, to forget that attractive color schemes must be +worked out, otherwise it will be a heterogeneous mass that will be an +eye-sore rather than a pleasure.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 353px;"><a name="ILL_021" id="ILL_021"></a> +<img src="images/ill_021.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt="AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF PATHS THROUGH WOODS" title="" /> +<span class="caption">AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF PATHS THROUGH WOODS</span> +</div> + +<p>There is very little choice as to what kind of flowers to mix with the +shrubs. Take it all in all, the perennials stand first. The reason for +this is that they are more suitable for this purpose than annuals, which +have to be re-planted every year. Like the shrubs the perennials die +down in the fall and re-appear when the breath of spring sweeps over the +land, in greater profusion and showing added vigor through having +conserved their strength by resting during the winter months.</p> + +<p>You are very foolish if you have taken no thought for the future life of +your shrub or perennial. Once planted they do not take care of +themselves and if neglected it only means the survival of the fittest. +Different species require different treatment, and a great many kinds +need to be subdivided every two or three years. The scarlet and crimson +Phlox, Spirea, and many other varieties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> should never be left longer +than two years, they should then be carefully gone over and an +experienced hand should determine how much should be left and what +removed. If you have planting of Iris, Shaster daisies, and Veronicas, +they can readily wait until the third year.</p> + +<p>The ground is of just as much importance as the planting. Just because +you wish to grow flowers and shrubs, you must remember that they must +have food to live on, that this food must be properly prepared and +contain plenty of nourishment, otherwise you will have spent money and +time for naught. First of all comes fertilizing. Doubtless, in some part +of the ground you can find a corner that will be the proper place for +the compost heap. In its selection, it is better that it should be +concealed by shrubs or trellis, vine covered. It would be a blot in the +landscape if you treated it otherwise.</p> + +<p>Every time you rake over the lawn or weed the garden, throw into a large +basket the refuse and let it form part of the compost heap. The +foundation for this should be plenty of manure and this, to be at its +best, must be well rotted and mixed in with other material to lighten +and bring about better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> results. You will be surprised, that is if you +have never tried it, to see how quickly it grows. Almost before you know +it you have enough to use in the garden next year. No matter how rich it +is, a liberal amount of coarse bone meal added will pay in the end.</p> + +<p>Your fertilizer ready, as early as possible in the spring dig your +ground to the depth of eighteen or more inches. It is better if the +earth is pulverized; some people go so far as to sift it. Next put in +your fertilizer, mixing it with the earth previously removed. Give it +time to settle before planting and you will never be dissatisfied with +results.</p> + +<p>Opinions vary as to proper time for planting perennials. Many people +feel that the spring is the safest. It is foolish to follow this plan +unless it can be accomplished as soon as the frost is well out of the +ground. Many of them are likely to die. Therefore, if you pot them in +the fall, and winter them under glass, the result will be much more +satisfactory. It is simply the working out of the garden lover's idea as +to what is correct and what incorrect as to the time of planting.</p> + +<p>Many kinds are better massed. This applies to the Sweet William, the +Hollyhock, Delphinium,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> and other varieties, that seemingly belong to +the same family. The hardy Asters, which are late flowering, are +invaluable for massing. They burst into blossom at a period when the +early frosts have lolled the more tender plants, making their bright +hues a dominant feature in the garden. It is better to shade colors than +to plant one variety. For September and October blossoming why not use +the Abendrote or Evening Glow? It has a bright rosy red flower and is a +very free bloomer. Mix with that the Glory of Colwall, which is ageratum +blue, showing double flowers, grown on stout, erect stems. The pink of +the blossom contrasts admirably with the rosy red. The White Queen will +mix with these two colors very effectively. This is a pure, splendid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +white and comes into blossom at the same season of the year.</p> + +<p>A very interesting way of treating the defining line of the garden +proper is by a low hedge. Many of these are berry bearing, thus working +into the bird scheme. The Hawthorn Oxyacantha is well suited for this +purpose. It is used in England for hedges and during the time of its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +blossoming shows a pure white, sweet-scented flower followed by a +scarlet fruit. The Berberis is excellent for hedging. It blooms in the +summer and is succeeded by a bright colored fruit that lasts into the +winter.</p> + +<p>Once interested in this feature of garden culture, by careful study one +will realize what an inexhaustible theme it becomes. Color shades in +berries often help out landscape effects in winter, therefore it is best +not to plant promiscuously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="GARDEN_SEATS" id="GARDEN_SEATS"></a>GARDEN SEATS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_022" id="ILL_022"></a> +<img src="images/ill_022.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>GARDEN SEATS</h3> + +<p>The ever-changing tide of fashion brings in its wake a constant +development of new and original ideas in the furnishing of our garden +plots. Flowers have been with us ever since the first settlement of our +country and so has a love for life in the open. This is an inheritance +that has deepened with the passing years. So rapidly has this developed +that to-day it demands our gardens as living rooms. It is this aspect of +garden life that develops new and unusual features in equipment.</p> + +<p>While we may flatter ourselves that we as garden lovers have originated +this idea, yet it is of ancient origin. History relates that in the +gardens of the early Romans and Greeks, garden seats were found. With +the changing of styles in floral-culture the ornate came into existence, +much used during the Italian Renaissance. Reproductions of their ideas +are found in replica in many of the formal gardens of the twentieth +century.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>Logs, carelessly thrown on the ground, may have been the first seats +used by our garden ancestors. Later on with the development of the +one-path posy bed, seats were hollowed out of old trees. They formed a +picturesque bit, clothed during the summer months in their garments of +green, for trailing vines were encouraged to run rampant over their +sides. These with the green arbor or pergola and the vine-clad summer +house were the three styles of seats favored by the Colonial dames.</p> + +<p>Styles and usage of furniture in this special way are as clearly defined +as in interior decoration. The modern garden equipped with English, +American or Italian furniture, gives a pleasing variety. The principal +materials necessary for manufacture are stone, marble, terra cotta or +wood. Of these, the latter suggests less expense, while the former can +be purchased at any sum you wish.</p> + +<p>Stone or marble are absolutely necessary in formal or Italian gardens, +as they provide a proper medium for expression that nothing else would +satisfy. Look at the gleam of the white marble shown up by its +background of green trees and see what a charm it has in the furnishing +of your garden plot. Take it all in all, it is the only right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> setting +for an elaborate garden, partly on account of its being a descendant of +the Italian Renaissance period which makes it desirable in designs that +follow out the character of that period. Rarely, if ever, do we find +this simple in form, but rather elaborately carved with representations +of animals or figures. As an ornamental feature, it cannot be excelled, +but as a garden seat it is not practical, being cold and hard to sit +upon. Properly speaking, it should be placed at the head of a walk or +topping the garden steps. This is on account of its decorative character +and the necessity of making it fit into the floral scheme. The price is +prohibitive except to the rich, although it varies with the elaboration +of the carving.</p> + +<p>Terra cotta, while not as often used, has its advantages. It can be +moulded readily into any form desired. While it is not always suitable, +yet its warmth of color, which is either buff or red, makes it admirable +when one desires to bring out certain effects in the planting of beds. +It is, perhaps, the least used of any of the materials. A seat four feet +in length can be purchased for from forty dollars upwards.</p> + +<p>Concrete seats are the kind that are most commonly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> used for formal and +informal gardens. We should remember, however, that we must not mix +formal and informal furniture promiscuously, otherwise the result will +be disastrous. One should bear in mind in treating this subject that +formal pieces resemble well-bred people. They fit suitably into any +place in their surroundings. It is far different, however, with informal +pieces which are entirely wrong and out of place in formal settings. +This fact applies to concrete which is suitable for almost any occasion +for it possesses almost endless possibilities as far as form is +concerned. Rightly mixed, it can be moulded into almost any shape that +you desire, which accounts for the fact that in its designs many of the +elaborate garden seats are copied. This makes it popular and constantly +in demand, on account of its less cost. To all intents and purposes, it +is quite as durable as stone or marble. It has still another advantage, +in that its neutral gray tint harmonizes picturesquely with almost any +setting of shrubbery or flowers.</p> + +<p>The least expensive of any of the materials that is used for this +purpose is wood. It has this advantage, that it can be formed in such a +great variety<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> of shapes that there is always found some piece that is +suitable for every taste and occasion. If you contrast it with marble or +stone, you will realize that it has the advantage of being lighter in +weight, and capable of being carried around from place to place with +little or no trouble. Take it all in all, the best place for it to be at +home in is the informal garden.</p> + +<p>The kind of garden that most of us live in and enjoy intimately is the +plot where wooden settles and chairs are used. Care should be taken, +however, in the selection of material in order that it may have lasting +qualities. One reason for its use is that unlike marble and stone it is +not cold to sit upon, and is really comfortable. The best kind of wood, +if you can afford it, is teakwood, which lasts for centuries. It is the +most expensive, particularly the antique pieces. Those of to-day are +shoddily put together and cannot resist weathering as do the century-old +ones.</p> + +<p>Many people prefer pine on account of less cost. This is all right, +provided great care is taken to keep it well covered with paint of the +glossy kind. The advantage of this over the other is that it can be +readily wiped clean before using. Anyone who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> is a garden lover will +appreciate this fact, for no matter how carefully placed, the seats will +accumulate a reasonable amount of leaves and dirt.</p> + +<p>Plain settles and benches which belong to the informal type can be +placed anywhere, according to inclination. These need not, of necessity, +be made of plain wooden strips, but can be varied by making them rustic +in design. Use for this purpose limbs of the same size without removing +the bark. They require so little work in putting them together that a +village carpenter can accomplish this task, or if you are a genius you +can do it yourself. An objection which many people offer is that they +need repairing often, or replacing. Considering the cost, this is not a +serious objection.</p> + +<p>For a simple Colonial cottage, such pieces as these would be appropriate +for use in your garden and you can add a tea table and a few chairs +suggestive of afternoon tea, the position being determined by views, for +the placing is of as much importance as the piece itself. If possible, +have low-growing trees droop over it to give the required shade.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_023" id="ILL_023"></a> +<img src="images/ill_023.jpg" width="500" height="356" alt="A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT</span> +</div> + +<p>For the elegant mansion, the home of the wealthy, more elaborate pieces +are a necessity. One<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> thing should not be forgotten in their choice and +that is they should be heavy enough to stay on the ground and resist the +strong northeast winds that during a heavy rain sweep over your +flower-plot.</p> + +<p>Flagstone sometimes gives a variety as well as limestone, but there are +several other materials that give a pleasing color and texture, such as +the pink granite and the red, black and green slates. Of these, the red +is most effective when streaked with another color. Do not choose the +Quincy granite; the texture is cold in appearance and the weather never +softens the color.</p> + +<p>A fault that must not be overlooked is to build your seats too high, +thirteen inches being the proper height. The back should always be taken +into consideration and made tall enough to support the head so that you +will be comfortable when you come to view your garden plot.</p> + +<p>It is not always possible to have this piece of furniture placed under +the shade of a tree or shrubbery. This necessitates the planning of a +summer house, arbor or pergola. Over these, vines can be trained, so +that in reality it is much more picturesque than if you had used simply +the green shade.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Chairs can be used for this same purpose, in fact, they are very good as +they provide a variation of the general theme. They are particularly +advisable if it is a backyard garden where a settle might prove too +overpowering. Like the garden seat, they can be made of wood. Cedar and +locust are preferable if you wish pretty rustic effects. Cypress also is +lasting, and if you prefer to give it a coat of paint, it will do +service for many years.</p> + +<p>For rustic chairs or seats, there is another idea for shelter that is +practical. It is to roof it over and shingle the board. It has +advantages over anything else in that it affords protection from the +summer sun and acts as a windbreak on cold days, besides doing away with +the dropping of insects from the leafy tangle of an arbor. No matter how +charming a garden may be in its floral arrangement, it requires +additions and accessories to display to the best advantage its worth. +Just as a house is cozy or barren according to the style of furniture +employed, so a garden is beautiful in proportion to the type of +ornaments used.</p> + +<p>Probably the coming into style of the formal Italian type of garden has +done much to develop this feature. Until late years, scant heed was +paid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> to fitness, and in consequence much of the old-time charm found in +the Colonial garden was lost.</p> + +<p>When planning for your garden seat or chair, take into consideration the +planting. In your choice of colors you should vary the scheme to fit in +with the particular seat. A white requires different surroundings from a +gray or a rustic type. Wrong coloring brings about inharmonious effects +and they should be carefully considered in the making a perfect whole. +Another thing should be thought out and that is as to whether there is a +shade provided by the over-hanging limbs of a tree or by the trailing of +vines.</p> + +<p>Vines are always interesting. You can use them in a mass, showing one +general effect, or you can combine them. Nothing is so pretty in the +early spring as the Wisterias, on account of their being not only hardy, +but tall growers. Many people claim the best varieties are those grafted +on to specially selected stock, thus making them sure bloomers. The soil +should also be taken into consideration, for while they thrive in light, +sandy conditions, yet deep, rich earth promotes stronger growth. The +Magnifica is, perhaps, as vigorous as any. It is such a rapid grower +that it shoots up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> from thirty to forty feet in a season. It blossoms +rather later than some varieties which show soft, lavender blue blooms. +Why not mix this with the Chinese white, whose pure white flowers show +long, drooping clusters.</p> + +<p>If you are looking for foliage in the early fall, the Vitis Henryana can +be used. Its leaves are decorative in effect, being a velvety green with +veins of silvery white. It is of Chinese origin and in the fall the +foliage turns to a beautiful red. For July and August blossoming, there +is the Bignonia Grandiflora or Mammoth-flowered Trumpet creeper. This is +a splendid climbing vine, perfectly hardy, giving a growth of from eight +to ten feet in a season. Its flowers, which are shown during July and +August, are orange red and trumpet-shaped, following as they do after +the Wisteria has faded, they bring about an entirely different color +scheme. This makes it practical for one to plant a succession of bloom, +making each set of flowers correspond with the coloring of the vines.</p> + +<p>A very pleasing contrast can be brought out by combining the +magnolia-scented White Moon Flower, with a beautiful Blue Dawn. The +former is a summer climber, growing from fifteen to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> twenty feet in +height. It makes a beautiful shade for trellises and bears in the season +a profusion of large trumpet-shape snow-white flowers that are richly +scented and very beautiful. There is also a heavenly blue that combines +artistically with the white. One feature of this vine is its thick, +overlapping, glossy foliage, and its nightly scores of immense silky +blooms which are of rare fragrance. By actual count a strong vine will +bear from one to three thousand blossoms in a season. There has within +the last few years been discovered a new variety that opens early in the +morning and remains so nearly all day.</p> + +<p>The beautiful blue of the Paradise Flower is used when one wishes for +this color in decorations. The clusters are large, showing from twenty +to thirty at a time and it blossoms continually from the time it becomes +established until frost.</p> + +<p>For a rustic seat, why not try the wild grape or Crimson Glory vine? It +is so strong and hardy, notable for its heavy foliage which makes a +splendid shade and in the fall is a mass of rich crimson. We have grown +to think of morning glories as a pretty, small flower that grew in our +grandmother's garden. Many of us have not realized that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> have been +developed until now they show gigantic bloom as large as the moon +flowers. They have wonderful coloring, marking and variations of +indescribable beauty. As a flowering vine they cannot be surpassed, the +flowers being borne by the hundreds and of enormous size, measuring +often five and six inches across. Many show a rich combination of +shading blended together in an enchanting way, being spotted, penciled, +mottled, and variegated in every conceivable manner.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_024" id="ILL_024"></a> +<img src="images/ill_024.jpg" width="500" height="354" alt="STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK" title="" /> +<span class="caption">STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK</span> +</div> + +<p>If your garden seat is low, let your planting follow the same line, but +if it is high and conspicuous, it can be accentuated by tall plants. +Hollyhocks, with their stately stalks, are charming for this particular +use. There is the hardy perennial with the foliage dwarf and compact. +This is found in the Heuchera, which is easily grown from seed and +reaches a height of eighteen inches. Of this variety, the Sanguinea is +admirable, being the finest of all the red varieties, the flowers taking +on the shade of coral red. If you wish, instead of a solid color, to +make a combination, why not use the Sanguinea, Sutton's Hybrid, which is +found in pretty shades of pink, as well as creamy white, rose and +crimson. These blossom in July and August, their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> stately, well-filled +cups, giving a distinction to the seat that could not well be missed.</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-lis, sometimes spoken of as the Fairy Queen's home, is always +satisfactory and never fails to bloom. No flower can surpass this in +delicacy of texture and coloring, and it rivals even the orchids of the +tropics in its beauty. They thrive in almost every soil, being one of +the easiest plants to cultivate, although a fairly rich earth will +materially increase the number and size of the bloom. In planting them, +nearly cover the rhizomes. The earliest flowering ones are the Germans, +which come into bloom the latter part of May or early in June. These are +followed by the Japan variety which follow closely on the former and +stay in blossom for a month. Of the German, the Lohengrin is the most +vigorous, deep violet mauve in coloring, and the flowers are nearly five +inches deep, showing petals two inches across. In direct contrast is the +Princess Victoria Louise, light sulphur yellow or rich violet red, edged +with crimson, both of which varieties are very handsome.</p> + +<p>The double Iris is particularly beautiful for some situations. There is +the Antelope with white ground flaked with purple; the Diana, reddish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +purple flaked with white; the Mount Fell, grayish white, veined with +blue and showing yellow center; and the Victor, white veined, violet +blue with purple center. Each one of these is well worthy of +cultivation.</p> + +<p>Nothing is so beautiful as roses, be they climbing or dwarf. For the +former, why not use the Climbing Jules Graveraux, which is one of the +most valuable, ever-blooming climbers ever introduced. The value of this +is that the blooms are immense in size, being as large or larger than +any other rose. It even exceeds the J. B. Clark. These roses are +perfectly double, white, tinged with blush pink, with a yellow base. In +freedom of bloom, it is superior to either Mrs. Peary or Climbing +Meteor. Then there is the Empress of China or Appleblossom rose, a +strong rampant grower, and a very free bloomer. The buds are pointed, +being soft red, turning to lighter. It blooms from May to December in +the open ground.</p> + +<p>Tea Roses, distinguished by the delicate tea fragrance, are absolutely +ever-blooming. They are carried through the winter even in the northern +states with careful protection. The most satisfactory method is the +banking up with soil. Of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> these, the yellow Souvenir de Pierre Notting +is the most beautiful. It has been introduced by one of the foremost +firms of France and is not exceeded by any rose sent out from that +country. The blossoms are large, well filled, and open easily. The buds +are beautiful and elongated. When fully bloomed, they show an apricot +yellow, tinged with golden and mixed with orange yellow. One charm of +these flowers is that the edge of the petal shades to a beautiful +carmine rose. The open flower is full and double, it being an extremely +free blossomer.</p> + +<p>One of the latest introductions is the Lady Hillingdon, the color being +beyond description. Apricot yellow, shaded to orange on the outer edge +of the petal, and becoming deeper and more intense as it reaches the +center of the bloom. The buds are produced on long, strong, wiry stems, +which are placed well above the foliage, thus giving it a slender and +graceful effect. It is valuable in both the amateur and professional +growers' gardens. It would be impossible to enumerate the different +kinds that are used for this purpose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="GARDEN_POOLS" id="GARDEN_POOLS"></a>GARDEN POOLS</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_025" id="ILL_025"></a> +<img src="images/ill_025.jpg" width="500" height="345" alt="A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>GARDEN POOLS</h3> + +<p>With the revival of old-time garden features that has been brought about +through interest in floriculture, fascinating specialties have been +evolved. This is particularly true of the garden pool which lends itself +to almost every kind of setting. It is no new idea, this introduction of +pools into even small gardens.</p> + +<p>The ancient Egyptians had great reverence for pools and we read of their +interest in bringing into life the sacred Lotus, giving it a prominent +place in their gardens. This may be better known to moderns as "the rose +lily." In the early days it was used for religious purposes and was a +prominent feature in their festivals. It was also used ornamentally for +feasts where the walls were decorated with the beautiful blossoms that +were repeated in the centerpiece for the elaborately-spread table. Not +content with this use for decorative<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> purposes, it was made in forms of +garlands that were thrown over the shoulders of the assembled guests +while wreaths of the same flower crowned their brows, great care being +taken that a bud or cluster of blossoms was placed in the center of the +forehead.</p> + +<p>Ever since that period, we read of the constant introduction of water +into gardens of every clime. While pools were not commonly used during +the Colonial period, they have to-day, with the coming in of the formal +and Italian gardens, grown to be one of the most interesting features. +The form and the immediate surroundings have been carefully thought out +and depend upon the type and the shape of the whole plan.</p> + +<p>When the mercury registers at ninety and the whirling dust rises in +clouds, parching one's throat as it settles like a dingy pall on +sun-burned grass and drooping foliage, it is a pleasure to come suddenly +upon a pond where over-hanging plants cast lengthened shadows far over +the surface. They shelter the waxen lily cups that gleam like pearls +against a background of dark green pods—a perpetual joy and delight to +the eye.</p> + +<p>There is no doubt but water, be it large or small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> in area, holds a +charm for us all. How much more if it is inhabited and made beautiful +through the use of aquatic plants and fish. These scattered apparently +carelessly over the surface of the water add much to its +picturesqueness. This is particularly true during the season of bloom +when we find varied colored cups, resting on saucers of green, lifting +their heads above the surface as if in delight with their surroundings.</p> + +<p>Surely when you view a pond such as this you will find a double delight +in watching a flutter of wings, a hopping about on the plants and glad +dipping of little bills and uplifting of heads. These are the birds that +form a part of garden life and who are attracted here by the flowers and +the chance of a bath. Splashing and sparkling in the sunlight, they dive +into the water below, drying themselves on the large pads that float +artistically on the surface. Over yonder is a large gray cat bird +calling to its mate. We can but note the fine proportion, the poise of +the black head and the beauty of the satin gray coat which is pruned by +the hour. There is the Indigo Bird, a delightful symphony of blue and +cinnamon red. He sits swinging on a lily while his musical note comes +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> our listening ears. The Ruby Throated Humming Bird swings +noiselessly over the pond, dipping his long beak here and there to +gather honey from the wide-open flowers.</p> + +<p>It depends upon the size of the pool, the shape and the finish as to the +planting. It is a great mistake to have it so thickly over-spread with +leaves that no water is visible. A good rule to be observed is +two-thirds water and one-third lilies. This gives a chance to watch the +gold fish darting in and out for food. For a small beginning of a water +garden, why not try a pocket in the rock? It is a very easy matter to +arrange for lilies in a case like this. All you have to do is to cement +the hollow, put in your loam and plant one or two roots. It is these +diminutive water gardens that attract the birds more than the large +pools, and they form a charming vista in the garden scheme. Little +pockets of earth can be made to surround them, and here we can plant +rock-loving plants that will give a touch of picturesqueness to this +cunning little scheme.</p> + +<p>The shape of the garden determines that of the pool. A square garden +demands square treatment in the lay-out of your design. A round garden, +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> be correct, should have a circular formation for the planting of +your lilies. Then, too, the treatment of the planting should be +determined by the formality or informality of the plan. Great care +should be taken that they are not aimlessly placed but form a part of +the design. Any attempt to digress from this rule is fatal for correct +composition.</p> + +<p>Great attention should be paid to the margin. It should not be stiff and +formal; it should rather be broken here and there, so that there will be +open spaces showing between. Copy nature in this treatment and you will +not go far astray.</p> + +<p>In order to make this pool successful, one thing should never be +forgotten and that is that you are dealing with sun-loving plants to +whom shadow is objectionable. There is another reason why the sunshine +should fall unobstructed on the pond and that is that it shows +reflections that are effective, and bring cheer to your garden plot.</p> + +<p>Many people consider that stagnant pools should not exist, as they are +mosquito breeders. They do not realize that the stocking of pools with +both fish and plants, carefully carried out so that they are properly +balanced, results in the water never being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> putrid but remaining fresh +and sweet, making a delightful water garden that is healthful and not +malaria breeding.</p> + +<p>There are two essentials if you wish your idea to be successful; first, +that the bottom be water-tight and second, that it be proof against +frost. While these two things are easy to accomplish, yet many people +fail in them. Cement is the only proper material to be used for +foundation. Some people have an idea that puddled clay is cheaper. It +may be if properly handled, but great care has to be taken that it is +thoroughly puddled or it melts away and your work has been for naught.</p> + +<p>Cement is the most reliable material if correctly applied. Before +putting it on, the pool should be dug out to the proper depth and size. +It should then be well packed for several inches with broken stone. Over +this should be put Portland cement, using one part of the former to +three of sand. Some people cement it for six inches while others prefer +to use two coats, each three inches thick. It should never be so high +that it will come above the frost line which is two and a half feet in +depth.</p> + +<p>Water lilies, as well as all kinds of aquatics, will grow in any kind of +good garden soil; that is, if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> one-fifth well-rotted manure is added to +it. Possibly this is not to be obtained and if so, a quart of ground +bone allowed to each bushel of soil will bring about the right results. +It should be remembered that the plants should be set out so they will +get the greatest exposure to the sunlight.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_026" id="ILL_026"></a> +<img src="images/ill_026.jpg" width="500" height="355" alt="A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN</span> +</div> + +<p>We have supposed that you have chosen a spot for your water garden that +obtains the greatest amount of sun, also that it is sufficiently +sheltered from the winds. It has been dug down from fifteen to +twenty-four inches and then carefully cemented. Now you are ready to +plant your pool, the soil being taken into consideration. If, by some +chance, you are not able to secure the kind recommended, it can be made +of three parts rotted sod and one part cow manure. Remember that it +should be thoroughly rotted if you do not wish ferment in the water. Too +many people take little care on this subject and then wonder at the +disappointing results.</p> + +<p>Possibly there is no place for your garden pool. In that case why not +use half barrels or tubs? They have the advantage of taking up very +little room, can easily be sunk in the ground and are really well worth +the trial. Nothing should be used that has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> a diameter of less than two +feet and the greater the surface space the better will be the result. +Tub culture requires two-thirds filling of soil and covering with sand +to have it the right depth. If more than one tub is used, why not make a +rockery between? It has the advantage of making another feature for your +garden, besides adding picturesqueness.</p> + +<p>There are two ways of planting as well as two kinds of tubers. They can +be put directly in the soil, or they can be planted in tubs or boxes +that can be sunk, but the latter recommends itself as more practical. +The reason for this is that they are easily removed in winter and the +water is kept much cleaner when the earth is free from tubers. It must +be remembered that each plant requires from eight to nine square feet of +surface room so that it would be bad taste to allow too many for an +individual pool. If you wish, you can make the boxes yourself, using +pieces of board for that purpose.</p> + +<p>Next come the gold fish. For a tub, only two are necessary, but for a +pond one hundred feet in diameter, twenty-five should be used. These +fish spawn in June and have been known to breed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> enough to stock a large +pond. There is an old theory,—doubted by many, that the old fish turn +cannibals and devour their progeny. These people advise the putting of +roots and stock into a tub, this is so the egg may be attached, removed, +and hatched separately. In cases like this the small fish are allowed to +grow considerably before being returned to the tub.</p> + +<p>There are two kinds of tubers, the tender and the hardy. The latter +require practically no care during the winter months, that is, always +provided the water is deep enough to allow no freezing of the crown of +the plant. They should be planted about the first of May and both +varieties can be given the same treatment, with the exception that the +hardy variety do best when planted in soil two feet deep and covered +with six inches of water.</p> + +<p>All pools should have planting in addition to the tubers of submerged +plants. This is to aerate the water and keep it pure and sweet. The best +kinds to be used for this purpose are Anacharis Canadensis Gigantea, and +Canbomba Viridifolia, ten of them being enough for a large pool. The +former is a giant water weed with dark green ovate leaves and light +stems. It is a quick grower and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> considered by authorities to be one of +the best oxygenators in existence. The latter, sometimes known as +Washington grass, is also popular. It has brilliant glossy green leaves, +fan-shaped and more beautiful than a delicate fern. In addition to this +why not use the Ludwigia Munlerti, which is one of the prettiest +submerged plants. It shows small ovate leaves that are green on the +upper side and pink on the under. This makes it distinct from any other +aquarium plant.</p> + +<p>A great help in the way of nourishment for these water lilies is the +application when first planted or in the early spring of dried blood +manure. The proper way of using this is to broad cast it on the surface +of the water, using one pound to every ten square feet of surface.</p> + +<p>Too many people make the mistake of keeping the water too cold. This +necessitates the filling of the pool and the leaving it to grow warm +through exposure to the sun for several days before planting. When +additional water has to be added, it should be some that has stood in +the sun for several days, as cold water injures the growth. The +condition for growth is the same for both the tender and the hardy +Nymphæas with the exception<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> that the former should not be planted until +after warm weather sets in. It is well, however, to grow them in pots so +that they will be of fair size by June first when the weather has become +suitable for their outdoor existence.</p> + +<p>If the pond is to be large, why not use groups, but if small, single +ones will do. For their planting, the hardy variety can be sown in +either fall or spring, as one fancies. They should have a small hole cut +through the shell of each seed with a sharp knife that they may do +better. For the tender kind, do not put them out until they are well +started. They should be sown in pots or pans, covering the seeds with +one-fourth of an inch of sand, giving them a thorough watering and +allowing them to drain for an hour. Then submerge them under two inches +of soil at a temperature of seventy degrees. These can be removed into +separate pots when they have shown two leaves. This kind is very +desirable for cutting, the best for this purpose being the +night-blooming varieties.</p> + +<p>The Pygmæa hybrid type and the Laydekri, as well, are desirable for +hardy variety. The former is the smallest water lily in cultivation, a +free bloomer showing white flowers, one and a half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> inches in diameter, +while the Pygmæa Helvola, yellow in coloring, is very dainty. A +combination of these two colors is always interesting, while if you wish +the latter kind, why not try the Laydekria Rosea, which is a French +hybrid and one of the earliest in introduction. Only a few specimen +plants are found cultivated at the present time. The flowers are of +delicate pink with a deep golden center that deepens into a dark shade +of rose, presenting a novel feature in that it seemingly is one plant +showing different colors. Another variety of this same order is the +Laydekri Lilacea, three to five inches across, shading from rosy lilac +to bright carmine and sending forth a fragrance like a tea rose. The +Sultan is also very valuable on account of its free flowering, the +plants showing never less than six flowers open daily. These are of good +size Solferina red with white shading and yellow stamens. This is very +rare and therefore brings a high price.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_027" id="ILL_027"></a> +<img src="images/ill_027.jpg" width="500" height="355" alt="THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS ARE BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS ARE BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS</span> +</div> + +<p>Of the day-blooming varieties, we find the Capensis with flowers of rich +sky blue. This planted in contrast with the Ovalifolia, a new variety +from East Africa, produces flowers eight to ten inches across of deep +creamy white, faintly tinged with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> blue that deepen until the tips are +a light corn flower blue with sulphur yellow stamens. The charm of this +flower is its petals which are long and narrow, giving it a pretty star +shape.</p> + +<p>For the night blooming Nymphæas, why not use the Dedoniensis, which +throws out large, pure red flowers often showing from twelve to eighteen +blooms at a single time, also the Dentata whose white flowers measure +from eight to twelve inches in diameter and open out horizontally.</p> + +<p>Do not forget in your collection to include the Royal Water Lily. Of +these, the Victoria Regia is a well-known species. While the plants are +expensive, the seeds can be bought for a much more reasonable price and +are more interesting as one can watch them from their start until +blossoming. The Victoria Trickeri is also desirable. In good condition +its leaves are from four and a half to five and a half feet across, a +single plant having from twelve to fifteen leaves and producing three or +four flowers in a single week. These flowers are picturesque, being +white at the time of opening and changing to deep rose pink, admitting a +strong fragrance not unlike that of a ripe pineapple.</p> + +<p>In addition to water lilies one should plant different<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> aquatics, to +make a variety. There is the Sagittaria Montevidensis, which attains +gigantic proportions, growing four or five feet high with leaves fifteen +inches long, the flower towering above, the foliage white with dark +blotches at the base of each petal. Then there is the Butterfly Lily, a +tender sub-aquatic plant that forms a dense clump three to six feet high +bearing masses of pure white fragrant flowers that look like large white +butterflies borne in large terminal clusters.</p> + +<p>The Water Poppy must not be forgotten. It is a very pretty aquatic plant +with floating leaves and large yellow poppy-like flowers, and a +continual bloomer.</p> + +<p>The border of the lily pond is of almost as much importance as the +flowers themselves. Iris makes a good setting. Of these, the Iris +Hexagona, or Blue Flag, is interesting from the fact that it is a hardy +Southern kind, showing rich purple and blue with yellow markings three +to four inches across and resembling the costliest and rarest orchid +flowers. The Dalmatica is one of the finest of the German type. It grows +four feet high with exceptionally large flowers of fine lavender, the +falls shaded blue. The Japanese Iris is the grandest of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> all the hardy +ones and the best are the double varieties with six petals. Kokinoiro, a +rich royal purple with white veining is very satisfactory in growth. +Combine it with the Sano-Watashi, which is white with canary yellow +center, and the Tokyo, a magnificent large, white flower, and you will +find one of the best combinations possible.</p> + +<p>Ornamental grasses are very effective for this use. Of these, there are +so many varieties it would be impossible to name them all. One of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +most ornamental kinds is the Zebra grass, which has long, narrow green +leaves, striped white and feathery plumed. Mix it with the Pampas grass +and you will note the artistic result. This grows very rapidly from seed +planted in the spring and is useful for decorative purposes. The Feather +grass, growing two feet in height, fits into this scheme as does the +Tricholæna Rosea, which is rose tinted, making a color scheme when +massed with the other ornamental grasses that is most fascinating.</p> + +<p>The form and surroundings of the pool, carefully thought out, make it a +most desirable feature for both small and large gardens, and everyone, +no matter how limited their means, can indulge in one if they wish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_SUN-DIAL_IN_THE_GARDEN" id="THE_SUN-DIAL_IN_THE_GARDEN"></a>THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 459px;"><a name="ILL_028" id="ILL_028"></a> +<img src="images/ill_028.jpg" width="459" height="500" alt="GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN</h3> + +<p>The life story of the sundial reads like a fascinating page from some +old romance of an early century. The first record of its use was in the +eighth century before Christ, when it was employed by the Babylonians +for the purpose of marking time. Later on, it came into use in England, +attached to public buildings. One of the most interesting was shown late +in the sixteenth century on the Belton House, Lincolnshire, England. It +was a representation of old Father Time and Cupid cutting stone.</p> + +<p>A passing fad at one time was diminutive sundials, so small that they +folded and could be used much as watches are to-day. They soon became +very popular and attracted the attention of royalty, when Charles I was +seated on the throne. His collection was the largest in existence and +represented all sorts of odd shapes and forms. The Stuarts were all +interested in sundials, and Charles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> II had a large one designed and +placed in the garden at Holyrood.</p> + +<p>While the first invented were crude, yet, as time went on, they became +more popular, and different materials were used, such as wood, bronze +and metal. The hour spaces were computed to comply with the locality in +which they were placed. This required a great deal of thought and it was +necessary to employ an expert workman.</p> + +<p>Flowers and hedge plants were occasionally used to represent this idea. +One of these stood between the "Shakespeare garden" and the "garden of +friendship" at Lady Warwick's summer home. The gnomon being of yew while +the dial was worked out by the use of box, the lettering was outside and +spelled the following motto—"Les Heures Heureuses ne se comptent pas." +This, as far as we know, was the first attempt at the use of +floriculture in time pieces.</p> + +<p>Sundials might be divided into two kinds, the perpendicular and the +horizontal. Each one of these has its own special place, the former +being used on buildings while the latter was for garden purposes solely. +In New York, one of the old perpendicular dials may still be seen on the +Dutch Reformed Church.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>The horizontal was extremely popular in both England and Scotland, so +much so that no garden of any pretention was considered complete without +one or more of these ornamental time-keepers. The high favor in which +the "simple altar-like structure," with its "silent heart language," was +held in England was well expressed by Charles Lamb, who said of the +sundial, "It stood as the Garden god of Christian gardens."</p> + +<p>It is the revival of this old-time custom that has given a delightful +touch of sentiment to the gardens of to-day, where sundials have become, +more especially of late years, a permanent fixture. Many of these have +interesting mottoes, some repeating the legends of other days, while +later designs bear on their face a modern inscription.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">"<i>Let others tell of storm and showers,</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;"><i>I'll only count your sunny hours.</i>"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 23em;">"<i>Time goes you say—ah, no!</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 23em;"><i>Time stays, we go.</i>"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 23em;">"<i>I mark the time, dost thou?</i>"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">"<i>Tyme passeth and speaketh not,</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;"><i>Deth cometh and warneth not,</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;"><i>Amend to-day and slack not,</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;"><i>To-morrow thyself cannot.</i>"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>By the time the American colonists had leisure to devote to the laying +out of beautiful gardens, the day of the sundial was drawing to a close. +The introduction of clocks had done away with the necessity of depending +upon such fair-weather time pieces, and furthermore, they were no longer +popular in other lands. So, despite its charm and value as an ornament, +it was not widely adopted in this country. Of late years, however, in +the general revival of old-time customs, this interesting feature for +gardens has come into favor.</p> + +<p>The making of one of these time pieces can be carried out by a village +carpenter, but the purchasing of an old one had better be done by an +expert as there are so many reproductions placed to-day on the market. +All that is essential in order to work out proper results is that the +dial should have a firm and absolutely level base to rest on, and that +the gnomon should point directly towards the North Star, so that time +may be accurately computed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> A stone pedestal is correct, although +concrete is often used.</p> + +<p>The design depends largely upon the type of garden and the owner's +taste. The beautiful, carved pedestals imported from Italy are suitable +only for the formal garden, and for our simple, less pretentious ones, +wood or stone can be used, although cement has become very fashionable. +To soften the lines of a severely simple column, Ivy and other clinging +vines can be placed around the base. The location is a matter that +requires some thought, as the sundial's charm depends upon harmonious +setting. It should be exposed to the sun continuously and placed far +enough away from trees or buildings to preclude the possibility of its +being shaded.</p> + +<p>There is no set rule that can be laid down for its placing. One is +usually safe, however, in locating it at the intersection of two paths +near a vine-clad pergola or within sight of a summer house or garden +seat. Formal gardens use it frequently as a central feature. If, +however, a water garden takes this central place, the sundial should be +at the end of some alluring path surrounded by masses of bright bloom. +The chief fault that we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> find in contrasting the sundials of a century +ago with those of the twentieth century is that there is now too much +sameness. They seem to follow the same lines, more perhaps, than any +other form of garden furniture.</p> + +<p>This can be overcome by designing them yourself, working out new ideas +in the decoration and its motto. Here the gnomons offer a chance for +variation for instead of a plain, simple shaft, it can be changed into +an ornamental design that helps out in changing it from monotony to +originality.</p> + +<p>For the simple garden, why not make one yourself? It is not a hard +matter, that is if you have any ingenuity. The only thing we must +consider is to have it set perfectly even, to be sure the pedestal is +carefully laid so that it will not tip and spoil the marking of the +hours. There are so many materials that you can construct one from, +there is no need of sameness. The most inexpensive is the rustic +sundial. This is made from a small tree trunk. It should be about six to +eight inches in diameter, tapering at the top, and show branches +irregularly cut within three or four inches of the main trunk. There is +a reason for this; it adds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> picturesqueness to the effect and gives +pegs for the vines to climb over. Do not top it with a wooden dial. They +are never satisfactory, for they are apt to warp and thus ruin the +entire scheme. You need not go to great expense to procure a +satisfactory one, for there are many materials to draw from, iron, brass +and slate being the most desirable. The latter are not expensive as they +cost simply the price of the material and engraving. It takes a piece +that ranges from an inch to an inch and a half in thickness and should +not be more than a foot square. For this, one should not pay more than +seventy-five cents, although if it is cut round it will be a little more +expensive. If you prefer to use brass it costs more and needs a +machinist who is used to handling this material to put it together for +you and burnish the surface. You must remember that this applies to the +dial only, the pedestal being a separate proposition.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_029" id="ILL_029"></a> +<img src="images/ill_029.jpg" width="500" height="358" alt="THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF</span> +</div> + +<p>For a little inexpensive time piece for your garden you can make one of +wood, coloring it any shade that you like but so that it will contrast +prettily with the flowers. The only thing that you must bear in mind is +that care should be taken in its setting. If it is out of plumb it will +not keep good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> time. Should you, by chance, be able to procure an old +mill stone, it serves two purposes, first it is a practical foundation +and second it lends an old-time setting that is appropriate. For a +simple, every-day foundation, stones can be laid about six inches deep +and filled in with mortar. Cement is also appropriate and oftentimes +bricks can be used to good advantage.</p> + +<p>For a pedestal, a rather good idea is to use second-hand bricks. These +can be cemented together with mortar, the red giving a touch of color to +the drapery of the sundial that is picturesque. Sometimes a boulder is +used for this purpose or a slab of stone.</p> + +<p>If you purchase a sundial, you should bear in mind that if it is a +genuine antique, it may not be suitable for our latitude. In cases like +that it is best to have it looked after by an expert and so placed that +it will be a correct timekeeper.</p> + +<p>We tire of the same idea continuously reproduced so why not work out a +design of your own? This is hard to do, however, unless cement is used, +when some floral design or ornamentation that is appropriate for the +garden can be introduced. For the dial the gnomon is made much more +interesting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> if it shows a unique formation rather than a straight +shaft, as in the sundial at Didsbury, England, where a harp is +introduced, and in another case where a dragon holds the uplifted shaft.</p> + +<p>The situation of this feature has much to do with its practicability. As +it is a sun-loving formation, its proper place is necessarily in the +open, but whether surrounded by lawn or flowers, is something that +everyone must decide for themselves. One reason against the flower +setting is that it serves to hide the dial's meaning until you approach +it closely. The eye is attracted to the bright blooming flowers rather +than to the dial itself. This is not so if it has only a sward setting. +It then becomes a prominent piece of garden furniture, its pure white +surface standing out vividly from its surrounding of soft green grass.</p> + +<p>Occasionally, all attempt at floriculture or gardening is abandoned. +This is when it stands in the heart of a garden at the intersection of +two paths. Then care should be taken that in immediate proximity there +should be pure white pebbles picked up on the beach. This may re-act on +the shaft, giving it an air of sameness, and in that case different +colored stones can be introduced. One can even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> go so far as to work out +mottos in this way, forming the letters out of highly colored pebbles.</p> + +<p>To give it a rural appearance, some people set it in the heart of a bed +of ferns. These can be chosen from a single variety such as the Boston +fern, which is one of the most popular on account of its graceful fronds +and the durability which causes it to keep green for a long time.</p> + +<p>Should, however, a lower growth be necessary, there is the Dreyii, which +is a dwarf variety of the same species. A much better effect, however, +is obtained by planting the dwarf fern as a border to the circle and +placing inside the Elegantissima, which belongs to the crested variety +and is especially adapted for massing. For a delicate, dainty setting, +there is nothing more beautiful than the Adiantum Ruhm von Mordrecht, +which is the most beautiful of all the maiden hair ferns and easily +cultivated. It is so graceful that it seems to add an almost poetic +touch to the foundation on which the sundial stands.</p> + +<p>Have you ever considered placing your sundial in the heart of a rose +garden? Unconsciously, the sweet perfume of the rose does much to +increase the sentiment of this particular feature of garden culture.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> It +depends in part on the pedestal as to whether low roses or delicate +climbing ones should be used. If it is a plain, simple shaft, it can be +delicately draped to within a few inches of the dial, but great care +should be taken to obtain delicate coloring that will bring out the +whiteness of the marble.</p> + +<p>One should be very careful not to have the roses grow so high that only +the dial is visible. This would spoil the idea which it represents—a +sundial in a garden. One of the most artistic ways is to plant low, +dwarf roses, near the pedestal just far enough away so there will be +several inches of space between. The roses themselves should be planted +in heavy clay loam, although light and sandy soil can be used for this +purpose. Many people make a mistake in having their rose beds too rich. +The fertilizer can be replaced, if exhausted, by fine-ground bone, which +can be used only once a year.</p> + +<p>The dwarf Polyanthas are a charming class of ever-blooming roses with +bushy habits. The flowers are double, delightfully fragrant and borne in +large clusters, being covered with a large mass of bloom. For a +combination planting, the Baby Dorothy is very effective; it is +carnation pink, with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> habit and growth similar to that of the Baby +Rambler. The latter is very effective, rosy crimson in coloring, very +free flowering, and useful in massing effects. Add to that Catherine +Zeimet, which is a great acquisition, to the Baby Ramblers, and produces +an abundance of double white flowers.</p> + +<p>Directly around the base of the pedestal, you can plant your climbing +roses, taking great care to nip them back so that they will only show a +tracery of leaves and flowers and allow the white of the sundial to peer +through. For these, use the Lady Gay whose delicate cerise pink blossoms +fade to soft white, making a most pleasing combination of white flowers, +crimson buds and green foliage. In connection with that, why not plant +the Source d'Or, which is deep yellow, gradually paling. This bears +large clusters of double flowers, and shows fine foliage. For red, the +Wall Flower is the best, as it shows a distinct coloring and has +vigorous habits. Mix with that the Shower of Gold, a fine coppery gold +color with glossy foliage.</p> + +<p>For the outer edge of the rose bed, do not forget those used in our +grandmother's time. They have lasted long and on account of their +sterling qualities are still popular. They have a range of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> coloring +and are so absolutely hardy, easy to grow and fragrant that they are +advisable for this use. The Clothilde Soupert is a good color to choose. +It is a strong, vigorous grower, putting forth large, double flowers +like a ball of snow. The color blends from soft shell pink to pure +satiny white. Mix with these the Souvenir de Malmaison, which blooms +well in hot weather, its rich colored flowers being of large size, +doubled to the center and produced in abundance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 364px;"><a name="ILL_030" id="ILL_030"></a> +<img src="images/ill_030.jpg" width="364" height="500" alt="AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE" title="" /> +<span class="caption">AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE</span> +</div> + +<p>For a Hybrid, there is nothing more effective than the Killarney, whose +color is a sparkling brilliant pink, the buds long and pointed, the +petals very large and of great substance, being just as handsome in the +bud form as in the full-blown flower. For a soft, pearly white, the +Kaiserin Augusta Victoria is advisable, tinting to a soft lemon, its +fragrance added to its beautifully formed flowers, make it a joy in your +garden.</p> + +<p>A rustic sundial requires far different treatment, and only vines that +bring forth white blossoms or pale colors should be used. If Clematis is +chosen, the Duchess of Edinburgh is suitable as it shows double white +flowers that are very fragrant. Mixed with this can be the Jackmania +Alba, which is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> white, shaded with blue. The Fair Rosamond, if one +wishes a combination, fits in with the color scheme, being tinted white +with red stripes. The advantage of these flowers is that the blossoms +open in masses that bring out the dark of the wood and lend themselves +to picturesque effects.</p> + +<p>Around the foot of the sundial, why not plant Poppies, making a circle +about five inches in width. The Perennial Poppies are among the most +brilliant in coloring, the graceful bright-colored, cup-shaped flowers +being borne on long stems. Mix with them the Oriental Poppies, which are +the most showy plants possible for decorative effects. To fill in the +spaces put in a package of Shirley, the combination of the three +varieties giving a most fascinating touch of color. For the Shirley, why +not use the finest mixed, as it will bring out white, delicate pink, +deep crimson, and handsomely striped varieties. The Perennial is +advantageous because it comes up every year while the Oriental are +magnificent in coloring, more especially the Grand Mogul with bright +crimson flower of immense size, the Princess Ena, bearing large, bright, +orange-scarlet and the Marie Studholme, which is a delicate shade of +salmon with a silver sheen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> Nothing can give better effects for this +style of sundial than the clematis with a poppy in the foreground.</p> + +<p>Color makes a great difference in proper planting, the white marble or +concrete and possibly wood painted white, demands a strong color to +bring out effectively the white of the surface. The gray stone is not +picturesque unless blues, yellows, or reds are used. These three colors +can be blended so that they form a scheme that is most attractive. When +it comes to brick you will have to depend upon white, or light blue for +coloring. More care should be taken with the planting around this kind +of a pedestal than any other. The red of the brick demands more covering +than any other type. The Hop vine fits into the scheme, but requires a +great deal of trimming lest it overshadows the brick, making a mass of +green without any hint of the brick below. The leaves are fine, +three-lobed, and rough on both sides while the loose paper-like +straw-yellow Hop in the fall hang gracefully from the brick, making a +fluffy but attractive covering.</p> + +<p>Fragrance is necessary in the planting of a sundial, then why not use +the Honeysuckle? The Brachypoda is particularly effective for this +purpose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> It shows white flowers in pairs, and sends forth a delicious +perfume that attracts one even before the sundial is viewed. The Hall +Evergreen Honeysuckle is also good for this purpose, being a strong +grower and constant bloomer. The flowers open white, change to buff, and +are very delicate in appearance.</p> + +<p>This sundial should be set in a circle of green. At the edge of the +border plant Iris. This makes a more effective setting than if a whole +bed of this should be used. The well-known, beautiful Iris of Japan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +displays a great variety of colors, the chief of which is white, maroon, +dark blue and violet. Most of them are veined, mottled or flaked with +different colors. There are both single and double varieties. The beauty +of this plant is that it succeeds in any good soil, that is if well +drained and given plenty of water when dry. They can be planted either +in the late summer or spring, as desirable, and should be shown in +masses, growing from two to three feet in height and lasting in blossom +for a month. For double use the Antelope, which shows a white ground +flaked with purple. Mix with it the Beauty which is a pure white. Add to +it the Mount Hood, light blue, shaded darker in the center. These can +be intermixed with the Crested Iris, a dwarf, showing handsome,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +light-colored flowers, and the Snow Queen, whose large snow-white +blossoms are free flowering.</p> + +<p>The planting around the sundial rests with the whim of the owner, +though, if out-of-the-way ideas can be evolved, it will add much to the +attractiveness of this feature of the garden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_FOUNTAIN" id="THE_FOUNTAIN"></a>THE FOUNTAIN</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 348px;"><a name="ILL_031" id="ILL_031"></a> +<img src="images/ill_031.jpg" width="348" height="500" alt="NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN" title="" /> +<span class="caption">NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE FOUNTAIN</h3> + +<p>Have you ever seated yourself in your garden, more especially on a warm +summer day, and dreamily listened to the musical tinkle of the water +that flowed from the mouth of the fountain, dripping down from the +over-flowing basin into the pool below? It is then you realize what an +attractive ornament it is for your garden for it appeals not only to the +eye but to the ear. Lowell picturesquely describes his idea of this bit +of garden furnishing when he speaks of it as "leaping and flashing," in +the sunlight.</p> + +<p>While the pergola, the garden seat and the sundial each have their own +appropriate use, they serve one purpose only. Not so the fountain, which +never fails to convey a delightful impression of coolness, as it gurgles +and murmurs, on its way. Surely there is nothing that gives to the +garden a more picturesque charm than this, standing like a spot of color +in a vivid setting of bright flowering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> plants. In the pool below one +finds constantly changing pictures of the blue sky, snowy clouds or +summer blossoms, each one worthy of its floral frame.</p> + +<p>As the garden fountain is merely an accessory and the beauty of the +constantly dripping water and the rising of the spray are what +constitutes its real charm, the conventional design can be simple or +elaborate but it should follow the garden scheme. It depends upon its +environment as to whether we make it the central feature in the design +or a setting in the wall. Lovely effects can easily be produced if one +is careful in trying to work out a right treatment, for the placing is +fully as much of importance as the planting. Balance should be the main +object.</p> + +<p>To the amateur who has had no special training in floriculture, the +introduction of even a simple water spout is of interest. He watches its +workings with a newly awakened enthusiasm, directing its course so that +it falls artistically over the different levels of the rock garden into +the home-made concrete pool below. The introduction of this water +feature gives a distinctive touch to even the simplest little flower +plot. For a larger garden, what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> is more alluring than a fountain +sending forth a high, vapory stream, bursting into a cloud of filmy +spray? This is especially true when it is viewed through a vista or at +the ending of a vine-shaded pergola. Around it should be planted a +carefully selected combination of flowers or shrubs, great care being +taken that they blend harmoniously.</p> + +<p>The size of the fountain and the breadth of the pool lend themselves +more or less effectively to producing alternating sunshine and shade on +the surface of the water. The basin is, in a way, of as much importance +as the fountain design. It is generally round, although occasionally an +oblong design fits better into the landscape effect. It should be from +two to three feet deep and so constructed that the sides slope outward +much like the ordinary wooden water bucket. There is a practical reason +for this, as it prevents cracking during the winter months. The cost +naturally varies, the size materially affecting the price.</p> + +<p>The background demands more than passing notice. Nearness of trees is a +decided drawback, as the falling leaves, especially in the autumn, mar +the surface and clog the outlet and make it necessary to clean the basin +frequently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>The best time to plan for any garden ornament is just before the early +fall. The flowers are in their prime and one can better determine +placing than in the early spring when the garden lies bleak and +desolate.</p> + +<p>Many garden lovers with a desire for originality feel confident that +they can rely upon their imagination to work out color schemes even +during the winter months. Fortunate is he who accomplishes this +satisfactorily. There is great danger, however, that his castles in the +air may fall to the ground through taking too much for granted. The +grounds do not always meet requirements, and the result is not only +wrong placing but an ornament that is either too large or too small for +its allotted space.</p> + +<p>We are far too impatient to obtain results and it is this undue haste +that often ruins the composition of gardens. There is a great +satisfaction in adding to and improving our grounds, much more so than +if the whole work were developed at once. Almost every garden into which +careful thought has been placed grows with its years. Few, if any garden +lovers, but have felt a keen sense of disappointment at the finished +results of their garden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> schemes. What was satisfying the first year, +has later brought about unhappy combinations. It is this fact that +should be impressed on everyone's mind, if they wish a perfect lay-out.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_032" id="ILL_032"></a> +<img src="images/ill_032.jpg" width="500" height="354" alt="A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND</span> +</div> + +<p>Probably everybody who has become interested in floriculture finds the +same difficulty in obtaining exactly what they wish. It is often hard to +match ideas with reality. This is another reason for curbing one's +impatience. The right things are sure to be found, that is if one is +willing to take time.</p> + +<p>It is when comparing the gardens of the old world with those of to-day +that we are impressed with the atmosphere of the twentieth-century +garden, where nature is encouraged to be genuine rather than artificial. +This is the height of success, the bringing into harmony of paths, +ornaments, and flowers, omitting gaudy effects or over-crowding with +marble fragments. Simplicity should be the key-note in arranging this +part of our ground, a simplicity that has been worked out by careful +thought for it means hard study to obtain natural effects.</p> + +<p>There are many materials from which our fountain can be manufactured. +The most expensive of these are marble, terra cotta and manufactured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +stone, the former leading the list, while the latter is better suited to +the moderate purse. This last is, in reality, a composition of marble +dust with cement, and the result is most satisfactory, the finished +product showing a smooth surface resembling as nearly as possible that +of unpolished marble. In rare cases, however, chemicals have been used +to produce an antique look. Many people are under the impression that +manufactured stone is always white. As a matter of fact, in the finished +product, there are as many as half a dozen neutral tints shown. These +all incline to a soft, delicate gray, sometimes with a blueish cast.</p> + +<p>Terra cotta comes next in cost. A detriment to its use is that, +particularly when it is shown in deep bronze coloring, it does not lend +itself artistically to landscape effect, through lack of contrast with +its surroundings. We find this material with both glazed and unglazed +surfaces, the former being more expensive but not as practical as the +latter. The most strongly recommended coloring is limestone gray, whose +soft, delicate finish brings out the tone of the vines, and emphasizes +the color of the surrounding flowers. Next comes the Pompeian red, only +to be used under certain conditions on account<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> of its color. Colonial +yellow has also been introduced. The two last colors are rarely, if +ever, used for fountain designs, the gray being considered much more +advisable.</p> + +<p>There are many reasons why cement is considered practical; its cost, its +wearing qualities, and its appropriate coloring. All these qualities +lend themselves to constructive purposes, and making it decoratively +most desirable.</p> + +<p>The architect who suits the design of the garden to the type of the +house will take advantage of this particular material. He has his ideas +concerning the effect that he wishes to bring out, to emphasize the +design of the house. He realizes that there is something more than +interest in botany to be shown if he wishes to make this part of his +plan a success. We have grown to a realizing sense that for the best +results it is better to employ a skilled man. No clever result can be +brought out through an inexperienced person planning the grounds, that +is, unless they have natural ability such as few people possess. We have +only to go back to our Colonial ancestors and study effects. It is then +we realize the difference between home planting and architectural +planting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>Cost is not the only thing to be taken into consideration when creating +garden effects. Character should be considered as well. In order to +obtain this satisfactorily, the accessories should be planned by a +connoisseur, such as an architect becomes after many years' study of the +subject. The fountain is the most important detail and requires more +careful thought than any other part of the garden setting. It makes no +difference what its construction is, so that it fits in with the scheme.</p> + +<p>Great care should be taken not to introduce different periods or +materials when placing garden ornaments on our grounds. Take, as an +instance, a home-made fountain and place it in close proximity with an +imported one and note the result. You will see the lack of harmony. The +Italian fountain belongs distinctively to the formal or Italian lay-out, +and should never be used, with the exception of making a central feature +on a lawn, in any other way. If you place the Greek fountain on a +hillside where landscape effects have been worked out through the use of +cascades that dash over terraces and under rustic bridges, you will see +it is entirely out of place and in the wrong surroundings.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="ILL_033" id="ILL_033"></a> +<img src="images/ill_033.jpg" width="500" height="279" alt="AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED" title="" /> +<span class="caption">AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED</span> +</div> + +<p>Occasionally, we come across an iron fountain painted black or red. This +metal is cheap and stock designs can be purchased, but the very best +ones are private orders and can never be reproduced. The price varies as +with every other bit of garden furniture from a few dollars up to as +many thousands. The advantage of this metal is that it fits into places +where marble should be avoided.</p> + +<p>Pottery fountains have been used within the last few years, and many of +them are very graceful, being turned and finished by hand. This type has +a special mission in our garden, its proper placing being in New England +where the gray rocks, hedges and evergreen predominate. This material is +shown in more colors than almost any other. These include gray, brown, +green, blue, and many shades of terra cotta. This variation of color +makes it adapted to almost any situation. One advantage in their use is +that, strongly reinforced as they are by galvanized steel wires, they +are climate-proof and practically indestructible.</p> + +<p>The location of this special garden ornament demands serious attention. +It is often placed where it will attract attention to some special +feature that has been carefully worked out in detail. More especially<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +is this true when it has been inserted as a part of the retaining wall +and is surrounded by some choice vine whose flowers accentuate the +architecture.</p> + +<p>There are so many forms and features connected with this special garden +ornament that there need never be any sameness. It is an ideal medium +with which to recreate the fauns, satyrs and nymphs of the garden. +Animals, too, are often used and so are cupids.</p> + +<p>The planting, which is of as much importance as the ornamentation, +depends upon the size of the pool and its location. Shade requires far +different treatment from sunny exposures, while the heart of a grass +plot lends itself to little or no floral embellishment. The finish of +the pool influences the arrangement of the flowers. Should it be very +ornamental, the planting should be far enough away not to shut off its +picture effect in the landscape. If it is simply a curbing, it should +have a setting of green or of low-growing plants.</p> + +<p>Often an effective treatment is worked out through a border of velvety +turf outlined by plants. Peonies never fail to bring out the right +coloring of the fountain, that is if they are far enough away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> not to +cut off the design. They are called rightly the aristocrats of the +flower garden. For mass planting, they are most effective, their great +gorgeous blossoms, daintily dyed and ranging from white to the deepest +red, their wonderful fragrance and their decorative value are +unsurpassed. They can either be planted in solid color or in a +combination that is artistic. The Couronne d'Or, beautiful white in +coloring and showing blossoms of red in the center with a halo of yellow +around, makes a picturesque contrast to the deep green of the tree +leaves. The large, double, ball-shape bloom of the Felix Crousse +intermixed with white, gives one of the most fascinating combinations of +red and white. The beauty of peonies is that they grow anywhere although +they do best in rich, deep soil and with a sunny exposure. They are +perfectly hardy, require no protection and unlike most other plants are +not infested by either insects or disease. All they ask for is plenty of +water during their growing season.</p> + +<p>Grandmother's flowers, which are so fashionable to-day, are particularly +desirable as a planting around a fountain. The sweet moss rose trailing +through the grass and mixing its blossoms with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> yellow of the Scotch +rose is often used for low effects, or where very little coloring is +advisable. The amount of planting and the height naturally depend upon +the design of the individual fountain. Those that are ornamental are so +effective that they need practically nothing to bring out right effects.</p> + +<p>Iris is always in good form. We find it to-day so highly developed that +in comparison to the little fleur-de-lis that grows unmolested in the +neighboring swamp, it seems scarcely a variety of the same flower. As we +are able to buy both double and single Irises, we should make a choice +and not mingle the two. The double with its flowers averaging from eight +to ten inches across, is an artistic foil for the white of the fountain. +Commencing with the German, which comes into bloom about the middle of +May, we can follow the time of blossoming through the introduction of +the Japanese Iris which lasts through July. In their planting, better +effects are produced if two colors only are used. This can be +supplemented by a third if the coloring is broken by the introduction of +a thread of white. For the German, why not use the Honorabilis, which is +a golden yellow with outside yellow petals shading to a mahogany brown, +or the King of Iris,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> which is a clear yellow. The Florentina Alba +gives the white coloring, its flowers being very large and fragrant. +These two colors can be enhanced by the adding of the Camillian which is +a delicate blue with falls tipped a little darker shade. These are more +suited for a fountain with a low curbing or for an informal garden where +cement is used. They give a very pretty effect, their flowers being +pictured in the water below.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 353px;"><a name="ILL_034" id="ILL_034"></a> +<img src="images/ill_034.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt="THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS MOST FITTINGLY PLACED" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS MOST FITTINGLY PLACED</span> +</div> + +<p>Pansies are never out of place. A very pretty idea is to have them +massed for as many as eight inches around the curb. Choose for these, +bright-colored varieties rather than dark. The tufted pansies, which are +one of the most important bedding plants in Europe, are rapidly growing +in favor in our country. One reason for this is that they flower +continuously for nearly eight months in the year. The flowers are not as +large as those of the single pansy, but their bright colors make them a +welcome addition to our garden. The rich, golden yellow, the violet with +a dark eye and the white, are all three admirable for this purpose.</p> + +<p>Pansies love coolness and give their largest and finest flowers in early +spring and late fall. They are so easy to grow, rioting in the cool, +deep mellow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> beds they love, that everybody should use them. They will +endure all winter long if protected by a few evergreen vines. The size +needed for bedding for your fountain depends entirely upon the width of +the bed. The most superb specimens are found among the orchid flowering +ones. They take their name mainly from their tints and variation of +color resembling the gorgeous shades seen in orchids. These are the most +novel and distinctive strain that we have used for years.</p> + +<p>Have you ever considered the graceful effect of ornamental grasses? They +can be used with telling effects for the margin of the fountain, +although care must be taken not to plant those that grow to enormous +height. The Euallia Japonica is appropriate. Its long, narrow, graceful +green foliage, flowering into attractive plumes, give it a distinctive +place for this purpose. Mix with it the Zebra grass, whose long blades +are marked with broad yellow bands across the leaf. Intermix with this +the hardy fountain grass which grows only four feet in height and has +narrow foliage, bright green in coloring, cylindrical flower-heads +carried well above the foliage, tinged with a bronze purple and is one +of the most valuable of the hardy grasses.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the planting of the grasses, to make the best effect give the taller +ones the outside row, letting the low ones fall over the water, +mirroring in the surface below. One of the advantages in using this is +that it attracts birds and butterflies. Nothing can attract the +songsters quicker to your fountain than this kind of surrounding.</p> + +<p>Occasionally, we find that instead of planting, beds are geometrically +laid out to surround this, the axis of the garden design. In cases like +this we have to depend upon the borders for effect. These can be +hedge-loving plants or they can be a solid, low planting. Scotch heather +is very pretty. It should be grown in sunny places with moist +surroundings. Its racimes of dark rose pink petals, lasting from July to +September, make it very effective for this purpose. The Japanese +Barberry can also be included, nothing equals it in artistic value. It +requires but little pruning to keep it in shape, while its fruit or +berries, assuming rich brilliant colors in the fall, are most effective +when used for a setting like this.</p> + +<p>If possible, try for flowers that have fragrance. It adds so much to the +effect to breathe in the sweet odor as you sit watching the shading of +the flowers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> the swaying of the birds, and listening to the musical +tinkle of the water as it drips into the basin below.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Garden Ornaments, by Mary H. Northend + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDEN ORNAMENTS *** + +***** This file should be named 34885-h.htm or 34885-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/8/34885/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire. 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Northend + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Garden Ornaments + +Author: Mary H. Northend + +Release Date: January 8, 2011 [EBook #34885] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDEN ORNAMENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from +scanned images of public domain material from the Google +Print archive. + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Book Cover] + + + + +GARDEN ORNAMENTS + + + + +[Illustration: TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING] + + + + +GARDEN ORNAMENTS + + +BY +MARY H. NORTHEND + + +ILLUSTRATED + + +[Illustration] + + +NEW YORK +DUFFIELD & COMPANY +1916 + + + + +Copyright, 1916, +by DUFFIELD & CO. + + + + +_I Dedicate This Garden Book +to My Friend_ +EKIN WALLICK + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + FOREWORD + I. THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER 3 + II. THE PERGOLA AND ARCH 21 + III. THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN 37 + IV. THE GARDEN STEPS 53 + V. ENTRANCES 71 + VI. BIRD BATHS 89 + VII. GARDEN SEATS 107 + VIII. GARDEN POOLS 125 + IX. THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN 143 + X. THE FOUNTAIN 163 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + TALL POPLARS LEND DIGNITY TO A GARDEN SETTING _Frontispiece_ + LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH _Facing p._ 3 + A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH 6 + A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS 12 + THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE PERGOLA 21 + BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC TOP 24 + THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK 28 + A TEA-HOUSE 37 + STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH 42 + LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN 46 + STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED 53 + A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND 58 + MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN 64 + AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF + LATTICEWORK 71 + A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY 76 + A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN 82 + THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH 89 + A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH 94 + AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF PATHS + THROUGH WOODS 98 + A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT 107 + A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT 112 + STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK 118 + A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE 125 + A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN 130 + THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS ARE + BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS 136 + GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL 143 + THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF 148 + AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE 154 + NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN 163 + A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND 166 + AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED 170 + THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS MOST + FITTINGLY PLACED 174 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +Doubtless we have all realized the allurement of the garden, as we walk +between the beds, drinking in the sweet perfume of the many flowers, or +as we watch the birds perched on the branches or lazily swinging on the +flowers, twittering to their mates as they sip the nectar or prune their +plumage, after bathing in the sparkling water of the pool. + +There is more than enjoyment that comes to the garden lover through his +life among the plants. He grows broader and becomes forgetful of the +trivial cares and prejudices of every-day life as he watches their +development. He comes to the garden for inspiration and finds it among +the flowers. + +We are by nature garden lovers, and though with some the feeling has not +as yet been developed, yet deep in the depths of their soul is a +yearning for intercourse with Nature and her lessons--taught through the +cultivation of flowers. It spells Contentment, Happiness and Love. + +It is a delight to visit gardens, and study the character of the +designer. It is no hard matter to read through varied planting likes and +dislikes in the owner. It brings us closer together, this mutual love of +floriculture, and it is in discussion of this theme that we forget the +sordid phases of life. + +Visit the gardens with me, listen to the anthem of the birds sung at +morn and eventide. Learn their habits, and make them friends, so that +they will nestle into your often lonely life, bringing with them a +gladness that is not only delightful but alluring. + +Many a love story has been told among the flowers, many a real story has +been developed as one sat gazing at some flower-laden field. Joy and +sadness has been our varied lot since we began our garden work, but as +the years go on, gladness predominates. We grow to look forward with a +tender longing for the coming spring. We hang lovingly over the opening +buds of the early flowers. We are glad that we, too, have grown to know +the flowers, that we have learned through their poetic language solace +for the wounded soul, and how to live better lives, through intercourse +with them. + +To my many friends who have made it possible for me to visit their +gardens, and to reproduce their carefully thought out schemes in +pictures, I extend my hearty thanks. It has done much to make not only +my life but other lives happier. It is with the hope that others may +find the same enjoyment in this work that I have that I send it forth to +perform its mission and with the hope that it may encourage others to +start gardens of their own and to give to them a happiness they have +never known before. If I have accomplished this I have met the desire of +my heart. + + + + +THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER + + +[Illustration: LET GUTTERS OF COBBLESTONES LINE YOUR PATH] + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE GARDEN PATH AND BORDER + + +"All the world's a garden and we are garden lovers in it." This is not a +new theme, for it has been in existence ever since the planting of the +early flower plots, those that were in evidence in our grand-dames' +time. There is a distinct atmosphere connected with those simple +one-path gardens that is most delightful. It lies not only in the gravel +paths and the stiff box-borders, but in the fragrant old-fashioned +flowers that were grown promiscuously inside the trim line of box. +Perchance some dainty line of cinnamon pinks whose delicate blossoms +when we find them in the twentieth-century gardens, carry us back +vividly to the Colonial days when they so often formed a part of the +garden scheme. + +Great changes have taken place in the evolution of the posy beds, for, +with the passage of time, they have developed into wide expanses of +floral landscape, subtly moulded into charming pictures and fascinating +vistas. + +In the planting and the planning of the flower beds of the present day +many of the general motives of the older gardens have been retained. +They have, however, been enlarged upon and developed until they are +perfected in every detail. The landscape architect of to-day realizes +that the achievements of yesterday can be interwoven with the +possibilities of to-morrow. + +As we saunter leisurely through the twentieth-century garden, we come +occasionally upon a simple box-border, much more scientifically treated +than those of long ago. This special feature of garden culture should be +planted in the early spring that it may obtain deep rooting, so as to +resist the ravages of the winter season. The plants should not overcrowd +but be set three inches apart in narrow, shallow trenches, with plenty +of mulching to insure the best results. Unlike those found in the +gardens of Colonial days, they should be carefully clipped, sometimes +for topiary effects. + +Here and there, we come unexpectedly upon old-time flower plots, showing +a box-border, not like those of the present day, carefully trimmed, but +scraggly and unkempt, preserved for sentiment's sake. They still line +the central walk, much as they did long years ago. In those days there +was no laying-out of gardens or creating odd designs, but, instead, +there was a simple, narrow, dividing line, worked out by the removal of +turf and filling in with earth. + +Few realize that garden culture can be divided into periods, each one of +which is well defined, so that it is possible to determine where the +old-fashioned ideas left off and the new-fashioned ones began. The +earliest period has a straight, simple path, about six feet in width. +These gardens came into existence when our shipping was greater on the +sea and the merchant princes demanded large and more elegant houses with +gardens laid out in the rear. Many of these were planned by the +mistresses of the stately homes, while some were designed by English or +German gardeners, who in their planting reproduced the gardens across +the seas. There are a few only that deviate from the general plan of the +single walk dividing the beds and ending in a summer house, vine-clad, +where the Colonial dames during the summer months held afternoon teas. +These garden houses were the nucleus of the garden furniture that has +come into fashion with the passing of time. + +One of the distinctive features connected with these gardens is the +border. This varies in width with the size of the plot and the flowers +enclosed. It must be borne in mind that the gardeners of those days knew +little of the theory of color schemes, yet the results were pleasing to +the eye, so much so that to-day the old-fashioned garden stands in a +class by itself. + +With the evolution of gardens, new ideas sprang into existence. All +landscape architects realize the importance of giving particular +attention to the laying-out of the path. Here the bit of garden demands +a straight path, yonder to bring gardens into unity a grass path should +be laid, while level stretches demand charming floral treatment, wrought +out through proper use of flowers in the borders. + +[Illustration: A SUCCESSFUL GRASS PATH] + +Every ambitious gardener realizes that during the summer months, his +particular garden will be on dress parade, and must be always at its +best. Therefore, he gives special attention to the trimming of the +borders, the smoothing of the path and the right coloring in beds, so +that no discordant note be found. Every part must be kept in good +condition, for there are no closed doors for untidiness to skulk behind. +This he knows means constant and unremitting care and that he may avoid +sameness, he changes the flower scheme every year, to give a fresh note +to the planting of his own particular plot. + +The greatest care must be taken that borders are properly balanced, for +any deviation from this rule results in lop-sided effects that spell +failure. No walk in any part of the garden but should be planned to +serve a definite purpose, either to connect other paths or at its end to +bring out some carefully laid plan that will lend a picturesque effect +to the finished design. + +Let us take as an instance a curved path. First of all, we must realize +that it is not following any haphazard plan but has a definite aim. +Perchance it has been most carefully laid out to avoid the felling of a +tree that is needed for picturesque effect, but whatever the object may +be, it is fulfilled by the design of this particular path. + +There are to be found, quite frequently on large, extensive grounds, +grass paths that cut the lawn, connecting separated gardens. In any +case like this, how much better to introduce English stepping stones. +There is a picturesque coloring in their soft, gray hue, contrasting +pleasingly with a line of grass between. They also break the monotony +given by a solid mass of green and lend to this particular part of the +ground an old-world aspect. + +Have you ever stopped to think when planning for your next year's garden +that designs can be easily varied to bring out some new thought and make +a change that is alluring? It is the careful introduction of these novel +ideas that gives zest to garden culture. Every person has a different +idea of what is right in garden culture and unconsciously treats the old +plan in an individual manner. A little touch here and there goes a great +way in producing odd effects. + +Among the many materials that can be used for this feature of the garden +is brick, and of this there are many kinds. For the old-fashioned garden +the second-hand brick gives a Colonial atmosphere. For the gardens of +to-day it is generally better to use the hard, burned brick--these can +be laid in straight lines or herring-bone fashion as fancy dictates, +and should show a line of straight brick or headers as they approach the +border. This feature should be used generally in formal types of garden +landscape. Great care should be taken, however, that the brick be laid +perfectly dry and cemented in mortar. + +If you are looking for novelty, why not try cobblestones? They are very +inexpensive, particularly if you live in a seaport town where the +beaches are strewn with them. Be sure to pick out those that are nearest +the same size and shape, for this gives a better effect. There is +nothing that gives a better backing for earth beds, especially as they +are easily kept weeded. If the cobblestones prove too conspicuous for +the scheme of the garden, it is a comparatively easy matter to plant as +a background a flowering plant that will in time fall over them and hide +them from view. + +A turf walk is, properly speaking, the most effective path. It also has +many advantages, chief among them the fact that it is not hard to keep +up and can be replaced with very little trouble, save the cutting of new +sod. Be very careful not to make the mistake of laying old sods that +have been piled for a considerable length of time and have thus lost +much of their vigor. In order to have them at their best they should be +freshly cut and laid carefully in a rich foundation, the pieces joined +as closely as possible together and the crevices filled in with either +grass seed or dirt. Plenty of watering means success; still one should +not be impatient, for it is not until a second season that grass comes +to its own. One difficulty in a border like this, which can, however, be +easily remedied, is that it needs constant cutting to keep the grass +from overrunning the beds. + +If you are planning a garden of the English type, it is well to carry +out the idea of introducing irregular stones for the walk. It is +desirable that the stones should not all be of the same size, otherwise +there will be no chance for grass and moss to grow between them and give +them the old-world aspect. In gardens of this type such a path is really +imperative, for the flowers crowd against the dividing line and would be +much less interesting if stones were not introduced. + +Bear in mind, in dealing with this particular subject that the width of +the walk depends in a great measure on the size of the garden. Here a +narrow path is all that is necessary to carry out the scheme; there, a +wide one seems to fit appropriately into the plan. It is not always +possible to have gardens large enough to allow a wide path, yet the +effect of one can be produced by a little contriving; for instance, if +you use grass for the central feature with an earth border on either +side. + +If you desire a successful garden you should seek for variety, not only +in the cutting of the walk, but in the planting of the borders. To-day +everybody is striving for originality and to work out odd ideas that +still are practical. One should remember, too, that no two gardens are +exactly alike, any more than two faces bear an exact resemblance. + +In describing the border, one might liken it to the setting of a gem. +Doubtless, it might be said to be artificial but so is the planting of +the flower plot. It is not nature's work, but designed by the hand of +man and in it harmony should be developed in the highest degree. + +Let us take as an example the damp garden. This is usually laid out in +one corner of the estate. If we should treat it with a gravel walk, what +would be the result--dampness and disappointment. Now, let us change the +whole plan and place stringers on which boards are laid, so nailed that +they can be lifted during the winter season and stored away in a +friendly barn or cellar. Watch the result and you will find it is always +dry and practical for usage. Better still, if wearing properties do not +have to be taken into consideration, use cedar boughs that resemble in +contour miniature logs. They fit into place as if put there by nature, +all the more if they are bordered by ferns. If you build at the further +end a rustic summer house, it gives a refreshing touch. + +Many garden lovers delight in collecting wild flowers, digging them up +in the neighboring woods to blossom in their cultivated garden. Why not +give them a home by themselves in a rough rockery? This can easily be +built from stones found on the estate. Here we deviate from the stilted +idea of paths and introduce stone steps. These should be large and rough +enough to fit in with our plan. Hardy ferns should be planted on either +side and rock plants between the steps. You will then see the wisdom of +creating a path like this which is in sympathy with the general idea of +the garden. + +[Illustration: A BRICK-PAVED PATH FLANKED BY MANY-HUED IRIS] + +Landscape gardeners are at the present day endeavoring to work out +results that are in harmony with any period that they are called upon +to reproduce. Occasionally they come upon a subject that is very +difficult to treat, such as the concrete walk. This is an absolute +necessity in some locations. Yet, when finished, it presents a bare +appearance and demands special treatment. Very successful results are +produced by bright borders of flowering plants, and if in addition to +this an arch of wire or rustic boughs is made for the entrance and +covered with rambler roses, of which to-day there are many varieties, a +happy solution will be found to the perplexing problem of a colorless +path. During the time of blossoming, the touch of brightness adds to the +effect while later on the bright green of the leaves relieves the cold +gray of the concrete. + +The late Joseph Jefferson, in speaking of gardens and their borders, +once said, "They are all expectation." And so they are from the early +spring when the first bulbs come into bloom until the falling of the +late chrysanthemum. As we con the seedman's list to prepare for the +spring gardening, we go through the procession of the seasons noting the +colors and finding a joy in anticipation that is exhilarating. + +In order to give correct handling to your paths, the color scheme of the +borders should be taken into consideration. Different kinds of gardens +demand varied treatment, and for this, the situation on the grounds and +the type of the walk, should be carefully thought out. + +For earliest bloom, one should use bulbs. To have them at their best +they should be planted in the fall, about six weeks before the hard +frost sets in. Trenches are first dug, from twelve to eighteen inches +deep, enriched and topped with a layer of sand, to insure the bulbs +touching nothing else. Each bulb should be planted six inches deep and +the same number of inches apart. They should be covered with from four +to six inches of straw, dead leaves--hardwood ones being best for this +purpose--or pine branches. Great care should be taken that these are not +removed too early in the spring. Years of careful experiment have +developed better colors and more strength in bulbs and have succeeded in +producing a greater variety, both single to double. This evolution in +bulbs makes it possible to choose suitable varieties for any border +work. + +Snow drops are the first to poke their tiny heads up through the cold, +hard earth. They rise above the snow, bringing gladness in their train. +Then comes a procession of dainty bulbs including the hyacinth with its +many hues, and the tulips, that stay by us until late in May, clothed in +Dolly Varden gowns, or simple Quaker garb. It is a good plan to plant +pansies among the bulbs, so that they will show their painted faces +before the last bloom has disappeared. Many people in such borders use +sweet alyssum for the outer row, but this, while it is decorative, is +not always satisfactory for it grows so high that it is apt to shadow +the major scheme. Bulbs can be left in the ground for a second year's +blossoming or if new varieties are desired they can be carefully lifted +and replaced by potted plants, such as the scarlet geranium or the dusty +miller, whose soft gray sheen makes an interesting note of color as a +foreground for the bed that stretches down to touch it, a solid mass of +one-toned flowers. + +Within the last few years iris has become a popular accessory for border +use. One reason for this is that it stays in bloom from the time of its +first opening until the hot blast of the August sun touches its closed +head. Well may this be termed the "fairy's favorite flower," it is so +dainty in its hues. + +The rose moss or portulaca is a valuable border plant. It grows +luxuriantly in sandy soil, where no moisture is retained, and seems to +draw sufficient sustenance from the dews that fall at night, rather than +from the unkindly sand which touches its tiny roots. One advantage in +its use is that it grows quickly from seed, that is, if it is planted in +a dry spot. The needle-shaped foliage is inconspicuous, while the +blossoms are as brilliant as poppies and are produced in large numbers. +A serious fault, however, is that it closes during the afternoon. If one +decides to use portulaca, choose solid colors rather than to mix a mass +of varied ones. + +For a shady bit of garden, why not try out delphiniums? They are not +expensive, the roots costing about a dollar and a quarter a dozen, but +they are so graceful that they are effective for use of this sort. + +The plants chosen must be in harmonious contrast to those that fill the +beds, otherwise one shudders as they view the completed scheme and +wonders how it is that the gardener is so color-blind. Hardy borders or +annuals are used very often. Each of them having a distinctive charm, +some gardens demanding one, and others another, so that one cannot +dictate to the owner of a garden which kind is best for his use, it lies +with his own whims and fancies, to develop beautiful combinations, and +to work out variations of the last year's scheme, so that the gardens of +yesterday may differ essentially from those of to-day. + +It may be that long borders of bright-eyed verbenas greet our eyes as we +gaze upon the vari-colored beds, or perchance gorgeous Sweet Williams, +vieing in hue are shown. Tall rosy spikes of lythrum lift their heads, +while stately hollyhocks uncurl their silky petals, shaking out the +tucks and wrinkles of the bud like newly awakened butterflies stretching +their wings. There is a busy hum of bees as we saunter down the garden +path, stopping now and again to watch their flight as they light on +flowers to sip their nectar, furry with golden pollen dust. + +So we stand wondering what our grand-dames would say could they view, +with us to-day, the transformation of the old-fashioned garden, into a +magnificent show of rare plants in a well-developed design. + + + + +THE PERGOLA AND ARCH + + +[Illustration: THE SUNLIGHT SIFTS THROUGH THE SHELTERING VINES OF THE +PERGOLA] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PERGOLA AND ARCH + + +"I have made me a garden and orchard, and have planted trees and all +kinds of fruit." Thus spake the wise Solomon who in all his glory found +time to enjoy his flowers. Nowadays, blossoming plants are intermixed +with marble fragments, and the garden contains many interesting features +that were then unknown. Sir William Temple, on his return from a visit +to Holland, where he went for garden study, tells us that he found that +four things were absolutely necessary in order to complete a perfect +garden. "Flowers, Fruit, Shade, and Water." + +Originality is to-day the key-note in every garden design. Gardens have +been developed with the passing of time so that instead of one type we +find an infinite variety of styles, each one of them so distinctive that +one need have little fear of repetition in results. Here we find the +formal, the Italian garden while over yonder is the wild, and the +rambling one. They are carefully designed to bring out some individual +scheme. Unlike the little posy plots of long ago with their unobtrusive +green arbors, now we come upon a large space which has been laid out for +picture effects. This is the work of the landscape architect, who takes +as much pride in his garden structures, as does the architect in the +design of his house. He vies with his rivals in producing odd effects +with marble fragments and artistic combinations in his color scheme. + +Each one of the many types, that are shown at the present day, shows +distinctive features. These appear and disappear in endless variety, and +among them are the pergola and the arch, the latter a grandchild of the +green arbor that was in evidence in our grand-dames' time. + +Unlike those seen in the old-fashioned gardens, it is not always built +of wood. Sometimes it is so placed as to define the terraces, leading +with its shadowy treatment to delightful glimpses of vistas beyond, well +laid out for this very purpose. Again we find it shadowing the garden at +one side, where it makes a covered walk, under which one can pass, and +view the garden pleasantly. + +Simple and unostentatious were the early gardens, for not until 1750, +was there found any trace of garden architecture in the North. It was +about that year that one Theodore Hardingbrook, came to this country +bringing with him a fund of information to strengthen and enlarge this +line of work. He gathered around him a faithful, interested little band +of students, and taught them new ideas, and awakened an ambition for new +designs in Colonial flower plots. Then was evolved the little summer +house with its cap of green, which stood generally at the foot of the +garden path ending the central walk and it was then that the green arbor +came into existence, spanning the centre of the little plot. Covered +with vines it made a pleasant break in the otherwise straight lines of +the old-fashioned garden, and it also gave a touch of old-world gardens +to the new-world plan. + +This was not the commencement of pergola construction, which had its +origin in the vineyards of sunny Italy. They were not like those of +to-day, wonderfully beautiful in design but rude and rustic, roughly put +together as a support for the vines. Through the intersecting crevices +fell glorious clusters of pale green and royal purple grapes, to ripen +in the glimmering shade. These rough arbors, shadowed by hardy vines, +graced the Italian hillsides, when Columbus as a wool comber's son +frolicked the summer days away long years before he discovered the new +country that lay across the sea. + +The birth of this feature was not romantic but plebeian, for it was +built for practical use only. The hardy Italian grape growers had come +to a realizing sense that their fruit throve better if held aloft, and +so they conceived the idea of a supporting arbor. As the bright sun +filtered through the vines, the picturesqueness caught the attention of +gardeners on large estates and from this was evolved the long pillared +pathways over which cultivated vines were twined, casting their long +shadows far over the path beyond in Roman gardens. + +When larger and better gardens were demanded to meet the architecture of +the large, square, Colonial homes, green arbors were popular. They were +crudely put together, often the work of the village carpenter, simple +and unconventional in their treatment yet prettily draped with vines. +During the summer months they were especially picturesque and inviting, +with their little wooden seats placed on either side. To the garden came +the gallant, dressed in knee breeches and wearing powdered wig, there +to meet his lady love, bending low he plucked from the branches of the +trailing vine a flower to deck his fair beloved's hair. + +[Illustration: BUILD YOUR PERGOLA WITH COBBLESTONE SUPPORTS AND RUSTIC +TOP] + +These green arbors gave a distinct individuality to the old-time garden. +Over them were carefully twined the Dutchman's pipe. It showed nestled +away beneath its leaves, tiny, almost invisible little green pipes that +were coveted by the little ones for "Let's pretend smoke." Invariably, +the yellow and white Baltimore Belle rose sometimes known as the Seven +Sisters, lent their charm, boldly peering out from under the vine to +watch the lovers seated on the simple seats. They gave them a welcoming +nod as they swayed to and fro in the passing breeze, mingling their +blossoms, with a dainty Scotch rose and the pink moss, that seemingly +grew on the same stem. It is the former rose that was the greatest +favorite, for it lasted longer, giving dashes of yellow like sunshine to +light the dark, autumnal days. + +Now and again, we come unexpectedly upon a garden such as this. It lies +in the heart of a Colonial city, hidden away from passers-by behind a +high paling fence. + +The twentieth century pergola in the modern garden lends itself to a +great variety of treatment. It is an important feature and should be +properly treated in order to bring out the right effect. Often the +amateur, when dabbling with garden culture, neglects this feature on his +grounds and gives it a wrong setting. + +It must be remembered that the mere setting out of a garden does not +always bring about the best results. It should be done with some +definite aim in view, such as color or suitability to situation. In this +way only can one obtain perfection. There should be taken into +consideration the formation of the different beds, especially those that +are in close proximity. It cannot be a successful experiment unless +carefully planned. + +If you have never tried to form combinations that will intensify the +loveliness of the grounds by a happy gathering of right colors, you have +missed a delightful experience. This idea does not come quickly to the +amateur floriculturist, but once he fully grasps it, he turns as if by +instinct to the structural part of the garden plan. It is then that he +realizes that while he has not seemed to have progressed during his +first year's work, yet he has laid a solid foundation that will stand +him in good stead. In the midst of his garden he rears a house of +flowers, placing it in a situation where he can watch the growth and +maturing of the plants. Each corner of the garden is given separate +treatment. In some gardens, where the space is small, it would be +impossible to carry out the pergola scheme. Then it can be simplified +and condensed into the child of the pergola, the arch, excellent for +decorative effects. This means for flower showing can be made of wire, +simply fastened to posts, bent into shape, or of wood and painted white; +either of these methods is satisfactory and can, if properly used, be +most successful. + +The arch, to fit in with the garden plan, should span the entrance. Over +it should be trained either a blossoming vine or many, to work out a +succession of bloom. Sometimes it will be the wisteria with its drooping +clusters of lavender, or the rambler rose found in such a variety of +colors to-day. These two with the clematis, are especially adapted for +this purpose, if one is willing to use proper fertilizer and depth of +planting. + +In order to insure better and more prolific growth, the vines should be +cut back to about six or eight inches in height when first set out. It +must be remembered in dealing with them that they are like little +children, each one requiring individual care. We must also be sure that +the soil is frequently stirred to avoid caking. + +Properly placed, the curved trellis is a joy. It gives a decorative +setting to the garden proper. As the eye travels down the path, it +greets a charming bit of color in the bed of solid green that tops the +roof. + +The arch would not be a proper note of setting for every garden. There +are only certain kinds with which it blends. The narrow path demands it, +for it needs a break to show it at its best. A judicious fashioning of a +series of arches, extending here and there along the entire depth of the +walk is sometimes attractive. They serve to break the monotony and add a +flower note that is delightful. In the planning of these, great care +should be taken that they are set at proper intervals. They should be on +the same level and correspond in width, otherwise the result would be a +wavy line that is most distressing. + +[Illustration: THE MOSS GROWS BETWEEN THE STONE WALK] + +The color scheme depends on garden planting. If lavender is chosen it +should be reproduced all through the line. Do not be so foolish as to +choose one vine only but plant them in order to make a succession of +bloom. One does not wish to view a spot of color now and a mass of green +later on. + +There are so many different kinds of vines that can be planted for this +use, each one of which is admirable, that it is hard to choose. +Commencing with the earliest why not take the American or the +loose-cluster wisteria. It has many advantages over other vines, in that +it is a strong grower and bears an abundant cluster of flowers +resembling the sweet pea in formation. + +One can reasonably assert, that the wisteria is the leading flower for +the pergola or arbor. It dons a rich and graceful foliage and unlike +other vines, has two distinct seasons of bloom. It is especially good if +one wishes to carry out a one-tone color scheme, making lavender the +key-note, and using this particular vine for the early bloom in May, at +which time the luxuriant clusters of drooping flowers show their +wonderful shading as they peer through the arches dropping down below +the leafy growth and making a note of exquisite beauty. In August, when +they show their second season of bloom, the flowers are less abundant. + +They should be followed by the Clematis Jackman. This vine, if it +reaches maturity, is most effective, but it has the distinct +disadvantage that though it starts right, and sends out shoots, they are +apt to blight early and disappoint the gardener by dying before putting +forth its wonderfully beautiful flowers. June, the month of roses, is a +suitable time for one to watch for the blossoming of this vine. + +Many people avoid the Coboea Scandens on account of the large, +conspicuous flowers it produces. They make a decided mistake when they +shun this particular vine, for it has good qualifications for pergola +covering. No vine grows more rapidly, as it reaches often from +twenty-five to thirty feet in a single season. It bursts into blossom in +July, in rich, purple, trumpet-shaped flowers. + +For the successful growth of vines many things have to be considered but +principally the soil. The amateur makes a mistake in starving the +ground, and thus losing half the quality it would otherwise have had. In +order to obtain the best results, put plenty of barn-yard manure, or +bone meal, at the foot of the trellis, and this should be plentifully +renewed at the commencement of each year. + +Rambler roses are one of the most effective treatments for arbor or +pergola growth, and the most popular of these are the white, yellow, +crimson and pink. Each year new varieties are put upon the market and if +one wishes to follow the new ideas they will be forced to constantly +change the plants. + +In some cases, the pergola is used to form a trellised pavilion or +summer house to shelter a marble statue and again with carved setting to +outline a bed, as the central feature around which the flowers are +arranged. Thus the simple vineyard trellis has been transformed into a +gem of graceful construction, and we find it to-day, with its slender +marble columns, supporting a delicately carved marble roof of slabs, +over and through which the green of the vine, and the glint of the +flower hover, dipping down between the intervening sections, in festoons +of green and color. + +It can well be called a distinctive summer structure, for with the sun +streaming through its mass of vines, it shadows the walks from May until +late October. In the long winter months boxed in it stands like a +sentinel guarding the long, bare paths, and showing a leafless network +of interlacing vines. + +The pergola of to-day is not like that of yesterday. When first +introduced into our gardens it was taken up on many small estates, and +so badly designed that it combined badly with the garden. It was then it +fell into disfavor and was pronounced a failure for use in our garden +plan. + +But landscape gardeners, with an eye to the unique, felt that it was a +necessary rounding-out of the garden design, and rescued from ignominy, +it took its place in right surroundings, in the heart of the garden with +a border of elaborate flower designs. Garden seats were placed inside +and when it fronted on an Italian garden, a fountain was often +introduced, the musical tinkle of the spouting water giving a special +charm. + +Among the many designs the simplest is a simple rustic frame structure, +appropriate for small or wild gardens. It is formed of cedar posts +driven four feet into the ground, and reaching to the height of eight +feet. This is covered with a beam or a slab roof structure over which is +trained the morning glory, the California creeper, or the grape. This +latter is much used, the picturesqueness of the ripening fruit adding to +its attractiveness. These pergolas are generally eight feet wide and +have for a flooring irregular flags through which peer grass or moss. + +This type of garden furniture is perfectly well adapted to Italian, +English, or Colonial types of architecture, and is constructed often of +marble. It is not merely an ornament but a useful adjunct to a garden, +and can be made of concrete, or cobblestone, if one does not wish to go +to the expense of using marble. + +There is a modern form of this feature that is a development from +century-old customs, the porch-pergola which is fast supplanting the old +covered porches of yesterday. This is designed with an open, +vine-covered roof. It gives an added charm to the exterior of the house +and furnishes a shady nook for sunny days, without the drawback of the +old porch whose roof darkened the house in winter by withholding the +sun. + +No one, no matter how small their grounds, need deny themselves a +pergola. It is such an important feature and so decorative that it is +almost a necessity. For the little backyard it may be simply a rustic +porch planted in the middle of the garden. Properly laid out, it can be +used as an out-of-doors living room. Across the end a hammock can be +swung, while table and chairs can be fitted in at one side. + + + + +THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN + + +[Illustration: A TEA-HOUSE] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE TEA HOUSE IN THE GARDEN + + +There is a delightful imaginary intimacy that seemingly exists between +we garden lovers who live in the twentieth century and those of early +days. So closely are we connected by a common band of sympathy that we +eagerly scan their books to glean here and there some important bit of +garden lore that can be introduced into our work of to-day. It is this +pleasant mingling of old and new-world gardens that gives to present-day +designs such a delightful atmosphere. + +One of the old-time floriculturists, John Lyle, tells us in his +old-fashioned way, about the flowers that bloomed ages before our +grand-dames were born. "Gentlemen," he says, "what floure like you best +in all this border? Here be fine roses, sweete violets, fragrant +primroses, gille floures, carnations, sops of wine, sweete John, and +what may please you at sight." Surely we see in retrospect, the gardens +of that early day, and we come more and more to realize that all +through the ages, the hand of Man has fashioned nothing more beautiful +than a garden of flowers. The most famous poets have not found any more +ideal trysting spot in which to place their lovers. + +Each individual part of the flower garden has its own distinctive charm. +It lies not solely with the flowers that bloom so profusely in the beds +nor with the marble fragments, for the romance of it all is centered in +the little summer house, as it was quaintly named by our ancestors in +the long ago. In these little tea houses, built in a retired part of the +garden, the mistress loved to spend a pleasant summer afternoon, seated +inside knitting flower thoughts into a shapely bag or reading some +delightful book, which dropped from her hand, as she sat dreamily +watching the unfolding of some favorite flower. + +Let us enter one of these gardens, rich in its summer garb, walk slowly +down the path, stopping now and again to view some bud slowly unfold its +petals one by one, disclosing a new specimen to be added to the +ever-increasing number that are comprised in the floral scheme, and +waving a welcome as it is tossed to and fro by every passing breeze. + +Over there against the white paling fence stands the stiff hollyhock +nodding his satiny head to greet the dainty heliotrope who glances +coquettishly up to meet his eye. Nearby is a dialetrea or bleeding +heart, the pet of the little ones, who pluck them to form tiny boats +with snow white sails to float down the lily pond. Bursting into bloom +behind the stiff box border is the old-time "piny," sending bits of +color into the sober green. + +None of the old Colonial gardens were considered complete without an +ever varying assortment of bloom. There were the Sweet Williams, +Bouncing Bet, and perky little Johnny-jump-up, sending greetings to his +comrades nearby. Flowers are everywhere, they peer out at us from hidden +corners, swing their heads in very ecstasy of enjoyment of their being. + +Simplicity was the key-note in the construction of those summer houses +that came into existence during the latter part of the seventeenth +century. They stand for the first type of garden furniture made in our +country, coming into vogue after the close of the grim struggle for +existence made by our Puritan forbears. Then when the tide turned, and +money flowed into the colonies, houseowners had more time to devote to +garden culture. Behind the large Colonial houses sprang into existence +gardens devoted to flowers, the owners doing the best they could with +the material at hand. These delightful little plots secluded from the +world outside by high paling fences were the homes of the old-fashioned +flowers, many of them descendants of the originals, brought over in the +ships that first touched our shores. + +They were not like the twentieth-century ones constructed of marble or +concrete clothed with vines and standing in a wealth of up-to-date +blooms, showing slender marble columns and carved capitals supporting +the marble roof. + +Rather are they covered with plain, every-day vines, such as the +Dutchman's Pipe with its heavy leaving, clambering roses and the Bitter +Sweet or Roxbury Waxwork, whose drooping bunches of yellow and red poke +their heads through the lattice work, making a bit of bright color all +through the winter months. This when the ground is covered with snow +livens up the surroundings. On either side are planted a wealth of +timely flowers, these include the Sweet William, the Hooded Larkspur, +and the many-colored Phlox. + +Many of these little garden houses show such a variety of form that they +are interesting, fitting into their surroundings as if they had always +been there. Some are square, formed like a large box, depending for +their picturesqueness on their coverings of vines. Others are round, and +still again we find oblong summer houses, each one fitted up with seats +and sometimes a rustic table. + +Occasionally, we come upon a more pretentious one that is two stories in +height. They were planned in the early nineteenth century, some of these +are still standing and among them we find that of Elias Haskett Derby, +designed by Samuel McIntyre, Salem's noted architect and wood-carver. +For years it stood on the grounds of the summer home of Mr. Derby and +to-day is so well preserved that it seems as if it had been recently +built. Exquisite carving is a feature of this particular tea house, +where rural images top the roof. + +It is only in the gardens of the rich, that elaborate tea houses are +found, simple designs grace the little gardens and are in harmony with +their surroundings. The rustic summer house has its own mission to +fulfill. Its cost can be determined by conditions. Some are finished in +elaborately decorative designs while others show plain treatment. + +The best kind of wood to be used for this purpose is the red cedar which +has wonderful lasting qualities. It is more expensive than the locust +but out-wears any wood on the market. Great care should be taken that +the supports be placed deep enough to avoid throwing by the heavy winter +frost. Holes should be dug at least four feet deep, and squares of stone +or cement pounded into the bottom to prevent its coming in contact with +the earth and rotting. This makes a solid foundation, and durable. Do +not have the roof made flat, so that water can stand upon it and rot it, +but raise it slightly and either shingle or thatch it. + +This last is an old-time handicraft that has recently been revived. +Following the old English rule, reeds are more endurable, while straw is +admissible. An advantage of its use is that it grows handsomer with age. +In its second year it has collected moss, weeds and plants, and these, +matted down and weather-beaten, give it the hue of a gray lichen. If +properly treated it will last for years. + +[Illustration: STEPPING-STONES IN A GRASS PATH] + +One should, if possible, when planning the garden, include a summer +house. There is no more enjoyable feature that can be constructed on +the grounds. Its design, size, situation and type, must correspond with +the period of the garden. A formal lay-out should, in order to be +correct, receive entirely different treatment in its setting from the +Italian, while the rambling depends upon simpler characteristics to +produce correct results. Rustic tea houses fit into this project +appropriately. They would be entirely incongruous if placed in Italian +gardens elaborate in their plan and full of wonderful bits of marble +fragments transplanted from foreign lands. + +Fortunately for us, there are so many different types of gardens that +one is not continually finding a repetition. Garden houses, covered with +bark, fit into simple plans, such as the rambling and the wild gardens, +their rustic effect being in harmony with the flowers and beds. + +It is one thing to plan a summer house but quite another to pick out a +suitable situation. It should not be placed in the heart of the flowers +more especially where there are tall blossoms. Let the beds in the +foreground be low and show quiet colors, shading the height and +brightness as they go farther afield, the most conspicuous being used +for the extreme edge. Here, like a beautiful picture, they fit into the +landscape and produce correct effects. + +Level stretches do not always bring about right results. If your ground +slopes to the garden edge why not design a rustic tea house to fit into +the hillside? Should you visit it of a clear afternoon, seat yourself on +the wooden settle and glance around you, you will be delighted with the +view obtained. Below is the garden rolled out like a carpet brightly +patterned at your feet, smooth stretches of lawn between rest the eyes +as they gaze off to the horizon when the blue of the sky seems to melt +into the masses of waving bloom. + +Do not start this feature of the garden unless you have first planned +situation, size and cost, otherwise you will be disappointed, and may +feel it is more expensive than you wished. If you do not care to bed it +underneath, you will be sorry. Every house of this sort should have a +hard ashes or cement foundation in order to keep out the dampness. This +is a serious fault which if not carefully watched results in quick +rotting of the wood and constant expense. It is better to start right +and in the end it will cost less. Posts used for supports should be +made of cedar or locust, driven four feet into the ground and resting on +stone supports, used as preservatives. They can be elaborately designed +or simple in finish and if plenty of air and light are wished for, +trellis supports can be used, but if it demands shade, shingles or +canvas painted, are advisable, the former better for rounded effects and +the latter when a flat surface is used. + +Marble is used prominently in Italian gardens, whose elaborate setting +demands striking effects. Give the tea house a cover of soft green +vines, dotted here and there with a bit of color and it will be a joy +forever, taking on a dignity that is in keeping with its surroundings. +Cement, no matter where it is used, is always effective. In coloring and +lines it seemingly fits into the elaborate landscape scheme and it +improves with age. There is an advantage in the use of cement, in that +it costs nothing for repairs, is fireproof, does not collect vermin, and +is never shabby. With its clinging vine cover, it is a desirable +material for use in the construction of tea houses when wood and marble +are not suitable. + +There is a romantic charm in vine-clad tea houses. The clinging vine +lends a picturesqueness to the slender columns and the slanting roof +emphasizes the beauty of it all. + +There are so many decorative vines that are suitable for its use that it +would be impossible to name them all. + +For marble, delicate, tender climbers are the best. For concrete a +larger leaf can be used to give more stable effects, while for rustic +tea houses, the large, hardy vines and stronger climbers are more +suitable. Each one has its own use, and appears at its best in congenial +environment. The tiny canary-bird vine would make little show if allowed +to clamber over rustic supports, while the Boston or Japanese ivy are +especially adapted for this treatment. This is on account of the small, +flat leaf that clings to the side, helping out the design without a deep +massing of leaves. + +[Illustration: LILY PONDS IN A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Some summer houses depend upon hardy vines for their cover and others on +tender climbers whose delicate tendrils wind in and out clouding but not +hiding the exterior coloring. It is the wise man who is able to provide +a suitable over-spread for houses of this description. It must be +remembered that it is not the cover alone but the planting that +surrounds it that aids in the picturesque effect. There is as much +need of careful thought here as there would be in any part of the +scheme. For right coloring, height, and time of blossoming help or mar +the plan. + +There is as much difference in the growth of vines as there is in +children. Some to be at their best require a very rich soil, while +others will do equally well if it is poorer. The important thing, if you +wish successful results, is to give them plenty of food, plenty of water +and look out for a proper insecticide, in order not to retard their +growth. A general rule that is permissible for almost any grounds is to +dig a ditch from three to four feet deep and put in the bottom a foot of +rotted manure. This can better be attended to in the fall, leaving time +for it to get well soaked into the ground and ripen before planting. +Fill in alternate layers of soil and manure until the trench is even +with the ground. In clay soil, it is better in order to lighten it to +mix in a little sand. + +For a rustic summer house, where heavy planting is needed, a honeysuckle +is effective. The scarlet or Sempervirens is a very decorative variety +and this differs greatly from the Japanese one, bearing tubular scarlet +flowers that continue in blossom all summer. Of the many varieties this +is the freest and the best. Its leaves are a blueish green which make a +pleasing contrast with the coral color of the flower. + +The Clematis is always effective and is the best vine of medium growth +in existence. Its small, white, star-shaped flowers, deliciously +fragrant, cover the vine completely in August. The Japanese Clematis or +Paniculata is most attractive. It prefers a sunny position, the foliage +is handsome and at the end of August it bursts into a wonderful mass of +fragrant, pure white, star-like flowers that last nearly a month. + +For shady places, the Helix or English ivy is advisable. This +well-known, small-leafed ivy is perfectly hardy in this section and is +much used for covering the ground in shady places where grass refuses to +grow. Young growth sometimes gets winter killed, but this is due to +sunburn rather than frost. + +For tea houses painted white and for concrete, wisteria takes a +prominent place. It grows equally well in city and country, being able +to withstand the smoke of cities. Of these the Multijuga loose cluster +is advisable. It is not so strong a grower as the Chinese varieties but +distinguished from them by long, loose clusters of purple flowers +sometimes obtaining a length of two feet. + +The Crimson Glory Grape Vine, Coignetiae, is a strong grower, showing +large, heart-shaped leaves, ten inches long, deep rich green on top and +bright yellow beneath, which assume a brilliant scarlet in autumn. The +grapes are black and form a pleasing contrast to the bright colors of +the leaves. + +The Canary Bird Vine is suitable for either this kind of a tea house or +a marble one. It is a beautiful, rapid, annual grower and when in +blossom, the charming little canary-colored blooms bear a fancied +resemblance to a bird with wings half expanded. Do not forget the +Cardinal Climber which is a cross between the Cyprus Vine and the Star +Glory. It attains a height of thirty feet or more with a beautiful form +like laciniated foliage and is literally covered with a blaze of +circular fiery cardinal red flowers from midsummer until frost. The +flowers are about one and one-half inch in diameter and are borne in +clusters from five to seven blossoms each. Wherever it has been grown it +has attracted favorable comments. It delights in a warm sunshiny +situation and good soil. + +The Kudzu Vine or Peuraria Thunbergiana is very popular. It came from +Japan and is still rare. Its flowers are large clusters similar to a +white Hydrangea and when in flower during July and August make a +wonderful display. It is one of the best of the flowering vines to plant +against a wall as it clings naturally to any rough surface. + +The plants selected for either side of the tea house need as much care +in choosing right colors as do the vines. + + + + +THE GARDEN STEPS + + +[Illustration: STONE STEPS ATTRACTIVELY PLANNED] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GARDEN STEPS + + +The air was laden with the sweet fragrance of flowers. They wafted a +delightful welcome to the hardy explorers, who, worn with the long +voyage, viewed for the first time the rocky shores of New England. Their +soothing influence brought heart to the wearied men, as they revelled in +the spicy odors that brought in their train pleasant thoughts of the +wonderful gardens they had left behind them. From the sandy coast of +Florida to the bleak New England shores they felt its enticing power. So +pungent was the perfume, that it touched the heart of Barlow, one of the +commanders of Raleigh's expedition who wrote on landing on the newly +discovered shore, "We smelt so sweet and strong a smell, as if we had +been in the midst of some delicate garden. The woods were not such as we +find in Europe, barren and fruitless, but the highest and reddest +cedars, pines, cypresses, and many others of excellent quality. Of +grapes we found a plenty climbing over every shrub and tree down to the +waters very edge. I think in all the world there is not the like in +abundance." + +Among the earliest settlers, came a colony of Spaniards choosing for +their home the sunny shores of Florida. Here in the heart of the +woodland they made clearings, laying out extensive grounds that followed +no set plan, but with semblance of the old-world garden. Here they +planted for coolness and shade, vines and trees, laid out their grounds +with walks, paved like mosaic with vari-colored stones. In these gardens +no semi-tropical plants, such as abounded on every side, were planted. +It has always been man's way when warring with the wilderness that lay +beyond his door, to gather into the enclosure flowers and plants that +had been dear to his heart in his far-away native land, to re-establish +the atmosphere of his old home in new surroundings. + +The colonists who settled on the southern shores of Virginia, were men +of rank, wealthy men, who had left stately homes to settle in this +unknown land. In the lay-out of their gardens they introduced the +Elizabethean style of floriculture, following the fashion of the English +gardens of that day. These old gardens showed terraces, steps, leading +from walk to walk, paths laid at right angles, through which one walked +to view the spaces intricately designed with "knotted" beds and mazes, +each one of which conformed to details in the buildings of their stately +homes. + +There were the first steps laid out in gardens in America, a novel +feature that has been evolved into elaborate designs with the passing of +the years. To-day no garden is complete that does not show some form of +steps or terrace. + +Rockeries have come into vogue not only in large, elaborate garden plots +but in simple little home grounds. They are approached by steps of stone +that correspond with the rough, rural aspect of this feature of garden +culture. Shy wild flowers peep timidly out from their homes between the +crevices of the rock. Here in the early spring we find the cup-shaped +crocus with its yellow tongue nestled contentedly in among the brown +furred fern fronds, that soon will unfurl in dainty loveliness. Leading +from the steps are grass banks and low walks, surrounding the rockery +and affording pleasant promenades, from which to view the garden in its +entirety. + +Like every other plan contrived by man, the garden step should be +fashioned to fit into its proper place, adding and not detracting from +the general picturesqueness. It depends upon the personality of the +creator as to its success, for steps while seemingly a minor detail, can +add or detract from a garden's beauty materially. + +One should never swerve from the thought that practicability should be +the motive in planning stepping stones to connect different levels of +your garden. They should not be added just for appearance sake, any more +than one should wear a showy gown to attract attention. They should +carry out some well-thought-out plan. + +It would be bad taste to introduce rustic steps into a formal garden, as +much so as it would to place delicately wrought slabs of marble in the +heart of a thicket. One should, that is if they wish to excel other +creators in the introduction of original ideas, think out each +individual part of the ground assigned for garden purposes and determine +where each feature can make the best showing. It is then and then only +that we come to a realizing sense not only of the kind of material that +should be used but the shape and the setting. + +There should be a definite purpose in the use of this particular feature +and the most important one is that it should be so arranged that one can +reach different levels easily. There should be no precipitous pitch that +makes one feel while ascending that they are performing tiresome +gymnastic feats. This necessitates that they should be constructed on a +gradual incline, thus making the ascent so easy that one is hardly +conscious they are walking always upward until they have reached the +top, and stand on level ground. This is often not enough considered and +yet is most important. + +In laying the stepping stones, there should be definite proportions +thought out between the risers, breadth of the treads and the height +between. Any variation would produce awkward results. Great care should +be taken in choosing slabs either of stone or marble that are of the +same size. + +If the steps connect different parts of the garden scheme or lead to a +rock garden, they should be cunningly introduced into the side of the +ascent, placed so that they will add to the picturesqueness of the +effect. They should break the hillside pleasingly, so that when +completed they will form a pleasant picture, delightful for the eye to +gaze upon. More than this, there should be planting, not only between +the risers but on either side, and this requires careful thought, for a +stately hollyhock rearing its gorgeous stock of rich coloring would be +entirely out of place while delicate ferns or humble rock plants +emphasize the desired effect. + +If the height of your step should be low, then risers, six inches in +height would be in good form, and the treads in order to correspond must +be twelve and a half inches in width. Should, however, five inches be +the height needed, then an additional inch and a half should be added to +the treads. This point is such an important one that garden owners and +landscape architects should see that it is properly carried out, if they +wish to get the right results. + +[Illustration: A FOUNTAIN THAT SERVES AS A BACKGROUND FOR A LILY POND] + +Ramping steps, if successfully developed, brings about an additional +ease in mounting. This can be accomplished by placing the tread so that +it shall imperceptibly slope downward. This is not an easy matter to +accomplish successfully. It requires much care, so that the steps shall +not slope too noticeably and yet enough to add to the comfort of the +garden lover who walks from path to path using the steps to aid him in +reaching the upper level of the ground. This idea of ramping is not +original, for it has been carried out in the old Italian gardens for +centuries, but it is only within recent years that it has been +successfully developed by landscape gardeners in our country. + +Two important things connected with these stairways are ease and +comfort. There is no doubt but within the last few years, marvels have +been accomplished by introducing them into steep hillsides. In this way +they connect the lower level and the terrace, making it practical to +develop unused land for flower purposes. + +The placing of steps cannot be determined by cast-iron rules, rather +should good taste predominate. Nothing can give such an awkward look to +your garden or terrace as a series of narrow, cramped stairs. If, +however, you should in the same place introduce a flight ample in +proportion, then even if it is a small space there will be imparted to +it an agreeable air of breadth. + +Be sure that each step should extend farther to the side than the one +above it. They should be rectangular so that the outline of the stair +mass is pyramidal or circular in formation. If stone is used, a very +good result is brought about through the use of carefully selected field +stone or cobble. There are sheltering crevices in which to plant tiny +roots which when grown add much to the general appearance of the whole. +If the garden is a formal one, a design in which architectural features +play an important part, one should take great care in the arrangement of +this flight. There is nothing that gives such a delightful atmosphere as +a well-planned stairway. It conveys a much better picture than does a +vista of successive flights of steps that ascend to higher grounds. + +The principal use for a feature such as this, is found to be in informal +or unpretentious lay-outs, yet, fashioned in marble it is shown in the +most elaborate Italian gardens found in this country. It takes on such a +variety of forms and is available for so many purposes that it is +fascinating to study where it will give best effects. Sometimes it helps +out in the making of a garden pool. Here it is specially alluring, +forming as it does, a step from one little world into another. + +If you wish originality in your work, do not attempt to copy from the +plans of others. Surely there is no lack of material from which to draw +and there is no reason why steps cannot be placed in any sort of a +garden nook. The material depends on the style of garden, but wooden +steps are not generally advisable on account of their rotting, which +makes them need constant repair. It is far better to use stone, slabs of +granite, concrete or marble, for each one of these has the lasting +qualities that make them durable. + +Measure the space carefully before the work is commenced. You should +make allowances for crevices between each step so that suitable planting +may be carried out. It is a very good idea to have the wide spreading +plants placed near the bottom, graduating to those of more moderate +growth at the top. Careful consideration should also be given to the +right planting on either side. Low plants should border the step with a +background of taller ones. They may, if you like, be used to express the +idea of balusters on either side and are much more picturesque than real +ones. + +Do not forget that rich soil should be employed, for the plants need it +to grow successfully. They require sustenance just as we need meat to +feed our bodies. In many cases it can be rich loam taken from the woods, +in other instances rotted manure can be used for a foundation with a +heavy soil covering. Great care should be taken to make proper planting, +for delicate growth near hardy is disastrous, the stronger plants +absorbing the strength of the weaker ones and doing permanent harm. Do +not flatter yourself that once planted nature will do the rest. This +part of the ground demands continual care, for weeds--plants' +enemies--will intrude and must be carefully removed lest they feed upon +the soil, taking away the richness and starving the plants. Water is a +necessity, for plants like human beings grow thirsty all the more when +exposed to the dry heat of the summer season. For best effects a +sprinkler should be used and it should be borne in mind that the plants +should be thoroughly soaked and not given merely a surface treatment. +The importance of this cannot be over-estimated, or through lack of +proper drink the plants will be in no condition to put out their full +strength during their season of blossoming. Better results will be +obtained if each fall before the winter sets in, they should be given a +heavy top dressing of grit. There is nothing that plants enjoy as much +as this and it provides them with strength during the next year's +growth. + +Concrete may not find favor with many garden lovers. It covers the +surface so thoroughly that there is no place to introduce growth, but a +little ingenuity and common sense removes this difficulty. Holes can be +bored through the cement, and these should be large enough to allow the +plants full scope to grow. + +Many people for step planting prefer a succession of blossoming plants +while others care for growth only. If the former plan is worked out, a +charming early bloomer is the Alpine Anemone. Of these the Pulsatilla, +or "Pasque Flower," is effective. It shows rich purple blossoms, which +rising above the green leaves with their downy, feathery collarette of +green, develop into handsome seed heads, which are decorative. They +nestle into the crevices of the rocks, sending forth their exquisite +blossoms nine inches in diameter during the months of April and May. + +Variety is always delightful. For this decorative purpose why not use +crocuses, "The Heralds of Spring." They thrive in any soil or situation, +but in order to obtain the best growth, they should be planted in rich, +deep, sandy loam. One of the choicest kinds is the Baron von Brunow. It +is free flowering, putting forth large blossoms, dark blue in coloring. +These can be mingled with a stripe variety such as La Majestueuse, which +shows large, violet markings, exquisite in shading. The Giants, of which +the Mont Blanc is a favorite, put out large, snow-white blossoms, +forming an effective foil for the dark blue flowers of the other +assortments. + +In planting your steps do not forget to have plenty of bulbs introduced +among the other plants. The graceful dwarf anemone seemingly fit into +this early scheme, their delicate blossoms giving a touch of daintiness. +For the best results these should be planted in the fall six inches +apart and three inches in depth. Few bulbs exceed in loveliness the +Blanda-Blue, Winter Wind Flower. This is matchless in coloring, +originating in the hills of Greece, and has been naturalized in this +country, where it takes kindly to the soil and produces flowers of +charming hue. A feature of this special plant is that it blossoms during +the winter months as well as the early spring. You make no mistake if +you place it in every development of steps in your garden. It +naturalizes best in grassy places in warm soil, and it can be +distinguished by its round, bulb-like roots. Should you, however, wish +to have more than one variety, why not try the Bride, that puts forth a +single white flower, or the single Fugens, "Irish Anemone," which is +semi-double, found in shades of scarlet, blue and purple. + +[Illustration: MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE WATER IN A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Anyone can carry out their own idea as there are so many plants to draw +from, each one of which is permissible for decorative effects. In our +choosing let us not forget the Lily of the Valley. It is surely one of +the most useful of our many spring flowers, pure white in coloring and +delicately scented. For best development it should be planted in open +ground, where it quickly spreads so that unless you wish masses of it, +it will have to be separated almost every year. The Dutch Valley is an +excellent kind to choose, as it sends forth so many flowering pits. This +dainty little plant is a general favorite with everyone. Its sprays of +drooping, white, wax-like, fragrant bells give a bit of color that is +picturesque. + +If you are looking for evening bloom there is the AEnothera or evening +Primrose; this has the advantage of blooming all through the summer +months. There are so many kinds, each one so beautiful that it is a +difficult matter to pick out the most decorative. Of these the Arendsii +is very popular, showing, as it does, a profusion of lovely rose-colored +flowers, and it is to be preferred to the Speciosa. Then there is the +Pilgrimi with its glorious golden clusters that seem to light the garden +during the twilight hour. + +In your planting do not forget the Acre, or golden moss. This is a +creeping variety and especially suitable for rock work. Its delicate +growth makes it particularly appropriate for this use. The Vinca Minor +can be mixed with this. This is evergreen, and excellent for covering or +rockery, and can be combined with the Moss Pink, sometimes known as +creeping phlox. This latter is in bloom in May or June. It shows broad +sheets of rosy pink, white or lavender flowers, and an evergreen +foliage. As it grows either in sun or shade, it is a very decorative +plant to be used for step treatment. + +For the border can be used as a setting low, old-fashioned, hardy +perennials, which are particularly adapted for grouping. In their +planting use good soil, let them be placed where there is a reasonable +amount of sunshine, keep them free from weeds and give them an +occasional surface cultivation. + +It is better to set these out in the fall, so that some of them will +blossom during April and May. The late blossomers, however, can be saved +until early spring, like Asters, and Heleniums. In making the selection, +consideration should be given to those that grow in certain settings, as +while some will flourish luxuriantly in ordinary garden loam, others are +not dependable unless very rich soil is given to them. + +For the outer border why not use hardy Candytuft (Iberis Sempervirens), +which sends forth a profusion of white flowers in April or May, showing +a spreading foliage that is evergreen and very attractive. With this can +be grown the Rock Cress or Arabis Albida, which from April to June sends +out sheets of pure white, fragrant flowers. Back of this one can plant +the Fleur-de-lis. They should be given a sunny position in any kind of +soil. As they come in all sorts of colors, there is no trouble in +getting them to carry out the scheme that you have in hand. The Silver +King, which is a silvery white with lavender shading, can be placed with +the Florantina, which is light lavender, and the Pallida Dalmatica, +which is lavender bloom. If you wish to carry out this color scheme +further, why not try the Purpurea, which with its rich, royal purple, +will make during the season one of the handsomest displays possible for +a setting to the low growth decoratively used in steps. + + + + +ENTRANCES + + +[Illustration: AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN IS OFTEN ENTERED UNDER AN ARCH OF +LATTICEWORK] + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ENTRANCES + + +We view our flower-plots at their best, gazing at them through the +vine-clad entrance, as we glance down the gravel walk bordered on either +side by masses of brilliant flowers. Involuntarily, our eyes wander +along farther afield till we meet the background of trees clad in +verdant foliage, a fitting setting for the picture laid out in patches +of color, fitting into the canvas with a well-defined plan. We can but +feel as we stand looking down on this paradise of flowers that we are +thankful for the thought that first created gardens. + +When they came into existence it is hard to determine, for mention is +found of flowers and the traditions of wonderful gardens, laid out long +before man had chiseled the hieroglyphics depicted on Egyptian tombs. +The love of flowers is a heritage handed down from generation to +generation. + +Homer, when speaking of Laertes, trying in vain to find consolation in +his flowers, while mourning the departure of Telemachus, goes on to show +us that great men turn to gardens to heal sorrow. Philosophy was taught +by Epicurus surrounded by his beloved pupils among the flowers. + +From the early Greeks the Romans took their first lesson in +floriculture. It was after their invasion of Brittany that they +introduced certain flowers and fruits, like grapes, roses and violets, +into English gardens. The art of gardening advanced steadily, reaching +its zenith in good Queen Elizabeth's time, when there were in England +many pleasing gardens, formal and stiff, to be sure, but a fit setting +for the architecture of that day. + +While the garden designs abounded in beautiful walks and flowers, yet +the entrance to the grounds formed as it were the key-note to it all. + +Has it ever occurred to you, as you stood hesitating at the portals of +the gardens, that these were suggestive of some well-thought-out plan, +as like grim sentinels they stand guarding the flower treasures? There +is as much contrast in this part of the plan as there is in the design +itself. Here we find a narrow, forbidding entrance, giving no glimpse of +the flowers within; again we come to a wide, welcoming one, beckoning, +as it were, for us to pass through the portals and gaze with delight on +the beauties hinted at beforehand and now disclosed to the eye. + +For Colonial treatment there is nothing more dignified or stately than +the square wooden posts, inclosing a locust inner one. They are built of +white pine, one of the most lasting woods to be found in our country, +and are Colonial or Georgian in design. Many of them are ornamental, +topped with balls, urns, or torch devices and with elaborate +hand-carving, so wonderful in its design that architects copy them in +their modified Colonial houses of to-day. This was the work of one of +the most noted wood-carvers in our country, Samuel McIntyre, whose name +is a household word to architects and landscape designers all over the +country. + +There are two ways of treating the entrance. One of them is by adding an +ornamental gate, corresponding in type with that of the posts. The other +is to leave the posts gateless; while both are correct, yet the former +way is more often used as it lends an air of privacy to the ground. It +also helps out the effect planned by giving a touch of picturesqueness +that would be otherwise lacking. A much too common mistake is the +introduction of Southern architecture into Northern gateways; the lines +and details do not always conform with the type of the house. + +Most of these gates are hung by iron or brass hinges, but the earliest +ones use the strap hinge, which carries out the Colonial idea. The +difficulty with the strap hinge is that it is not always strong enough +to hold the gates without sagging, and the wider the entrance the +heavier the strain. While the design varies, yet rarely do we find one +constructed in the seventeenth century that is not simple and with +picket effects. The pickets have pointed tops and are sometimes +irregularly spaced, while the brace often shows an artistic curve. + +Occasionally, we find the posts yoked, through a connecting arch. This +is often latticed and if rightly designed adds to the ornamental effect. +An old lantern is sometimes an attractive feature. The arch should be +painted to match the color of the posts, a very good combination for +this use is pure white lead, or zinc, combined with linseed oil. If you +do not care to mix it yourself it can be bought ready for use. For the +best effects, a thin coat should be used at first and it depends upon +how easily it is covered as to how many coats to apply. If you wish to +give a better finish, have an excess of turpentine over linseed oil in +the last coat. There is more economy in covering it properly at first, +as otherwise it will have to be re-painted each year. + +With the evolution of garden culture has come a similar change in the +design and material used to form our entrances. On the large estates of +to-day, rarely if ever, do we find the ornamental Colonial. It would be +as much out of place as if the mistress of the house affected silken +brocades with wig and patches. + +The white paling fence, unless for simple cottages, has entirely gone +out of style and in its place we find cement walls. Often these are +topped with a coping of limestone. The gate-posts, being formed over +strong locust posts that have been driven firmly into the ground, are +supported by brick or cement foundation. + +Where the mansion shows in exterior brick, often with trimmings of +limestone, the same idea is worked out in the wall. In cases like this +an ornamental iron gate, hung on staples, supercedes the simple +Colonial ones of former days. Occasionally, the name of the estate is +interwoven in the ornamentation, or sometimes it is carved on the stone +entrance posts. + +Natural material is coming more and more to be used and we find a rubble +wall, constructed from stone and boulders picked up on the grounds, left +often rough, and again filled in with red cement to make it more stable. +The rubble wall is generally topped with cement laid perfectly flat. The +entrance posts follow this same line of treatment and while they are +often left hollow for several inches down, these are packed solidly +inside with small rocks to keep them in place. The excavation is filled +in with rich soil and bright blossoming plants introduced. This gives a +bit of color scheme that is very effective as a foil for the cold gray +of the stone. Vines are often planted at the foot of the posts, the turf +being dug away for several inches, and rich loam introduced to better +insure their growth. It depends entirely upon how heavy one wishes the +covering to be as to the kind of vine planted. If it is the idea to hide +it effectively from sight and produce massing of green, an entirely +different planting should be made than if it was intended to have a +delicate coloring of green that would only enhance the color of the +background. + +[Illustration: A FINE DECORATIVE IRON GATEWAY] + +Right combinations are very important in this line of work. It would be +foolish to use woodwork combined with heavy stone or iron. It is +sometimes in better form to have wide slabs of granite or cement +defining several layers of brick. The height and width naturally depend +upon what it intends to imply. + +Low piers of masonry capped with a pointed effect should stand by +themselves without any planting, as the latter often disfigures +architectural effects. It is not always necessary that this feature of +the exterior should be conspicuous, more particularly if the posts are +constructed of wood. Treat them to a light creosote stain, thus giving a +picturesque background for the overlapping vines. Sometimes combinations +work out well in producing artistic results. With a rough stone pillar, +it is sometimes in good taste to introduce gateways of oak, which while +effective under certain conditions, are very bad under others. These are +much more attractive the second year, when they have weathered to a +picturesque pearly gray. This color harmonizes delightfully, not only +with the walls but with the flowers and their foliage. An important +thing that should not be forgotten is the use of wooden pegs and copper +nails, neither of which are injured by rain. If you choose to use a wire +fence, let the gate-post and gates correspond for it is far better than +to combine materials inharmoniously. They are not only practical but +light and in their construction there is a chance to work into the +scheme ornamental designs. Do not finish this with a square box top, +rather give it a bit of ornamentation such as a ball or a lantern. There +can be had to-day so many ornamental lanterns, constructed of wrought +iron, that they can be purchased in almost any type desired. It is far +better not to cover the posts with vines and thus conceal the beauty of +the work. The most effective way would be to build up wire arches and +plant rambler roses back of the posts for them to run on. + +The Sweet Briar, if one is looking for perfume, is desirable. They can +be purchased in single and semi-double flowers, created through the +developing and crossing of the old-fashioned variety. Rambler roses are +always in good taste. It is better to plant three or four kinds that +show harmonious coloring. There is the Lord Penzance, a soft fawn, +turning to lemon yellow in the center. This is particularly adaptable +for covering arches as it is a strong grower and abundant blossomer. The +Meg Merrilies fits into this color scheme, putting forth gorgeous +crimson flowers during the six weeks of its flowering. Combine with +these the Brenda, and you will find that this mixture lends a brightness +that is very effective. Many people object to roses on account of their +many enemies. One of the most common is the powdery mildew. This is +easily distinguished by a powdery growth of white that is found on both +leaves and shoots. Use sulphur very freely, and you will find it +disappear. The stem cancer is a serious disease, and it is found on both +the cane and the branches. In dealing with this the grower must not be +afraid to use the pruning knife vigorously, so that the diseased parts +can be thoroughly removed, in this way preventing spreading and the ruin +of the vine. From the time of its planting the rambler needs constant +attention, but it brings its own reward, in that there is no vine that +can equal it in beauty. The advantage of having a variety of colors +instead of one is readily seen, for it prevents a large mass of one +individual color. + +There is a pleasure indescribable felt by lovers of plants when +designing any feature of their grounds. This is particularly true with +the gate and the planting. They must bear in mind, however, the true +purpose of gates and their proper use on country estates. It is designed +as a means of ingress, and as such, should be suited to the type of +mansion. Therefore, into its plan should be worked the atmosphere of the +residence as well as the characteristics of the surrounding country. For +instance, a wooden fence and gate-post would be entirely inappropriate +if one were dealing with a beautiful summer estate where the house was +to be built of brick. + +Compositions should not be carelessly used and it should be remembered +that there is great danger in our zeal for producing something unique, +of going to the other extreme and giving an over-ornamental creation. +One cannot be too particular in making the entrance and the adjoining +fence accord with the idea one is trying to bring out in the whole plan. + +The driveway is of fully as much importance as the entrance. It should +be kept scrupulously neat and free from weeds. To have it at its best +it should be thoroughly under-drained, and for this the open-joint +drain tile is advisable. It should be laid under ground and connected, +if possible, with the sewer. Properly attended to, this keeps the +road-bed dry and in good condition. The bed itself should be dug down +for several feet, a foundation of earth from six to ten inches should be +laid, over which can be thrown a layer six inches thick of either broken +limestone or chopped trap rock. Cover the whole with a screening of +limestone and finish it with gravel. Have it rolled hard and you realize +the advantage as the season ends. + +The drive should be sufficiently wide for carriages to pass through +without besmearing your gate-posts with mud and dust. One should realize +that the driveway is in reality a foot-path enlarged, and should always +be kept immaculate. The gate, if you wish to prevent its sagging, should +open in the center. A two-part gate gives often a better effect than one +long one. Nothing equals iron, which can be treated in so many different +ways that there is little danger of repetition in design. + +The capping is as important as the post itself. Simple square box +treatment is advisable in some cases. Balls fit into the scheme on some +estates, while Colonial urns are in keeping with wooden posts and +lantern effects belong to iron gateways. The latter, of course, are +effective for lighting at night. Gas pipes can be laid under the +roadway, connected with the ornamentation in such a way that they can be +turned on from the house. + +In many entrances, side gates, similar to the main ones have been +inserted, which relieve the main entrance from use by pedestrians. They +can be so laid out as not to interfere with the use of the motor cars. +They should be separated from the main driveway by a turf border and +covered with gravel. + +Planting is very effective for this feature of the ground, and trees, +that is if the right sort are chosen, are admirable, used in this +connection. White birches lend a picturesqueness that cannot be equaled, +but they are short-lived. The elm with its graceful branches seems to +fit into every landscape scheme. Do not plant them too near the posts. +If you do, their roots will reach out often causing upheaval and +creating havoc. For best effects the trees should be used outside rather +than inside the entrance. In the latter case they are too apt to cut off +the view. + +[Illustration: A SUCCESSFUL ENTRANCE TO A FORMAL GARDEN] + +Many people prefer a hedge and this can be planted either with or +without a fence. Arbor-vitae is practical for such use as is the +Buckthorn and the Berberis Thunbergii (Thunberg's Japanese Barberry). +This is a Japanese hedge with round, drooping habit. It leaves out in a +fine brilliant green during the summer months and from autumn until +December takes on a wonderful showing of color. During the winter months +the branches, loaded with scarlet crimson berries, make an effective +contrast with the white of the snow. Its value as a hedge is because it +is impenetrable and thickly set with spines, never growing bare. The +most popular shrub for hedge treatment is Privet-Ligustrum. It is very +ornamental with a rich dark green foliage that is nearly evergreen and +remains on the plant until late winter. It is a good grower under the +most adverse circumstances. In order to form the most effective hedge it +should be planted from ten to twelve inches apart and pruned back during +the first two seasons. + +The Ampelopsis Arborea woodbine is useful for entrances. It is a +distinct variation from the other forms, making a spreading bush rather +than a strong climber. Its leaves are dark green and comparatively +coarse, and its autumn coloring is superb. The Boston Ivy clings even to +wood, its fine shoots cover walls and while it requires some covering +during the first two or three winters of its life, yet it pays. In the +fall, nothing can be so gorgeous as the varied colored tints of its +foliage. + +The Clematis Paniculata should never be forgotten. It is a rapid and +vigorous climber and can be depended upon to clothe large spaces +quickly. Originally, it was introduced from Japan and is allied to our +native Virgin's Bower. The flowers are effective, borne in long panicles +which are white and their fragrance is perceptible a long distance away. +They open the latter part of August, staying in bloom for nearly a +month. Combined with this should be the Clematis Coccinea (Scarlet +Clematis), whose showy bell-shape, brilliant scarlet flowers are +produced in great profusion. + +The Wisteria is adapted to almost any purpose and can be used +picturesquely on many types of entrances. The Wisteria Magnifica is +admirable and resembles Frutescens, but it varies from it in that the +clusters are larger and denser while the yellow lilac colored flowers +have yellow spots. + +Among the other vines it is well to plant some that will give a touch +of color during the dark, cold days of winter when the vines lie barren +and bare, their leafless branches swaying in the wind. Why not use for +that the Celastrus Scandens (Bitter Sweet or Wax Work). It is one of our +native climbing plants and can be found in almost any part of the New +England woods, a rapid grower, with attractive, light green foliage and +yellow flowers, followed by bright orange red berries that are cheering +in the fall and lead us to forget the shedding of the foliage by the +other vines. + +In order to hide the base of the vine, ferns can be planted. It is +better to use the hardy varieties rather than the more tender ones, +although a combination of the two is always attractive. Take, for +instance, the Adiantum Croweanum, which is one of the hardiest of the +maiden hair species. This, like every other of its kind, should be well +watered and fertilized, grown in a rich, open soil, with plenty of leaf +mould. There is nothing difficult in their culture and they need +absolutely no attention after planting. The Polypodium Vulgare, which is +evergreen, showing smooth, shiny fronds resembling the Boston fern, is +another that is adapted for this purpose. + +With these can be combined the Comptonia, or Sweet Fern, a native plant +with fern-like, dark green scented foliage, very useful for foliage +massing on rocky, barren places, and thriving best in dry, sterile soil. +There are many more varieties and it would be impossible to mention them +all. They are, each and every one, suitable for adding to the beauty of +private gardens and estates. + + + + +BIRD BATHS + + +[Illustration: THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE GARDEN MAY BE A BIRD-BATH] + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BIRD BATHS + + +John Burroughs, in his description of a garden, has told us that "To +love the birds, to appreciate their place in the landscape," is one of +the most important things. It does much to bring happiness into our +lives. In the forming of a perfect garden, many things are requisite and +among them are birds, flowers, bees, and the flashing butterfly who +darts joyously from flower to flower, a thing of beauty and perishable +as the day. Should anyone doubt the truth of these assertions, let him +seat himself in some retired spot during a beautiful day in the month of +roses. He can then listen to the song of the birds, caroling as they +sway on the branches of the trees above our heads, nestling at our feet, +or hidden away deep down in the heart of the flower beds. Birds are +everywhere, they flit in and out of the garden, sipping sweet nectar +from the blossoming plants, and flaunting their bright colors when +catching the sunshine as they swing by. + +God made nothing more interesting than birds and man should care for +them, giving them a distinctive place in his garden, realizing that +through their industry they free the plants from harmful insects and +slugs. The birds can be coaxed into anyone's garden, that is, if care is +taken in proper planting, giving to the plots trees and plants that they +love. Under the rose bushes place a bath, where they can come and preen +their plumage, but if possible have it placed beyond the reach of +intruding cats. + +When the custom of providing drinking cups to quench the thirst of our +native birds first came into fashion, it is hard to determine. +Perchance, it was in the early days when in 1621, the colonists built +rail fences, to enclose their separate lots. Over these they trained the +wild morning glory and sweet-scented honeysuckle, the perfume of which +doubtless carried them back to the beautiful English gardens that still +existed in their native land. + +Doubtless, during the life of William Penn, when he encouraged the +laying out of old English gardens, he included in the design a planting +to attract bird life. This was still further encouraged when the first +botanical garden came into existence in 1728 through the thought of +Bertram Bartran, of Philadelphia. He was a man who had traveled much and +was thoroughly versed in the art of floriculture. In his garden he +planted rare and practical seeds partly for the mere joy of carrying out +his own whims. This garden, like many others, was individual in its +planting, a quality that lent to it an additional charm. + +During the early seventeenth century there were imported into seaport +towns principally at Salem, Massachusetts, unique bird baths. They came +packed in among the cargo that was stowed away in the holds of the slow +sailing ships that plied continuously between Singapore and the New +England shores. Many of these were the result of orders given by the +ship owners who wanted to set them in their posy beds, laid out at the +rear of their stately homes. Rare were these shells with their fluted +framework, and hard to find, yet so spacious that a whole colony of +feathered songsters could hold concourse within their pearly depths. + +Underneath the shade of the drooping lilac, they peered out at us from +the time the melting of the snow released the snow drops from their icy +cover, thus allowing them to lift up their pure white heads as if in +rejoicing to be free, to be followed later on by the gay little +crocuses, clad in their gowns of many hues. Few of these baths are still +in existence. We come across them occasionally, however, in +old-fashioned gardens where they are treasured for sentiment's sake. + +Just as the rustic bird houses, constructed of weathered boards, and +with floor covering of powdered sawdust or ground cork, have become a +necessity in the twentieth-century garden, tempting the summer +sojourners to rest their weary wings; so we must strive to create a +homelike atmosphere so attractive to the little songsters that they will +delight in revelling among the many flowers that are planted here. A +barren waste of land has no pleasure for them, neither has a garden +shorn of their favorite plants. + +There is no need of being deterred from using a feature such as this. A +bird bath need not be expensive, just a simple box, zinc-lined and +painted to correspond with the surroundings. The birds are not fussy as +to the exterior of their outdoor bathroom; all they wish is comfort and +a cooling drink during the hot summer days, when the dew has faded from +the grass, and the sun hangs high in the heavens. It is then that all +nature is panting from excessive heat. + +A simple zinc pan, large and wide enough, filled with fresh water daily, +is as satisfactory to them, as a marble pool standing in the heart of +the garden and surrounded by a bed of brilliant flowers. Place this pan +in the heart of a grassy knoll, at the edge of the garden proper and +watch results. You will not have long to wait before softly tripping +through the grass or dropping from their leafy covert, one by one, they +show their gratitude by revelling in the bath thus placed for their use. + +The most common type, if you wish to buy a bird bath, is the cement one. +It can be modeled in any shape and to follow any line of treatment that +you prefer. The simple, plain, low-lying ones are suitable for placing +under the shadowy bush or tree. Hand carving would be as much out of +place on a bath such as this, as if one used an expensive silver bowl +for their benefit. To be sure a little ornamentation, simply worked out, +makes them more artistic. This can be accomplished through proper +planting. A delicate fern unfolding its fronds and drooping until it +almost touches the water is appropriate, as is a low-lying pine that +adds a bit of shade which is truly appreciated by your little visitors +who perch on the curb, after shaking off the dust from their wings in +the water below, and pour out their gratitude in a melody of song. + +For ornament why not use a cement bath that is shaped like a large vase. +It makes an interesting feature in your twentieth-century garden, and +gives a chance to depict a favorite flower from which the garden takes +its name. + +Rising stately and dignified from their floral bed, showing wonderful +and delicate carving, are marble baths exquisitely shaped and resting on +a shaft of the same material. These are fitting for an Italian or a +formal garden. They seem to blend in with an elaborate architectural +scheme such as we find in the planning for the decoration of a large +area. + +There is no particular place where they seemingly do not fit in. They +are effective used as a central figure and surrounded with a circle of +well-chosen blossoming plants and they harmonize in the landscape scheme +even if used apart from the main gardens or designed to occupy a niche +in the wall. Here they are just as enjoyable as if they stood +prominently forth, the main axis around which the rest of the garden +revolves. + +[Illustration: A WELL-PLACED BIRD-BATH] + +They can be made much more picturesque if one trains over their side a +delicate vine whose tendrils cling to the foundation and bring out the +color effectively. Plant for the birds' enjoyment and combine with this +feature decorative beds, using not the strong colors, but the delicate, +dainty, pink, blue, white and lavender, of the many varieties that are +suitable for this purpose. + +Do not let the base of your expensive bird bath rest on the earth, +rather place under it a pedestal of marble, granite, or cement. It need +not be conspicuous, a growth of turf, the planting of an ivy or some +other vine, will add much to its attractiveness, making an artistic +foundation for it. + +Whoever lays out his garden plot with a thought of thorough enjoyment, +he who looks forward to sitting under the vine, will take special +thought of the birds. He will endeavor even if he is an amateur not to +make an ugly muddle in his planting, but aim for picturesque garden +vistas, and have his flowers properly balanced so they will show +harmonious massing of colors. One should be as careful not to give +sun-loving plants a shady place, as to put the shy little flowers in the +glaring sunlight. + +It is a necessity if you are a bird lover, or if you wish to rid your +plants of insects and your grounds of worms, to attract the birds. This +can be accomplished by giving them not only proper planting but the +right place where they may enjoy their daily bath. If you wish the best +results, seek shade rather than sunshine. Our little friends prefer +shelter to warmth, so cater to their taste in the placing of their +drinking pool. + +It is rather important that you seek a spot, just near enough to the +grounds to be companionable, there to place a mulberry tree. There is no +fruit that is more to their mind than this and it will be a source of +delight to watch the shyest birds reward you by flaunting their colors +before you as they flit in and out, feeding off the berries so +temptingly displayed for their exclusive use. + +It is a mistake to look upon the robin as common and a pest. This fact +has been firmly fixed in our minds through his thieving qualities. When +you consider that he has been known to devour as many as seventy worms a +day, and multiply that by the voracity of his mate and his children, you +will then commence to realize what a benefit he is to your garden. Try +and cajole him into being a friend, and entice him to nest in the heart +of your flower patch. Listen to his song; there is a mellow quality to +his voice and he can put more expression into his music than any other +bird. There is a flash of color and a burst of sweet melody, +listen--there is a scarlet tanager, singing love songs to his mate. He +is a veritable bird of Paradise and once sported fearlessly among our +trees, but has now grown shy through being used as a target for the +sportsman's gun. Cultivate him by all means. Toll him into your garden. + +Darting in and out of the garden one finds the humming bird, so tiny +that he measures only from three and a half to three and three-quarters +inches, the smallest bird in our country. There is a glint of color as +he dashes fearlessly from flower to flower, his brilliant metallic +throat and breast sparkling in the sunlight like a precious gem. The +trumpet flowers with their deep cup-shape blossoms are his special +delight, although he never scorns the sweet-scented flowers that he +finds on every side. For a moment he poises in the air motionless, +sighting his flower, then winging his flight, he drains the nectar, +uttering a shrill little squeak of delight, as he spies some especially +fat aphides on the garden foliage. These he shoots off like a streak of +lightning rapidly searching for more food. + +How to attract the birds is a question that all bird lovers are seeking +to answer. It is such a simple matter that you do not have to look far +afield to obtain what you wish. There are many fruit-growing shrubs each +one of which is suitable for his majesty's needs. These should be +planted somewhere in the garden. If you prefer them surrounding the bird +bath, you will have more chance for bird study, but they will come +without that if you give them a chance and plenty of edible berries all +the year round. The red berried elder is one of their favorites, as is +the Canadensis or common elder, which flowers in June, and shows reddish +purple berries during the autumn; then there is the Arbutifolia or red +chokeberry. This is a native dwarf shrub, which is particularly tempting +to the feathered tribe. When planning for this feature, one should +remember that these bird-attracting shrubs should not be planted with +only one idea in view. They should be made to form a part of the +decorative plan, and the situation chosen should be among flowers that +would bring out its artistic value, far more than if they were grouped +in a mass. One is apt, in their enthusiasm in arranging their garden for +the birds' benefit, to forget that attractive color schemes must be +worked out, otherwise it will be a heterogeneous mass that will be an +eye-sore rather than a pleasure. + +[Illustration: AN ORNAMENT DELIGHTFULLY USED TO MARK THE OPENING OF +PATHS THROUGH WOODS] + +There is very little choice as to what kind of flowers to mix with the +shrubs. Take it all in all, the perennials stand first. The reason for +this is that they are more suitable for this purpose than annuals, which +have to be re-planted every year. Like the shrubs the perennials die +down in the fall and re-appear when the breath of spring sweeps over the +land, in greater profusion and showing added vigor through having +conserved their strength by resting during the winter months. + +You are very foolish if you have taken no thought for the future life of +your shrub or perennial. Once planted they do not take care of +themselves and if neglected it only means the survival of the fittest. +Different species require different treatment, and a great many kinds +need to be subdivided every two or three years. The scarlet and crimson +Phlox, Spirea, and many other varieties should never be left longer +than two years, they should then be carefully gone over and an +experienced hand should determine how much should be left and what +removed. If you have planting of Iris, Shaster daisies, and Veronicas, +they can readily wait until the third year. + +The ground is of just as much importance as the planting. Just because +you wish to grow flowers and shrubs, you must remember that they must +have food to live on, that this food must be properly prepared and +contain plenty of nourishment, otherwise you will have spent money and +time for naught. First of all comes fertilizing. Doubtless, in some part +of the ground you can find a corner that will be the proper place for +the compost heap. In its selection, it is better that it should be +concealed by shrubs or trellis, vine covered. It would be a blot in the +landscape if you treated it otherwise. + +Every time you rake over the lawn or weed the garden, throw into a large +basket the refuse and let it form part of the compost heap. The +foundation for this should be plenty of manure and this, to be at its +best, must be well rotted and mixed in with other material to lighten +and bring about better results. You will be surprised, that is if you +have never tried it, to see how quickly it grows. Almost before you know +it you have enough to use in the garden next year. No matter how rich it +is, a liberal amount of coarse bone meal added will pay in the end. + +Your fertilizer ready, as early as possible in the spring dig your +ground to the depth of eighteen or more inches. It is better if the +earth is pulverized; some people go so far as to sift it. Next put in +your fertilizer, mixing it with the earth previously removed. Give it +time to settle before planting and you will never be dissatisfied with +results. + +Opinions vary as to proper time for planting perennials. Many people +feel that the spring is the safest. It is foolish to follow this plan +unless it can be accomplished as soon as the frost is well out of the +ground. Many of them are likely to die. Therefore, if you pot them in +the fall, and winter them under glass, the result will be much more +satisfactory. It is simply the working out of the garden lover's idea as +to what is correct and what incorrect as to the time of planting. + +Many kinds are better massed. This applies to the Sweet William, the +Hollyhock, Delphinium, and other varieties, that seemingly belong to +the same family. The hardy Asters, which are late flowering, are +invaluable for massing. They burst into blossom at a period when the +early frosts have lolled the more tender plants, making their bright +hues a dominant feature in the garden. It is better to shade colors than +to plant one variety. For September and October blossoming why not use +the Abendrote or Evening Glow? It has a bright rosy red flower and is a +very free bloomer. Mix with that the Glory of Colwall, which is ageratum +blue, showing double flowers, grown on stout, erect stems. The pink of +the blossom contrasts admirably with the rosy red. The White Queen will +mix with these two colors very effectively. This is a pure, splendid +white and comes into blossom at the same season of the year. + +A very interesting way of treating the defining line of the garden +proper is by a low hedge. Many of these are berry bearing, thus working +into the bird scheme. The Hawthorn Oxyacantha is well suited for this +purpose. It is used in England for hedges and during the time of its +blossoming shows a pure white, sweet-scented flower followed by a +scarlet fruit. The Berberis is excellent for hedging. It blooms in the +summer and is succeeded by a bright colored fruit that lasts into the +winter. + +Once interested in this feature of garden culture, by careful study one +will realize what an inexhaustible theme it becomes. Color shades in +berries often help out landscape effects in winter, therefore it is best +not to plant promiscuously. + + + + +GARDEN SEATS + + +[Illustration: A FORMAL GARDEN SEAT] + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +GARDEN SEATS + + +The ever-changing tide of fashion brings in its wake a constant +development of new and original ideas in the furnishing of our garden +plots. Flowers have been with us ever since the first settlement of our +country and so has a love for life in the open. This is an inheritance +that has deepened with the passing years. So rapidly has this developed +that to-day it demands our gardens as living rooms. It is this aspect of +garden life that develops new and unusual features in equipment. + +While we may flatter ourselves that we as garden lovers have originated +this idea, yet it is of ancient origin. History relates that in the +gardens of the early Romans and Greeks, garden seats were found. With +the changing of styles in floral-culture the ornate came into existence, +much used during the Italian Renaissance. Reproductions of their ideas +are found in replica in many of the formal gardens of the twentieth +century. + +Logs, carelessly thrown on the ground, may have been the first seats +used by our garden ancestors. Later on with the development of the +one-path posy bed, seats were hollowed out of old trees. They formed a +picturesque bit, clothed during the summer months in their garments of +green, for trailing vines were encouraged to run rampant over their +sides. These with the green arbor or pergola and the vine-clad summer +house were the three styles of seats favored by the Colonial dames. + +Styles and usage of furniture in this special way are as clearly defined +as in interior decoration. The modern garden equipped with English, +American or Italian furniture, gives a pleasing variety. The principal +materials necessary for manufacture are stone, marble, terra cotta or +wood. Of these, the latter suggests less expense, while the former can +be purchased at any sum you wish. + +Stone or marble are absolutely necessary in formal or Italian gardens, +as they provide a proper medium for expression that nothing else would +satisfy. Look at the gleam of the white marble shown up by its +background of green trees and see what a charm it has in the furnishing +of your garden plot. Take it all in all, it is the only right setting +for an elaborate garden, partly on account of its being a descendant of +the Italian Renaissance period which makes it desirable in designs that +follow out the character of that period. Rarely, if ever, do we find +this simple in form, but rather elaborately carved with representations +of animals or figures. As an ornamental feature, it cannot be excelled, +but as a garden seat it is not practical, being cold and hard to sit +upon. Properly speaking, it should be placed at the head of a walk or +topping the garden steps. This is on account of its decorative character +and the necessity of making it fit into the floral scheme. The price is +prohibitive except to the rich, although it varies with the elaboration +of the carving. + +Terra cotta, while not as often used, has its advantages. It can be +moulded readily into any form desired. While it is not always suitable, +yet its warmth of color, which is either buff or red, makes it admirable +when one desires to bring out certain effects in the planting of beds. +It is, perhaps, the least used of any of the materials. A seat four feet +in length can be purchased for from forty dollars upwards. + +Concrete seats are the kind that are most commonly used for formal and +informal gardens. We should remember, however, that we must not mix +formal and informal furniture promiscuously, otherwise the result will +be disastrous. One should bear in mind in treating this subject that +formal pieces resemble well-bred people. They fit suitably into any +place in their surroundings. It is far different, however, with informal +pieces which are entirely wrong and out of place in formal settings. +This fact applies to concrete which is suitable for almost any occasion +for it possesses almost endless possibilities as far as form is +concerned. Rightly mixed, it can be moulded into almost any shape that +you desire, which accounts for the fact that in its designs many of the +elaborate garden seats are copied. This makes it popular and constantly +in demand, on account of its less cost. To all intents and purposes, it +is quite as durable as stone or marble. It has still another advantage, +in that its neutral gray tint harmonizes picturesquely with almost any +setting of shrubbery or flowers. + +The least expensive of any of the materials that is used for this +purpose is wood. It has this advantage, that it can be formed in such a +great variety of shapes that there is always found some piece that is +suitable for every taste and occasion. If you contrast it with marble or +stone, you will realize that it has the advantage of being lighter in +weight, and capable of being carried around from place to place with +little or no trouble. Take it all in all, the best place for it to be at +home in is the informal garden. + +The kind of garden that most of us live in and enjoy intimately is the +plot where wooden settles and chairs are used. Care should be taken, +however, in the selection of material in order that it may have lasting +qualities. One reason for its use is that unlike marble and stone it is +not cold to sit upon, and is really comfortable. The best kind of wood, +if you can afford it, is teakwood, which lasts for centuries. It is the +most expensive, particularly the antique pieces. Those of to-day are +shoddily put together and cannot resist weathering as do the century-old +ones. + +Many people prefer pine on account of less cost. This is all right, +provided great care is taken to keep it well covered with paint of the +glossy kind. The advantage of this over the other is that it can be +readily wiped clean before using. Anyone who is a garden lover will +appreciate this fact, for no matter how carefully placed, the seats will +accumulate a reasonable amount of leaves and dirt. + +Plain settles and benches which belong to the informal type can be +placed anywhere, according to inclination. These need not, of necessity, +be made of plain wooden strips, but can be varied by making them rustic +in design. Use for this purpose limbs of the same size without removing +the bark. They require so little work in putting them together that a +village carpenter can accomplish this task, or if you are a genius you +can do it yourself. An objection which many people offer is that they +need repairing often, or replacing. Considering the cost, this is not a +serious objection. + +For a simple Colonial cottage, such pieces as these would be appropriate +for use in your garden and you can add a tea table and a few chairs +suggestive of afternoon tea, the position being determined by views, for +the placing is of as much importance as the piece itself. If possible, +have low-growing trees droop over it to give the required shade. + +[Illustration: A SIMPLE AND ATTRACTIVE GARDEN SEAT] + +For the elegant mansion, the home of the wealthy, more elaborate pieces +are a necessity. One thing should not be forgotten in their choice and +that is they should be heavy enough to stay on the ground and resist the +strong northeast winds that during a heavy rain sweep over your +flower-plot. + +Flagstone sometimes gives a variety as well as limestone, but there are +several other materials that give a pleasing color and texture, such as +the pink granite and the red, black and green slates. Of these, the red +is most effective when streaked with another color. Do not choose the +Quincy granite; the texture is cold in appearance and the weather never +softens the color. + +A fault that must not be overlooked is to build your seats too high, +thirteen inches being the proper height. The back should always be taken +into consideration and made tall enough to support the head so that you +will be comfortable when you come to view your garden plot. + +It is not always possible to have this piece of furniture placed under +the shade of a tree or shrubbery. This necessitates the planning of a +summer house, arbor or pergola. Over these, vines can be trained, so +that in reality it is much more picturesque than if you had used simply +the green shade. + +Chairs can be used for this same purpose, in fact, they are very good as +they provide a variation of the general theme. They are particularly +advisable if it is a backyard garden where a settle might prove too +overpowering. Like the garden seat, they can be made of wood. Cedar and +locust are preferable if you wish pretty rustic effects. Cypress also is +lasting, and if you prefer to give it a coat of paint, it will do +service for many years. + +For rustic chairs or seats, there is another idea for shelter that is +practical. It is to roof it over and shingle the board. It has +advantages over anything else in that it affords protection from the +summer sun and acts as a windbreak on cold days, besides doing away with +the dropping of insects from the leafy tangle of an arbor. No matter how +charming a garden may be in its floral arrangement, it requires +additions and accessories to display to the best advantage its worth. +Just as a house is cozy or barren according to the style of furniture +employed, so a garden is beautiful in proportion to the type of +ornaments used. + +Probably the coming into style of the formal Italian type of garden has +done much to develop this feature. Until late years, scant heed was +paid to fitness, and in consequence much of the old-time charm found in +the Colonial garden was lost. + +When planning for your garden seat or chair, take into consideration the +planting. In your choice of colors you should vary the scheme to fit in +with the particular seat. A white requires different surroundings from a +gray or a rustic type. Wrong coloring brings about inharmonious effects +and they should be carefully considered in the making a perfect whole. +Another thing should be thought out and that is as to whether there is a +shade provided by the over-hanging limbs of a tree or by the trailing of +vines. + +Vines are always interesting. You can use them in a mass, showing one +general effect, or you can combine them. Nothing is so pretty in the +early spring as the Wisterias, on account of their being not only hardy, +but tall growers. Many people claim the best varieties are those grafted +on to specially selected stock, thus making them sure bloomers. The soil +should also be taken into consideration, for while they thrive in light, +sandy conditions, yet deep, rich earth promotes stronger growth. The +Magnifica is, perhaps, as vigorous as any. It is such a rapid grower +that it shoots up from thirty to forty feet in a season. It blossoms +rather later than some varieties which show soft, lavender blue blooms. +Why not mix this with the Chinese white, whose pure white flowers show +long, drooping clusters. + +If you are looking for foliage in the early fall, the Vitis Henryana can +be used. Its leaves are decorative in effect, being a velvety green with +veins of silvery white. It is of Chinese origin and in the fall the +foliage turns to a beautiful red. For July and August blossoming, there +is the Bignonia Grandiflora or Mammoth-flowered Trumpet creeper. This is +a splendid climbing vine, perfectly hardy, giving a growth of from eight +to ten feet in a season. Its flowers, which are shown during July and +August, are orange red and trumpet-shaped, following as they do after +the Wisteria has faded, they bring about an entirely different color +scheme. This makes it practical for one to plant a succession of bloom, +making each set of flowers correspond with the coloring of the vines. + +A very pleasing contrast can be brought out by combining the +magnolia-scented White Moon Flower, with a beautiful Blue Dawn. The +former is a summer climber, growing from fifteen to twenty feet in +height. It makes a beautiful shade for trellises and bears in the season +a profusion of large trumpet-shape snow-white flowers that are richly +scented and very beautiful. There is also a heavenly blue that combines +artistically with the white. One feature of this vine is its thick, +overlapping, glossy foliage, and its nightly scores of immense silky +blooms which are of rare fragrance. By actual count a strong vine will +bear from one to three thousand blossoms in a season. There has within +the last few years been discovered a new variety that opens early in the +morning and remains so nearly all day. + +The beautiful blue of the Paradise Flower is used when one wishes for +this color in decorations. The clusters are large, showing from twenty +to thirty at a time and it blossoms continually from the time it becomes +established until frost. + +For a rustic seat, why not try the wild grape or Crimson Glory vine? It +is so strong and hardy, notable for its heavy foliage which makes a +splendid shade and in the fall is a mass of rich crimson. We have grown +to think of morning glories as a pretty, small flower that grew in our +grandmother's garden. Many of us have not realized that they have been +developed until now they show gigantic bloom as large as the moon +flowers. They have wonderful coloring, marking and variations of +indescribable beauty. As a flowering vine they cannot be surpassed, the +flowers being borne by the hundreds and of enormous size, measuring +often five and six inches across. Many show a rich combination of +shading blended together in an enchanting way, being spotted, penciled, +mottled, and variegated in every conceivable manner. + +[Illustration: STATELY LILIES ADD CHARM AND DIGNITY TO A GRAVELLED WALK] + +If your garden seat is low, let your planting follow the same line, but +if it is high and conspicuous, it can be accentuated by tall plants. +Hollyhocks, with their stately stalks, are charming for this particular +use. There is the hardy perennial with the foliage dwarf and compact. +This is found in the Heuchera, which is easily grown from seed and +reaches a height of eighteen inches. Of this variety, the Sanguinea is +admirable, being the finest of all the red varieties, the flowers taking +on the shade of coral red. If you wish, instead of a solid color, to +make a combination, why not use the Sanguinea, Sutton's Hybrid, which is +found in pretty shades of pink, as well as creamy white, rose and +crimson. These blossom in July and August, their stately, well-filled +cups, giving a distinction to the seat that could not well be missed. + +Fleur-de-lis, sometimes spoken of as the Fairy Queen's home, is always +satisfactory and never fails to bloom. No flower can surpass this in +delicacy of texture and coloring, and it rivals even the orchids of the +tropics in its beauty. They thrive in almost every soil, being one of +the easiest plants to cultivate, although a fairly rich earth will +materially increase the number and size of the bloom. In planting them, +nearly cover the rhizomes. The earliest flowering ones are the Germans, +which come into bloom the latter part of May or early in June. These are +followed by the Japan variety which follow closely on the former and +stay in blossom for a month. Of the German, the Lohengrin is the most +vigorous, deep violet mauve in coloring, and the flowers are nearly five +inches deep, showing petals two inches across. In direct contrast is the +Princess Victoria Louise, light sulphur yellow or rich violet red, edged +with crimson, both of which varieties are very handsome. + +The double Iris is particularly beautiful for some situations. There is +the Antelope with white ground flaked with purple; the Diana, reddish +purple flaked with white; the Mount Fell, grayish white, veined with +blue and showing yellow center; and the Victor, white veined, violet +blue with purple center. Each one of these is well worthy of +cultivation. + +Nothing is so beautiful as roses, be they climbing or dwarf. For the +former, why not use the Climbing Jules Graveraux, which is one of the +most valuable, ever-blooming climbers ever introduced. The value of this +is that the blooms are immense in size, being as large or larger than +any other rose. It even exceeds the J. B. Clark. These roses are +perfectly double, white, tinged with blush pink, with a yellow base. In +freedom of bloom, it is superior to either Mrs. Peary or Climbing +Meteor. Then there is the Empress of China or Appleblossom rose, a +strong rampant grower, and a very free bloomer. The buds are pointed, +being soft red, turning to lighter. It blooms from May to December in +the open ground. + +Tea Roses, distinguished by the delicate tea fragrance, are absolutely +ever-blooming. They are carried through the winter even in the northern +states with careful protection. The most satisfactory method is the +banking up with soil. Of these, the yellow Souvenir de Pierre Notting +is the most beautiful. It has been introduced by one of the foremost +firms of France and is not exceeded by any rose sent out from that +country. The blossoms are large, well filled, and open easily. The buds +are beautiful and elongated. When fully bloomed, they show an apricot +yellow, tinged with golden and mixed with orange yellow. One charm of +these flowers is that the edge of the petal shades to a beautiful +carmine rose. The open flower is full and double, it being an extremely +free blossomer. + +One of the latest introductions is the Lady Hillingdon, the color being +beyond description. Apricot yellow, shaded to orange on the outer edge +of the petal, and becoming deeper and more intense as it reaches the +center of the bloom. The buds are produced on long, strong, wiry stems, +which are placed well above the foliage, thus giving it a slender and +graceful effect. It is valuable in both the amateur and professional +growers' gardens. It would be impossible to enumerate the different +kinds that are used for this purpose. + + + + +GARDEN POOLS + + +[Illustration: A POND-LILY POOL OF A VERY ATTRACTIVE SHAPE] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +GARDEN POOLS + + +With the revival of old-time garden features that has been brought about +through interest in floriculture, fascinating specialties have been +evolved. This is particularly true of the garden pool which lends itself +to almost every kind of setting. It is no new idea, this introduction of +pools into even small gardens. + +The ancient Egyptians had great reverence for pools and we read of their +interest in bringing into life the sacred Lotus, giving it a prominent +place in their gardens. This may be better known to moderns as "the rose +lily." In the early days it was used for religious purposes and was a +prominent feature in their festivals. It was also used ornamentally for +feasts where the walls were decorated with the beautiful blossoms that +were repeated in the centerpiece for the elaborately-spread table. Not +content with this use for decorative purposes, it was made in forms of +garlands that were thrown over the shoulders of the assembled guests +while wreaths of the same flower crowned their brows, great care being +taken that a bud or cluster of blossoms was placed in the center of the +forehead. + +Ever since that period, we read of the constant introduction of water +into gardens of every clime. While pools were not commonly used during +the Colonial period, they have to-day, with the coming in of the formal +and Italian gardens, grown to be one of the most interesting features. +The form and the immediate surroundings have been carefully thought out +and depend upon the type and the shape of the whole plan. + +When the mercury registers at ninety and the whirling dust rises in +clouds, parching one's throat as it settles like a dingy pall on +sun-burned grass and drooping foliage, it is a pleasure to come suddenly +upon a pond where over-hanging plants cast lengthened shadows far over +the surface. They shelter the waxen lily cups that gleam like pearls +against a background of dark green pods--a perpetual joy and delight to +the eye. + +There is no doubt but water, be it large or small in area, holds a +charm for us all. How much more if it is inhabited and made beautiful +through the use of aquatic plants and fish. These scattered apparently +carelessly over the surface of the water add much to its +picturesqueness. This is particularly true during the season of bloom +when we find varied colored cups, resting on saucers of green, lifting +their heads above the surface as if in delight with their surroundings. + +Surely when you view a pond such as this you will find a double delight +in watching a flutter of wings, a hopping about on the plants and glad +dipping of little bills and uplifting of heads. These are the birds that +form a part of garden life and who are attracted here by the flowers and +the chance of a bath. Splashing and sparkling in the sunlight, they dive +into the water below, drying themselves on the large pads that float +artistically on the surface. Over yonder is a large gray cat bird +calling to its mate. We can but note the fine proportion, the poise of +the black head and the beauty of the satin gray coat which is pruned by +the hour. There is the Indigo Bird, a delightful symphony of blue and +cinnamon red. He sits swinging on a lily while his musical note comes +to our listening ears. The Ruby Throated Humming Bird swings +noiselessly over the pond, dipping his long beak here and there to +gather honey from the wide-open flowers. + +It depends upon the size of the pool, the shape and the finish as to the +planting. It is a great mistake to have it so thickly over-spread with +leaves that no water is visible. A good rule to be observed is +two-thirds water and one-third lilies. This gives a chance to watch the +gold fish darting in and out for food. For a small beginning of a water +garden, why not try a pocket in the rock? It is a very easy matter to +arrange for lilies in a case like this. All you have to do is to cement +the hollow, put in your loam and plant one or two roots. It is these +diminutive water gardens that attract the birds more than the large +pools, and they form a charming vista in the garden scheme. Little +pockets of earth can be made to surround them, and here we can plant +rock-loving plants that will give a touch of picturesqueness to this +cunning little scheme. + +The shape of the garden determines that of the pool. A square garden +demands square treatment in the lay-out of your design. A round garden, +to be correct, should have a circular formation for the planting of +your lilies. Then, too, the treatment of the planting should be +determined by the formality or informality of the plan. Great care +should be taken that they are not aimlessly placed but form a part of +the design. Any attempt to digress from this rule is fatal for correct +composition. + +Great attention should be paid to the margin. It should not be stiff and +formal; it should rather be broken here and there, so that there will be +open spaces showing between. Copy nature in this treatment and you will +not go far astray. + +In order to make this pool successful, one thing should never be +forgotten and that is that you are dealing with sun-loving plants to +whom shadow is objectionable. There is another reason why the sunshine +should fall unobstructed on the pond and that is that it shows +reflections that are effective, and bring cheer to your garden plot. + +Many people consider that stagnant pools should not exist, as they are +mosquito breeders. They do not realize that the stocking of pools with +both fish and plants, carefully carried out so that they are properly +balanced, results in the water never being putrid but remaining fresh +and sweet, making a delightful water garden that is healthful and not +malaria breeding. + +There are two essentials if you wish your idea to be successful; first, +that the bottom be water-tight and second, that it be proof against +frost. While these two things are easy to accomplish, yet many people +fail in them. Cement is the only proper material to be used for +foundation. Some people have an idea that puddled clay is cheaper. It +may be if properly handled, but great care has to be taken that it is +thoroughly puddled or it melts away and your work has been for naught. + +Cement is the most reliable material if correctly applied. Before +putting it on, the pool should be dug out to the proper depth and size. +It should then be well packed for several inches with broken stone. Over +this should be put Portland cement, using one part of the former to +three of sand. Some people cement it for six inches while others prefer +to use two coats, each three inches thick. It should never be so high +that it will come above the frost line which is two and a half feet in +depth. + +Water lilies, as well as all kinds of aquatics, will grow in any kind of +good garden soil; that is, if one-fifth well-rotted manure is added to +it. Possibly this is not to be obtained and if so, a quart of ground +bone allowed to each bushel of soil will bring about the right results. +It should be remembered that the plants should be set out so they will +get the greatest exposure to the sunlight. + +[Illustration: A LILY POND THAT FILLS CHARMINGLY A CORNER OF A GARDEN] + +We have supposed that you have chosen a spot for your water garden that +obtains the greatest amount of sun, also that it is sufficiently +sheltered from the winds. It has been dug down from fifteen to +twenty-four inches and then carefully cemented. Now you are ready to +plant your pool, the soil being taken into consideration. If, by some +chance, you are not able to secure the kind recommended, it can be made +of three parts rotted sod and one part cow manure. Remember that it +should be thoroughly rotted if you do not wish ferment in the water. Too +many people take little care on this subject and then wonder at the +disappointing results. + +Possibly there is no place for your garden pool. In that case why not +use half barrels or tubs? They have the advantage of taking up very +little room, can easily be sunk in the ground and are really well worth +the trial. Nothing should be used that has a diameter of less than two +feet and the greater the surface space the better will be the result. +Tub culture requires two-thirds filling of soil and covering with sand +to have it the right depth. If more than one tub is used, why not make a +rockery between? It has the advantage of making another feature for your +garden, besides adding picturesqueness. + +There are two ways of planting as well as two kinds of tubers. They can +be put directly in the soil, or they can be planted in tubs or boxes +that can be sunk, but the latter recommends itself as more practical. +The reason for this is that they are easily removed in winter and the +water is kept much cleaner when the earth is free from tubers. It must +be remembered that each plant requires from eight to nine square feet of +surface room so that it would be bad taste to allow too many for an +individual pool. If you wish, you can make the boxes yourself, using +pieces of board for that purpose. + +Next come the gold fish. For a tub, only two are necessary, but for a +pond one hundred feet in diameter, twenty-five should be used. These +fish spawn in June and have been known to breed enough to stock a large +pond. There is an old theory,--doubted by many, that the old fish turn +cannibals and devour their progeny. These people advise the putting of +roots and stock into a tub, this is so the egg may be attached, removed, +and hatched separately. In cases like this the small fish are allowed to +grow considerably before being returned to the tub. + +There are two kinds of tubers, the tender and the hardy. The latter +require practically no care during the winter months, that is, always +provided the water is deep enough to allow no freezing of the crown of +the plant. They should be planted about the first of May and both +varieties can be given the same treatment, with the exception that the +hardy variety do best when planted in soil two feet deep and covered +with six inches of water. + +All pools should have planting in addition to the tubers of submerged +plants. This is to aerate the water and keep it pure and sweet. The best +kinds to be used for this purpose are Anacharis Canadensis Gigantea, and +Canbomba Viridifolia, ten of them being enough for a large pool. The +former is a giant water weed with dark green ovate leaves and light +stems. It is a quick grower and considered by authorities to be one of +the best oxygenators in existence. The latter, sometimes known as +Washington grass, is also popular. It has brilliant glossy green leaves, +fan-shaped and more beautiful than a delicate fern. In addition to this +why not use the Ludwigia Munlerti, which is one of the prettiest +submerged plants. It shows small ovate leaves that are green on the +upper side and pink on the under. This makes it distinct from any other +aquarium plant. + +A great help in the way of nourishment for these water lilies is the +application when first planted or in the early spring of dried blood +manure. The proper way of using this is to broad cast it on the surface +of the water, using one pound to every ten square feet of surface. + +Too many people make the mistake of keeping the water too cold. This +necessitates the filling of the pool and the leaving it to grow warm +through exposure to the sun for several days before planting. When +additional water has to be added, it should be some that has stood in +the sun for several days, as cold water injures the growth. The +condition for growth is the same for both the tender and the hardy +Nymphaeas with the exception that the former should not be planted until +after warm weather sets in. It is well, however, to grow them in pots so +that they will be of fair size by June first when the weather has become +suitable for their outdoor existence. + +If the pond is to be large, why not use groups, but if small, single +ones will do. For their planting, the hardy variety can be sown in +either fall or spring, as one fancies. They should have a small hole cut +through the shell of each seed with a sharp knife that they may do +better. For the tender kind, do not put them out until they are well +started. They should be sown in pots or pans, covering the seeds with +one-fourth of an inch of sand, giving them a thorough watering and +allowing them to drain for an hour. Then submerge them under two inches +of soil at a temperature of seventy degrees. These can be removed into +separate pots when they have shown two leaves. This kind is very +desirable for cutting, the best for this purpose being the +night-blooming varieties. + +The Pygmaea hybrid type and the Laydekri, as well, are desirable for +hardy variety. The former is the smallest water lily in cultivation, a +free bloomer showing white flowers, one and a half inches in diameter, +while the Pygmaea Helvola, yellow in coloring, is very dainty. A +combination of these two colors is always interesting, while if you wish +the latter kind, why not try the Laydekria Rosea, which is a French +hybrid and one of the earliest in introduction. Only a few specimen +plants are found cultivated at the present time. The flowers are of +delicate pink with a deep golden center that deepens into a dark shade +of rose, presenting a novel feature in that it seemingly is one plant +showing different colors. Another variety of this same order is the +Laydekri Lilacea, three to five inches across, shading from rosy lilac +to bright carmine and sending forth a fragrance like a tea rose. The +Sultan is also very valuable on account of its free flowering, the +plants showing never less than six flowers open daily. These are of good +size Solferina red with white shading and yellow stamens. This is very +rare and therefore brings a high price. + +[Illustration: THERE IS AN EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY TO A GARDEN WHOSE PATHS +ARE BROKEN HERE AND THERE BY POOLS] + +Of the day-blooming varieties, we find the Capensis with flowers of rich +sky blue. This planted in contrast with the Ovalifolia, a new variety +from East Africa, produces flowers eight to ten inches across of deep +creamy white, faintly tinged with blue that deepen until the tips are +a light corn flower blue with sulphur yellow stamens. The charm of this +flower is its petals which are long and narrow, giving it a pretty star +shape. + +For the night blooming Nymphaeas, why not use the Dedoniensis, which +throws out large, pure red flowers often showing from twelve to eighteen +blooms at a single time, also the Dentata whose white flowers measure +from eight to twelve inches in diameter and open out horizontally. + +Do not forget in your collection to include the Royal Water Lily. Of +these, the Victoria Regia is a well-known species. While the plants are +expensive, the seeds can be bought for a much more reasonable price and +are more interesting as one can watch them from their start until +blossoming. The Victoria Trickeri is also desirable. In good condition +its leaves are from four and a half to five and a half feet across, a +single plant having from twelve to fifteen leaves and producing three or +four flowers in a single week. These flowers are picturesque, being +white at the time of opening and changing to deep rose pink, admitting a +strong fragrance not unlike that of a ripe pineapple. + +In addition to water lilies one should plant different aquatics, to +make a variety. There is the Sagittaria Montevidensis, which attains +gigantic proportions, growing four or five feet high with leaves fifteen +inches long, the flower towering above, the foliage white with dark +blotches at the base of each petal. Then there is the Butterfly Lily, a +tender sub-aquatic plant that forms a dense clump three to six feet high +bearing masses of pure white fragrant flowers that look like large white +butterflies borne in large terminal clusters. + +The Water Poppy must not be forgotten. It is a very pretty aquatic plant +with floating leaves and large yellow poppy-like flowers, and a +continual bloomer. + +The border of the lily pond is of almost as much importance as the +flowers themselves. Iris makes a good setting. Of these, the Iris +Hexagona, or Blue Flag, is interesting from the fact that it is a hardy +Southern kind, showing rich purple and blue with yellow markings three +to four inches across and resembling the costliest and rarest orchid +flowers. The Dalmatica is one of the finest of the German type. It grows +four feet high with exceptionally large flowers of fine lavender, the +falls shaded blue. The Japanese Iris is the grandest of all the hardy +ones and the best are the double varieties with six petals. Kokinoiro, a +rich royal purple with white veining is very satisfactory in growth. +Combine it with the Sano-Watashi, which is white with canary yellow +center, and the Tokyo, a magnificent large, white flower, and you will +find one of the best combinations possible. + +Ornamental grasses are very effective for this use. Of these, there are +so many varieties it would be impossible to name them all. One of the +most ornamental kinds is the Zebra grass, which has long, narrow green +leaves, striped white and feathery plumed. Mix it with the Pampas grass +and you will note the artistic result. This grows very rapidly from seed +planted in the spring and is useful for decorative purposes. The Feather +grass, growing two feet in height, fits into this scheme as does the +Tricholaena Rosea, which is rose tinted, making a color scheme when +massed with the other ornamental grasses that is most fascinating. + +The form and surroundings of the pool, carefully thought out, make it a +most desirable feature for both small and large gardens, and everyone, +no matter how limited their means, can indulge in one if they wish. + + + + +THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN + + +[Illustration: GRASSY PATHS LEAD PLEASANTLY TO THE SUN-DIAL] + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE SUN-DIAL IN THE GARDEN + + +The life story of the sundial reads like a fascinating page from some +old romance of an early century. The first record of its use was in the +eighth century before Christ, when it was employed by the Babylonians +for the purpose of marking time. Later on, it came into use in England, +attached to public buildings. One of the most interesting was shown late +in the sixteenth century on the Belton House, Lincolnshire, England. It +was a representation of old Father Time and Cupid cutting stone. + +A passing fad at one time was diminutive sundials, so small that they +folded and could be used much as watches are to-day. They soon became +very popular and attracted the attention of royalty, when Charles I was +seated on the throne. His collection was the largest in existence and +represented all sorts of odd shapes and forms. The Stuarts were all +interested in sundials, and Charles II had a large one designed and +placed in the garden at Holyrood. + +While the first invented were crude, yet, as time went on, they became +more popular, and different materials were used, such as wood, bronze +and metal. The hour spaces were computed to comply with the locality in +which they were placed. This required a great deal of thought and it was +necessary to employ an expert workman. + +Flowers and hedge plants were occasionally used to represent this idea. +One of these stood between the "Shakespeare garden" and the "garden of +friendship" at Lady Warwick's summer home. The gnomon being of yew while +the dial was worked out by the use of box, the lettering was outside and +spelled the following motto--"Les Heures Heureuses ne se comptent pas." +This, as far as we know, was the first attempt at the use of +floriculture in time pieces. + +Sundials might be divided into two kinds, the perpendicular and the +horizontal. Each one of these has its own special place, the former +being used on buildings while the latter was for garden purposes solely. +In New York, one of the old perpendicular dials may still be seen on the +Dutch Reformed Church. + +The horizontal was extremely popular in both England and Scotland, so +much so that no garden of any pretention was considered complete without +one or more of these ornamental time-keepers. The high favor in which +the "simple altar-like structure," with its "silent heart language," was +held in England was well expressed by Charles Lamb, who said of the +sundial, "It stood as the Garden god of Christian gardens." + +It is the revival of this old-time custom that has given a delightful +touch of sentiment to the gardens of to-day, where sundials have become, +more especially of late years, a permanent fixture. Many of these have +interesting mottoes, some repeating the legends of other days, while +later designs bear on their face a modern inscription. + + "_Let others tell of storm and showers, + I'll only count your sunny hours._" + + "_Time goes you say--ah, no! + Time stays, we go._" + + "_I mark the time, dost thou?_" + + "_Tyme passeth and speaketh not, + Deth cometh and warneth not, + Amend to-day and slack not, + To-morrow thyself cannot._" + +By the time the American colonists had leisure to devote to the laying +out of beautiful gardens, the day of the sundial was drawing to a close. +The introduction of clocks had done away with the necessity of depending +upon such fair-weather time pieces, and furthermore, they were no longer +popular in other lands. So, despite its charm and value as an ornament, +it was not widely adopted in this country. Of late years, however, in +the general revival of old-time customs, this interesting feature for +gardens has come into favor. + +The making of one of these time pieces can be carried out by a village +carpenter, but the purchasing of an old one had better be done by an +expert as there are so many reproductions placed to-day on the market. +All that is essential in order to work out proper results is that the +dial should have a firm and absolutely level base to rest on, and that +the gnomon should point directly towards the North Star, so that time +may be accurately computed. A stone pedestal is correct, although +concrete is often used. + +The design depends largely upon the type of garden and the owner's +taste. The beautiful, carved pedestals imported from Italy are suitable +only for the formal garden, and for our simple, less pretentious ones, +wood or stone can be used, although cement has become very fashionable. +To soften the lines of a severely simple column, Ivy and other clinging +vines can be placed around the base. The location is a matter that +requires some thought, as the sundial's charm depends upon harmonious +setting. It should be exposed to the sun continuously and placed far +enough away from trees or buildings to preclude the possibility of its +being shaded. + +There is no set rule that can be laid down for its placing. One is +usually safe, however, in locating it at the intersection of two paths +near a vine-clad pergola or within sight of a summer house or garden +seat. Formal gardens use it frequently as a central feature. If, +however, a water garden takes this central place, the sundial should be +at the end of some alluring path surrounded by masses of bright bloom. +The chief fault that we find in contrasting the sundials of a century +ago with those of the twentieth century is that there is now too much +sameness. They seem to follow the same lines, more perhaps, than any +other form of garden furniture. + +This can be overcome by designing them yourself, working out new ideas +in the decoration and its motto. Here the gnomons offer a chance for +variation for instead of a plain, simple shaft, it can be changed into +an ornamental design that helps out in changing it from monotony to +originality. + +For the simple garden, why not make one yourself? It is not a hard +matter, that is if you have any ingenuity. The only thing we must +consider is to have it set perfectly even, to be sure the pedestal is +carefully laid so that it will not tip and spoil the marking of the +hours. There are so many materials that you can construct one from, +there is no need of sameness. The most inexpensive is the rustic +sundial. This is made from a small tree trunk. It should be about six to +eight inches in diameter, tapering at the top, and show branches +irregularly cut within three or four inches of the main trunk. There is +a reason for this; it adds picturesqueness to the effect and gives +pegs for the vines to climb over. Do not top it with a wooden dial. They +are never satisfactory, for they are apt to warp and thus ruin the +entire scheme. You need not go to great expense to procure a +satisfactory one, for there are many materials to draw from, iron, brass +and slate being the most desirable. The latter are not expensive as they +cost simply the price of the material and engraving. It takes a piece +that ranges from an inch to an inch and a half in thickness and should +not be more than a foot square. For this, one should not pay more than +seventy-five cents, although if it is cut round it will be a little more +expensive. If you prefer to use brass it costs more and needs a +machinist who is used to handling this material to put it together for +you and burnish the surface. You must remember that this applies to the +dial only, the pedestal being a separate proposition. + +[Illustration: THE SUN-DIAL IS A FEATURE IN ITSELF] + +For a little inexpensive time piece for your garden you can make one of +wood, coloring it any shade that you like but so that it will contrast +prettily with the flowers. The only thing that you must bear in mind is +that care should be taken in its setting. If it is out of plumb it will +not keep good time. Should you, by chance, be able to procure an old +mill stone, it serves two purposes, first it is a practical foundation +and second it lends an old-time setting that is appropriate. For a +simple, every-day foundation, stones can be laid about six inches deep +and filled in with mortar. Cement is also appropriate and oftentimes +bricks can be used to good advantage. + +For a pedestal, a rather good idea is to use second-hand bricks. These +can be cemented together with mortar, the red giving a touch of color to +the drapery of the sundial that is picturesque. Sometimes a boulder is +used for this purpose or a slab of stone. + +If you purchase a sundial, you should bear in mind that if it is a +genuine antique, it may not be suitable for our latitude. In cases like +that it is best to have it looked after by an expert and so placed that +it will be a correct timekeeper. + +We tire of the same idea continuously reproduced so why not work out a +design of your own? This is hard to do, however, unless cement is used, +when some floral design or ornamentation that is appropriate for the +garden can be introduced. For the dial the gnomon is made much more +interesting if it shows a unique formation rather than a straight +shaft, as in the sundial at Didsbury, England, where a harp is +introduced, and in another case where a dragon holds the uplifted shaft. + +The situation of this feature has much to do with its practicability. As +it is a sun-loving formation, its proper place is necessarily in the +open, but whether surrounded by lawn or flowers, is something that +everyone must decide for themselves. One reason against the flower +setting is that it serves to hide the dial's meaning until you approach +it closely. The eye is attracted to the bright blooming flowers rather +than to the dial itself. This is not so if it has only a sward setting. +It then becomes a prominent piece of garden furniture, its pure white +surface standing out vividly from its surrounding of soft green grass. + +Occasionally, all attempt at floriculture or gardening is abandoned. +This is when it stands in the heart of a garden at the intersection of +two paths. Then care should be taken that in immediate proximity there +should be pure white pebbles picked up on the beach. This may re-act on +the shaft, giving it an air of sameness, and in that case different +colored stones can be introduced. One can even go so far as to work out +mottos in this way, forming the letters out of highly colored pebbles. + +To give it a rural appearance, some people set it in the heart of a bed +of ferns. These can be chosen from a single variety such as the Boston +fern, which is one of the most popular on account of its graceful fronds +and the durability which causes it to keep green for a long time. + +Should, however, a lower growth be necessary, there is the Dreyii, which +is a dwarf variety of the same species. A much better effect, however, +is obtained by planting the dwarf fern as a border to the circle and +placing inside the Elegantissima, which belongs to the crested variety +and is especially adapted for massing. For a delicate, dainty setting, +there is nothing more beautiful than the Adiantum Ruhm von Mordrecht, +which is the most beautiful of all the maiden hair ferns and easily +cultivated. It is so graceful that it seems to add an almost poetic +touch to the foundation on which the sundial stands. + +Have you ever considered placing your sundial in the heart of a rose +garden? Unconsciously, the sweet perfume of the rose does much to +increase the sentiment of this particular feature of garden culture. It +depends in part on the pedestal as to whether low roses or delicate +climbing ones should be used. If it is a plain, simple shaft, it can be +delicately draped to within a few inches of the dial, but great care +should be taken to obtain delicate coloring that will bring out the +whiteness of the marble. + +One should be very careful not to have the roses grow so high that only +the dial is visible. This would spoil the idea which it represents--a +sundial in a garden. One of the most artistic ways is to plant low, +dwarf roses, near the pedestal just far enough away so there will be +several inches of space between. The roses themselves should be planted +in heavy clay loam, although light and sandy soil can be used for this +purpose. Many people make a mistake in having their rose beds too rich. +The fertilizer can be replaced, if exhausted, by fine-ground bone, which +can be used only once a year. + +The dwarf Polyanthas are a charming class of ever-blooming roses with +bushy habits. The flowers are double, delightfully fragrant and borne in +large clusters, being covered with a large mass of bloom. For a +combination planting, the Baby Dorothy is very effective; it is +carnation pink, with the habit and growth similar to that of the Baby +Rambler. The latter is very effective, rosy crimson in coloring, very +free flowering, and useful in massing effects. Add to that Catherine +Zeimet, which is a great acquisition, to the Baby Ramblers, and produces +an abundance of double white flowers. + +Directly around the base of the pedestal, you can plant your climbing +roses, taking great care to nip them back so that they will only show a +tracery of leaves and flowers and allow the white of the sundial to peer +through. For these, use the Lady Gay whose delicate cerise pink blossoms +fade to soft white, making a most pleasing combination of white flowers, +crimson buds and green foliage. In connection with that, why not plant +the Source d'Or, which is deep yellow, gradually paling. This bears +large clusters of double flowers, and shows fine foliage. For red, the +Wall Flower is the best, as it shows a distinct coloring and has +vigorous habits. Mix with that the Shower of Gold, a fine coppery gold +color with glossy foliage. + +For the outer edge of the rose bed, do not forget those used in our +grandmother's time. They have lasted long and on account of their +sterling qualities are still popular. They have a range of coloring +and are so absolutely hardy, easy to grow and fragrant that they are +advisable for this use. The Clothilde Soupert is a good color to choose. +It is a strong, vigorous grower, putting forth large, double flowers +like a ball of snow. The color blends from soft shell pink to pure +satiny white. Mix with these the Souvenir de Malmaison, which blooms +well in hot weather, its rich colored flowers being of large size, +doubled to the center and produced in abundance. + +[Illustration: AN OLD WELL USED EFFECTIVELY AS A DECORATIVE FEATURE] + +For a Hybrid, there is nothing more effective than the Killarney, whose +color is a sparkling brilliant pink, the buds long and pointed, the +petals very large and of great substance, being just as handsome in the +bud form as in the full-blown flower. For a soft, pearly white, the +Kaiserin Augusta Victoria is advisable, tinting to a soft lemon, its +fragrance added to its beautifully formed flowers, make it a joy in your +garden. + +A rustic sundial requires far different treatment, and only vines that +bring forth white blossoms or pale colors should be used. If Clematis is +chosen, the Duchess of Edinburgh is suitable as it shows double white +flowers that are very fragrant. Mixed with this can be the Jackmania +Alba, which is white, shaded with blue. The Fair Rosamond, if one +wishes a combination, fits in with the color scheme, being tinted white +with red stripes. The advantage of these flowers is that the blossoms +open in masses that bring out the dark of the wood and lend themselves +to picturesque effects. + +Around the foot of the sundial, why not plant Poppies, making a circle +about five inches in width. The Perennial Poppies are among the most +brilliant in coloring, the graceful bright-colored, cup-shaped flowers +being borne on long stems. Mix with them the Oriental Poppies, which are +the most showy plants possible for decorative effects. To fill in the +spaces put in a package of Shirley, the combination of the three +varieties giving a most fascinating touch of color. For the Shirley, why +not use the finest mixed, as it will bring out white, delicate pink, +deep crimson, and handsomely striped varieties. The Perennial is +advantageous because it comes up every year while the Oriental are +magnificent in coloring, more especially the Grand Mogul with bright +crimson flower of immense size, the Princess Ena, bearing large, bright, +orange-scarlet and the Marie Studholme, which is a delicate shade of +salmon with a silver sheen. Nothing can give better effects for this +style of sundial than the clematis with a poppy in the foreground. + +Color makes a great difference in proper planting, the white marble or +concrete and possibly wood painted white, demands a strong color to +bring out effectively the white of the surface. The gray stone is not +picturesque unless blues, yellows, or reds are used. These three colors +can be blended so that they form a scheme that is most attractive. When +it comes to brick you will have to depend upon white, or light blue for +coloring. More care should be taken with the planting around this kind +of a pedestal than any other. The red of the brick demands more covering +than any other type. The Hop vine fits into the scheme, but requires a +great deal of trimming lest it overshadows the brick, making a mass of +green without any hint of the brick below. The leaves are fine, +three-lobed, and rough on both sides while the loose paper-like +straw-yellow Hop in the fall hang gracefully from the brick, making a +fluffy but attractive covering. + +Fragrance is necessary in the planting of a sundial, then why not use +the Honeysuckle? The Brachypoda is particularly effective for this +purpose. It shows white flowers in pairs, and sends forth a delicious +perfume that attracts one even before the sundial is viewed. The Hall +Evergreen Honeysuckle is also good for this purpose, being a strong +grower and constant bloomer. The flowers open white, change to buff, and +are very delicate in appearance. + +This sundial should be set in a circle of green. At the edge of the +border plant Iris. This makes a more effective setting than if a whole +bed of this should be used. The well-known, beautiful Iris of Japan +displays a great variety of colors, the chief of which is white, maroon, +dark blue and violet. Most of them are veined, mottled or flaked with +different colors. There are both single and double varieties. The beauty +of this plant is that it succeeds in any good soil, that is if well +drained and given plenty of water when dry. They can be planted either +in the late summer or spring, as desirable, and should be shown in +masses, growing from two to three feet in height and lasting in blossom +for a month. For double use the Antelope, which shows a white ground +flaked with purple. Mix with it the Beauty which is a pure white. Add to +it the Mount Hood, light blue, shaded darker in the center. These can +be intermixed with the Crested Iris, a dwarf, showing handsome, +light-colored flowers, and the Snow Queen, whose large snow-white +blossoms are free flowering. + +The planting around the sundial rests with the whim of the owner, +though, if out-of-the-way ideas can be evolved, it will add much to the +attractiveness of this feature of the garden. + + + + +THE FOUNTAIN + + +[Illustration: NARCISSUS STANDS IN THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FOUNTAIN + + +Have you ever seated yourself in your garden, more especially on a warm +summer day, and dreamily listened to the musical tinkle of the water +that flowed from the mouth of the fountain, dripping down from the +over-flowing basin into the pool below? It is then you realize what an +attractive ornament it is for your garden for it appeals not only to the +eye but to the ear. Lowell picturesquely describes his idea of this bit +of garden furnishing when he speaks of it as "leaping and flashing," in +the sunlight. + +While the pergola, the garden seat and the sundial each have their own +appropriate use, they serve one purpose only. Not so the fountain, which +never fails to convey a delightful impression of coolness, as it gurgles +and murmurs, on its way. Surely there is nothing that gives to the +garden a more picturesque charm than this, standing like a spot of color +in a vivid setting of bright flowering plants. In the pool below one +finds constantly changing pictures of the blue sky, snowy clouds or +summer blossoms, each one worthy of its floral frame. + +As the garden fountain is merely an accessory and the beauty of the +constantly dripping water and the rising of the spray are what +constitutes its real charm, the conventional design can be simple or +elaborate but it should follow the garden scheme. It depends upon its +environment as to whether we make it the central feature in the design +or a setting in the wall. Lovely effects can easily be produced if one +is careful in trying to work out a right treatment, for the placing is +fully as much of importance as the planting. Balance should be the main +object. + +To the amateur who has had no special training in floriculture, the +introduction of even a simple water spout is of interest. He watches its +workings with a newly awakened enthusiasm, directing its course so that +it falls artistically over the different levels of the rock garden into +the home-made concrete pool below. The introduction of this water +feature gives a distinctive touch to even the simplest little flower +plot. For a larger garden, what is more alluring than a fountain +sending forth a high, vapory stream, bursting into a cloud of filmy +spray? This is especially true when it is viewed through a vista or at +the ending of a vine-shaded pergola. Around it should be planted a +carefully selected combination of flowers or shrubs, great care being +taken that they blend harmoniously. + +The size of the fountain and the breadth of the pool lend themselves +more or less effectively to producing alternating sunshine and shade on +the surface of the water. The basin is, in a way, of as much importance +as the fountain design. It is generally round, although occasionally an +oblong design fits better into the landscape effect. It should be from +two to three feet deep and so constructed that the sides slope outward +much like the ordinary wooden water bucket. There is a practical reason +for this, as it prevents cracking during the winter months. The cost +naturally varies, the size materially affecting the price. + +The background demands more than passing notice. Nearness of trees is a +decided drawback, as the falling leaves, especially in the autumn, mar +the surface and clog the outlet and make it necessary to clean the basin +frequently. + +The best time to plan for any garden ornament is just before the early +fall. The flowers are in their prime and one can better determine +placing than in the early spring when the garden lies bleak and +desolate. + +Many garden lovers with a desire for originality feel confident that +they can rely upon their imagination to work out color schemes even +during the winter months. Fortunate is he who accomplishes this +satisfactorily. There is great danger, however, that his castles in the +air may fall to the ground through taking too much for granted. The +grounds do not always meet requirements, and the result is not only +wrong placing but an ornament that is either too large or too small for +its allotted space. + +We are far too impatient to obtain results and it is this undue haste +that often ruins the composition of gardens. There is a great +satisfaction in adding to and improving our grounds, much more so than +if the whole work were developed at once. Almost every garden into which +careful thought has been placed grows with its years. Few, if any garden +lovers, but have felt a keen sense of disappointment at the finished +results of their garden schemes. What was satisfying the first year, +has later brought about unhappy combinations. It is this fact that +should be impressed on everyone's mind, if they wish a perfect lay-out. + +[Illustration: A ROMAN FOUNTAIN PLACED AGAINST A VERY APPROPRIATE +BACKGROUND] + +Probably everybody who has become interested in floriculture finds the +same difficulty in obtaining exactly what they wish. It is often hard to +match ideas with reality. This is another reason for curbing one's +impatience. The right things are sure to be found, that is if one is +willing to take time. + +It is when comparing the gardens of the old world with those of to-day +that we are impressed with the atmosphere of the twentieth-century +garden, where nature is encouraged to be genuine rather than artificial. +This is the height of success, the bringing into harmony of paths, +ornaments, and flowers, omitting gaudy effects or over-crowding with +marble fragments. Simplicity should be the key-note in arranging this +part of our ground, a simplicity that has been worked out by careful +thought for it means hard study to obtain natural effects. + +There are many materials from which our fountain can be manufactured. +The most expensive of these are marble, terra cotta and manufactured +stone, the former leading the list, while the latter is better suited to +the moderate purse. This last is, in reality, a composition of marble +dust with cement, and the result is most satisfactory, the finished +product showing a smooth surface resembling as nearly as possible that +of unpolished marble. In rare cases, however, chemicals have been used +to produce an antique look. Many people are under the impression that +manufactured stone is always white. As a matter of fact, in the finished +product, there are as many as half a dozen neutral tints shown. These +all incline to a soft, delicate gray, sometimes with a blueish cast. + +Terra cotta comes next in cost. A detriment to its use is that, +particularly when it is shown in deep bronze coloring, it does not lend +itself artistically to landscape effect, through lack of contrast with +its surroundings. We find this material with both glazed and unglazed +surfaces, the former being more expensive but not as practical as the +latter. The most strongly recommended coloring is limestone gray, whose +soft, delicate finish brings out the tone of the vines, and emphasizes +the color of the surrounding flowers. Next comes the Pompeian red, only +to be used under certain conditions on account of its color. Colonial +yellow has also been introduced. The two last colors are rarely, if +ever, used for fountain designs, the gray being considered much more +advisable. + +There are many reasons why cement is considered practical; its cost, its +wearing qualities, and its appropriate coloring. All these qualities +lend themselves to constructive purposes, and making it decoratively +most desirable. + +The architect who suits the design of the garden to the type of the +house will take advantage of this particular material. He has his ideas +concerning the effect that he wishes to bring out, to emphasize the +design of the house. He realizes that there is something more than +interest in botany to be shown if he wishes to make this part of his +plan a success. We have grown to a realizing sense that for the best +results it is better to employ a skilled man. No clever result can be +brought out through an inexperienced person planning the grounds, that +is, unless they have natural ability such as few people possess. We have +only to go back to our Colonial ancestors and study effects. It is then +we realize the difference between home planting and architectural +planting. + +Cost is not the only thing to be taken into consideration when creating +garden effects. Character should be considered as well. In order to +obtain this satisfactorily, the accessories should be planned by a +connoisseur, such as an architect becomes after many years' study of the +subject. The fountain is the most important detail and requires more +careful thought than any other part of the garden setting. It makes no +difference what its construction is, so that it fits in with the scheme. + +Great care should be taken not to introduce different periods or +materials when placing garden ornaments on our grounds. Take, as an +instance, a home-made fountain and place it in close proximity with an +imported one and note the result. You will see the lack of harmony. The +Italian fountain belongs distinctively to the formal or Italian lay-out, +and should never be used, with the exception of making a central feature +on a lawn, in any other way. If you place the Greek fountain on a +hillside where landscape effects have been worked out through the use of +cascades that dash over terraces and under rustic bridges, you will see +it is entirely out of place and in the wrong surroundings. + +[Illustration: AN ARTISTIC FOUNTAIN PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED] + +Occasionally, we come across an iron fountain painted black or red. This +metal is cheap and stock designs can be purchased, but the very best +ones are private orders and can never be reproduced. The price varies as +with every other bit of garden furniture from a few dollars up to as +many thousands. The advantage of this metal is that it fits into places +where marble should be avoided. + +Pottery fountains have been used within the last few years, and many of +them are very graceful, being turned and finished by hand. This type has +a special mission in our garden, its proper placing being in New England +where the gray rocks, hedges and evergreen predominate. This material is +shown in more colors than almost any other. These include gray, brown, +green, blue, and many shades of terra cotta. This variation of color +makes it adapted to almost any situation. One advantage in their use is +that, strongly reinforced as they are by galvanized steel wires, they +are climate-proof and practically indestructible. + +The location of this special garden ornament demands serious attention. +It is often placed where it will attract attention to some special +feature that has been carefully worked out in detail. More especially +is this true when it has been inserted as a part of the retaining wall +and is surrounded by some choice vine whose flowers accentuate the +architecture. + +There are so many forms and features connected with this special garden +ornament that there need never be any sameness. It is an ideal medium +with which to recreate the fauns, satyrs and nymphs of the garden. +Animals, too, are often used and so are cupids. + +The planting, which is of as much importance as the ornamentation, +depends upon the size of the pool and its location. Shade requires far +different treatment from sunny exposures, while the heart of a grass +plot lends itself to little or no floral embellishment. The finish of +the pool influences the arrangement of the flowers. Should it be very +ornamental, the planting should be far enough away not to shut off its +picture effect in the landscape. If it is simply a curbing, it should +have a setting of green or of low-growing plants. + +Often an effective treatment is worked out through a border of velvety +turf outlined by plants. Peonies never fail to bring out the right +coloring of the fountain, that is if they are far enough away not to +cut off the design. They are called rightly the aristocrats of the +flower garden. For mass planting, they are most effective, their great +gorgeous blossoms, daintily dyed and ranging from white to the deepest +red, their wonderful fragrance and their decorative value are +unsurpassed. They can either be planted in solid color or in a +combination that is artistic. The Couronne d'Or, beautiful white in +coloring and showing blossoms of red in the center with a halo of yellow +around, makes a picturesque contrast to the deep green of the tree +leaves. The large, double, ball-shape bloom of the Felix Crousse +intermixed with white, gives one of the most fascinating combinations of +red and white. The beauty of peonies is that they grow anywhere although +they do best in rich, deep soil and with a sunny exposure. They are +perfectly hardy, require no protection and unlike most other plants are +not infested by either insects or disease. All they ask for is plenty of +water during their growing season. + +Grandmother's flowers, which are so fashionable to-day, are particularly +desirable as a planting around a fountain. The sweet moss rose trailing +through the grass and mixing its blossoms with the yellow of the Scotch +rose is often used for low effects, or where very little coloring is +advisable. The amount of planting and the height naturally depend upon +the design of the individual fountain. Those that are ornamental are so +effective that they need practically nothing to bring out right effects. + +Iris is always in good form. We find it to-day so highly developed that +in comparison to the little fleur-de-lis that grows unmolested in the +neighboring swamp, it seems scarcely a variety of the same flower. As we +are able to buy both double and single Irises, we should make a choice +and not mingle the two. The double with its flowers averaging from eight +to ten inches across, is an artistic foil for the white of the fountain. +Commencing with the German, which comes into bloom about the middle of +May, we can follow the time of blossoming through the introduction of +the Japanese Iris which lasts through July. In their planting, better +effects are produced if two colors only are used. This can be +supplemented by a third if the coloring is broken by the introduction of +a thread of white. For the German, why not use the Honorabilis, which is +a golden yellow with outside yellow petals shading to a mahogany brown, +or the King of Iris, which is a clear yellow. The Florentina Alba +gives the white coloring, its flowers being very large and fragrant. +These two colors can be enhanced by the adding of the Camillian which is +a delicate blue with falls tipped a little darker shade. These are more +suited for a fountain with a low curbing or for an informal garden where +cement is used. They give a very pretty effect, their flowers being +pictured in the water below. + +[Illustration: THIS WALL FOUNTAIN WITH ITS SHELL BACKGROUND AND BASIN IS +MOST FITTINGLY PLACED] + +Pansies are never out of place. A very pretty idea is to have them +massed for as many as eight inches around the curb. Choose for these, +bright-colored varieties rather than dark. The tufted pansies, which are +one of the most important bedding plants in Europe, are rapidly growing +in favor in our country. One reason for this is that they flower +continuously for nearly eight months in the year. The flowers are not as +large as those of the single pansy, but their bright colors make them a +welcome addition to our garden. The rich, golden yellow, the violet with +a dark eye and the white, are all three admirable for this purpose. + +Pansies love coolness and give their largest and finest flowers in early +spring and late fall. They are so easy to grow, rioting in the cool, +deep mellow beds they love, that everybody should use them. They will +endure all winter long if protected by a few evergreen vines. The size +needed for bedding for your fountain depends entirely upon the width of +the bed. The most superb specimens are found among the orchid flowering +ones. They take their name mainly from their tints and variation of +color resembling the gorgeous shades seen in orchids. These are the most +novel and distinctive strain that we have used for years. + +Have you ever considered the graceful effect of ornamental grasses? They +can be used with telling effects for the margin of the fountain, +although care must be taken not to plant those that grow to enormous +height. The Euallia Japonica is appropriate. Its long, narrow, graceful +green foliage, flowering into attractive plumes, give it a distinctive +place for this purpose. Mix with it the Zebra grass, whose long blades +are marked with broad yellow bands across the leaf. Intermix with this +the hardy fountain grass which grows only four feet in height and has +narrow foliage, bright green in coloring, cylindrical flower-heads +carried well above the foliage, tinged with a bronze purple and is one +of the most valuable of the hardy grasses. + +In the planting of the grasses, to make the best effect give the taller +ones the outside row, letting the low ones fall over the water, +mirroring in the surface below. One of the advantages in using this is +that it attracts birds and butterflies. Nothing can attract the +songsters quicker to your fountain than this kind of surrounding. + +Occasionally, we find that instead of planting, beds are geometrically +laid out to surround this, the axis of the garden design. In cases like +this we have to depend upon the borders for effect. These can be +hedge-loving plants or they can be a solid, low planting. Scotch heather +is very pretty. It should be grown in sunny places with moist +surroundings. Its racimes of dark rose pink petals, lasting from July to +September, make it very effective for this purpose. The Japanese +Barberry can also be included, nothing equals it in artistic value. It +requires but little pruning to keep it in shape, while its fruit or +berries, assuming rich brilliant colors in the fall, are most effective +when used for a setting like this. + +If possible, try for flowers that have fragrance. It adds so much to the +effect to breathe in the sweet odor as you sit watching the shading of +the flowers, the swaying of the birds, and listening to the musical +tinkle of the water as it drips into the basin below. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Garden Ornaments, by Mary H. 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