52 BOOK OF THE COTTAGE GARDEN 



colour effect. In addition to giving us supplies of cut 

 bloom, the reserve garden v^ill serve as a nursery where 

 seedlings may be raised, herbaceous plants propagated, 

 cuttings struck, etc. — the whole forming a stock-ground 

 from which the borders in the garden proper may from 

 time to time be replenished. 



I once assisted in the remodelling of a garden attached 

 to a picturesque country cottage where the charm of cut 

 flowers was fully appreciated. The reserve garden was 

 always well supplied with bloom for cutting, and it 

 rarely became necessary to trespass upon the garden 

 borders when flowers were needed for house decoration. 

 The plan pursued might well be adopted by others, so 

 that I will briefly describe this particular feature. 



A sunny, yet sheltered, position being desirable, a 

 quarter of the kitchen garden was devoted to the 

 purpose. Additional protection was afforded by lines 

 of espalier fruit trees, which had been planted some 

 years previously beside the outer path. The result was 

 a square plot of land enclosed by the espaliers, access 

 being gained by openings between the trees at the centre 

 of each of the four sides. The first thing was to have 

 the land double dug ; plenty of well-decayed manure 

 was also added. Some good loam being available, 

 several barrow loads were spread over the surface, 

 thereby raising it slightly above the surrounding level. 

 This was an advantage in this case, as the ground was 

 inclined to wetness, but it may not be necessary always ; 

 the point to ensure is a deep rooting medium, and the 

 thorough aeration of the soil by exposure to weather. 

 Narrow pathways were now made, dividing the whole 

 plot into 4-foot beds ; the paths were simply trodden 

 firmly with the feet, no gravel being used, and they 

 were of sufficient width to enable one person to walk 

 comfortably between the beds. As it was not con- 

 sidered advisable to disturb the surface roots of the 



