164 GARDEN-CRAFT. 



Another chance for getting seclusion is the high 

 walls or lofty yew hedge of the quadrangular court- 

 yard, which may be near the entrance. Such a fore- 

 court is the place for a walk on bleak days ; in its 

 borders you are sure of the earliest spring flowers, 

 for the tender flowers can here bloom securely, the 

 myrtle, the pomegranate will flourish, and the most 

 fragrant plants and climbers hang over the door and 

 windows. What is more charming than the effect 

 of hollyhocks, peonies, poppies, tritomas, and tulips 

 seen against a yew hedge ? 



The paths should be wide and excellently made. 

 The English have always had good paths ; as Mr 

 Evelyn said to Mr Pepys, "We have the best walks 

 of gravell in the world, France having none, nor 

 Italy." The comfort and the elegance of a garden 

 depend in no slight degree upon good gravel walks, 

 but having secured gravel walks to all parts of the 

 grounds, green alleys should also be provided. 

 Nothing is prettier than a vista through the smooth- 

 shaven green alley, with a statue or sundial or 

 pavilion at the end ; or an archway framing a peep 

 of the country beyond. 



As to the garden's size, it is erroneous to suppose 

 that the enjoyments of a garden are only in propor- 

 tion to its magnitude ; the pleasurableness of a 

 garden depends infinitely more upon the degree of 

 its culture and the loving care that is bestowed upon 

 it. If gardens were smaller than they usually are, 

 there would be a better chance of their orderly 

 keeping. As it is, gardens are mostly too large for 



