SMALL TOWN GARDENS 43 



ground left till early in the following spring, when it 

 should again be thoroughly dug over and levelled. In 

 the matter of planning such a little garden there is a 

 good deal of choice. Different individuals are interested 

 in different groups of plants, and each will endeavour to 

 meet the requirements of the subjects of his hobby. 

 Thus one may be interested in Alpine plants, and will 

 convert his back garden into a rock garden — by no 

 means a bad use to make of a small space ; another 

 may aim at the ideal of the country cottage garden. In 

 any case simplicity should be the keynote of its arrange- 

 ment. For the ordinary little oblong strip at the back 

 of small town houses the best effect is generally given 

 by a somewhat formal scheme. A small central brick 

 path with' a border on either side is as good an arrange- 

 ment as any, or, where the patch is somewhat wider, 

 say more than twelve feet, there may be a small central 

 rectangular bed separated by a narrow brick path from 

 a border round three sides of the garden. So much for 

 the planning of the garden and the preparation of its 

 soil. Experience will show what plants will thrive. 

 With proper care it is surprising how many plants will 

 grow and prosper even in the very centre of a large 

 town. All walls and palings should as far as possible 

 be draped with climbing plants. Walls facing north 

 or east may be covered with Virginian Creeper or Ivy. 

 Those facing south or west may be clothed with Clematis 

 or Jasmine. Annual climbers such as Canary Creepers, 

 Japanese Hop, and Ipomea are of the greatest value 

 for hiding unsightly fences. The beginner should not 

 attempt to grow Tea or Hybrid Perpetual Roses, though 

 the Japanese Roses and the various Briars do well. Do 

 not be content with the dull plants usually grown in 

 little town gardens. Persevere and you will be surprised 

 how few flowers fail if properly treated. Here are a 

 few names which may help the beginner. Among 



