424 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS November, 1909 
the fourth side, forming a strong background for such plants amazingly fascinating. I have called it old, and it is old, 
as hollyhocks, delphiniums, etc., and screening the upper truly; yet it is modern, as well, in being maintained in a 
garden—the picking garden—on the farther side. living way. That is to say, it is a house that is lived 
Beginning with June, the favorit old- in, loved for itself, too, put into perfect or- 
fashioned summer flowers appear in der, with new garden beauty, each year. 
this garden by the river. Roses, of I sometimes think it a strange thing 
course, and hardy larkspur, fox- that a garden must be cared for 
glove, poppies, sweet William, and tended so that we who love 
campanula, hollyhocks, lava- ae it may enjoy it the most and 
tera, bee balm, peonies and get the best of our enjoy- 
phloxes predominating. % ment. <A _ delapidated 
There are certain weeks old house is a grievous 
when the blue flowers thing in itself, but a 
(slightly relieved delapidated old gar- 
by white and yel- den is to me the 
low) have the mo- worst of all woes. 
nopoly over cther The poor shrubs 
colors, and ever af- i and flowers, once set 
terwards the mem- } out with loving care, 
ory sees tall sky. have no one even so 
blue delphiniums in much as to look at 
ample ea rd ein: them; the gayest 
Later, when the flowers seem to 
seat of honor is given mourn, and put on a 
to pink hollyhocks, pink sad air as though help- 
phloxes, etc., mingled with less, as indeed they are, 
lilies, one feels that the in their solitary and neg- 
fairest garden ever grown lected state. 
was dressed all in pink. But at Hamilton House there 
The birds are here, glad for is none of this. Here is a gar- 
the fountain, and nesting in the den alive in every part, a garden 
tangled arbor vines,—truly a flower to enjoy and dream and think in, 
garden without birdsong would be an a garden that yields delight at every 
unfinished Eden! Nature and an artist-soul footstep. One knows, indeed, that it has 
have contrived all harmony for this garden in The front door of Hamilton House been restored, that this rich growth of shrubs 
iad 
y 
idee vied eee 
the hills of Maine, where, though the season and trees, this brilliant blooming of flowers, 
is short, the flowers grow to the limit of size and perfection, these luxuriant vines—one knows that all this has been 
as if to atone for coming late. newly done and that daily thought and care are lavished 
There is an appealing beauty in this fine old place that is upon this natural splendor. For gardens such as this do 
The drawing-room fireplace The old hall through the center of the house 
