6o 
HENDERSON’S 
PICTURESQUE GARDENS 
“Italian” Topiary Gardens 
Old-Fashioned Sun-Dials 
The primitive clock — a sun-dial — is considered a necessary adjunct to the old- 
fashioned formal garden, not only for its quaintness, but as an ornamental feature, 
for it lends itself to either simple or elaborate mounting and surroundings as desired, 
and besides it always proves an interesting object, there being a fascination in the 
''silent heart language of the old dial” that appeals especially to philosophizing youth 
as they wonderingly watch Time’s flight being measured by the imperceptibly moving 
shadow that holds direct communication with the fountain of light. The sun-dial 
inspires added interest when it is so made that it shows approximately correct sun’s 
time. To attain this result, the upper edge of the shade-finger must point toward 
the position of the north star, which brings its inclination about parallel with the 
earth’s axis. See detailed instructions on page 31. 
That no one "style” of garden is suited for every 
situation is exemplified by the formal gardens typical 
to the hills of Italy and Greece, which harmonize 
so charmingly with their environments, and yet, when 
imitated on level ground, often appear incongruous. 
Ehfferent gardens and surroundings invite their own 
plans, the possibilities of which if studied rre liicely 
to give more pleasing results than if some set 
fashion were followed. 
The formal designs of the hilly Italian gardens 
were a necessity, occasioned by the steep grades lead- 
