THE COMEDY OF THE GARDEN 14S 
although of a different shape. The greater part 
of it, however, has been laid out in flower-beds, in- 
tersected by paths of gravel. Not a spear of grass 
is to be seen. Now, wherever the planting has 
been insufficient^ — -another term we have learned 
from our neighbours — only the bare hard earth is 
visible. In many places in this garden it appears 
that the planting has been insufficient. Joseph says 
he would sow morning-glory seeds, in spite of their 
being weeds, for this one season at least, rather 
than look at such unattractive beds of earth. 
Whenever we see this garden, Joseph and I are 
pleased that we left the triangle in turf, making 
the beds only where they were needed. It would 
please me best to plant flowers through the grass, 
as Miss Wiseman had her snowdrops and other 
early spring flowers, and as we have done with the 
flowers at the point of the triangle. In some cases 
this is not a wise plan, because, after Timothy has 
cut the grass, which he must do frequently in sum- 
mer, Joseph has to get down on his knees and use 
the sickle all around the base of the flowers. The 
free use of the lawn-mower is prevented by suich 
planting, and, although the sickle cuts the grass 
well, it consumes a great deal of Joseph’s time. 
We are learning this year, however, that bare 
earth can be sufficiently hidden by having border 
plants about the beds, and the plants in them set 
closely enough together. In the rosarium, I should 
have liked the ground quite covered with ferns. 
