THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



have climbed to the roof and over a great wall space of a 

 barn, running over twenty feet long and forming such a dense 

 mass of green that the wall is completely hidden from view. 

 Blossoms of clear yellow and crimson flutter like gay butter- 

 flies, and since early March the air has been filled with their 

 perfume, and they show no signs of withdrawal. I am re- 

 minded of these lines whenever I look at them: 



" In Roman days thou wouldst haye been 



The Conqueror's flower, 

 His laureled brow to overlean 



In banquet hour; 

 Thy peltate leaf the counterfeit 



Of rounded shield, 

 Thy helmet flower the burnished casque 



That led the field, 

 Thy very color seeming part 



Of the hot ardor of his art." 



Now, the true landscape gardener has about as much re- 

 spect for the "immediate-result gardener" as has the legitimate 

 broker for the "get-rich-quick" schemer, and I regret to say 

 that abroad we are frequently criticized by the conservatives, 

 as planting too much for the present and not enough for the 

 future, with all of which I agree ; but having placed myself 

 on the side of true art and permanency, I still have a kindly 

 feeling for the eager little woman who writes : "Do tell me 

 how I may cover up the bare new walls, and the sheds in the 

 rear of my house, and if you will give me the names of suit- 

 able and quick-growing vines for the porches and something 

 in the way of plants or shrubs that will bloom this year, I 



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