THE GARDEN PRIMER 



many widely diversified factors be too strongly 

 emphasized. 



The smallest plot of earth affords a field for study 

 and work, even though it does not afford a "field," 

 in the broader sense, for raising crops. And indeed it is 

 far better to begin gardening operations little by little, 

 on a little space, than to undertake much at the start. 

 So many problems present themselves at the same time 

 — they come so thick and so fast — that it would take a 

 superhuman energy and nimbleness of wit in the be- 

 ginner to cope with them all successfully. Do there- 

 fore a little, and do it well; next year do a litde more, 

 or do something quite different — then do both these 

 things and add something nev/, as opportunity 

 presents. This is the way to learn gardening and learn 

 it thoroughly. 



For a small border anywhere, or for the treatment 

 of isolated small places, a detailed planting diagram 

 of the space is not of course necessary, unless shrub- 

 bery is to fill it. But such a diagram will always 

 help in making successful color and height combina- 

 tions, and in starting things right, even in a small 

 space; so, although herbaceous growth usually be- 

 comes impatient of the Hmitations which a plan 

 imposes and does pretty much as it pleases after a 

 season or two, I should advise the beginner especially 

 to work out, on paper first, a general pattern from 

 which he will later work out a garden upon the ground. 



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