174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



edition; and the American Gladiolus Society has a somewhat 

 similar project under consideration. Here we have in the French 

 publication a criterion, a standard ; and if this were of tener con- 

 sulted, the gardening world of this country would be working on 

 a much higher plane than is the case today. 



So much for the range of color in our flower gardens, for the 

 relative and absolute values of flower colors ; but what of the abuse 

 of these things? May I give an instance? Not long since there 

 came to my eye that which it is always my delight to see, the 

 landscape architect's plan of an uncommonly fine formal garden. 

 For the spring adornment of this garden, such hyacinths and 

 tulips were specified as at once to cause in my mind at least, 

 grave doubts concerning color harmonies and periods of bloom. 

 Were certain ones early? Would certain ones be late? as to 

 secure a brilliantly gay effect, some should surely flower together. 

 For my own pleasure I worked out a substitute' set of bulbs and 

 sent it to one of the authorities on color in spring-growing things 

 in this country, who thus wrote of the original plan. " In regard 

 to the color combinations upon which you asked my comment, 

 I can only say that they are a fair sample of how little most folks 

 know about bulbs. In the bed of hyacinths King of the Blues 

 will prove quite too dark for the other colors ; Perle Brillante or 

 Electra would have been much better. In the two tulip com- 

 binations I can see no harmony at all. Keizerkroon, in my opin- 

 ion, should never be planted with any other tulips. Its gaudiness 

 is too harsh unless it is seen by itself. Furthermore, both Rose 

 Luisante and White Swan will bloom just enough later not to be 

 right when the others are in their prime." 



Now what is the good of our finest gardens if they are to be 

 thus misused and the owner's taste misdirected in this fashion. 

 We spend our money for that which is not bread. I have a new 

 profession to propose, it shall be called that of the garden colorist. 

 The calling shall be distinct from that of the landscape architect, 

 distinct indeed from those whose office it already is to prescribe 

 the plants for the garden. The garden colorist shall be qualified 

 to beautifully plant according to color the best planned gardens 

 of our best designers. It shall be his duty first to possess a true 

 color instinct; second to have had much experience in the growing 



