26 BOOK OF OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS 



hifiorus)^ which, on a moon-lit evening, is a most im- 

 pressive sight, and even in winter is very beautiful. In 

 another little garden I always look for its show of 

 beautiful Pansies, of which its owner — a fisherman — 

 is very naturally and rightly proud. Of course, a 

 special feature of this kind need not interfere with 

 the perennial interest which every garden, even the 

 smallest, should possess. For instance, in the garden 

 with the Nepal Bramble (which, by the way, is sur- 

 prisingly little known when one recalls the fact that 

 it was introduced many a hundred years ago) are 

 Poppies and Roses, White Musk-Mallows and Colum- 

 bines, Canterbury Bells and Michaelmas Daisies ; and 

 my friend of the Pansies has the earliest Crocuses and 

 Snowdrops in his village, and relies on a hedge of 

 Chrysanthemums and Rosemary to brighten his plot 

 when the Pansies are over. 



If our suburban villas were fronted by unpretentious 

 plots cultivated frankly as cottage gardens and bordered 

 by simple palings, how very different would be their 

 aspect, and how much more pleasant would a suburban 

 walk become. For there are numerous plants of great 

 beauty which would thrive even in the suburbs of 

 London, given care and a little knowledge as to the 

 correct preparation of the soil. 



In the country, very much may be done by those 

 who care to do so. Country squires, doctors, parsons 

 and others who have money, or time, or influence can 

 very materially alter the appearance of their district by 

 encouraging the gardening spirit among working folks, 

 by helping with advice if they are themselves gardeners, 

 by helping with surplus plants, seeds and cuttings, and 

 by organising competitions and offering prizes for the 

 best kept cottage gardens. 



Small gardens are the largest which are at the disposal 

 of most of us, but we need not bemoan our fate on that 



