BANKS AND SLOPES IN GARDENS 5 



speculative builder, which naturally always follows 

 the line of least resistance, is so universal in most 

 suburbs, and even in many country places, that peo- 

 ple take it as a matter of course, and never even 

 ask themselves how their gardens could be bettered. 

 Their eyes have been spoilt, as the eye is spoilt by 

 machine-made ornament; and, even if they always 

 feel a slight melancholy whenever they come in at 

 the garden gate, they do not ask themselves the reason 

 of it. If not actually contented, they are resigned 

 to things as they are, just as they are resigned to the 

 stamped iron ornaments on their fireplaces or the 

 gouty legs of their billiard tables. 



And, yet, it is worth some trouble and thought to 

 make a garden wear a smiling face, so that it will 

 give pleasure, not only to its owner, but to every 

 passer-by who gets a glimpse of it from the road; 

 and we are all inclined to think well of the owner of 

 a garden which does this, and to thank him for that 

 pleasure. Nor are much trouble and thought, in 

 most cases, necessary. It is very easy to make a steep 

 bank beautiful with flowers and suitable shrubs, espe- 

 cially if it slopes towards the south; and, being so 

 easy, it is strange how seldom it is done, even by 

 people who are ready to spend much labour and 

 money upon other parts of their gardens. Indeed, 

 one often sees the worst examples of neglected banks 

 in gardens with large greenhouses and with gaudy 

 displays of spring and summer bedding. But these 

 are a matter of routine and custom. A steep bank is 



