58 



GARDENING B Y MYSELF. 



plans and designs, if you like ; but then de- 

 cide quite independently, and do not be 

 driven or lured from your own choice and 

 taste by any such words as " old-fashioned " 

 or *' indispensable ;" else you may find your- 

 self, like poor Rosamond, digging a pond 

 which will be '' quite full and very useful " 

 in rainy weather only. Use your judgment 

 and common sense, — they are Taste's two 

 best under-gardeners. The arrangement 

 which is very fine for one piece of ground, 

 suiting its size and characteristics, may be 

 quite lost in another; and figures which 

 make a beautiful mosaic in skilful hands, 

 are often mere disorder and confusion, 

 where want of practice or want of time 

 leaves them to their own devices, untrim- 

 med and uncared for. Therefore, study 

 your time first of all, and choose no plan 

 which will require more of that than you 

 can give. 



If you are unlimited in this respect ; if 

 you have an eye for colour as well as form ; 

 if neither your pains nor your patience are 



