THE SUNDIAL IN THE GARDEN 151 



if it shows a unique formation rather than a. 

 straight shaft, as in the sundial at Didsbury, Eng- 

 land, where a harp is introduced, and in another 

 case where a dragon holds the uplifted shaft. 



The situation of this feature has much to do with 

 its practicability. As it is a sun-loving formation,. 

 its proper place is necessarily in the open, but 

 whether surrounded by lawn or flowers, is some- 

 thing that everyone must decide for themselves. 

 One reason against the flower setting is that it 

 serves to hide the dial's meaning until you ap- 

 proach it closely. The eye is attracted to the bright 

 blooming flowers rather than to the dial itself. 

 This is not so if it has only a sward setting. It 

 thesn becomes a prominent piece of garden furni- 

 ture, its pure white surface standing out vividly 

 from its surrounding of soft green grass. 



Occasionally, aU attempt at floriculture or gar- 

 dening is abandoned. This is when it stands in the 

 heart of a garden at the intersection of two paths. 

 Then care should be taken that in immediate prox- 

 imity there should be pure white pebbles picked up 

 on the beach. This may re-act on the shaft, giving 

 it an air of sameness, and in that case different 

 colored stones can be introduced. One can evem 



