Ferns and Lilies 
miserable garden to tackle.’’ It is a fact that the con- 
ditions are not inspiring, and that gardening effort 
usually begins and ends with digging a narrow border 
round the outer bounds and maintaining a more or less 
unsatisfactory plot of grass in the middle. In present- 
ing to readers the accompanying plan for two such 
gardens, I hope I shall succeed in showing them that 
even such small plots, devoid of any element of interest 
as they apparently are, can be made capable of pro- 
viding a very great deal of interest, varied treatment, 
and pretty effects. 
‘““ LAVENDER COTTAGE.’’—First we will consider 
the design and planting of ‘‘ Lavender Cottage.’? On 
the right, entering the gate, border A is more or less 
essential, and is a line fixed by the building arrange- 
ments, because the whole width left between the house 
and fence is not required for a path. There are many 
ways of planting it that will make a cool and pleasant 
approach to the house. Of course, there must be a 
few creepers on the fence, Jasmine or Honeysuckle, for 
instance. The.border will be in partial shade, being 
on the north-west side of the fence, and is, therefore, 
eminently suitable for planting Ferns. Lastreas, 
Athyriums, and Polystichums would all do well therein, 
and a pretty idea is to plant spring-flowering bulbs 
among them, such as Scillas, Crocuses, and Grape 
Hyacinths, especially such as will flower about the time 
the young Fern fronds are beginning to unfold. The 
soft, delicate greenery of the Ferns lends an effective 
groundwork for the colour of spring flowers. For a 
later effect, some of the shade-loving Lilies can also be 
grown, and their blooms, rising above the Ferns, are 
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