22 THE NEW GARDENING 



one. They know exactly how to grow a plant healthfully 

 and vigorously. Sometimes they have in addition a vague 

 sense of harmony, which they do not know how to define. 

 This helps them, but their great stand-by one might 

 almost say their salvation is their power over plants. 



Do we always fully realize how important a part the 

 plant plays in gardening ? Have we learned to acknow- 

 ledge that we cannot be good gardeners without being 

 good plantsmen ? It is my privilege to enj oy the acquaint- 

 ance of many people who specialize particular plants, and 

 the more intimately I foregather with them the more 

 fully I realize how enormous is the value of good plants- 

 manship. Each kind of plant has its peculiarities, to 

 learn and provide for which is the joy of those who 

 love it. 



In visiting gardens I see few that are unsatisfactory on 

 the score of design in comparison with the number that 

 are disappointing because of bad culture. It has grown 

 to be considered that everything turns on design, whereas 

 it is really a minor consideration. So much is thought of 

 form, and so little of culture, that many, perhaps the 

 majority, of those who speak with authority on gardening 

 are but half trained, and know little or nothing of the 

 most important matter. Thus situated they are obviously 

 imperfectly qualified to judge of the qualities and defects 

 of gardens. 



The new art of gardening must begin by acquiring a 

 thorough knowledge of plants. The gardener who is un- 

 able to study a particular plant should forthwith decide 

 to leave it out of his garden. There is no real joy and 

 satisfaction in gardening unless the plants are grown 

 healthfully. 



In the matter of colour-grouping, which rightly receives 

 the attention of many flower-lovers, the first consideration 



