582 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Running water is not usually seen except in large gardens ; but where it does occur 

 charming effects result, even if its volume be small. A runnel ift. or so in width, if treated 

 with artistic feeling, adds much to the attractions of a garden ; but here again the ways of 

 Nature, the " predominant partner," must be followed if success is to result. There should 

 be a reason for every curve of the little streamlet and for every little cascade, in the shape of 

 some natural, or seemingly natural, obstruction, round which the water has to find its way, or 

 in default of this to deepen until it can surmount the barrier and fall foaming into a miniature 

 pool below. In some gardens, where a supply of water such as has been described exists, the 

 opportunity occurs of utilising some of the moisture for a bed w here plants delighting in boggy 

 ground may have their quarters. Where, however, water is absent, there is generally a 

 suitable spot for a rock' garden, even in the smallest garden. A naturally-constructed rock 

 garden in a sunny position w ill afford the means of cultivating some of the beautiful alpine 

 flowers, a phase of gardening even more seductive than the culture of bog plants. If an old 



A COLONY OF A SPHODELINE LUTEA (King's Spear). 



wall be included within the confines of the garden, this may be soon clothed with flowers from 

 seed sown in the chinks, or if mortarless retaining walls are built, and a slight layer of soil 

 placed between the stones, a host of beautiful things will cover the surface with blossom, such 

 as Tufted Pansies, Arenarias (Sandworts), Aubrietias, Arabis, Veronicas, and many others, 

 while in any shady corner an outdoor fernery may be established. 



Many will say, " How am 1 to keep the garden gay ? " Bedding plants, such as 

 Pelargoniums, or Geraniums as they are more familiarly called, it will generally be 

 admitted, give the brightest and most lasting display during the summer and early autumn, 

 but they require annual propagation and glass shelter for some months in the year, besides 

 leaving the beds bare for considerably more than six months, unless their places are filled 

 in the autumn with bulbs, which must be taken up in the early summer before their 

 growth is ripened to make way again for the bedding plants. 



This has led to a freer use of the hardy perennials, which have been dealt with 



