THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 



good sense and honourable feelings of the visitors . . . 

 rather than to multiply restrictions which may not be 

 absolutely required." His expression may be a bit 

 foggy, but the underlying idea is certainly very British 

 and sporting. 



Not only do Kew Gardens present the most exquisite 

 landscape effects, and bring within their compass the 

 plant life of the entire globe, either in the gigantic 

 greenhouses and orangeries, or else in bed and border, 

 on hill-slope and valley bottom, or along the banks of 

 "delighted Thames," but they are of inestimable 

 benefit in testing the best methods of cultivation, 

 in studying the various food and drink plants, the 

 medicinal herbs, and the countless trees and plants 

 of economic value. Here the good is separated from 

 the bad, the haphazard reduced to rule of thumb, the 

 diseases of plant life treated, and all the intricacies of 

 fertilization, cutting, slipping, and hebridizing closely 

 studied. 



Moreover, here you may see the various forms of 

 formal and wild gardening, the treatment of drives, the 

 planting of banks, the grouping of trees, and making of 

 lawns. Landscape gardening, massing of color, the 

 possibilities of winter planting, all receive due attention, 

 each season showing at its best and bravest. The best 

 topiary work, the use of the pleached alley, the trim- 

 ming of hedges; what may not be learned in these 

 wonderful gardens? 



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