CHAPTER III 



EPOCHS OF THE FORMAL GARDEN 



OUR first parents were created in a garden; so 

 as we grow older our hearts turn naturally to- 

 ward the open gateway of a garden. Not only 

 to enjoy its sights and sounds, passively to accept its 

 delights, but to labor in its behalf, to produce new 

 effects — that is the joy of gardening. Is it heresy to 

 imagine that the mere fact of idleness may have had 

 something to do with the fall of our poor Mother Eve? 

 Who was put in the garden of Eden "to dress it and to 

 keep it"? Adam. Whose duty was it to till the earth 

 that it should bring forth fruit? Adam's. Who was 

 designated to give a name to each living organism? 

 Adam. These occupations must have been absorbing as 

 well as inspiring, and would easily fill his waking hours 

 to overflowing. He had no leisure at that time for temp- 

 tation. No wonder that he felt the need of a helpmeet 



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