4 ° 
Old Time Gardens 
derivative, and the word exists much disguised in 
orchard. In the sixteenth century yard was used 
in formal literature instead of garden ; and later 
Burns writes of “ Eden’s bonnie yard, Where yeuth- 
ful lovers first were pair’d.” 
This front yard was an English fashion derived 
from the forecourt so strongly advised by Gervayse 
Markham (an interesting old English writer on flori- 
culture and husbandry), and found in front of many 
a yeoman’s house, and many a more pretentious 
house as well in Markham’s day. Forecourts were 
common in England until the middle of the eigh- 
teenth century, and may still be seen. The fore- 
court gave privacy to the house even when in the 
centre of a town. Its readoption is advised with 
handsome dwellings in England, where ground-space 
is limited, — and why not in America, too ? 
The front yard was sacred to the best beloved, or 
at any rate the most honored, garden flowers of the 
house mistress, and was preserved by its fences from 
inroads of cattle, which then wandered at their will 
and were not housed, or even enclosed at night. 
The flowers were often of scant variety, but were 
those deemed the gentlefolk of the flower world. 
There was a clump of Daffodils and of the Poet’s 
Narcissus in early spring, and stately Crown Impe- 
rial; usually, too, a few scarlet and yellow single 
Tulips, and Grape Hyacinths. Later came Phlox 
in abundance — the only native American plant, — 
Canterbury Bells, and ample and glowing London 
Pride. Of course there were great plants of white 
and blue Day Lilies, with their beautiful and decora- 
