BEAUTIFUL WALLS AND FENCES 275 



flowers they grow, at all events in the front of the house. Well, 

 we will not say that we would push generosity to the point of 

 merely providing temptation for pilfering loafers and mischievous 

 small boys, but let it be said that there are beautiful plants which 

 are worth growing for their foliage alone. 



Probably the most common cause of house fronts being bare, 

 however, is that the people who occupy the dwellings have not 

 acquired a love for gardening and an interest in plants. Such 

 emotions are being rapidly spread, and as time passes more and 

 more will think of the exterior as well as the interior of their 

 homes will want pretty plants on the outside as well as attractive 

 wall-papers within. 



There is no good reason why the back walls of town and 

 suburban houses should not be covered. It is true that some 

 beautiful plants that we should dearly like to recommend, such as 

 the magnificent Crimson Rambler Rose, will not thrive, even with 

 the most skilful and assiduous attention. But, as we shall see, 

 there are other plants which will succeed. 



So far as country houses are concerned, it is really deplorable to 

 see so many go bare, in view of the fact that tenancies are rarely 

 very short, that wayside thieves are uncommon, and that there 

 are plenty of beautiful and fragrant flowers which will thrive. 

 Owners of property which they let should encourage tenants to 

 plant by readily giving them permission when they leave to 

 take away any plants which they put in if they desire to do so. 

 Where the relations of landlord and tenant have been agreeable, 

 not one tenant in fifty would dismantle a wall when he quitted 

 a house. The great majority would assuredly leave the plants. 

 Now, a well-furnished wall makes a house attractive to those who 

 wish to hire ; the value is increased by the beautiful external 

 covering. Landlords and tenants have an equal interest, therefore, 

 in adorning house walls. 



It is delightful to throw a bedroom window wide open in the 



