A Little Maryland Garden 117 
wall papers were truly “‘colonial,’’ not col- 
lected from other houses. In the garden be- 
hind it were old box plants, that had origin- 
ally been borders for circular beds. Now they 
are almost grown together, and stand in 
clumps taller than my head, rather hoary, 
but green and strong. In winter the snow 
lies on them in wreaths. I used to look 
out on their ancient charms, and vow that 
when I had a garden I would have box. 
My one box plant is flourishing ‘“‘like the 
green bay tree,’ but it will be many years 
before it can attain to the dignity of a noble 
bush. Box borders, which are to me more 
attractive than any other kind, can only 
be for a place where there is a gardener 
to keep them trim. One sees them here 
sometimes in old gardens, but not as neat 
as they should be; and much as I love their 
rich colour, and beautiful compactness of 
growth, I would never want them short of 
perfection. 
In this old garden where the box trees stood 
I once saw a beautiful sight. A gaunt old 
