xii 



INTRODUCTION 



park. These must set the example both in tidi- 

 ness, artistic arrangement, and weU-grown produce. 

 Education in taste, as well as scientific know- 

 ledge, is required for the heads of these gardens. 

 We know that in Japan gardening and flower 

 arrangement have attained wonderful perfection. 

 There it is necessary to learn for seven years 

 before a requisite amount of skill is acquired. 

 Not only are artistic effects studied, but flowers 

 are used as modes of expression. Different colours 

 and combinations convey distinct meanings. 



Surely we Western races should also look upon 

 a garden as of the same artistic value as a beau- 

 tiful picture, or a many- coloured, skilfully wrought 

 piece of embroidery ? In short, so ancient a craft 

 should be as intelligently and carefully studied 

 as any Fine Art. A garden is a living picture. 

 The painter having found a subject, studies each 

 detail. Surroundings, background, the position 

 it should occupy upon the canvas, what portion 

 is to be accurately depicted, which objects are to 

 be omitted or only faintly indicated : all these 

 points are considered before he takes up his brush. 

 A gardener must do likewise. Sometimes, when 

 ground is not yet laid out, he must do more. He 

 then has to think some years ahead and imagine 

 what this bare piece of meadow will be when plants 

 have grown in it. The lay of the land, the char- 



