158 Old Time Gardens 



faintly sweet-scented with the delicacy found in 

 many spring blossoms. A good example of the 

 short verses of the Japanese poets tells of the Plum 

 blossom and its perfume. 



"In springtime, on a cloudless night, 



When moonbeams throw their silver pall 

 O'er wooded landscapes, veiling all 



In one soft cloud of misty white, 



'Twere vain almost to hope to trace 

 The Plum trees in their lovely bloom 

 Of argent ; 'tis their sweet perfume 



Alone which leads me to their place." 



The lovely family of double white Plum blos- 

 soms which now graces our gardens is varied by 

 tinted ones ; there are sixty in all which the nine- 

 teenth century owes to Japan. 



The Peach tree has a flower which has given name 

 to one of the loveliest colors in the world. The 

 Peach has varieties with wonderful double flowers 

 of glorious color. Cherry trees bear a more cheer- 

 ful white flower than Plum trees. 



" The Cherry boughs above us spread 

 The whitest shade was ever seen ; 

 And flicker, flicker came and fled 

 Sun-spots between." 



I do not recall the Judas tree in my childhood. 

 I am told there were many in Worcester ; but there 

 were none in our garden, nor in our neighborhood, 

 and that was my world. Orchids might have hung 

 from the trees a mile from my home, and would 



