GENERAL SURVEY 15 



of hundred narcissus rjoeticus in spring-time. They 

 make pure light there while the golden-green, young 

 fern-fronds are uncurling. 



My expanse of meadow grass I treated in this 

 way. There is a first terrace before the house 

 whereon lie five flower-beds. They are devoted to 

 spring bedding. Many people reject it ; but I must 

 have begonias during summer and tulips in spring. 

 If the beds are bare from November onward, what 

 matter ? I note a dread to behold the naked face 

 of the Mother manifested by some gardeners. They 

 submit plans by which you may escape a sight of 

 the soil from year's end to year's end. But I love 

 to see the bare ground unveiled in winter, and 

 watch it drinking the rain or glittering under the 

 frost. Annuals have also to be considered, and I 

 hold out for some of them against all comers. After 

 years of experimenting, I have brought my annuals 

 down to about a dozen that answer to the most 

 tremendous tests. These must have room ; and some 

 should be sown where they are to bloom, if you 

 propose to do them justice. As to tulips, I am not 

 greatly attached to " breeders," or even Bybloemens, 

 but prefer the "self" colours in masses scarlet, 

 orange, lemon, purple, and white. I own a weak- 

 ness for " parrots " also. They are so opulent 

 and bold and orientally gorgeous. How people can 

 plant beds of squat hyacinths when they may have 

 tulips, has always been a mystery to me. You must 

 choose between the joy of your eye and the delight 

 of your nose. It is the difference between a row 



