184 THE NEW GARDENING 



gardener would despise. Admittedly much of the garden- 

 ing of the East partakes of the toy order, and I am far 

 from suggesting that it should be taken as a model for 

 gardening in Europe and America ; but the point remains 

 sound that proper proportion, completeness and finish 

 are worthy of our most careful consideration. It is the 

 small garden which teaches the most valuable lesson in 

 this respect, for we can obtain a bird's-eye view of the 

 whole of it ; but the best lesson thus learned can be 

 applied in larger areas. 



In speaking of modern garden art I have deprecated 

 a beginner tying himself to a design unless he has the 

 guidance of an expert landscape gardener, and it must 

 be remembered that the examples of Japanese gardening 

 which we see in the West are the work of Japan's most 

 skilful horticulturists. But a person may acquire a sense 

 of harmony and finish without being a trained gardener. 

 He or she may possess an eye for colour and the trained 

 intelligence which revolts at " ragged ends " without 

 having a lifetime of gardening experience. And I say 

 unhesitatingly that a person who will acquire those 

 qualities and at the same time study the cultural re- 

 quirements of plants must inevitably become a successful 

 flower-gardener. Design follows naturally. What is 

 design but the harmonious arrangement of plants ? If 

 it is not that it is nothing. 



Having made full acknowledgment of the value of the 

 lessons which the Japanese gardeners teach us I pass on 

 to make a guarded criticism of Japanese gardening 

 guarded, because I have not yet had the privilege of 

 visiting Japan, and have only examples of the work of 

 her gardeners in the West on which to speak. I readily 

 admit that in such circumstances unrestrained criticism 

 would be presumptuous, but I feel that I am justified in 



