62 Old Time Gardens 



" We have a bright little garden, down on a sunny slope, 



Bordered with sea-pinks and sweet with the songs and blossoms 

 of hope." 



The garden of Secretary William H. Seward (in 

 Auburn, New York), so beloved by him in his life- 

 time, is shown on page 146 and facing page 134. In 

 this garden some beds are edged with Periwinkle, 

 others with Polyanthus, and some with Ivy which 

 Mr. Seward brought from Abbotsford in 1836. This 

 garden was laid out in its present form in 18 16, and 

 the sun-dial was then set in its place. The garden 

 has been enlarged, but not changed, the old "George 

 II. Roses' and York and Lancaster Roses still 

 grow and blossom, and the lovely arches of single 

 Michigan Roses still flourish. In it are many 

 flowers and fruits unusual in America, among them 

 a bed of Alpine strawberries. 



King James I. of Scotland thus wrote of the 

 garden which he saw from his prison window in 

 Windsor Castle : — 



** A Garden fair, and in the Corners set 

 An Herbere greene, with Wandis long and small 

 Railit about." 



These wandis were railings which were much 

 used before Box edgings became universal. Some- 

 times they were painted the family colors, as at 

 Hampton Court they were green and white, the 

 Tudor colors. These " wandis " still are occasion- 

 ally seen. In the Berkshire Hills I drove past an 

 old garden thus trimly enclosed in little beds. The 

 rails were painted a dull light brown, almost the color 



