IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



of gravel may well surround the house, as affording dry 

 footing in wet weather ; and from this terrace the principal 

 paths should lead. In many gardens far too much space 

 is sacrificed to unnecessary paths, and the whole effect is 

 spoiled and stiffened by a multiplicity of sharp angles. 



Having drawn a careful outline of the piece of ground to 

 be planned, adding the positions of the entrance, the house, 

 windows, back-door, &c., it will be easy to determine the line 

 of the drive or path, which should lead directly to the house 

 in a gentle curve if possible. 



Mathematical outlines are out of place in all but Dutch 

 gardens ; the slightly curving line of path, lawn, or border 

 is far more picturesque and restful to the eye, setting off the 

 landscape to greater advantage, as harmonising with Nature. 



In a garden of considerable size a pergola may be erected, 

 the most picturesque materials for which are slender pine- 

 poles with the bark on ; they should be 8 feet in height 

 above the ground, having an additional 18 inches in the 

 soil, which should be well dipped into the tar-bucket before 

 putting them in. 



But a pergola i.e., a series of arches more or less con- 

 nected overhead, and covered with creepers cannot be set 

 down anywhere in the garden ; it must have a distinct raison 

 d'etre, or it becomes meaningless and out of place. Such 

 a shady way should lead from one part of the garden to 

 another, it may be from the terrace to the lawn, or the flower 

 garden to the kitchen garden, or the orchard, but its position 

 must be definite. Single arches, covered with roses, clematis, 

 and other climbers, are far more easily placed ; for they may 

 span the pathways with great effect, even in a small town 

 garden, but are specially desirable where they will frame a 

 distant view. 



If flowering shrubs are to be planted, let them be well 

 selected, well placed, and well planted ; not ordered by the 

 hundred, and huddled together so that the stronger and 

 more uninteresting shrubs (usually flowerless too) will 

 strangle the more dainty and desirable plants. Too many 

 of our shrubberies are filled with greenery only, where 



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