GARDENING BY MYSELF. 



63 



if your lawn is kept always close-shaven, 

 then small beds here and there upon it, filled 

 with one single colour each, are very fair to 

 see. But do not be persuaded to waste your 

 roses in beds. I never saw a rose-bed yet 

 that had half the beauty of a single fine 

 specimen '^ left blooming alone," either in 

 among other and lower flowers, or in a lit- 

 tle dug-out patch by itself. 



To mark out these simple beds you need 

 only a long cord with a pointed stick tied to 

 each end. Set one stick firm in the ground, 

 where the centre of the bed should be, and 

 with the other trace your circle. Then stake 

 it well and evenly, ready for cutting in the 

 turf, or edging in the open ground. To 

 make an exact oval, set both sticks in line, a 

 little nearer together than the proposed 

 length of the bed ; wind up the cord until it 

 is just that length ; and then with a third 

 stick draw out the cord as far as it will 

 reach on all sides, marking as you go, till 

 you come round to the point where you 

 began. 



