334 Old Time Gardens 



ler. These dolls came in three sizes, the five-cent 

 size was a midsummer favorite, because on its feature- 

 less head the blossoms of the Canterbury Bells 

 fitted like a high azure cap. I can see rows of these 

 wooden creatures sitting, thus crowned, stiffly around 

 the trunk of the old Seckel Pear tree at a doll's tea- 

 party. 



By the constant trampling of our childish feet the 

 earth at the end of the garden path was hard and 

 smooth under the shadow of the Lilac trees near 

 our garden fence ; and this hard path, remote from 

 wanderers in the garden, made a splendid plateau to 

 use for flower balls. Once we fitted it up as a 

 palace ; circular walls of Balsam flowers set closely 

 together shaped the ball-room. The dancers were 

 blue and white Canterbury Bells. Quadrilles were 

 placed of little twigs, or strong flower stalks set 

 firmly upright in the hard trodden earth, and on 

 each of these a flower bell was hung so that the 

 pretty reflexion of the scalloped edges of the corolla 

 just touched the ground as the hooped petticoats 

 swayed lightly in the wind. 



We used to catch bumblebees in the Canterbury 

 Bells, and hear them buzz and bump and tear their 

 way out to liberty. We held the edges of the 

 flower tightly pinched together, and were never 

 stung. Besides its adaptability as a toy for children, 

 the Canterbury Bell was beloved for its beauty in 

 the garden. An appropriate folk name for it is 

 Fair-in-sight. Healthy clumps grow tall and stately, 

 towering up as high as childish heads ; and the firm 

 stalks are hung so closely in bloom. Nowadays 



