EPOCHS OF THE FORMAL GARDEN 



"Yes, of course, but I thought it winter-killed here." 



"We might possibly protect it and then have some 

 extra plants to insert in case a few died." 



"It would be perfectly lovely," assented the 

 Enthusiast; "we can but try it anyway." 



So for two summers now we have had the only per 

 fect edging for a formal garden, the old-fashioned 

 box, kept clipped to a height of ten inches, fraught 

 with numberless associations and aromatic with the 

 memories of Italy. 



I cannot end this story of the formal garden with 

 out some mention of the various growths on the low 

 bowlder wall which encloses it. Within the garden 

 against the north wall we planted a gardenia rose. 

 That simple statement hardly seems to warrant the thrill 

 with which we contemplate its perfection or remember 

 its wondrous efflorescence. Even when told that it is 

 a hybrid Wichuriana produced by Dawson in 1890, 

 our enthusiasm still seems unexpressed. Its almost 

 thornless stems are pale green shading to rich claret; 

 they bear clean-cut, shining leaves and semi-double 

 6 81 



