INTRODUCTION 



xiii 



acter of the soil, the relation of the house with 

 the garden — all have to be weighed before plant- 

 ing is commenced. Therefore, our gardeners must 

 be artists as well as successful cultivators of 

 plants. 



True gardening gives scope for much sym- 

 pathy and feeling. There is a soft repose in grey 

 and pale pink. An arbour with such colourmg 

 invites thoughtfulness, quiet contemplation ; 

 whereas orange or bright yellow may, in some 

 sad moments, be obtrusive, or jar upon our 

 feelings. A brilliant bed of scarlet poppies, if 

 put in the right natural surroundings, are gay with 

 joie de vivre, whilst gentle pansies appear to look 

 with melting human kindness as thev raise their 

 little faces appealingly towards us. Good effects 

 have been gained by planting large, bold clumps 

 of Pampas grass in empty spaces. The situation 

 must be very carefully selected or it is apt to strike 

 a discord. In the solemn graveyard it soothes ; 

 the waving plumes seem to bow down in sym- 

 pathy with the mourners, 



A real artist gardener not only has aptitude for 

 placing right lines, and forming rich, telling colour 

 effects, but he also understands the personality of 

 ' flowers, the sentiments of colours and scent. A 

 painter's instinct tells him where the varied colours 

 of a mixed border are allowable, and how else- 



