PREFACE 



FOURTH EDITION 



After the publication of the first and second editions of this book kindly readers 

 indicated manv points on which they thought our advice to the makers of gardens 

 could usefully be expanded, and we gladly met their wishes. Perhaps we may, without 

 offence, be pleased that during the currency of the third edition few such suggestions 

 came to us. So it happens that this fourth edition is little different from the third ; 

 but since the latter appeared the times have changed greatly. AMthout seeking to 

 fill the role of the gloomy prophet, we cannot escape the belief that the changes in 

 social life and habit, which are the mark of our economic troubles, are striking at 

 the maintenance of great gardens, as of great houses, in this pleasant land. But if 

 those who have built up, kept, and loved so well their spacious gardens must needs 

 be content mth smaller houses, and if, as seems likeh', the wider distribution 

 of wealth will lead to-morroA\' to the creation of man\' more small country houses, 

 the art of making gardens for such houses will increase m importance. If this pro\'e 

 true, M'e hope our -work ^\ill still achie\"e some measure of usefulness, and help us, in 

 Dr. Johnson's phrase, " to keep our friendship in repair " with manj' unknown and 

 too appreciative readers. 



G. J. 



L. W. 



