THE ROMAN GARDEN IN ENGLAND 



greater, a far greater display of flowers, Pliny would be 

 quite at home here. There is an abundance of water ; 

 the very site for the horse course ; winding alleys, 

 straight paths, and several pergolas for Roses. 



A noticeable thing in the planning of a Roman garden, 

 and one that is too often absent from our own, is the 

 great attention paid to the value of water. In many 

 places where there is an abundant supply of water, with 

 streams running close by, or even through the garden, 

 we find no attempt made to use the value of water either 

 decoratively or for useful purposes. We are apt to dis- 

 pose our gardens for the purposes of large collections of 

 flowers, whereas the Roman with his small store of them 

 was forced to bring every aid to bear on varying his 

 garden, such as seats, fountains, and little artificial 

 brooks. The cost, even in small gardens, of arranging 

 a decorative effect of water, where water is plentiful, 

 would not amount to so very much, and in many cases 

 would be a great saving of labour. We use wells to some 

 extent, and, to my mind, a properly-built well-head, 

 with a roof and posts, and seats, is one of the most beau- 

 tiful garden ornaments we can have. 



The well-head itself should be built of brick raised 

 about eighteen inches above the ground, and should be at 

 least fourteen inches broad in the shelf, so that the 

 buckets have ample room in which to stand. The coil 

 and windlass are better if they are both simple, and of 

 good timber. Round this a brick path, two feet broad, 

 should be laid. Over all a roof of red tiles supported on 

 square wooden posts or brick pillars, would give shade to 

 the well, and to a seat of plain design that should be 

 placed against the outer edge of the brick path. And if 

 beds of flowers were set about it all, as I have seen done, 

 and well done, in a cottage garden in Kent, the effect is 

 quaint and beautiful. 



85 



