IV 



ACCESSORIES AND ADJUNCTS OF THE 

 GARDEN 



As one enters a little garden, — and now we are considering 

 only that part of the small property supposed to be behind the 

 house, in the secluded portion of the ground, — as one enters, 

 the effect of finish, which does or does not make itself instantly 

 felt, is governed in large measure by the proper use of the gar- 

 den's furnishings. Considered as an out-of-doors room, how sim- 

 ple is the process of furnishing the garden. All we need do is to 

 turn to some authority on the decoration of houses, and trans- 

 pose the terms, — using sky for ceiling, trees and hedges for walls, 

 turf and gravel for floors, — • and the small things, such as settees 

 and other material, almost arrange themselves. Above every 

 novelist this country has produced, Mrs. Wharton understands 

 decorative beauty of interiors. In her stories one is always 

 finding descriptions of perfect rooms; one might use either of her 

 books, "Italian Gardens," or "The Decoration of Houses," as 

 general guiding material for furnishing for the garden. 



The principles for the house and for the open air are the same. 

 The actual objects in arrangement are the same. Why do we set 

 indoors a couch or settee, or out of doors a seat or bench, there, 

 and not here? Because of some advantage to be gained there, 

 and not here, in the way of a pretty vista from a given position, 

 a good light for reading, a certain seclusion conducive to quiet, or 

 to intimate talk. Whatever the bit of furniture may be, in either 

 house or garden, if its placing for use is absolutely right, it falls 

 into the picture and adds charm and distinction to its surround- 

 ings. "All's fair that's fit." 



