SUBURBAN GARDENS 153 



mesh, not lozenge-shaped. Before the War it all could be 

 bought creosoted if required, and thus was thoroughly 

 durable. This would form an excellent imitation of 

 what we see used in Italy, greatly preferable to the foxy- 

 coloured varnished rustic work, which, alas! still is retained 

 in some gardens. Good taste in pergola-building and in 

 treillage bowers has still to be taught in England. These 

 garden devices weary the eye by 

 their many contending lines, and it is 

 well worth while using stouter wood 

 and putting in more uprights, in order 

 to do away with the ugly lines at D 

 in Fig. 93. Another important 

 thing to remember is that all walks and 

 pergolas should lead to adefinite object. 

 It matters not whether it be a garden seat, sundial, statue, 

 or water-lily tank, there should be a feature of some kind 

 to which the covered alley or path takes the visitor. In 

 small gardens a formal style for the shape of beds and 

 paths will be found to economize space and give better 

 effect than a semi-natural arrangement. This in no way 

 necessitates placing plants themselves in stiff rows or 

 patterns. The cottage gardens should be copied for these, 

 where as many bulbs, annuals, and perennials are 

 crammed in as the deeply dug ground will hold. " Baby 

 Bell " (snowdrop) precedes " Mary's tears " (lily-of-the- 

 valley), and they leave ample room for " Winking Mary 

 buds" (marigold) to come after. "Earth smoke" 

 (fumitory) will keep the ground cool around " Long 

 torch" {Verbascum thepsis), and "daffadowndillies" are 

 scattered freely amidst the foliage, which later will show 

 " Three faces in a hood " (viola). 



Another part of garden design for the amateur to 

 consider is where best to place the central features of the 

 small-design garden : whether to have them immediately 



