Tulips 



ing second portion of Yew hedge, with a similarly down- 

 turned end, is reached. In my childhood's days the space 

 between these two hedges was filled by a steep grass slope 

 very suitable for rolling down when no nurse was on guard. 

 Then a wall was built at the foot of the slope and filled in 

 behind with soil and the Terrace formed. It is backed by 

 a low parapet with a wide stone coping, on which a row 

 of stone vases stands all the year and a large collection of 

 succulent plants in pots during the summer months. 

 Stone steps lead down to the kitchen garden at both ends, 

 and between them are fifteen box-edged beds and several 

 stone vases. A stone seat in the centre is made out of 

 portions of the balustrade of Old London Bridge, and 

 three of the balusters stand at the heads of the flights of 

 steps and bear stone vases. I found them hidden away 

 among the shrubs here, but could only find three, so one 

 has for its fellow a stone group of The Three Graces with 

 a stone vase on their lovely heads. These beds are filled 

 with Tulips for Spring, and when at their best look very 

 well viewed from the bridge, and reflected in the river. 

 They are backed by flowering fruit trees below the wall, 

 and then the trees of the park rise up behind on the side 

 of the hill. So rest here and gaze while I tell you that in 

 this garden the word Tulip stands only for true species 

 and the May-flowering garden varieties, for I have long 

 ago lost every scrap of affection for the early-flowering 

 garden varieties that are still the most conspicuous Tulips 

 in most public parks and many gardens. I cannot afford 

 them here space is too valuable, and though of low price 

 they are costly in the end, because very few of them find a 

 sufficiently congenial home in an English garden to think 

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