CHAPTER I 



THE NEW ART OF GARDEN-MAKING 



As the knowledge of gardening spreads confidence will 

 be gained and individuality will assert itself. Gardens 

 will take more and more the impress of the character of 

 their owners. At present there is a tendency, both in 

 Britain and America, to work on a few general ideas. 

 The bulk of present-day gardening is built up on certain 

 vague but stimulating phrases, such as " freedom," 

 " colour grouping/' " massing/' and haziest but most 

 invigorating of all " conformity with Nature." That 

 so much good work has been done with so meagre an 

 equipment is full of encouragement for the future. It 

 gives us the sure conviction that with a fuller knowledge 

 of plants self-reliance will grow, and the number of 

 beautiful gardens will increase. 



There may not, however, be a prevailing national style 

 of gardening, either in England or America. The forms 

 of gardens will vary according to the amenities of the 

 places and the temperaments of the persons who own 

 them. One garden must differ from another, just as 

 one book and one picture must differ from another. 



I have read a good deal about the formal garden, and 

 a great deal more (for, indeed, it is a very wordy thing) 

 about the " natural " garden. I am asked to believe 

 that up to a certain time a style of gardening prevailed 

 which was stiff, angular, and artificial ; and that hence- 

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