8 



Gardens for Small Country Houses. 



edgings hold a pair of hydrangeas. At the western angle a half-round dipping 

 tank is notched into the dry-walling ; it is fed by an underground pipe from 

 the pump in the forecourt against the wall to the road, where there is a 

 well that formerly supplied the old cottages. Another retaining wall and 

 flight of steps again lead downwards to a longer piece, the lower part sloping 

 downhill, but levelled right and left. The level of the upper portion was fixed by the 

 presence of a very fine old pear tree. It was given its own little grass plot, and a seat 

 and laurel hedge to surround it on all sides but that of the flower-beds, where the hedge 

 is of lavender. On the western side of the upper part is a little building grouping 

 with, and shaded by, an old plum tree. It was originally intended for a tool-shed, 



FIG. 9. STEPS AND SUNDIAL. 



POINT OF VIEW " D " ON GENERAL PLAN (FIG.- 4) AND 

 PLANTING PLAN (FIG. 6). 



but the tenant converted it into a charming little summer sitting-room, and it is now 

 the second summer-house. It is built of oak timber and brick, with a tiled roof, and 

 has the appearance of a miniature old Surrey cottage. On each side of the middle 

 path is the main flower border, forming a continuation of the borders on the level 

 next above. The planting of the retaining wall and border above is shown in the 

 picture (Fig. 3) and plan (Fig. 2), the point of view being from the arrow and letter B on 

 the general plan (Fig. 4). A small path, parallel to the middle one, passes down from 

 the second summer-house between flowering shrubs. At the end of the flower border is 

 another descent of four steps, with a low retaining wall and cross path. The wall is 



