CHAPTER XV 



SOME GARDEN PICTURES 



When the eye is -trained to perceive pictorial effect, it 

 is frequently struck by something — some combination 

 of grouping, lighting and colour — that is seen to have 

 that complete aspect of unity and beauty that to the 

 artist's eye forms a picture. Such are the impressions 

 that the artist-gardener endeavours to produce in 

 every portion of the garden. Many of these good 

 intentions fail, some come fairly well; a few reward 

 him by a success that was beyond anticipation. When 

 this is the case it is probably due to some cause that 

 had been overlooked but that had chanced to com- 

 plete his. intention, such as the position of the sun in 

 relation to some wished-f or colour-picture. Then there 

 are some days during the summer when the quality 

 of light seems to tend to an extraordinary beauty of 

 effect. I have never been able to find out how the 

 light on these occasions differs from that of ordinary 

 fine summer days, but, when these days come, I know 

 them and am filled with gladness. 



In the case of my own garden, so far as deliberate 

 intention goes, what is aimed at is something quite 

 simple and devoid of complication ; generally one 

 thing or a very limited number of flowering things at 



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