74 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



or new varieties of old species, is of course 

 undeniable. That our ordinary flower-show is for 

 the ordinary spectator an extremely pretty sight 

 is no less certain. But we are satisfied that in 

 the majority of cases it is the wiser course for 

 any one who really cares about his garden, and 

 would rather have a succession of well-cultured 

 flowers than some merely exceptional success, to 

 discourage his gardener from exhibiting. 



In conclusion, I can only repeat that "the 

 English flower-garden" may afford far greater 

 pleasure than it does at present. We must learn 

 to look on plants, not as mere points of colour, 

 but as old friends on whose coming we can rely, 

 and who, returning with the recurring seasons, 

 bring back with them pleasant memories of past 

 years. And if, as often happens, they are plants 

 consecrated by song or legend, the imagination 

 is quickened as surely as the heart is stirred. 

 We must remember, too, that our personal 

 delight in a garden is entirely independent of 

 its size or the perfection of its appliances. A 

 child's garden, such as Mary Howitt once 



