GARDENING FOR WOMEN 99 



of climate that abroad the bedding-out system 

 has been adopted, and thus much of that intimacy 

 with herbaceous plants, which we have, is there 

 unknown. Our English gardens are tended care- 

 fully and steadily all the year round ; a feeling of 

 rest and peace pervades them. 



In Italy a garden is neglected during the winter, 

 whilst the Signoria are away. Beds and paths are 

 left unweeded, all vegetation appears to be dead, 

 and the gardener occupies himself only with vines, 

 vegetables and plants growing in pots, which later 

 will be the chief means of dressing-up the grounds. 

 Most Tuscan villas in winter have the appearance 

 of a Palace of Sleep. We wonder how it will be 

 possible, when the Fairy Prince arrives, to transform 

 disorder into a well-kept, beautiful place. We 

 realise as we see so wonderful a change occur, how 

 valuable a touch of this surprise would be to our 

 old-fashioned English homes. It would improve 

 not only the appearance of our gardens, but en- 

 hance the architectural beauty of our houses. 



This sudden transformation is brought about 

 upon the first really warm spring day, as if by the 

 stroke of a fairy's wand. Then the doors of the 

 orangery are flung open, and ornamental pots of 

 all sizes and shapes are brought out by means of 

 rollers and stood in striking positions in the pleasure 

 grounds. During the last few years we have been 



