BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN AMERICA 



tolerate the impression of newness and rigidity in the 

 garden, and as Father Time cannot help us fast enough we 

 try to emulate him by stamping his mark of mellowness 

 in innumerable ways upon the youthful garden. Then 

 Mother Earth is consulted as to her unrivalled way for 

 the grouping of her flower family, and she shows us the 

 close company they keep hand in hand over the whole 

 meadow nothing stands quivering alone, grasses and 

 plants blending to fill all spaces. Then above, in the rain- 

 bow, we learn the harmony for our color scheme, and unto 

 no nation on earth need we apply for the latest theories 

 dealing with these subjects for the beautifying of our 

 gardens. The more of the nature scheme we bring into 

 them the greater satisfaction will they give. 



We should build the garden with a setting of fine trees 

 grouped upon the outskirts, otherwise it will seem as in- 

 complete as a portrait without a frame. Half of the charm 

 attached to the beautiful old gardens of Europe lies in 

 the richness of their backgrounds of stately hedges and 

 trees. 



If comparisons were to be made between such views as 

 those shown in this book and the pictures of English gar- 

 dens, for instance, the differences would not in every case 

 be favorable to England, although it must be admitted 

 that age has given a dignity and grandeur to many Eng- 

 lish gardens that could hardly be surpassed. Time, doubt- 

 less, will add this dignity to our gardens, but can we not 

 feel that we have already equalled some of the smaller 



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