BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN AMERICA 
tolerate the impression of newness and rigidity in the 
garden, and as Father Time cannot help us fast enough we 
try to emulate him by stamping his mark of mellowness 
in innumerable ways upon the youthful garden. Then 
Mother Earth is consulted as to her unrivalled way for 
the grouping of her flower family, and she shows us the 
close company they keep — hand in hand over the whole 
meadow — nothing stands quivering alone, grasses and 
plants blending to fill all spaces. Then above, in the rain- 
bow, we learn the harmony for our color scheme, and unto 
no nation on earth need we apply for the latest theories 
dealing with these subjects for the beautifying of our 
gardens. The more of the nature scheme we bring into 
them the greater satisfaction will they give. 
We should build the garden with a setting of fine trees 
grouped upon the outskirts, otherwise it will seem as in- 
complete as a portrait without a frame. Half of the charm 
attached to the beautiful old gardens of Europe lies in 
the richness of their backgrounds of stately hedges and 
trees. 
If comparisons were to be made between such views as 
those shown in this book and the pictures of English gar- 
dens, for instance, the differences would not in every case 
be favorable to England, although it must be admitted 
that age has given a dignity and grandeur to many Eng- 
lish gardens that could hardly be surpassed. Time, doubt- 
less, will add this dignity to our gardens, but can we not 
feel that we have already equalled some of the smaller 
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