TOWN GARDENING 39 1 



is very exposed ; Rhododendrons, Laurustinus (in warm, 

 sheltered gardens it is not very hardy), Cotoneaster frigida, C. 

 Simonsi, the sprawling deep green-leaved evergreen C. micro- 

 phylla, the Wistaria, and the familiar Maple and its variegated 

 variety (Ager Negundo variegatd). Hollies, Magnolias, com- 

 mon Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), especially the early-flower- 

 ing M. conspicua (Yulan) are a success. We have also seen 

 very healthy Yews, but as a rule anything of this nature and 

 Conifers are a complete failure, soil or fogs clogging up the 

 shoots and producing suffocation. One of the most frequently 

 planted things is the Fiery Thorn (Cratwgus Pyracantha), con- 

 spicuous for its bunches of creamy white flowers in summer 

 and its crimson fruits throughout the autumn and winter. 

 This should never, however, be placed against red-bricked 

 houses ; the effect is distressing to those who pride themselves 

 upon an appreciation of beautiful colour association. 



The aim of the town gardener should be to get away from 

 the eternal repetition of a few things. There is joy in variety. 

 Privet is repeated with sickening regularity ; the suburbs smell 

 of Privet, and a dead sense of colouring oppresses every one 

 who knows how bright and gladsome is the garden planted 

 with things that bring beauty to it through their flowers, 

 foliage, or ruddy fruits in winter. Get out of the well-beaten 

 tracks. Seek further afield than the local nurserymen, and 

 revel amongst the Thorns, the Lilacs, the Magnolias, and many 

 other beautiful families of trees and shrubs things that will 

 give a new beauty to the town garden. 



It is unnecessary to describe in this chapter how trees and 

 shrubs should be planted. The advice already given about 

 planting in general applies in this case, but the 



Soil will probably need more stirring up in the town 

 garden than in the country. Read carefully the remarks 

 about trenching, manures, and so forth, and carry them fully 

 into practice. A town garden when presented to the owner 

 fresh from the builder's hands is frequently a sorry affair. The 

 soil has been denuded of its precious gravel, if it possessed 

 any, and is filled with brickbats and refuse of a miscellaneous 

 character that must be removed in the interests of the flowers 

 that are to follow in due season. It is labour well spent to 

 make a sure foundation. Trench the soil thoroughly, and if 

 poor, bring in plenty of loam and road scrapings, and follow 

 remarks already given as to how to treat the various kinds 

 of garden ground. 



The majority of gardens are rectangular, they follow the 

 lines of the house ; and usually a border at the sides and grass 

 in the middle suffice, without any needless cutting up of the 



