THE GARDEN. 67 



tion of productiveness. If this be true, he may 

 plan to make down its centre a wide, gravelled 

 walk, with a grape-arbor here and there, and fruit- 

 trees and flowers in borders on each side of the 

 path. So far from having any objection to this 

 arrangement, I should be inclined to adopt it my- 

 self. It would be conducive to frequent visits to 

 the garden and to lounging in it, especially if there 

 be rustic seats under .the arbors. I am inclined to 

 favor anything which accords with my theory that 

 the best products of a garden are neither eaten 

 nor sold. From such a walk down the middle of 

 the garden the proprietor can glance at the rows 

 of vegetables and small fruits on either side, and 

 daily note their progress. What he loses in space 

 and crops he gains in pleasure. 



Nor does he lose much ; for if the borders on 

 each side of the path are planted with grape-vines, 

 peach and plum trees, flowers and shrubs, the very 

 ground he walks on becomes part of their root 

 pasturage. At the same time it must be admitted 

 that the roots will also extend with depleting appe- 

 tites into the land devoted to vegetables. The 

 trees and vines above will, to some extent, cast an 

 unwholesome shade. He who has set his heart on 

 the biggest cabbages and best potatoes in town 

 must cultivate them in ground open to the sky, 

 and unpervaded by any roots except their own. 



