THE RESERVE GARDEN 



fruit trees, the reserve beds ended at a line drawn 

 parallel to, and 5 feet from, the espalier stems. Most 

 of the best flowering annuals were grown, the seed 

 being sown sparingly in lines, and particular attention 

 given to early thinning of overcrowded plants. In other 

 beds herbaceous perennials were planted, with alternate 

 rows of spring bulbs. The latter had gone out of flower 

 before the summer plants began to make their full growth, 

 and as the season advanced the perennials covered the 

 ground, the bulbs being left undisturbed for two or three 

 years. When a change became necessary, it was always 

 arranged thatbeds formerly occupied by deep-rooting plants 

 should be filled with others which rooted near the surface, 

 and vice versa. The reserve garden was kept scrupulously 

 weeded, and where possible surface hoeings were regu- 

 larly practised; water being scarce these helped to retard 

 evaporation, and were of great benefit during one especi- 

 ally dry summer. The flowers were gathered regularly 

 each morning, those not required for the house being 

 given away to friends or sent to hospitals. This system- 

 atic cutting, and above all the removal of seed pods 

 directly they formed, helped to prolong the blooming 

 season, and except in midwinter, there were always 

 flowers in abundance. 



Although this was an example of intensive culture 

 pure and simple, and no thought had been given to 

 grouping for general effect, the reserve plot eventually 

 proved a garden picture of singular freshness and beauty. 

 In Spring the espalier fence was wreathed in pink and 

 silver, and through the grey branches brilliant patches of 

 flowering bulbs — Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths, Scillas 

 and Anemones — flashed in the sun. The bees were 

 always busy among the flowers, and in summer the 

 fragrance of Stocks and Mignonette filled the air. A 

 small bed of Grasses and Gypsophila gave plenty of 

 graceful sprays for arranging with bowls of cut flowers, 



