SHELTER AND SHADE 



There are many ways of growing hardy flowering 

 plants, and of growing them to advantage, but all these 

 different methods have certain fundamental conditions in 

 common. Of these conditions the most important are 

 the possession of a suitable site and the provision of 

 suitable soil. Children are raised in slums and hovels, 

 and even in besieged and famine-stricken towns ; and, in 

 like manner, there is no site so bad, no aspect so dull, 

 no air so vile, no soil so poor and shallow but plants 

 may be found which will there exist. But in order that 

 we may grow any considerable variety of beautiful 

 flowers we must screen our garden from bitter winds, 

 and so prepare our soil that it shall be adapted for 

 vigorous plant growth. Wind-resisting screens may 

 consist either of walls or of suitable trees and shrubs. 

 Which of these forms of protection should be selected 

 depends on circumstances which vary with different 

 gardens. In any event, it will be generally agreed that 

 a garden should be so enclosed (Hortus — an enclosed 

 space) as to afford not only shelter to plants from the 

 more strenuous forces of Nature, but also that privacy 

 from the vulgar gaze which we call seclusion. If the 

 garden is to be enclosed by walls, let these be of a 

 fair height — not less than ten feet ; and let them be 

 clothed with a variety of the lovely climbing plants 

 now at the disposal of the gardener. There is con- 

 siderable room for choice both among deciduous and 

 evergreen climbers. Among the best of the former 



F 8l 



