THE LIE OF THE LAND 165 



appearance to a fine building and has to be coun- 

 teracted by the Garden Craftsman. The best way 

 of correcting the lie of the ground is by means of 

 levelling it, but as, in our case, it was important 

 to push on quickly with the work, it was decided 

 to deceive the ej^e somewhat by placing tall 

 uprights where the ground sloped downwards 

 and putting shorter ones on the opposite side where 

 the earth was on a higher level. This had the 

 desired effect, for the crosspieces that were carried 

 horizontally from one upright to another then 

 coincided with the layers of brickwork and the 

 beams of the house beyond. Harmony and rest- 

 fulness were thus restored and the building had 

 gained in appearance. 



Towards evening, when the six young women- 

 gardeners had completed their task, it was indeed 

 a delight to see the bare ground transformed into 

 a garden of flowers. Canterbury bells, forget-me- 

 nots, roses had been moved from other ground 

 and although they were only recognisable by 

 their leaves, yet such is the vigour of imagination 

 that possesses true gardeners, we saw them all 

 in their future summer beauty. Six blue-green 

 wooden boxes, discarded by the village shop but 

 well-suited to hold fuchsias, were arranged to make 

 a formal pattern beside the entrance and near the 

 red-brick paths. They stand upon red bricks and 

 are thus raised off the ground, which ensures good 

 drainage to the plants they hold and gives height 

 above the flowerbeds, an improvement to any 

 garden, however small it may be. 



At the back of the house is an old-fashioned well 



