IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



purple, green, and madder-brown, as only Father Time 

 can paint it. 



Talking of backgrounds, we lose much, I think, of quaint 

 beauty in our gardens if we have no espalier apple trees. 

 Quite incorrect, of course, they are in the modern and 

 fashionable garden ; yet what can excel their exquisite effect 

 as a background to the herbaceous border in spring ? 



The dainty bunches of pink and white blossom are quite 

 as ornamental as the rarest exotics, and these lack the old- 

 world atmosphere which is so precious in a garden. I am 

 the proud possessor of various espalier apple and pear trees, 

 and also of an ancient wall, built hundreds of years ago, of 

 rough blocks of granite, and wreathed with ivy, in which 

 my favourite robins are now busily building their nest. As 

 a safeguard against the prowling cat, we surround the nest 

 at the distance of a few inches with freshly cut holly. 

 Pussy objects to this prickly defence, and consequently 

 leaves the young birds severely alone. 



Tuberous begonias are much given to freakishness, and 

 if one might credit them with our own failings, they might 

 be said to be decidedly human. Not only do some of the 

 single flowers (puffed up with pride and self-sufficiency 

 because of their luxurious living) turn into those " bloated 

 aristocrats " of the flower world, the double begonias, but 

 when deprived of rich food and drink they quickly become 

 frightened, and, dropping their gorgeous robes, soon shrink 

 back into the original modest single flower. In Begonia 

 cristata each petal is supplied with delicate flutings, finished 

 by rich ruches, which are crimped and folded in the 

 thoroughly correct mode. The colour of this flower is an 

 exquisite shade of pale salmon-pink. Many other tints, 

 however, are to be had in this remarkable flower, some in 

 plain colours, others in stripes. Mr. Davis (the specialist in 

 begonias, of Yeovil) advertises ten distinct colours, besides 

 Begonia fimbriata crispa. These begonias are just awakening 

 from their winter sleep, and should now be started, laying 

 the tubers in a tray of moist light soil mixed with a little 

 charcoal over a slight hot-bed. Very soon the little pink 



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