28 GARDEN PLANNING AND PLANTING 



Another way to save room when planning out a small garden is to 

 make a curved path answer the purpose of several straight ones ; this 

 can often be done down a long narrow piece of ground, for as the 

 walk meanders, it nearly touches first one side of the boundary then 

 the other, dividing the ground into beds or borders with semicircular 

 outlines, the trees, vegetables, or flowers in which are easily reached. 

 There is an undeniable charm about this kind of path ; it gives so 

 many different views, leading the walker on from point to point, and 

 the flowers are certainly shown off to best advantage. Compare this 

 garden arrangement with the usual one of four paths round a long f 

 narrow centre plot, and it will be seen at once how much valuable 

 space is saved by having only the one walk ; and that can be of good 

 width too, instead of the four narrow tracks so difficult to progress 

 along. 



Large vegetable gardens need not be designed on the plain system 

 that is too often seen ; the elegantly shaped plot or bed will grow 

 roots, etc , just as finely as will the allotment-like square, and any 

 odd corners or curves look so charming when used for a clump of 

 unexpected Lilies, Michaelmas Daisies, or Chrysanthemums. Then 

 a bed of Carrots, Lettuces, Radishes, or French Beans will prove 

 quite as prolific if a pillar Hose rises from its centre, or, if all vegeta- 

 bles are required, a stout faggot-made pillar of Runner Beans can be 

 allowed for. Such suggestions may sound fantastic, but they are 

 worth considering by owners of small gardens. 



The espalier culture of Gooseberries and Currants adds 

 much to the appearance of a garden ; if space is limited they can 

 surround a lawn without spoiling the scene, and pyramid and bush 

 fruit trees make as beautiful ornaments for lawn edges a& do the 

 evergreen or flowering shrubs so frequently employed. By-tbe-by, 

 when there seems insufficient room for a real rosery it is a good 

 plan to cultivate the best climbing Roses up pillars along a border by 

 grass or gravel, connecting the pillars by slung chains along which 

 the long Rose branches can be securely trained. Clematises may be 

 grown in the same fashion, thus doing away with any need for 

 pergolas or many arches which unduly shade and dwarf in effect any 

 but large gardens. 



A summer-house unadorned is a great mistake, for the walls 

 prove admirable supports for roses and other climbers, arid will be of 

 various aspects. There is usually room to cut a border right round a 

 summer-house, even if this has of necessity to be a narrow one ; 

 the front edges should always be rounded off, so as not to jut out 



