36 GARDENS IN THE MAKING 



occupies the western side of the house, leaving the 

 south and east well screened from the drive and 

 approach. 



There are very few gardens in which this principle 

 of privacy can be dispensed with, for there is nothing 

 more troublesome than to be unable to enjoy 

 security from interruption, or to be liable continually 

 to be seen by all who call at the house. Even in 

 small cottages the gardens of which lie between the 

 front door and the road, it is generally possible to 

 lead the path up one side of the plot and screen 

 it from the private walks. This is not always 

 necessary ; the time-honoured straight path from 

 the gate to the cottage porch, with the wide border 

 of flowers on each side, should not lightly be dis- 

 placed, for a hedge behind the border will protect a 

 useful part of the garden and increase the effect. 

 The cottager puts his whole display of flowers into 

 the borders along his front path, and uses the re- 

 mainder of the garden for vegetables. He gets in 

 this way the maximum of effect with the minimum 

 of expense. His plot is modelled on the kitchen- 

 garden, and, like it, it cannot dispense with the 

 middle walk edged with flowers ; his garden is 



