fluence. We lovers of gardens claim that such is our art and appeal 
to our statesmen for the recognition of our just and simple rights. 
With compliments and cordial good wishes I am, Dear Mrs. 
Brewster, 
Very truly yours, 
E. H. Wilson. 
The Flower Border 
Gertrude Jekyll — V. M. H. 
This is the simplest name for the border that is to hold and display 
the best of our hardy flowers with any admixture of tender plants 
that may be desirable. Quite commonly it is called the herbaceous 
border, but many of its indispensable occupants are not herbaceous; or 
it is called the hardy flower border, but that name, too, loses its justi- 
fication when we fill up with tender plants and half-hardy annuals. 
Therefore it had better be simply — the Flower Border. The border 
itself may be of any size or length and should be considered and treated 
accordingly. Sometimes it is a double border with flowers on each 
side of the path, and this is, in many cases, a convenient arrangement. 
Where a plot of ground is of small size — anything under an acre — and, 
as is so often the case in suburban lots, in form a parallelogram with 
the shorter measurement next the road, it is a good plan to set the 
house only a little way back and then to devote a space at the back 
of the house (except for the width of a road or path of access), to a 
lawn set round with shrubs and flowers and any small trees that may 
be needed for shade. T'hen in the middle of this space, in a line with 
the longer axis of the ground, to drive a straight path straight along 
with a flower border to right and left, backed by an evergreen hedge. 
At the end there should be a good summer-house and all the rest of 
the space behind the two hedges can be kitchen garden, well screened 
from view. In larger places there is more scope, and perhaps a simple 
flower border, of ample width and length, backed by a high wall, 
is the way in which we may best show and enjoy our flowers. Such a 
border may well be one hundred and fifty feet long and something 
like eighteen feet from the wall to the path. This will aUow for a space 
of four feet for shrubs trained to the wall and then for a narrow alley — 
not a made path, but just a way to go along — convenient for access 
to the wall and for getting at the plants in the back of the border. 
In front it is convenient to have a hard path, whether of gravel or 
paving, but if next to the path there is a certain amount of lawn space 
it is a great advantage, as it enables the whole effect of the flower border 
5 
