FOREWORD 



When the idea of this book first came to me, long 

 ago, suggested by the question that has continually 

 been asked me by a great many people, it shaped 

 itself in my imagination as something very dif- 

 ferent from what I now find the actuality to be. The 

 sorcery of the phrase was upon me; and I never 

 dreamed that "old-fashioned gardening" could lead 

 me on other than a gentle, sweet and sentimental 

 pilgrimage through flowery ways, along which fine, 

 shadowy figures flitted to keep me goodly, if ghostly, 

 company. 



For it has been a term to conjure with for many a 

 day to lead the fancy along paths of pleasant dalli- 

 ance through whose dim distances the laughter of 

 dainty dames in powder and patches echoed against 

 the deeper tones of bewigged gallants with whom they 

 coquetted. But to tell the story of gardening has been 

 very different than to dream of it, I find. Peopled 

 with these delightful shades the old nooks and corners 

 are, to be sure: but of the truth about their flowery 

 retreats they will tell nothing. They only laugh when 

 urged to seriousness, and disappear with a flash of 

 bright eyes, a twinkle of high heels and a clatter of 



