THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 
good sense and honourable feelings of the visitors . . . 
rather than to multiply restrictions which may not be 
absolutely required.” His expression may be a bit 
foggy, but the underlying idea is certainly very British 
and sporting. 
Not only do Kew Gardens present the most exquisite 
landscape effects, and bring within their compass the 
plant life of the entire globe, either in the gigantic 
greenhouses and orangeries, or else in bed and border, 
on hill-slope and valley bottom, or along the banks of 
“delighted Thames,” but they are of inestimable 
benefit in testing the best methods of cultivation, 
in studying the various food and drink plants, the 
medicinal herbs, and the countless trees and plants 
of economic value. Here the good is separated from 
the bad, the haphazard reduced to rule of thumb, the 
diseases of plant life treated, and all the intricacies of 
fertilization, cutting, slipping, and hebridizing closely 
studied. 
Moreover, here you may see the various forms of 
formal and wild gardening, the treatment of drives, the 
planting of banks, the grouping of trees, and making of 
lawns. Landscape gardening, massing of color, the 
possibilities of winter planting, all receive due attention, 
each season showing at its best and bravest. The best 
topiary work, the use of the pleached alley, the trim¬ 
ming of hedges; what may not be learned in these 
wonderful gardens? 
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