FLOWERS FOR SUBURBAN GARDENS 



MANY of the flowers which have been dealt with in previous 

 chapters are suitable for suburban gardens ; nevertheless, in many 

 respects gardening near towns is conducted under conditions which 

 differ somewhat from those existing in the country, and we deem 

 it well to give special consideration to it. In so doing, we will 

 not only deal with the various plants under the particular con- 

 ditions which prevail in the suburbs, but devote a little attention 

 to the laying out and equipment of small gardens. 



All students of sociology have observed the great outburst of 

 revolt against the sordid and cramping influences of town life. 

 There is a simultaneous inflow and outflow. Labourers are leaving 

 the country for the towns, partly as a result of the higher wages 

 procurable in the latter, partly because they have become unsettled 

 by a system of elementary education which has taught them just 

 sufficient to make them discontented with the simple round of 

 rural life, but not enough to give them well-balanced minds. 



These men have brought their love of gardening with them, 

 and endeavoured to practise it. They have not always succeeded, 

 owing to the inability to get suitable ground, but in many cases 

 they have done well enough to set an example to others, who 

 have imitated them. We know of many cases in which skilful 

 cottage gardeners from the country have exercised a considerable 

 influence upon the townsmen among whom circumstances have 

 placed them. Some of these were not in the lowest scale of labour. 

 They were artisans, small tradesmen, and clerks. Practising garden- 

 ing, and learning to love it, they were filled with a strong desire 

 to get more ground, and as a result went "further out." 



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