Garden Ornaments

s, those that were in evidence in our grand-dames' time. There is a distinct atmosphere connected with those simple one-path gardens that is most delightful. It

n we find them in the twentieth-century gardens, carry us back vividly t

ith the passage of time, they have developed into wide expanses of flora

ve been retained. They have, however, been enlarged upon and developed until they are perfected in every detail. The lands

n culture should be planted in the early spring that it may obtain deep rooting, so as to resist the ravages of the winter season. The plants should not overcrowd but be set three inches apart in

y and unkempt, preserved for sentiment's sake. They still line the central walk, much as they did long years ago. In those days there was no laying-out

ur shipping was greater on the sea and the merchant princes demanded large and more elegant houses with gardens laid out in the rear. Many of these were planned by the mistresses of the stately homes, while some were designed by English or German gardeners, who in their planting reproduced the gardens across the seas.

and the flowers enclosed. It must be borne in mind that the gardeners of those days knew little of the theory of color sche

attention to the laying-out of the path. Here the bit of garden demands a straight path, yonder to bring gardens into unity a grass p

SSFUL G

the borders, the smoothing of the path and the right coloring in beds, so that no discordant note be found. Every part must be kept in good condition, for there are no closed doors for untidiness to

ects that spell failure. No walk in any part of the garden but should be planned to serve a definite purpose, either to conne

n but has a definite aim. Perchance it has been most carefully laid out to avoid the felling of a tree that is nee

his, how much better to introduce English stepping stones. There is a picturesque coloring in their soft, gray hue, contrasting pleasingly with a li

that is alluring? It is the careful introduction of these novel ideas that gives zest to garden culture. Every person has a different idea of what is rig

he gardens of to-day it is generally better to use the hard, burned brick-these can be laid in straight lines or herring-bone fashion as fancy dictates, and should show a line of straight brick or heade

e that are nearest the same size and shape, for this gives a better effect. There is nothing that gives a better backing for earth beds, especially as they are easily kept weeded. If the cobbl

en piled for a considerable length of time and have thus lost much of their vigor. In order to have them at their best they should be freshly cut and laid carefully in a rich foundation, the pieces joined as closely as possible together and the crevices filled in with either grass seed or di

s should not all be of the same size, otherwise there will be no chance for grass and moss to grow between them and give them the old-world aspect. In gardens

t is necessary to carry out the scheme; there, a wide one seems to fit appropriately into the plan. It is not always possible to have gardens large enough to allow

ing of the borders. To-day everybody is striving for originality and to work out odd ideas that still are practical.

e said to be artificial but so is the planting of the flower plot. It is not nature's work,

boards are laid, so nailed that they can be lifted during the winter season and stored away in a friendly barn or cellar. Watch the result and you will find it is always dry and practical for usage. Better still, if wearing properties do not have to be t

his can easily be built from stones found on the estate. Here we deviate from the stilted idea of paths and introduce stone steps. These should be large and rough enough to fit in with our plan.

PATH FLANKED B

ome locations. Yet, when finished, it presents a bare appearance and demands special treatment. Very successful results are produced by bright borders of flowering plants, and if in addition to this an arch of wire or rustic boughs is made for the entrance and covered with rambler r

y spring when the first bulbs come into bloom until the falling of the late chrysanthemum. As we con the seedman's list to prepare for th

taken into consideration. Different kinds of gardens demand varied treatment, and for thi

ing nothing else. Each bulb should be planted six inches deep and the same number of inches apart. They should be covered with from four to six inches of straw, dead leaves-hardwood ones being best for this purpose-or pine branches. Great care should be taken that these are not r

a good plan to plant pansies among the bulbs, so that they will show their painted faces before the last bloom has disappeared. Many people in such borders use sweet alyssum for the outer row, but this, while it is decorative, is not always satisfactory for it grows so high that it is apt to shadow the major scheme. Bulbs can be left i

that it stays in bloom from the time of its first opening until the hot blast of the August sun touch

unkindly sand which touches its tiny roots. One advantage in its use is that it grows quickly from seed, that is, if it is planted in a dry spot. The needle-shaped foliage is inconspicuous, while the blossoms are as

expensive, the roots costing about a dollar and a quarter a dozen,

s or annuals are used very often. Each of them having a distinctive charm, some gardens demanding one, and others another, so that one cannot dictate to the owner of a garden which kind is best for his use,

s of lythrum lift their heads, while stately hollyhocks uncurl their silky petals, shaking out the tucks and wrinkles of the bud like newly awakened butterflies stretching their wings.

ew, with us to-day, the transformation of the old-fashioned garden

RGOLA

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