THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



867 



the greenery of hedges, or protected by moderately hiyli 

 walls or white wooden fences, and you step into a dif- 

 ferent world. There is nothing of imposing grandeur 

 in it, but we very soon feel that sheltered atmosphere 

 of a private home. 



We notice different ground levels of various divis- 

 ions, retaining walls crowned by balustrades connect- 

 ing stairways with white wooden arches overhead, 

 serving as support for Rambler Roses, Wistarias and 

 Clematis Vines. I mean the formality which, in re- 

 sorting to a few architectural additions for artistic ef- 

 fect or utilitarian purpose as sun dials statuaries, Ja- 

 panese stone lanterns, seats, garden houses and per- 

 golas, does so without falling a prey to the pergola 

 epidemic of today. What we aim at is a fitful scenic 

 setting for an ever changing floral coming and pass- 

 ing away, a setting to give background and tuneful 

 resonance for a beautiful harmony in rich and glorious 

 color accords. 



Sweet and mellow are the first strains of the vernal 

 prelude when the white Snowdrops, Rockcress and 

 Leucojum, binds itself with the yellow of Primrose, 

 Narcissus and Crocus, and the blue of Scillas, Hepati- 

 cas, Anemones and Violets. During April it gains in 

 volume when Primula Siboldi, Alyssum Saxatile and 

 Iris Pumila join, and the wealth of blossoms of hardy 

 Candytufts, Doronicums, Trollius and Ranunculus 

 come in evidence. By the aid of the strong notes of 

 Cottage and Darwin Tulips, German Iris, Foxgloves, 

 Bellflowers, Lupins, Peonies, Sweet Williams, An- 

 chusas and Pyrethrum Hybridum swells on to the 

 glorious height of the May day, emphasized by the fes- 

 tive crescendo of the jubilant color fanfares of the Ori- 

 ental Poppies. For several weeks our garden becornes 

 pregnant with the sweet fragrance of hardy garden 

 Pinks, and just when the hardy garden Roses are at 

 their height we may enjoy the most charming three- 

 color-accord of June, consisting of the blue Delphinium 

 Hybridum, the white of Annunciation Lilies and the 

 yellow of Coreopsis or Oenotheras. 



In turn the bold stately spikes of Yucca Filamentosa 

 call for our admiration and from now on, in broad, 

 evenly balanced cadenzas of the rich shades of Japan- 

 ese Iris, Phlo.x Paniculata, Spiraeas, Veronicas, An- 

 themis and Gladiolus, we see oursehes gradually glid- 

 ing over to the grand color finale of the fall. Mont- 

 bretias introduce new notes ; we also enjoy the play- 

 ful intermezzo of light-winged masses of flowers of 

 the Japanese Anemones, swaying in a gentle breeze. 

 The warm golden waves of tall late Helianthus and 

 Heleniums which roll by and vanish. At last we wit- 

 ness the supreme effort of Dahlias, hardy fall .'\sters 

 and Chrysanthemums, vying with the hues of the 

 autumn foliage to give strength and radiance to the 

 closing strains of the most beautiful color symphony 

 on earth. To the thinking human mind the total picture 

 is an illustration of the fleeting character of all things 

 earthly. As a reconciliating feature it offers the cer- 

 tainty of an annual resurrection in response to the call 

 of a new spring. Do you understand and feel why the 

 herbaceous garden is continuously gaining in popularity? 

 It is not more than natural to say that our bearing 

 and countenance under focus of the public eye will 

 more or less differ from our action while enjoying the 

 informal freedom of sheltered private life. 



Likewise is a certain conventionality on our front 

 lawns exposed to street or highway unavoidable. The 

 herbaceous flower garden as part of American home 

 grounds should represent a sheltered atmosphere in 

 which we may be ourselves and nothing more. To 

 suburban and country residents it becomes more and 



mure a private studio in which to enter into the inti- 

 mate acquaintance of plant life and enjoy floral beauty. 

 Self-interest, self-action and the free exertion of in- 

 dividual taste in devising and planning is not only a 

 delightful occupation but in by far the most instances 

 the guarantee for advance and final success. The nov- 

 ice, who with samples of her tapestry and wall paper 

 in hand on a busy May day over the seed store counter 

 requests our advice in her selection of herbaceous flower 

 seeds for an immediate lively midsummer and fall ef- 

 fect in colors corresponding with the interior of her 

 boudoir, may sometimes prove more than amusing. 

 She will, however, in time join the ever increasing 

 number of more advanced flower lovers, who with pen- 

 cil and notebook in hand, at regular intervals, pay vis- 

 its to our nurseries which command our serious atten- 

 tion. One of the latter category, an ardent garden en- 

 thusiast, in the course of a conversation a few years 

 ago, speaking of her beautiful northern sea coast home 

 said : "I call myself fortunate to have a gardener who 

 well understands to grow plants, but just think of how 

 much more efiicient he would prove if he would love 

 flowers and look at them in a similar way as I do," 



It was a mere incident causing a remark which 

 throws a flashlight on the situation. 



To love flowers means in this case to possess the 

 faculty to ab.sorb their beauty, discern character of 

 habit and form, and the trained eye and practical ex- 

 perience for the all important work of associating 

 hardy plant species for successive effects. 



Are the majority of us taking notice of the signs of 

 our time by early preparation for near exigencies? In- 

 sert an "ad" in the want column for a competent man 

 to take charge of a first class herbaceous garden, the 

 result and after experience is likely to give you the 

 answer. 



AT SEVENTY-FIVE. 



It is sad tliat Old Time is so swift to dismember 



All our castles in Spain — that they crumble so soon. 

 That the cliiirl will not .spare, for the snows of December, 



One rose of the many he squanders in .June: 

 But 'tis ordered by Nature and idle to quarrel 



Witli the sovereign mother who never deceives; 

 If we cannot have roses we sometimes have laurel. 



And the laurel is sweet though made onlv of leaves. 



It is sad that the fugitive Graces will leave us 



When the wrinkles have rorae and the face has grown grim, 

 .\nd the dear little Loves, though afHicted to grieve us. 



Will fly from the eyes that are hollow and dim: 

 But 'tis i<nown that the delicate bloom on the flower 



Is the fleetest of all those delectable things 

 Whi<h are meant to be tempting for only an hour, 



And that Cupid — the sprite — is provided with wings. 



When tlie sky's growing dark and the red sun is setting 



We should stir up the embers, and call up the Elves 

 Of Mirth and Content, and. all troubles forgetting, 



Make a gay world for others- and so for ourselves! 

 'Tis tlie beauty of Age to be tranquil and gentle. 



Whatsoever may happen resigned to its lot, 

 And though gray locks and crowsfect are not ornamental 



There's a grace in the wearing to make them forgot. 



So. a welcome to all that my Fate may provide me, 



Be it joy or sorrow, a cross or a crown! 

 Here's a grasp of the hand for the comrades beside me! 



Here's a smiling Oood-by as the curtain conies down! 

 .■\nd when the plaj-^s over, and everything ended, 



And you hear in your musing the sound of a knell, 

 Give me one loving thought for the good I intended, 



And a rose for my pall, as you bid me Farewell! 



— Hjl Will. Winter, in (luidc to .Ya/ur«, 



