A PLEA FOR THE RED GERANIUM 



ideal (for holiday-making), but alas ! it was not pro- 

 pitious for the lone garden. I was prepared to find 

 the hardy flower border somewhat the worse for the 

 gardener's absence, but I scarcely expected to be con- 

 fronted with Hollyhocks almost bare of leaf as well as 

 void of blossom, Spiraeas frizzled up, Sweet Peas a mass 

 of withered leaves and ripening seed pods, Phloxes full 

 of fading flowers, Nasturtiums over-growing everything 

 within their ubiquitous reach, Zinnias and Coreopsis 

 fighting for breathing space, and even the little white 

 Alyssum encroaching on the grass and spoiling the 

 verges. 



But this is what greeted me after two or three weeks' 

 absence in August. Yet in my neighbour's garden, 

 where " bedding out " is in greater vogue than hardy 

 flower growing, I found the pattern beds and borders 

 just as gay and almost as neat as when I went away, 

 notwithstanding their gardener's absence. I confess that 

 for the moment I felt aggrieved and wished that I too 

 had filled my ground with red Geraniums, blue Lobelias, 

 a few Begonias and Golden Feather, for such as these 

 can be relied upon to behave themselves during the owner's 

 absence. The flowers are as bright as ever, and the 

 leaves are just as green. I often wonder whether the 

 remarkable neatness of " bedding out " is not suffi- 

 cient compensation for its monotony, for I am sure 

 that neatness in any garden is essential to its full 

 enjoyment. 



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