FORMAL FLOWER BEDS 



47 



large geometric design, very beautiful and restful. For a 

 large house, where there is a lake or ample supply of water, 

 such a design furnishes a particularly beautiful idea. The 

 quiet dignity of it, together with the charm of complete 

 independence of any bedding out, is most worthy of note. 

 It should be equally attractive either in winter or in 

 summer ; but, of course, such a garden needs the very 

 best architectural design, and would be very costly to 

 carry out unless the ground were level and the stone- 

 edged basins already in existence. 



Reserve Gardens 



We may now consider, not so much parterres as 

 gardens of utility, or, in other words, " reserve " gardens, 

 where the lady of the house 

 feels that she can go, basket 

 on arm, and scissors or knife 

 in hand, to gather what sweet- 

 smelling plants are wanted for 

 the house. 



We read of a rather charm- 

 ing custom prevalent amongst 

 the Japanese, and it would be 

 interesting to introduce it into 

 England. The visitors' rooms 

 in a Japanese house are naturally always carefully decor- 

 ated, but often scissors and vases are brought to a guest 

 and he is asked to arrange a flower vase for himself. How 

 beautifully some artistic people would carry this out ! — 

 but, on the other hand, how hopelessly many awkward- 

 handed people would fail ! Anyhow, whether it be for the 

 sake of one's friends or oneself, it is necessary that 

 every well-ordered large house should possess a reserve 

 garden, where it will not matter what is picked, because 



Fig. 39. 



