A TOWN GARDEN. 



one a vinery facing south, with a somewhat raised Vine border long disused, the other 

 house a span-roof, near the eastern wall of the garden. A few poor trees outside at one 

 corner give the only touch of greenness to the space within. 



The first idea to cut up the ground into three squares, one for flowers, one for 

 vegetables, and one for reserve ground, was abandoned, both on account of its ugliness, 

 and also because it did not afford scope for a grass walk- with flowers at each side and a 

 seat in shelter, which was the cherished wish of the new possessor. At last it was 

 decided to make a broad gravel walk' across the w idth of the garden at the far end, and 

 heighten the old Vine bolder, so as to obtain a southern slope. The entrance to the 

 garden is at the south-west corner, and the greenhouse stands midway on the eastern side, 

 projecting into the ground. This afforded an opportunity to destroy the formality of tire 

 long strip by making a broad grass walk" from the entrance, diagonally across the ground 

 into the angle between the greenhouse and the garden wall. This walk, 7ft. broad, was 

 sunk' quite 3ft. into the ground by the steps at the entrance, and rose gradually to the 

 ground level at the other end. The clay and soil taken out were used to raise the beds on 

 either side and make an even slope to the path as it rose to the level. At a distance of 

 about 12ft. from the grass path, a hedge of Olearia Haasti and red and white double 

 Japanese Rosa rugosa was planted, to screen off the reserve and vegetable plots from the 

 decorative part of the garden. Bv this means two broad borders were obtained having 

 different aspects, and at the upper end a very warm and sheltered corner was formed 

 for tender plants, while at the lower end by the door two fair-sized triangles were dug 

 out of the clay to form a drainage to the sloping walk, and at the same time afford a 

 moist and 



s h a d v 

 n k 

 where 

 some 

 hardier bog 

 plants and 

 f 1 w e r s 

 might 

 thrive. 



To 



wards the 

 upper end 

 a narrow 

 g r a v e 1 

 path was 

 cut through 

 the ban k 

 round the 

 end of the 

 green- 

 h u s e , 

 w h i c h 



joined the broad terrace walk at the foot of the Vine border, and afforded on the side near 

 the greenhouse a suitable place for a seat where the flower borders might be seen. Four 

 Bay trees in tubs (which find shelter in winter in the disused Vinery) protect the seat from 

 the neighbours by means of striped awnings tied from stem to stem. 



After this rough blocking out of the flower garden, the next thing was to plant it, 

 and to harden one's heart against unsuitable things, however lovely and desirable they 



TOW I 



