172 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



things in the summer. Mistakes are easy enough to 

 make, and it is summer thought that will help the beginner 

 to avoid them. Watch and see how things do as they are 

 before deciding on a change. 



I advise Summer Thought on Winter Work, for in the 

 summer-time everything is growing and flowering, and 

 if something is in its wrong place its right place can be 

 found and noted down. Writers occasionally advise 

 moving perennials, etc., in the summer months, because 

 the positions which are suited to their height, habit, and 

 colour can then be found. But I advise no summer 

 alterations. Notes should be freely taken, and plans 

 drawn up ready for planting time when it comes. 



In the summer one can see how things do look and 

 judge better how they will look. That is the time therefore 

 for planning new borders, rose-beds, pergolas, poles, and 

 other smaller garden alterations, so that they may be 

 in harmony with existing background and other features 

 of the garden. Summer thought is essential for the 

 permanent success of all such garden alterations. 



To sum up the main points of the chapter, the argument 

 has been to avoid making too many " improvements " or 

 alterations ; to give each experiment a fair time, say two 

 years, to judge of its result ; to encourage originality of 

 thought, and simplicity in garden design, and to point 

 out the desirability of giving summer thought to projected 

 " improvements." 



