86 BOOK OF THE COTTAGE GARDEN 



with fruit ; the fact that it would be beautiful to look at 

 is of itself insufficient. 



Having planted the fruit trees, the border hedges 

 were next taken in hand. These, for the most part, 

 consisted of Quickset, thin and ragged in places. The 

 aim being to get as much variety as possible, consistent 

 with the requisite security and shelter, the best of the 

 Thorn was retained and the rest grubbed up. In the 

 gaps. Sloe, Hornbeam, and Wild Roses, were planted, 

 with here and there a few young Crabs and Bullaces to 

 break the line. On the side exposed to the north-east 

 a high bank was thrown up, and on this was formed a 

 stout hedge of young Hollies, which have subsequently 

 been permitted to grow at random, only a minimum of 

 clipping being allowed. An attempt was made to drape 

 the evergreen hedge with trails of Sweet Brier and 

 Clematis, but the plants failed to hold their own against 

 the hungry roots of the Holly. The latter, however, 

 is a fine example of rich colour and form, thanks to the 

 restricted use of the shears. Along the front of the 

 hedges an excellent effect was produced by single bushes 

 and clumps of the hardy single Roses (Austrian Copper 

 Brier and Ramanas), Syringa and Flowering Currants. 



It was first intended to grow only spring bulbs in the 

 grass among the trees, and during the second autumn 

 several hundreds of the cheaper Star Narcissi were 

 planted in drifts and colonies throughout the orchard. 

 Later, however, a number of herbaceous plants were 

 added, among them the shrubby Meadow Sweets, Fox- 

 gloves, Golden Rod, Honesty, Paeonies, Lupins, Mullein, 

 Columbines and Evening Primrose. The majority were 

 too coarse in growth to merit a place in the garden 

 proper, and as they were able to take care of themselves 

 in the orchard, they found a ready welcome. No 

 particular plan was followed in grouping them ; two or 

 three harmonising varieties were boldly massed together, 



