GARDENS OF SWEET SCENT 



then well known, who handled its sloping ground in a 

 skilful manner that has endured. The steps, bordered 

 with bloom, form a mark of individuality to which 

 the architectural feature of the simple arch gives dis- 

 tinction. Old chestnut trees and many fruit trees have 

 from the beginning found their home here. 



Fruit trees, in fact, were conspicuous members 

 of most of the early gardens of America. Their 

 blossoms spread them with delicate beauty in the early 

 season, and later their fruits typified the fulfilment 

 of life and of their promises especially. No pleasanter 

 spot could be imagined in which to pluck and to eat 

 of the fruit of a tree than such an old garden. 



In modern gardens fruit trees are seldom seen. It 

 would not now be regarded as scientific to allow plants 

 to approach them closely, since it is believed that the 

 roots of the trees absorb so much of the nourishment 

 of the soil that they would have, in such positions, 

 but a poor chance of satisfactory development. Still, 

 along the path represented by the photograph, it can 

 be seen that box, irises, and other plants snuggle up 

 very closely to the base of an old chestnut. And it 

 is not for a season only that they have thriven there. 

 They have done so for years, accommodating them- 

 selves to conditions. The inmates of this old garden 

 seem, indeed, to have been blessed with the spirit of 

 willing growth. Few bare spots are visible, and plants 

 unhealthy in appearance are not seen. Sentiment 

 lurks there; whether in its years, its arrangement, or 

 in its imbibed experiences, it would be difficult to 

 relate. The irises and the Madonna lilies bloom 



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