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THEAMATEURGARDEN

BY

GEORGEW.CABLE

ILLUSTRATED

CHARLESSCRIBNER'SSONS

NEWYORK:MCMXIV

CHARLESSCRIBNER'SSONS

_PublishedOctober,1914_

CONTENTS

PAGE

MYOWNACRE1

THEAMERICANGARDEN41

WHERETOPLANTWHAT79

THECOTTAGEGARDENSOFNORTHAMPTON107

THEPRIVATEGARDEN'SPUBLICVALUE129

THEMIDWINTERGARDENSOFNEWORLEANS163

ILLUSTRATIONS

"Thatgardeningisbest...whichbestministerstoman'sfelicitywithleastdisturbanceofnature'sfreedom"_Frontis_

"...thatsuddenlyfallingwoodedandbrokengroundwhereMillRiverloitersthroughParadise"6

"Onthisgreenofthedryads...liesMyOwnAcre"8

"Thebeautifulmill-pondbehinditshighdamkeepstheriverfullbacktotherapidsjustaboveMyOwnAcre"12

"Afountain...whereone,--ortwo,--cansitandhearitwhisper"22

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"ThebringingofthegroveoutonthelawnandthepushingofthelawninunderthegrovewasoneoftheearlytasksofMyOwnAcre"24

"Souvenirtreeshadfromtimetotimebeenplantedonthelawnbyvisitingfriends"26

"Howthewordsweresaidwhichsomeoftheplantersspoke"28

"'Whereareyougoing?'saystheeye.'Comeandsee,'saystheroamingline"34

"Thelaneisopentoviewfromendtoend.Ithastwodeepbaysonthesidenearestthelawn"36

"...untilthehouseitselfseemsasnaturally...togrowupoutofthegardenasthehighkeynoterisesattheendofalady'ssong"48

"Beautifulresultsmaybegotonsmallestgrounds"52

"Muffleyourarchitecturalanglesinfoliageandbloom"52

Fencesmaskedbyshrubbery64

Afterthefirstfrostannualplantingsceasetobeattractive72

Shrubberyversusannuals72

Shrubsarebetterthanannualsformaskingrightangles.SouthHall,WillistonSeminary74

"...alineofshrubberyswinginginandoutinstrong,gracefulundulations"74

"Howeverenrapturedofwildnatureyoumaybe,youdoandmust

requireofhersomesubserviencyaboutyourowndwelling"84

"Plantitwhereitwillbestenjoyitself"86

"...climaxestobegotbysuperiorityofstature,bydarknessandbreadthoffoliageandbysplendorofbloombelongatitsfarend"94

"Somecleardisclosureofcharmstillremotemaybeckonandlure"96

"...tall,rectangular,three-storypiles...fullofwindowsallofonesize,pigeon-housestyle"100

"Youcanmakegardeningaconcertedpublicmovement"112

"Plantonallyourlot'sboundaries,plantoutthefoundation-linesofallitsbuildings"122

"Notchieflytorewardthehighestartingardening,buttoprocureitswidestandmostgeneraldissemination"122

"Havingwagesbiggerthantheirbodilywants,andhavingspiritualwantsnumerousandelasticenoughtouseupthesurplus"138

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"Onesuchcompetinggardenwassobeautifullastyearthatstrangersdrivingbystoppedandaskedleavetodismountandenjoyanearerview"138

"Beautycanbecalledintolifeaboutthemostunpretentiousdomicile"148

"Thosewhopaynoonetodie,plantorpruneforthem"148

"InNewOrleansthehomeisboundedbyitsfences,notbyitsdoors--sotheyclothethemwithshrubberiesandvines"174

"Thelawn...liesclean-breasted,green-breasted,fromoneshrub-and-flower-plantedsidetotheother,alongandacross"174

"Thereeightdistinctencumbrancesnarrowthesward....Inahalf-day'swork,thefairscenemightbeenhancedinlovelydignitybytheeliminationoftheseexcesses"176

"Therearwalk...followsthedwelling'sgroundcontourwithbusinessprecision--beingabusinesspath"178

"Thusmayhewonderfullyextenuate,even...whereitdoesnot

conceal,thehouse'sarchitecturalfaults"180

"...alovelystagescenewithoutahintofthestage'sunreality"182

"Backofthebuilding-linethefences...generallymorethanhead-high...are_sure_tobedraped"184

"...fromtheautumnsideofChristmastothesummersideofEaster"184

"Thesleepingbeautyofthegarden'sunlostconfiguration...keepingawinter'sshareofitsfemininegraceandsoftness"186

"ItisonlytherethatIseeanythingsostalwartasapineorsorigidasaspruce"192

MYOWNACRE

Alifelonghabitofstory-tellinghasmuchtodowiththeproductionofthesepages.

Allthemoredoesitmovemebecauseithasalwaysincluded,asperhaps

itdoesinmoststory-tellers,akeenpreferencefortruestories,storiesofactualoccurrence.

Aflower-gardentryingtobebeautifulisacharminginstanceofsomethingwhichastorytellercanotherwiseonlydreamof.Forsuchagardenisitselfastory,onewhichactuallyandnaturallyoccurs,yetoccursunderitsmaster'sguidanceandcontrolandwithartisticeffect.

Yetitwasthissamestory-tellingbentwhichlongheldmebackwhilefromtimetotimeIgeneralizedongardeningandongardensotherthan

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myown.Awell-designedgardenisnotonlyatruestoryhappeningartisticallybutitisonethatpassesthroughanewrevisioneachyear,"withtheformertranslationsdiligentlycomparedandrevised."Eachyearmyownacrehasconfesseditselfsofullofmistranslationsofthetruetextofgardening,haspromised,eachseason,somuchfairerashowinitsnextedition,andhasbeenkeptsoprolongedlybusyteachingandreteachingitsmasterwheretoplantwhat,whileastomoneyoutlayscompelledtolivesomuchmorelikeapoetthanlikeaprince,thatthebentforstory-tellingitselfcouldnothelpbutsaywait.

Now,however,thecompanytowhichthischapterlogicallybelongsisactuallyshowingexcellentreasonswhyahistoryoftheirwriter'sownacreshouldleadthem.Letme,then,beginbyexplainingthatthesmallcityofNorthampton,Massachusetts,whereIhavelivedallthelatterthree-fifthsofmyadultyears,sitsonthefirstriseofgroundwhichfromthewestoverlooksthealluvialmeadowsoftheConnecticut,ninemilesaboveSouthHadleyFalls.Closeatitsbackasmallstream,MillRiver,comingoutoftheHampshirehillsonitswaytotheConnecticut,windsthroughastripofwoodssofairastohavebeennamed--fromamuchearlierdaythanwhenJennyLindcalleditso--"Paradise."Onitstownsidethiswoodedgroundafewhundredyardswidedropssuddenlyahundredfeetorsotothemillstreamandiscutintomanytransverseravines.

Initstimbergrowth,conspicuousbytheirnumber,towerwhite-pines,whileamongthemstandonlylessloftilyaremarkablevarietyofforesttreesimperfectlylistedbyacertainhumbleauthorityas"mostlyh-oak,h-ellum,andh-ash,withalittle'ickory."

Imperfectlylisted,forthereonemayfindalsothebirchandthebeech,thelinden,sycamore,chestnut,poplar,hemlock-spruce,butternut,andmapleoverhangingsuchpleasantundergrowthsasthehornbeamandhop-hornbeam,willows,black-cherryandchoke-cherry,dogwoodandothercornels,severalviburnums,bushmaplesoftwoorthreekinds,alder,elder,sumach,hazel,witch-hazel,theshadblowandotherperennial,fair-blooming,sweet-smellingfavorites,beneathwhichliesaleaf-mouldrifewithfernsandwildflowers.

Fromitsbusinessquarterthetown'schiefstreetofresidence,ElmStreet,beginsagentlywindingwesterlyascenttobecomeanopenhigh-roadfromonetoanotheroftheseveralfarmingandmanufacturingvillagesthatusethewater-powerofMillRiver.Butwhileitisstillastreetthererunsfromitsoutherlyatarightangleastraightbitofavenuesomethreehundredyardslong--anexceptionallengthofunbentstreetforNorthampton.Thisshortavenueendsatanother,stillshorter,lyingsquareacrossitsfootwithinsomeseventyyardsofthatsuddenlyfallingwoodedandbrokengroundwhereMillRiverloitersthroughParadise.Thestripoflandbetweenthewoodsandthislaststreetistakenupbyhalfadozendwellingsofmodestdignity,whosefrontshade-trees,beingonthesoutherlyside,havebeenplacednoton

thesidewalk'sroadsideedgebutonthesidenextthedwellingsandclosewithintheirlineofprivateownership:red,whiteandpost-oakssettherebythepresentwriterwhenhenamedthestreet"Dryads'Green."Theyarenowtwenty-oneyearsoldandgiveagoodshadewhichactuallyfallswhereitiswanted--uponthesidewalk.

[Illustration:"...thatsuddenlyfallingwoodedandbrokengroundwhereMillRiverloitersthroughParadise."

Astrongwirefence(invisibleinthepicture)heredividesthe_grove_

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fromtheoldriverroad.]

Onthisgreenofthedryads,whereitinterceptsthe"avenue"thatslipsoverfromtheElmStreettrolley-cars,lies,suchasitis,myownacre;house,lawn,shrubberiesand,attherear,intheedgeofthepines,thestudy.Backtherebythestudy--whichsometimesinironywecallthepower-house--thelawnmergesintomysevenotheracres,inParadise.ReallythewholepossessionisamuchhumbleronethanIfindmyselfabletomakeitappearintheflatteringtermsoflandmeasure.ThosesevenacresofParadiseIacquiredas"wasteland."Nevertheless,ifIweresellingthat"waste,"that"holeintheground,"itwouldnothurtmyconscience,suchasitis,todeclarethatthebirdsonitaloneareworthmorethanitcost:wood-thrushesandrobins,goldenorioles,scarlettanagers,blackbirds,bluebirds,oven-birds,cedar-birds,veeries,vireos,song-sparrows,flycatchers,kinglets,theflicker,thecuckoo,thenuthatch,thechickadeeandtherose-breastedgrosbeak,nottomentionjaysorkingfishers,swallows,thelittlegreenheronorthatcockofthewalk,theredsquirrel.

Speakingofwalks,itwaswiththem--andonedrive--inthisgrove,thatImademyfirstventuretowardtheartisticenhancementofmyacre,--acrethistimeintheoldsensethatignoresfeetandrods.Iwasquitewillingtomakeitamatterofasmanyyearsasnecessarywhenpursuedasplay,notwork,ontheleastpossiblemoneyoutlayandhaving

foritsendagardenofjoy,notofcare.BynoinbornsagacitydidIdiscoverthistobethetruefirststep,butbythetrainedeyeofanhonoredanddearfriend,thatdistinguishedengineerandfamousstreetcommissionerofNewYork,ColonelGeorgeE.Waring,wholosthislifeinthesanitaryregenerationofHavana.

[Illustration:"Onthisgreenofthedryads...liesMyOwnAcre."

Thetwoyoungoaksinthepicturearepartoftherowwhichgivesthestreetitsname.]

"Contourpaths"wasthewordhegaveme;pathsstartingfromthetopofthesteepbrokengroundandbendinginandoutacrossandaroundits

ridgesandravinesatauniformdeclineof,say,sixinchestoeverytenfeet,untilthedesiredterminusisreachedbelow;muchas,initslargerway,arailwayoraqueductmight,orascattledowhentheyroaminthehills.Thus,bytheslightestpossibleinterferencewithnaturalconditions,thesepathsweregivenawindingcourseeverystepofwhichwaspleasingbecausejustifiedbythenecessitiesofthecase,traversingthemaininequalitiesofthegroundwiththeeaseoflevellandyetwithoutdiminishingitssuperiorvarietyandcharm.AndsowithcontourpathsIbegantofind,rightatmybackdoorandonmyownacre,innerve-tiredhours,anoutdoorrelaxationwhichIcouldbegin,leaveoffandresumeatanymomentandwhichhasneverstaledonme.ForthiswasthegenesisofallIhavelearnedordoneingardening,suchasitis.

Myappliancesforlayingoutthegradesweresimpleenough:aspirit-level,astifften-footrodwithaneighteen-inchlegnailedfirmlyononeendofit,atwelve-inchlegontheother,ahatchet,andabasketofshortstakeswithwhichtomarkthepoints,tenfeetapart,wherethelongerleg,infrontonalldowngrades,restedwhenthespirit-level,strappedontherod,showedtherodtobeexactlyhorizontal.Trivialinequalitiesofsurfacewerearbitrarilycutdownorbuiltupandcoveredwithleavesandpine-strawtodisguisethefact,andwheneveratreeoranythingworthpreservingstoodinthewayhere

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cametheloadedbarrowandthebarrowist,likeapieceofartillerysweepingintoaction,andafillundistinguishablefromnaturesoonbroughtthepatharoundtheobstacleonwhathadbeenitslowerside,tomeanderonatitsunvaryingrateofriseorfallasthoughnothing--exceptthetreesandwildflowers--hadhappenedsincethevastfreshetsofthepost-glacialperiodbuiltthelandscape.Imadethedrivefirst,ofsteepergradethanthepaths;buteverynewlengthofwaybuilt,whetherwalkorroad,madethenexteasiertobuild,bymakingeasiergoingfortheartillery,theconstructiontrain.Alsoeachnewpathhasmadeiteasiertobringup,forthelawngarden,sand,clay,orleaf-mould,orforhearthconsumptionallthewoodwhichthegrove'snaturalmortalityeachyearrequirestobedisposedof.Thereisasuperiorspiritualqualityinthewarmthofafireofh-oak,h-ash,andevenh-ellumgatheredfromyourownacre,especiallyiftheacreisverysmallandhascontourpaths.Byafireofmyownacre's"deadanddown"Iwritetheselines.Ineverbuycordwood.

Onlyhalfthegrovehasrequiredthesepaths,theotherhalfbeingdownontheflatmarginoftheriver,traversedbyacart-roadatleasthalfacenturyold,thoughusedbywheelshardlytwiceayear;butinthethreeacreswhereliethecontourpathsthereisnowthree-fifthsofamileofthem,notarodofwhichissuperfluous.AndthenIhavetwoexamplesofanotherkindofpath:pathswithsteps;pathswhichforgoodandlawfulreasonscannotallowyoutimetogoaroundonthe"fiveper

cent"gradebutmustcutacross,takingasingleravinelengthwise,tovisititsthreefish-pools.

Thesesteps,andtwoshortretainingwallselsewhereinthegrove,aremadeofthefieldstonesoftheregion,uncut.Allarelaid"dry"liketheordinarystonefencesofNewEnglandfarms,andthewallsarebuiltwithasmartinwardbattersothatthewinterfrostsmayheavethemyearafteryear,heaveandleavebutnottumblethemdown.Igotthatideafromabook.Everythingworthwhileonmyacreisfrombooksexceptwhattwoorthreeprofessionalfriendshavefromtimetotimedroppedintomyhungryear.Bothmyearshavegoodappetites--forgardenlore.

Abouthalfamilefromme,downMillRiver,standsthefactoryofa

prizedfriendwhomorethananyothermanhelpsbypersonaldailycaretopromoteNorthampton's"People'sInstitute,"ofwhosehome-gardenworkIhavemuchtosayinthechaptersthatfollowthisone.Forfortyyearsormorethisfactoryhasbeenknownfarandwideasthe"HoeShop"becauseitmakesshovels.Ithasnevermadehoes.Ituseswater-power,andthebeautifulmill-pondbehinditshighdamkeepstheriverfullbacktotherapidsjustabovemyownacre.Inwinterthisisthefavoriteskating-pondofthetownandofSmithCollege.Inthegreenerseasonsofcollegetermsthegirlsconstantlypassupstreamanddownintheirprettyrowboatsandcanoes,makingacharmingeffectasseenfrommylawn'srearedgeattheheadofthepineandoakshadedravinewhosefish-poolsaregaybyturnswithelder,wildsunflower,sumach,iris,water-lilies,andforget-me-not.

[Illustration:"Thebeautifulmill-pondbehinditshighdamkeepstheriverfullbacktotherapidsjustaboveMyOwnAcre."

Thisisthe"HoeShop."Thetowerwasruinedbyfiremanyyearsago,andbecauseofitsunsafetyisbeingtakendownatthepresentwriting.]

Thisravine,themiddleoneofthegrove'sthree,isaboutahundredfeetwide.WhenIfirstbegantoventurethehumantouchinit,itaffordednoopenspotlevelenoughtoholdacamp-stool.Fromthelawn

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abovetotheriverroadbelow,thedistanceisthreehundredandthirtyfeet,andthefall,offifty-fivefeet,ismostlyattheupperend,whichisthereforetoosteep,aswellastoofullofvariedundergrowth,foranygoingbutclimbing.Inthenextravineonitslefttherewasaclear,coldspringandintheoneonitsrightrananaturalrivuletthattrickledeveninAugust;butthismiddleravinewasdryormerelymoist.

Hereletmesaytoanywhowouldtryanamateurlandscapeartontheirownacreattheedgeofagrowingtown,thatthetown'sgrowthtendssteadilytodiminishtheamountoftheirlandscape'snaturalwatersupplybycatchingonstreetpavementsandscoresandhundredsofroofs,lawnsandwalks,andcarryingawayinsewers,therainandmeltingsnowswhichforagesfilteredslowlythroughthesoil.Smallwonder,Ithink,that,wheninthesquarequarter-milebetweenmyacreandElmStreetfifty-threedwellingsandthreeshortstreetstooktheplaceofanoldfarm,mygrove,bysheerwaterfamine,lostseveralofitsgiantpines.Wondertomeisthattheharmseemsatlengthtohaveceased.

Butaboutthatravine:onedaythenatureofitsgrowthandsoil,especiallyitsalders,elders,andwillowsandashowofclayandgravel,forcedonmynoticethelikelihoodthathere,too,hadoncebeenaspring,ifnomore.Iscratchedatitsheadwithastickandoutcameanimprisonedrilllikearecollectedwordfromthescratchedheadofa

schoolboy.Happilythespotwasjustatthebottomoftheimpassablysteepfallofgroundnexttheedgeofthelawnandwasalmostinthecentreofthosefouracres--oneofsward,threeofwoods--whichIproposedtoholdundermoreorlessdiscipline,leavingtherest--awoodedstriprunninguptherivershore--whollywild,ascollegegirls,forexample,wouldcountwildness.Inbothpartsthewealthoffoliageontimberandunderbrushalmosteverywhereshuttheriveroutofviewfromthelawnandkepttheeyerestlessforaglint,ifnomore,ofwater.AndsothereIthoughtatoncetogivemyselfwhatIhadallmylifemostabsurdlywishedfor,afish-pool.IhadneverbeenabletolookuponanaquariumandkeepthetenthCommandment.Ihadnevercaughtafishwithoutwantingtotakeithomeandlegallyadoptitintothefamily--atendencywhichonceledmysontosay,"Yes,hewouldbe

pleasedtogofishingwithmeifIwouldonlyfishinasportsmanlikemanner."Whatabeautifullymarkedfishisthesun-perch!Once,inboyhood,Ikeptsixofthose"pumpkin-seed"inacistern,andmysmilehasneverbeenthesamesinceIlostthem--oneofmywarlosses.

Iresolvedtoimpoundthewatersofmyspringintheravineandkeepfishatlast--withoutsalt--tomyheart'scontent.YetIrememberedcertainrestrainingprecepts:first,thatlawofartwhichcondemnsincongruity--requireseverythingtobeinkeepingwithitsnaturalsurroundings--andwhichtherefore,foronething,makesanAmericangardenthebestpossiblesortofgardentohaveinAmerica;second,thattwinartlaw,againstinutility,whichdemandsthateverythinginanartisticschemeservetheuseitpretendstoserve;third,aprecept

ofColonelWaring's:"Don'tfoolwithrunningwaterifyouhaven'tmoneytofoolaway";and,fourth,thatbestofallgardeningrules--lookbeforeyouleap.

However,onsecondthought,andtenth,andtwentieth,onethoughtadayfortwentydays,Ifoundthatifwaterwastobeimpoundedanywhereonmyacreherewasthestrategicpoint.Downthisravine,asIhavesaid,wasthelawn'sonegoodglimpseoftheriver,andakindredgleaminterveningwouldtend,ineffect,todrawthosefartherwatersinunderthetreesandintothepicture.

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themherselffrommeandthanksmeforthesuggestion.

Pleaseobservethatofgreatgardens,orofcostlygardenswhethergreatoronlycostly,weheresaynothing.Ourthemeissuchagardenasahouseholdermayhimselfmakeandkeeporforwhich,atmost,heneedsprofessionaladviceonlyinitsfirstplanning,andforitsupkeeponegardener,withoneoccasionalhelperinpressingseasonsorinconstructionalwork.

Constructionalwork.Dams,forexample.IntwoofmydamsIbuiltcoresofconcreteandthusmadeacquaintancewiththatinterestingmaterial.LaterIpressedtheacquaintanceship,madegardenandgroveseats,atableortwo,averymodestfountainforasinglejetofwaterinmyhighest,smallestfish-pool,andevenaflightofstepswithapairofgane-shapedpedestals--suggestedbyasculptorfriend--attheirtop.TheexedraImentionedjustnowisofconcrete.Thestuffisatemptationtobewaryof.Theordinarygraysort--Ihavetouchednoother--isahumblemedium,andpretentiousdesignsinhumblematerialsareoneoftheworst,andoldest,ofgardenincongruities.InmyventureswithconcreteIhavestudiedforgraceinformbutgracesubordinatedtostability,andhaveshunnedembellishment.Embellishmentforitsownsakeistheeasiestandcommonestsinagainstgoodartwhereverartbecomesself-conscious.Itishavingariotoustimejustnowinconcrete.Ihaverarelyseenacommercialconcretegarden-seat

whichwasnotmoreornatethanIshouldwantitformyownacre.Ihappentohavetwoorthreearticlesinmygardenwhichareatrifleelaboratebuttheyareofterra-cotta,arenothome-madeandwouldbeplainercouldIhavefoundthemso.

Agardenneedsfurnitureonlylessthanahouse,andconcreteisaboonto"natural"gardening,beinginexpensive,rustic,andimperishable.IfancyachiefreasonwhythereissuchinconsideratedearthofseatsandstepsinourAmericanamateurgardensistheoldfashion--sowellgotridofatanycost--ofrusticcedarandhickorystairsandbenches."Havenoneofthem,"wasColonelWaring'sinjunction;"theyareforeveroutofrepair."

ButIfearanotherreasonisthatsooftenourgardensareneitherforprivateeasenorsocialjoy,butforpublicdisplayandareplannedmainlyforstreetexhibition.Thatisthewaywecommonlytreatgardenfountains!Wemakeasmugshowofunfenced,unhedged,universalhospitalityacrossasidewalkboundarywhichneverthelessweholdinviolate--sometimesbymeansofapaintedsignorgas-pipe--andneversay"Haveaseat"tothedearestfriendinanysecludednookofourshrubberies,ifthereissuchanook.Howmanyofusknowafountainbesideanemboweredseatwhereone,--ortwo,--withorwithoutthebookofverses,cansitandhearitwhisperorwatchthemoonlightcoveritwithsilentkisses?InmylimitedexperienceIhaveknownofbuttwo.Oneisbytheoncefavoritethought-promotingsummerseatofAugustusSaint-GaudensonhisownhomeacreinVermont;theotherIneednot

particularizefurtherthantosaythatitisoneofthethingswhichinterlockandunifyacertaingardenandgrove.

[Illustration:"Afountain...whereone,--ortwo,--cansitandhearitwhisper."

Theravineofthethreefishpools.Thereisadropofthirtyfeetbetweentheupperandthelowermostpool.]

Thebringingofthegroveoutonthelawnandthepushingofthelawnin

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underthegrovewasoneoftheearlytasksofmyownacre.Whenthehousewasbuiltitslotandothersbackeduptoahard,straightrearlinewheretheoldfieldhadhaltedatitsfenceandwherethewoodsbeganongroundthatfelltotheriveratanangleoffromfortytofiftydegrees.Heremygiftedfriendandadvisergavemeapreceptgotfromhisearliergiftedfriendandadviser,FrederickLawOlmsted:thatpassingfromanypartofapleasure-groundtoanypartnextitshouldbeentirelysafeandeasyorelseimpossible.BytheapplicationofthismaximIbroughtmylawnandgrovetogetherinoneofthehappiestofmarriages.ForIproceeded,byfillingwithearth(andfurnaceashes),tocarrythelawnin,practicallylevel,beyondtheoldfencelineandunderthechestnutsandpinessometimessixfeet,sometimestwelve,untilthedifficultandunsafefortyorfiftydegreesofabruptfallwerechangedtoanimpassablesixtyandseventydegrees,andeveryone'sinstinctivechoiceofwaywasthecontourpaths.

Atthesametimethishaspreserved,andevenenhanced,theplace'swildness,especiallythewildflowersandthelow-nestingbirds.Sometimesafewyardsofretaining-wall,nevercemented,alwayslaidupdryandwithastronginwardbatter,hadtobeputintoavoidsmotheringtherootsofsomegreattree;for,aseverybodyknowsandnearlyeverybodyforgets,roots,likefishes,musthaveair.Inoneplace,acrossthefilledheadofaravine,thewall,thoughbutascantyardhigh,isfiftyfeetlong,andthereisanotherplacewherethere

shouldbeonelikeit.Inthisworknotreewassacrificedsaveonenobleoakdonetodeathbyayouthwhoknewbutforgotthatrootsmusthaveair.

Nottomaketheworkexpensiveitwaspursuedslowly,throughmanysuccessiveseasons;yetbeforeevenitseasy,firsthalfwasdonethelawnwasinunderthegroveonanapparentlynatural,irregularcrestline.Moreoverthegrovewasoutonthelawnwithanevenmorenaturalhaphazardborderingline;foranotheroperationhadbeencarriedonmeantime.Trees,souvenirtrees,hadfromtimetotimebeenplantedonthelawnbyvisitingfriends.Mostofthemaresetcloseenoughtothegrovetobecomeapartofit,standinginacarefulirregularitywhichhasalreadyobliterated,withoutmolesting,thetreelineoftheancient

fence.

[Illustration:"ThebringingofthegroveoutonthelawnandthepushingofthelawninunderthegrovewasoneoftheearlytasksofMyOwnAcre."

Atthepointwherethepartyisdrinkingtea(thesiteoftheIndianmound)theoverlapofgroveandlawniseighty-fivefeetacrosstheoldfencelinethatoncesharplydividedthem.]

Youngsenatorsamongtheirseniors,theystillhavemuchgrowthtomakebeforetheycanenterintotheirfullforestdignity,yetHenryWardBeecher'selmisnearlytwofeetthroughandhasaspreadoffifty;Max

O'Rell'swhite-ashisafootindiameterandfiftyfeethigh;EdwardAtkinson'sissomethingmore,andFelixAdler'shemlock-spruce,themapleofAnthonyHopeHawkins,L.ClarkSeelye'sEnglishash,HenryvanDyke'swhite-ash,SolSmithRussell'slinden,andHamiltonWrightMabie'shorse-chestnutareallaboutthirty-fivefeethighandcastagoodlyshade.SirJamesM.Barrie'selm--hisandSirWilliamRobertsonNicoll's,whoplanteditwithhimlaterthantheplantingsaforementioned--has,bysomevirtueinthesoilorinitsownenergies,reachedaheightofnearlysixty-fivefeetandadiameterofsixteeninches.Othersouvenirsareahorse-chestnutplantedbyMinnieMaddern

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Fiske,aginkgobyAliceFreemanPalmer,abeechbyPaulvanDyke,ahorse-chestnutbyAnnaHempsteadBranch,anotherbySirSidneyLee,yetanotherbyMaryE.Burt,acatalpabyMadelaineWynne,aColoradobluespruce--fitlyplacedaftermuchlaborofmind--bySirMosesEzekiel,andaKentuckycoffee-treebyGeraldStanleyLeeandJennetteLee,ofourowntown.AmongtheseshouldalsostandthemapleofSirArthurConanDoyle,butitwaskilledinitssecondwinterbyanundetectedmouseatitsroots.ExceptSirMoses,alltheknightsherenamedreceivedtheaccoladeaftertheirtreeplantings,butIdrawnomoral.

[Illustration:"Souvenirtreeshadfromtimetotimebeenplantedonthelawnbyvisitingfriends."

TheBeecherelm,firstofthesouvenirtrees.]

Woulditwerepracticabletotransmittothosewhomayknowthesetreesinlaterdaysthescenesoftheirsettingoutandtotelljusthowthewordsweresaidwhichsomeoftheplantersspoke.Mr.Beecher,loverofyoungtreesandyoungchildren,straightenedupafterpressingthesoilabouttherootswithhandsaswellasfeetandsaid:"Icannotwishyoutoliveaslongasthistree,butmayyourchildren'schildrenandtheirchildrensitunderitsshade."SaidFelixAdlertohishemlock-spruce,"Vivat,crescat,floreat";andasentimentmuchlikeitwasimpliedinSolSmithRussell'swordstothegrove'smasterasthey

finishedputtinginhislindentogether--forhewasjustthenproposingtoplayRipVanWinkle,whichJosephJeffersonhadfinallydecidedtoproducenomore:"Here'stoyourhealt',undtderhealt'ofallyourfamily;mayyouliflongundtbrosper."

We--thefirstpersonsingulargrowstiresome--wemighthavenow,onouracre,atreeplantedbyJosephJeffersonhadwethoughtintimetobeprovidedwithasapling,growing,inatub.Haveyourprospectivesouvenirtreealreadytubbedandwaiting.ThisideaIgotfromAndrewCarnegie,withwhomIhadthehonortoplantanoakatSkiboCastleandfromwhomI,likesomanyothers,havehadotherthingsalmostasgoodasideas.Haveyourprospectivesouvenirtreetubbedandthetubsunkintheground,ofcourse,toitsrim.Thenthedearfriendcanplantitat

anytimethathemaychancealongbetweenMarchandDecember.Butletnosouvenirtree,howeverplanted,betreated,afterplanting,asotherthanalivingthingifyouwouldbejusttoit,toyourfriend,ortoyourself.Cultivateit;coaxiton;anditwillgrowtwoorthreeorfourtimesasfastasiflefttofightitsdailybattleforlifeunaided.Anddonotforbeartoplanttreesbecausetheygrowsoslowly.Theyneednot.Theydonot.Withalittleattentiontheygrowsoswiftly!Beforeyouknowityouaresittingintheirshade.BesidesSirArthur'smapletheonlysouvenirtreewehavelostwasatulip-treeplantedbymyfriendofhalfalifetime,thelateFranklinH.Head.

Somuchformygrove.Iwriteofitnotinself-complacency.Mymanyblunders,someofthemyettobemade,areagoodinsuranceagainst

that.Iwritebecauseofthecountlessacresasgoodasmine,inthisgreat,dearAmerica,whichmightnowbegivingtheirownersallthehealthfulpastime,privatesolace,orsolitaryorsocialdelightswhichthisoneyields,yetwhichareonly"wastelands"or"holesintheground"becauseunavailableforhouselotsortillage.

[Illustration:"Howthewordsweresaidwhichsomeoftheplantersspoke."

PresidentSeelyeofSmithCollegeplantingatree.--Amajorityofthe

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companypresentwereSmithCollegestudentsandothersengagedintheworkofthePeople'sInstitute.ThetreeontheleftisBarrie'selm.Thetreedirectlybehindthesmallsaplingwhichisbeingplanted,andonalinewithit,isMaxO'Rell's.Thehemlock-sprucebetweenthemisFelixAdler's.]

Andnowastothesingleacrebymeasure,oflawn,shrubs,andplants,closearoundmyhouse;forthereasonthatitwasandismyschoolofgardening.Therewasnogardenhere--Iwritethisinthemidstofit--whenIbegan.TenstepsfromwhereIsittherehadbeenasmallIndianmoundwhichsomeonehadcarefullyexcavated.Ifoundstonearrowchipsonthespot,andonewholearrow-head.Soherenooneelse'searlierskillwasinevidencetopointmycourseorimpedeit.ThiswasmycleannewslateandatthattimeIhadnever"doneasum"ingardeningandgotanythinglikearightanswer.

Itisemphaticallyanamateurgardenandabookgarden:agardenwhichtome,astomostofus,wouldhavebeenimpossibleinanybutthesedayswhenthewholeartofgardeninghasbeenprintedinbooksandnoamateurisexcusablefortryingtogardenwithoutreadingthem,orforsayingafterhavingreadthemthathehasplannedandworkedwithoutprofessionaladvice.Thebooks_are_theprofessionaladvice,withfewdrawbacksandwiththegreatadvantagethattheyareourstrulyanddonotevenhavetobe"'phoned."Ishouldratherhaveinmylibrarymy

Bailey's"AmericanCyclopediaofHorticulture,"thananytwogardenperiodicalsonceamonth.These,too,Ivalue,but,forme,theyareover-apttocarrytoomuchdeckloadoftheadviceandgentlevauntingsofotheramateurs.Ihaveanamateur'sabhorrenceofamateurs!TheCyclopedia_knows_,andwillalwayssendmetotherightbooksifitcannotthreshamatteroutwithmeitself.BeforeBaileymyfountofknowledgewasMr.E.J.Canning,lateofSmithCollegeBotanicGardens;aspringstillfarfromdry.

Asthebooksenjoin,Ibeganmybook-gardeningwithaplanonpaper;nottheelaboratethingonepaysforwhenhecangivehisgardenmoremoneythantime,butalightsketch,amerefundamentalsuggestion.Thiscameprofessionallyfromalandscape-architect,MissFrancesBullard,of

Bridgeport,Connecticut,whohadjustfinishedplottingthegroundsofmyneighbor,thecollege.

Itellofmyowngardenforanotherreason:thatitshows,Ithink,howmuchcanbedonewithhowlittle,ifforthedoingyoutaketimeinsteadofmoney.Allthingscometothegardenthatknowshowtowait.Minehasacquiredatleisureagroupofeffectswhichwouldhavecostfromtentotwentytimesasmuchifgotinahurry.Gardenforten-yearresultsandgetthemfornexttonothing,andatthesametimeyoumayquickenspeedwheneveryourexchequersmilesbroadlyenough.Ofcoursethisargumentischieflyforthosewhohavethetimeandnotthemoney;forbytimewemeanplaytime,timewhichismoneylostifyoudon'tplay.Thegardenthatgivesthemostjoy,"JoyousGard,"asSir

Launcelotnamedhis,isnottobebought,likeaCircassianslave;itmustbebroughtup,likeadaughter.Howmuchoflifetheycanmisswhocanbuywhatevertheywantwhenevertheywantit!

ButItellfirstofmyowngardenalsobecauseIbelieveitsummarizestotheeyeanumberofprimarybook-rules,authoritative"don'ts,"bytheobservanceofwhichamultitudeofamateurgardenersmaygetbetterresultsthanityetshows.Nevertheless,Iwillhardlydomorethannoteafewexceptionstothesegroundrules,whichmaygivetherulesamoreconvincingforce.Firstofall,"don't"letanyofyourplanting

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cutorsplityourplaceintwo.Howmanyasmallhouse-lotlawnweseesplitdownthemiddlebyarowofornamentalshrubsorfruit-treeswhichmightaseasilyhavebeensetwithinafewfeetofthepropertyline,whoserigidity,moreover,wouldhavebestexcusedtherigidityoftheplantedline.Butsuchglaringinstancesaside,therearemanysubtleronesquiteasunfortunate;"don't"betoosureyouarenotunwittinglyfurnishingone.

"Don't"destroytheopennessofyourswardbydottingitwithshrubsorpatternflower-beds.TothisruleIdoubtifaplausibleexceptioncouldbecontrived.Itissosweepingandsoprimarythatwemightwellwithholditherewerewenotseekingtostateitsartisticreasonwhy.Whichis,thatsuchplantingsaremereeruptionsofindividualsmartness,withoutdignityandwithnopartinanygeneralunity;chirpinguplikepertchildreninacompanypresumablytryingtoberational.

Ontheotherhand,Ihopemyacre,despiteallitsunconsciousorunconfessedmistakes,showspleasantlythatthebestopennessofalawnisnottobegotbetweenunclothed,right-angledandparallelbounds.Themoreitsverdure-cladbordersswinginandoutthelongertheylook,notmerelybecausetheyarelongerbutalsobecausetheyinterestandluretheeye."Whereareyougoing?"saystheeye.

"Comeandsee,"saystheroamingline.

"Don't"plantinstifflinesexceptincloserelationtoarchitecturalorlegalbounds.AstraighthorizontallineNaturescarcelyknowssaveinherrocksandonavasterscalethanweherehavetodowith.Yetstraightlinesingardeningareoftengoodandfineifonlytheyarelinesofrealneed.Where,whenandinwhatdegreeitisgoodtosubordinateutilitytobeautyorbeautytoutilitydependsontime,placeandcircumstance,butwhenindoubt"don't"pincheithertopettheother.Oppressionisnevergoodart.Yet"don't"crywar,war,wherethereisnowar.Atruebeautyandaneededutilitymaybristleonfirstcollisionbuttheysoonmakefriends.WasitnotRuskinhimselfwho

wantedtobutttherailway-trainoffthetrackandpawuptherails--somethinglikethat?Butevenbetweenthemandthelandscapethereisnowanententecordiale.IhaveseenthehandofJosephPennellmakebeautifulpeacewithbillboardsandtelegraph-polesandwires.

TherailwaypointsustothefactthatalongthegroundNatureisasinnocentofparallellines,howeverbent,asofstraightones,andthatinlandscape-gardeningparallelsshouldbeavoidedunlesstheyarelinesofutility."Don't"layparallellines,eitherstraightorcurved,whereNaturewouldnotandutilityneednot.Yetmyownacrehastaughtmeamodificationofthisrulesomarkedastobealmostanexception.OneachsideofmenextmynearestneighborIhaveaturfedalleybetweenacontinuousbedoffloweringshrubsandplantsnextthedivisionline,

andasimilarbedwhosemeanderingsbordermylawn.AtfirstIgavethesetwoalleysasinuouscourseincorrespondencewiththewindingsofthebedborderingthelawn--fortheywerepurelywaysofpleasureamongtheflowers,andaloiteringcourseseemedonlyreasonable.Butsinuouslinesprovedasdisappointinginthealleysastheyweresatisfyingoutonthelawn,andbyandbyIsawthatwhereasthebendingsoftheopenlawn'sbordersluredandrewardedtheeye,thesamecurvesinthealleysobstructedandbaffledit.Theshowoffloralcharmswaspiecemeal,momentaryandthereforetrivial."Don't"betrivial!

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[Illustration:"'Whereareyougoing?'saystheeye.'Comeandsee,'saystheroamingline."

Thisplantingconcealsoneofthealleysdescribedonpage34.Inthealleyaconcretebenchbuiltintoaconcretewalllooksacrosstheentirebreadthofthegardenandintothesunset.]

Butacurewaseasy.Ihadtostraightenbutonesideofeachalleytorestoretheeye'sfreedomofperspective,andnothingmorewaswanting.TheAmericaneye'sfreedomofperspectiveisoneofourgreatliberties.

Oh,say,canyou_see_--?

Imadethischange,ofcourse,onthesidenearestthestraight,property-divisionbound,whererananinvisiblewirefence.Thusthebedonthatsidewassetbetweentwostraightparallels,whilethebedonthelawnsideremainedbetweenwavingparallels.Thisgavethebestsimplicitywiththeleastartificiality.Andthusthetwolanesareopentoviewfromendtoend,yeteachhastwodeepbaysonthesidenearestthelawn,bayswhichremainunseentilloneactuallyreachesthemintraversingthelane.Insuchabayoneshouldalwayshave,Ithink,somefloralrevelationofspecialcharmworthyoftheseclusionandthesurprise.Butthisthoughtisonlyoneofahundredthattellme

mygardenisnotafinishedthing.Toitstrueloveragardenneveris.

Anothersortofbay,thesortresultingfromaswiftretreatofalineofshrubberiespursuedbythelawnandthenswingingroundandreturninguponthelawninacounterpursuit,IthoughtIhadlearnedfrombooksandMissBullardandhadestablishedonmyownacre,untilIsawthecollegegardensofOxford,England,andthelandscapeworkinHydePark,London.OnmyreturnthenceImadehastetogivemyowngarden'sin-and-outcurvestwicetheboldnesstheyhadhad.AnddoublingtheirboldnessIdoubledtheirbeauty."Don't"everletyouracre's,orhalforquarteracre's,groundlinesrelaxintofeeblenessorshrinkintopettiness."Don't"everplanalayoutforwhosefreeswingyourlimitsarecramped.

[Illustration:"Thelaneisopentoviewfromendtoend.Ithastwodeepbaysonthesidenearestthelawn."

Thestraightlineofhighgrowthconcealsinthemidstofitsfoliageawiredivisionfence,andmakesaperfectbackgroundforbloomingherbaceousperennials.]

"Don't"ever,ifyoucanhelpit,saysanotherofmyoldmistakestome,letyouracreleadyourguesttoanypointwhichcanbedepartedfromonlybyretracingone'ssteps.Suchnecessitiesinvolvealapse--nottosaycollapse--ofinterest,whichmakesfordulnessandlossofdignity.Lackwhatmyownacremay,Ihaveitnowsothatbyitsalleys,lawns

andcontourpathsingardenandgrovewecanwalkandwalkthrougheverypartofitwithoutoncemeetingourowntracks,andthatisnotallbecauseofthepleasantfactthatthewalks,wherenotturfed,arecoveredwithpine-straw,ofwhicheachnewSeptemberdropsusafreshharvest.

Agarden,wesay,shouldnevercompelustogobackthewaywecame;butintruthagardenshouldnevercompelustodoanything.Itsdon'tsshouldbelaidsolelyonitself.Thoseapplicabletoitsmaster,mistress,orguestsshouldallbeimpossibilities,notrequests.

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"Privategrounds,nocrossing"--takethataway,please,whereveryoucan,andplantyourmarginssothattherecanbenocrossing.Wirenettingshiddenbyshrubberiesfromallbuttheshamelesstrespasseryouwillfindfarmoreeffective,morepromotivetobeautyandmorecourteous."Don't"makeyourgardenagardenofdon'ts.

Fornogardenisquiteagardenuntilitis"JoyousGard."Letnotyoursorminebeagardenfordisplay.Thenourrhododendronsandlikesplendorswillnotbeatthefrontgate,andourgroundsbelessandlessworthseeingthefartherintothemwego.Norletyoursorminebeagardenofpride.Thewaysofsuchagardenarenotpleasantnessnoritspathspeace.Andletusnothaveagardenoftiringcareorauserupofprecioustime.Thatisnotgoodcitizenship.Neitherletushaveanold-trousers,sun-bonnet,blackfinger-nailsgarden--especiallyifyouareawoman.Agardenthatmakesawife,daughterorsisteradowdyishardly"JoyousGard."Neitherisonewhichmakesitselfamaniatoherandanafflictiontoherfamily.Letusnotevenhave,youorme,awondergarden--ofarborealorfloralcuriosities.PerhapsbecauseIhavenottravelledenoughIhaveneverseenagardenofexoticsthatwasarealgardeninanygoodartsense;inanyway,thatis,lastinglypleasingtoanoblespirit.Letyourgarden,andletmine,bethegardenofjoy.Fortheonlywayitcanbethat,onandon,yearin,yearout,istobesogoodinartandsofinelyhumaninitspurposesthattohaveitanddailykeepitwillmakeusmoreworthwhiletoourselvesandto

mankindthantogowithoutit.

THEAMERICANGARDEN

AlmostanygoodAmericanwilladmitittobeapartofournationalsocialscheme,Ithink,--ifwehaveasocialscheme,--thateverybodyshallaspiretoalltherefinementsoflife.

Particularlyisitourtheorythateveryoneshallproposetogiveto

hishomeallthejoysandgraceswhichareanywhereassociatedwiththenameofhome.Yetuntiloflatewehaveneglectedtheartofgardening.Nowandthenwesee,ormorelikelywereadabout,somegardenofwonderfulbeauty;buttheveryfameofitpointsthefactthatreallyartisticgardeningisnotdemocraticallygeneralwithus.

Ourcitiesandtowns,withoutnumber,havethearchitectandtheengineer,forhouseandforlandscape,forsky-scrapersandallmannerofpublicworks;wehavethenurseryman,theflorist;wehaveparks,shadedboulevardsandriversideandlakesidedrives.Underprivateownershipwehaveavastmultitudeofexactlyrectilinearlawns,extremelybareorelseverybadlyplanted;andwehavehundredsofthousandsofbeautifuldamesandgirlswho"loveflowers."Butourhome

gardens,ourhomegardeners,eitherprofessionaloramateur,wherearethey?Oursmallercitiesbyscoresandourtownsbyhundredsarefullofhome-dwellerseachprivatelypuzzledtoknowwhyeveryoneofhisneighbors'houses,howeverrespectableinarchitecture,staresathimandafterhimwithavacant,deaf-muteairofhavingjustlandedinthiscountry,withoutfriends.

Whatailsthesedwellingsislargelylackoftruegardening.Theywillneverlooklikehomes,neverlookreallyhumanandbenign,thatis,untiltheyaresetinagardeningworthyofthem.Foragardenwhich

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functionshouldbetodelightitshouse'sinmates(andintimates)inthingsofnaturesorefinedastoinspireandsatisfytheirhappiestmoods.Thereforenogardenshouldcost,norlookasifitcost,anoutlayofmoney,timeortoilthatcrampsthehouse'sownabilitytoministertothegenuinebodilyneedsandspiritualenlargementsofitsindwellers;andtherefore,also,itshouldneverseemtocost,initsfirstmakingorinitsdailykeeping,somuchpainsastolack,itself,agarden'ssupremeessential--tranquillity.

So,then,tothosewhowouldincitewholestreetsofAmericantownstobecomeflorallybeautiful,"formal"gardeningseemshardlythesorttorecommend.Aboutthepalatialdwellingsofmenofprincelyrevenueitmaybeenchanting.Thereitappearsquiteinplace.Forwithallitsexquisiteartificialityitstillisnearertonaturethanthestatelyedificeitsurroundsandadorns.Butforanylesscostlyhomesitcoststoomuch.Itisexpensiveinitsfirstoutlayanditdemandsconstantlythegreatestcareandthehighestskill.OurordinaryAmericanlifeistoobusyforitunlessthegroundisquitehandedovertothehiredprofessionalandopenlybetraysitselfasthatveryunsatisfyingthing,a"gardener'sgarden."

[Illustration:"...untilthehouseitselfseemsasnaturally...togrowupoutofthegardenasthehighkeynoterisesattheendofalady'ssong."

OntherightofthispictureyoumayseethepiersofoneofthefrontgatesofMyOwnAcrestandingunderHenryWardBeecher'selm.Theurnformssurmountingthemareofconcrete,andtheurnsarecastfromearlierformsinwood,whichwereagiftfromHenryvanDyke.Ontheleftthetopsofthearborvitandamagnoliaarebendinginthewind.]

OurordinaryAmericanlifeisalsotoonearnaturefortheformalgardentocomeinbetween.Unlessourformalgardeningisofsomeinexpensivesortourmodestdwelling-housesgiveusananticlimax,andthereisnoinexpensivesortofformalgardening.ExceptinthefarsouthourAmericanclimateexpatriatesit.

Averygoodpracticalrulewouldbefornoneofustoventureuponsuchgardeninguntilheiswellabletokeepupanadequategreenhouse.Aformalgardenwithoutagreenhouseortwo--orthree--isagloriousarmyonawarfooting,butwithoutabaseofsupplies.Itislargelyhisgreenhouseswhichmakethepublicgardenerandthecommercialfloristsomisleadinganexampleforthecottagertofollowinhisprivategardening.

Tobebeautiful,formalgardeningrequiresstatelyproportions.Withouttheseitisalmostcertaintobepettyandfrivolous.InthetinygardensofBritishandEuropeanpeasants,itistrue,acertainformalityofdesignisoftenpractisedwithpleasingsuccess;butthesegardensareaby-productofpeasanttoil,andinAmericawehavenojoy

incontemplatinganAmericanhomelimitedtotheaspirationsofpeasantlife.Insuchgardeningthereisaconstraint,alackofnaturalfreedom,adistancefromnature,andacertaincontentedsubserviency,whichmakesit--howeverfortunateitmaybeunderothersocialconditions--whollyunfittoexpressthebuoyant,nottosayexuberant,complacenciesoftheAmericanhome.Forthesewewant,whatwehavenotyetquiteevolved,theAmericangarden.Whenthiscomesitmustcome,ofcourse,unconsciously;butwemaybesureitwillnotbemuchlikethegardensofanypoliticallyshut-inpeople.No,notevenofthosesupremeartistsingardening,theJapanese.Itwillexpressthetraitsofour

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Americandomesticlife;ourstrongindividualityandself-assurance,oursenseofunguardedsecurity,ouraffabilityandunexclusivenessandourdisliketohigh-walledprivacy.Ifwewouldhastenitsdaywemustmakewayforitalongthelinesofthesetraits.

Ontheotherhand,ifinfollowingtheselineswecancontrivetoadherefaithfullytotheworldwidelawsofalltrueart,whoknowsbutourverygardeningmaytendtocorrectmorethanoneshortcomingorexcessinournationalcharacter?

InourNorthamptonexperimentithasbeenourconvictionfromthebeginningthatforaprivategardentobewhatitshouldbe--tohaveahappyindividuality--acountenanceofitsown--oneworthytobeitsown--itmustinsomepracticalwaybethefruitofitshouseholder'sownspiritandnotmerelyofsomehiredgardener's.Ifonecanemployalandscape-architect,allverywell;butthemostofuscannot,andafterall,thetruelandscape-architect,theartistgardener,worksonthisprincipleandseekstoconveyintoeverygardendistinctivelythesoulofthehouseholdforwhichitspringsandflowers.

"Sincewhenitgrowsandsmells,Iswear,Notofitselfbutthee."

FewAmericanhouseholders,however,haveanyenthusiasmforthistheory,

whichmanywouldcallhigh-strung,andasweinNorthamptoncannotundertaketocounselanddirectourneighbors'hiredhelps,weenrollinthemainbranchofourcompetitiononlythosewhogardenforthemselvesandhirenolabor.Tosuchthetwenty-oneprizes,rangingfromtwodollarsandahalfuptofifteendollars,areastrongincentive,andbysuchtheadviceofvisitingcommitteesiseagerlysoughtandfollowed.Thepubliceducativevalueofthemovementisprobablylargestundertheselimitations,forinthiswayweshowwhatbeautifulresultsmaybegotonsmallestgroundsandwiththeleastoutlay.Itsprivateeducativevalue,too,isprobablylargestthus,becausethuswedisseminateasahomedelightapracticalknowledgeofstheticprinciplesamongthosewhomayatanytimefinditexpedienttobecomewage-earninggardenersonthehomegroundsofthewell-to-do.

[Illustration:"Beautifulresultsmaybegotonsmallestgrounds."

Thisishalfofabackyard,thewholeofwhichisequallyhandsome.TheplacetowhichitbelongstookacapitalprizeintheCarnegieFlowerGardenCompetition.]

[Illustration:"Muffleyourarchitecturalanglesinfoliageandbloom."

Aninvisiblefaultofthisplantingisthatitwassettooclosetothebuildingandtendedtogiveanimpression,probablygroundless,ofpromotingdampness.Alsoitwasaninconveniencetomechanicsinpaintingorrepairing.]

Thecompetinggardensbeingkeptwhollywithouthiredlabor,ofcourseourconstantadvicetoallcontestantsistoshunformalgardening.Itisapitythatinnearlyallourcitiesandtownsthemostnotableexamplesofgardeningarefoundintheparks,boulevards,andcemeteries.Bytheseflaringdisplaysthousandsofmodestcottagerswhomighteasilyprovide,ontheirsmallscale,lovelygardensabouttheirdwellingsatvirtuallynocostandwithnoburdensomecare,getanotionthatthis,andthisonly,isartisticgardeningandhencethatahomegardenforoneselfwouldbetooexpensiveandtroublesometobethought

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of.Ontheotherhand,afewaretemptedtomimicthemonapettyscale,andsospoiltheirlittlegrass-plotsandamuse,withoutentertaining,theirnotmoretastefulbutonlylessaspiringneighbors.InNorthampton,inourCarnegieprizecontest--socalledforaverysufficientandpleasantreason--ourcounselistoavoidallmimicryingardeningaswewouldavoiditinspeechoringait.Sometimeswedonotmindbeingrepetitious."Ingardening"wesay--asifwehadneversaiditbefore--"almosttheonlythingwhichcostsunduly--inmoneyorinmortification--isforonetotrytogivehimselfsomebodyelse'sgarden!"Oftenwesaythistwicetothesameperson.

Oneofthereasonswegiveagainstitisthatitleadstotoygardening,andtoygardeningisofallsortsthemostpitifulandridiculous."Notrueart,"wesay,"cantolerateanymake-believewhichisnotinsomewayfinerthantherealityitsimulates.Inotherwords,imitationshouldalwaysbeinthenatureofanamiablecondescension.Whateverfalseness,pretensionorevenmerefrailtyorsmallness,suggeststotheeyetheineffectualityofatoyisoutofplaceinanysortofgardening."Wedonotactuallyspeakallthis,butweimplyit,andweoftenfindthatthemereutteranceoftheoneword,"toygardening,"hasamagicaleffecttosuggestalltherestandtooverwhelmwithcontritionthebadtasteandfrivolityofmanyamisguidedattemptatadornment.Atthatwordofexorcismjointsofceruleansewer-pipecrestedwithscarletgeraniums,rowsofwhitedcobblesalongthewalkor

drivelikeacannibal'sskullsaroundhishut,purplepaint-kegsofpetuniasonthescantydoor-steps,crimsonwash-kettlesofverbenas,ant-hillrockeries,andwell-sweepsandcurbswherenowellsare,stealmodestlyandforeverintooblivion.

Now,whenwesopreachwetryalsotomakeitveryplainthatthereisnotonesetofrulesforgardeningonasmallscaleofexpenseinasmallpieceofground,andanothersetforgardeningonalargerscale.Forofcoursetheverythingwhichmakesthesmallgardendifferentfromthelarge,therichman'sfromthepoorman's,theScotchorItalianpeasant'sfromtheAmericanmechanic's,orthepublicgardenfromtheprivate,istheuniversalandimmutableonenessofthegreatcanonsofart.Oneofourcompetitors,havinghonestlypurgedhersoulofevery

impulseshemayeverhavehadtomimicthegardeningofthecemeteries,plantedherdooryardwithatruenessofartwhichmadeitthejoyofallbeholders.Onlythenwasitthatapassingadmirerstoppedandcried:"Uponmesoul,Mrs.Anonyma,yirgyairdenlooksjoostloikeapooblicpairk!"Hemeant--withoutknowingit--thatthespotwaslovelyfornottryingtolooktheleastbitlikeapublicpark,andhewasright.Shehadkeptwhatitwouldbewellforthepublicgardenerstokeepmuchbetterthansomeofthemdo--theMoralLawofGardening.

*****

Thereisamorallawofgardening.Nogardenshouldevertellalie.Nogardenshouldeverputonanyfalsepretence.Nogardenshouldever

breakapromise.Tothepresentreadertheseproclamationsmayseemverytrite;itmayseemverytritetosaythatifanythinginorofagardenismeantforadornment,itmustadorn;butwehavetosaysuchthingstomanywhodonotknowwhattritemeans--whothinkitissomethingyoubuyfromthebutcher.Athingmeantforadornment,wetellthem,mustsotrulyandsufficientlyadornastobeworthalltheroomandattentionittakesup.Thoushaltnotletanythinginthygardentakeawaythyguest'sattentionwithoutrepayinghimforit;itisstealing.

Alady,notinourcompetitionbutoneofitsmostvaluedpatronesses,

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latelyproposedtoherselftoplaceinthecentreofawide,ovallawnasun-dialandtohavefourpathscrossthegrassandmeetthere.Butonreflectionthequerycametoher--

"Inmyunformalgardenofsimplestgroveandswardwillasun-dial--posinginanofficeitneverperformedthere,andwillneveragainbeneededforanywhere--acabinetrelicnow--willa_posed_sun-dialbeinterestingenoughwhenitisarrivedattojustifyaspecialjourneyandfourkept-uppathswhichcutmybeautifulgrass-plotintoquarters?"

Withthatshechangedhermind--athingthegoodgardenermustoftendo--andappointedthedialtoaplacewhereonecomesuponitquiteincidentallywhilemovingfromonemainfeatureofthegroundstoanother.Itisnowapleasing,mildsurpriseinsteadofatamefulfilmentofashowypromise;pleasing,afterall,itmust,however,beadmitted,tothetoy-lovingspirit,sincethesun-dialhaslongbeen,andhencefortheverwillbe,anutterlyuselessthinginagarden,onlytruetoartwhenitstandsinanoldgarden,agenuinehistoricalsurvivalofitsdayoftrueutility.Onlyinsuchacasedoesthesun-dialbelongtothegoodmoralsofgardening.Butmaybethisisanoverstrictruleforthemajorityofuswhoaremuchtoofondofembellishmentsanddisplay--therougeandpowderofhighart.

Ontheotherhand,wegotoquiteasmuchpainstosaythatthoughagardenmaynotlienorsteal,itmayhaveitsconcealments;theyareasrightastheyarevaluable.Oneofthefirststepsinthemakingofagardenshouldbetodeterminewhattohideandhowmostgracefullytohideit.Agardenisahouse'sgarments,itsfig-leaves,aswemaysay,andthegarden'sconcealments,likeitsrevelations,oughtalwaystobeintheinterestofcomfort,dignity,andcharm.

Weoncehadaverybumptiousmemberonourboardofjudges."Mydearmadam!"heexclaimedtoanaspirantfortheprizes,theunderpinningofwhosedwellingstoodoutunconcealedbyanysprigoffloralgrowth,"yourhouseisbarefooted!Nobodywantstoseeyourhouse'sunderpinning,anymorethanhewantstoseeyourown!"

Itisnotgoodtobesobrusqueaboutnon-penitentiaryoffences,butskilfulandlovelyconcealmentsingardeningwerehishobby.Toanotherhewhispered,"Mydearsir,tellyourprettyhouseherpetticoatshows!"andtoyetanother,"Takeallthoseshrubsoutofthemiddleofyourlawnand'plantout'withthemeveryfeatureofyourhousewhichwouldbeofnointeresttoyouifthehousewerenotyours.Yourhouse'smoralsmaybeallright,butitsmannersareinsufferable,ittalkssomuchaboutitselfanditsfamily."Toafourthhesaid:"Inagardeningsenseyourhousemakestoomuchnoise;youcanhearitsrightangleshittheground.Mufflethem!Muffleyourarchitecturalanglesinfoliageandbloom.Upintheairtheymaybeeversocorrectandfine,butdowninthegardenandunclothedtheyareheinous,heinous!"

Anotherpreceptwetrytoinculcateinourroundsamongthegardens,anothercommandmentinthemorallawofgardening,isthatwithallagarden'sworthyconcealmentsitshouldnever,andneednever,befrivolousorbelackingincandor.Iknowanamateurgardener--andtheamateurgardener,liketheamateurphotographer,sometimesrankshigherthantheprofessional--whoisatthismomentalteringthelocationofasidewalkgatewhichbyanearlierownerwasarchitecturallymisplacedforthesolepurposeofmakingapathwithcurves--andsuchcurves!--insteadofastraightandhonestone,fromthestreettothe

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kitchen.Whenapathissentonaplainbusinesserranditshouldneverloaf.Andyetthoselinesofagarden'slayoutwhicharedesignednotforbusinessbutforpleasure,shouldneverbehaveasthoughtheywereonbusiness;theyshouldloiterjustenoughtomaketheirguestsfeelatease,whilenotenoughtowastetime.Howlikeaperfectlady,oraperfectgentleman,is--howeverhumbleorexalteditsrank--agardenwithcourtlymanners!

Astomanners,ourincipientAmericangardenhasalreadydevelopedonetraitwhichdistinguishesitfromthosebeyondtheAtlantic.ItisahabitwhichremindsoneofwhatsomebodyhaslatelysaidaboutAmericansthemselves:that,whoevertheyareandwhatevertheirmannersmaybe,theyhavethistotheircredit,thattheyunfailinglydesireandproposetobepolite.ThethingwearehintingatisourAmericangardens'excessiveopenness.Ourpeoplehave,oruntiljustnowhad,almostabolishedthefenceandthehedge.Agard,yard,garth,garden,usedtomeananenclosure,aclose,andimpliedaprivacytoitsownersuperiortoanyheenjoyedoutsideofit.Butnowthatwenolongerhaveanymilitaryneedofprivacywearetempted--arewenot?--tooverlookitsspiritualvalue.Weseemtoenjoypublicitybetter.InourAmericaneagernesstopublisheverythingforeverybodyandtoeverybody,wehavepublishedourgardens--publishedtheminpaperbindings;thatistosay,withtheirboundariesvisibleonlyonmapsfiledwiththeRegistrarofDeeds.

Foreignerswhotravelamonguscomplainthatwesooverdoourgood-naturedenduranceofeverypublicinconveniencethatwehavemadeitanationalmisfortuneandarelosingoursenseofourpublicrights.Thisobliterationofprivateboundariesisaninstance.Ourpublicspiritandoutimperturbabilityareflatteredbyit,butourgardens,exceptamongtherich,havebecomeAmericanbyceasingtobegardens.

Ihaveaneighborwhoeveryyearplantsagardenofannuals.Hehasnofence,buttwoofhisneighborshaveeachasetterdog.Thesedogsarerarelyconfined.OnemorningIsawhimputintheseedofhislovelyannualsandleavehissmoothlyrakedbedsalreadyapleasantshowandaprophecyofdelightwhileyetwithoutasprayofgreen.AnhourlaterI

sawthosetwosetterdogswrestlingandsprawlingaroundinjoyouscirclesalloverthosegardenbeds."Gay,guiltlesspair!"Whatisonetodoinsuchacase,inalandwhereeverybodyisexpectedtotakeeverythinggood-naturedly,andwhereafenceissignofasourtemper?Ofcoursehecandoasothersdo,andhavenogarden.Buttohavenogardenisadistinctpovertyinahouseholder'slife,whetherheknowsitornot,and--supposeheverymuchwantsagarden?

Theywerethewell-to-dowhobeganthisabolitionmovementagainstenclosuresandIhaveanideaitneverwouldhavehadabeginninghadthereprevailedgenerally,democratically,amongusasentimentforrealgardening,andaknowledgeofitspracticalprinciples;forwiththissentimentandknowledgeweshouldhavehadthatsweetexperienceof

outdoorprivacyforlackofwhichweloseoneofthenoblestcharmsofhome.Thewell-to-dostartedthefashion,itcostlessmoneytofollowthantowithstanditandpresentlythelandlordsofthepoorutilizedit.

Thepoorman--thepoorwoman--needstheprotectionofafencetoadegreeofwhichthewell-to-doknownothing.Inthecommoninterestofthewholecommunity,ofanycommunity,thepoorman--thepoorwoman--oughttohaveagarden;butiftheyaregoingtohaveagardentheyoughttohaveafence.WeinNorthamptonknowscoresofpoorhomes

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whosetenantsstriveyearafteryeartoestablishsomefloralbeautyaboutthem,andfailforwantofenclosures.Theneighbors'children,theirdogs,theircats,geese,ducks,hens--itisuseless.Manyrefusetomaketheeffort;some,Isay,makeitandgiveitup,andnowandthensomeonewinsasurprisinganddelightfulsuccess.Twoorthreesuchhavetakenhighprizesinourcompetition.Thetwochiefthingswhichmadetheirtriumphpossiblewere,first,aninvinciblepassionforgardening,and,second,poultry-netting.

Agreatnewboontothehomegardenertheyare,thesewirefencingsandnettings.Withthemeversomanythingsmaybedonenowataquarterortenthofwhattheywouldoncehavecost.Ourold-fashionedfencesweresometimesveryexpensive,sometimesveryperishable,sometimesboth.Alsotheywereapttobeveryugly.Yetinsteadofconcealingthemwemadethemadisplay,whiletheshrubberywhichshouldhavemaskedtheminleafandbloomstoodscatteredoverthelawn,eachlittlenewbushbyitself,visiblyifnotaudiblysaying--

"You'dscarceexpectoneofmyage----"

etc.;theshrubsorphaned,thelawndestroyed.

Iftheenclosurewasahedgeithadtobeatightoneorelseitdidnotenclose.Nowwirenettingcharmsawaytheseembarrassments.Yourhedge

canbeaslooseasyoucaretohaveit,whileyourenclosuremayberigidlyeffectiveyetbehiddenfromtheeyebyundulatingfence-rows;andaswenowhavedefiniteboundsandcornerstoplantout,wedonotsooftenasformerlyneedtoberemindedofFrederickLawOlmsted'sfavoritemaxim,"Takecareofthecorners,andthecentreswilltakecareofthemselves."

[Illustration:Fencesmaskedbyshrubbery.

OnestraightlineofWillistonSeminarycampus,theeffectofwhoseironfencebeforeitwasplantedoutwithbarberrymaybeseeninthetwopanelsofitstillbareontheextremeright.]

Herethereisawordtobeaddedintheinterestofhome-lovers,whosetastesweproperlyexpecttofindmorehighlytrainedthanthoseoftheaveragetenantcottager.OurAmericanloveofspaciousnessleadsustofancythat--notto-dayorto-morrow,butsomewhereinanearfuture--wearegoingtouniteourunfencedlawnsinaconcertedparktreatment:asortofweehorticulturalUnitedStatescomprisedwithinafewcitysquares;buteverourAmericanindividualismstandsbroadlyintheway,andourgardensalmostneverrelatethemselvestooneanotherwiththatintimacywhichtheirabsenceofboundariesdemandsinordertotakeonanyspecialbeauty,nobility,delightsomeness,ofgardening.Thetruegardener--who,ifheisreadingthis,mustbegettingverytiredofourinsistenttriteness--carefullykeepsinmindthelawsoflinearandofarialperspective,nomatterhowlargeorsmallthegarden.The

relativestatureofthings,bothactualandprospective;theirbreadth;thebreadthorslenderness,darknessorlightness,opennessordensity,oftheirfoliage;thesplendorordelicacyoftheirflowers,whetherinsizeorincolor;theseasonoftheirblooming;thecontourofthegrounds--allthesepointsmustbetakenintoaccountindeterminingwherethingsaretostandandhowbegrouped.Oncethefenceorhedgewastheframeofthepicture;butnowourpictures,onalmostanystreetofunpalatial,comfortablehomes,touchedgetoedgewithoutframes,andthereasontheydonotmaroneanother'seffectsisthattheyhavenoparticulareffectstobemarred,butliesidebysideasundiscordantly

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assomanystringinstrumentswithoutstrings.Letushopeforatimewhentheywillriseininsurrection,resolvedtobeeitherpartsofaprivatepark,oreachoneawholeprivategarden.

InourCarnegieprizecontestnothingyieldsitsjudgesmorepleasurethantoinculcatethegardenrulesofperspectivetowhichwehavejustreferredandtoseetheblissfulcomplacencyofthosewhosuccessfullycarrythemout.Ihavenowinmymind'seyeagardentowhichwasawardedthecapitalprizeof1903.Acottageofmaybesixsmallroomscrownsahighbankonacornerwheretworuralstreetscross.Thereareafewsquareyardsoflawnonitsfront,andstillfewer(scarcelyeightorten)onthesidenextthecross-street,butontheothertwosidesthereisnearlyaquarterofanacre.Onthesetwosidesthelimitstouchothergardens,andallfoursidesareentirelywithoutfencing.Fromthefrontswardhavebeentakenawayanumberofgoodshrubswhichoncebrokeitintoineffectualbits,andthesehavebeengroupedagainsttheinwardandoutwardanglesofthehouse.Thefrontporchisgarlanded--notsmothered--withvineswhoseflowersareallwhite,pink,blueorlightpurple.Aboutthebaseoftheporchandofallthehouse'sfront,bloomflowersofthesesamedelicatetints,thetallestnearestthehouse,thelesserattheirkneesandfeet.Theedgesofthebeds--gentlewavesthatneverdegeneratetostraightness--arethicklyborderedwithmignonette.Notanaudaciousthing,notaredblossomnorastrongyellowone,noronebroadleaf,noranymassofdenseordark

foliage,comesintoviewuntilonereachesasideofthedwelling.Butthereatoncehefindsthesecondphaseinacrescendooffloralcolors.Thebaseofthehouse,andespeciallythoseemptyeye-sockets,thecellarwindows,areveiledinexultantbloom,yellowspredominating.Thenatthebackoftheplacecomesthefullchorus,andredflowersovermastertheyellow,thoughthedelicatetintswithwhichtheschemebeganarestillpresenttopreservethedignityandsuavityofall--theladiesofthefeast.Thepathsareonlyoneortwoandtheyneverturnabruptlyandaskyoutokeepofftheircorners;theyhavenone.Neitherhavetheflower-beds.Theyflowwideninglyaroundthehardturningsofthehousewiththegraceofarivulet.Outonthetwowidersidesofthelawnnothingbreaksthesmoothgreenbutawell-situatedtreeortwountilthelimitsofthepremisesarereached,andthere,inlinesthat

widenandnarrowandwidenagainandhidethesurveyor'sangles,theflowersriseoncemoreinafinalburstofinnumerableblossomsandsplendidhues--akindofsunsetofthegarden'sown.

Whenthisplace,fiveseasonsago,firstenteredthecompetition,itcouldhardlybecalledagardenatall.Yetitwasalreadysuperiortomanyrivals.Inthosedaysitseemedtousasthoughscarcelyoneofourworkingpeopleinahundredknewthatagardenwasanythingmorethanabedofflowerssetdownanywhereandanyhow.Itwasacommonexperienceforustobeledbyanunkeptpathandthroughapatchofweedsoracrossanungrasseddooryardfullofrubbish,inordertoreachaso-calledgardenwhichhadneverspokenacivilwordtothehousenorgotonefromit.Now,theunderstandingisthateverypartofthe

premises,everyoutdoorthingonthepremises--path,fence,truck-patch,stable,stable-yard,hen-yard,tennisorcroquet-court--everythingiseitherapartofthegardenorissoreasonablyrelatedtoitthatfromwhateverpointoneviewstheplacehebeholdsasinglesatisfactorypicture.

This,Isay,istheunderstanding.Idonotsaythatevenamongourprize-winnersanybodyhasyetperfectlyattainedthis,althoughafewhavecomeverynearit.Withthesethemainsurvivingdrawbackisthattheartisticeffectiseachseasonsolongcomingandpassesawayso

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soon--comethupasaflowerandpresentlyhaswithered.

Oneofourmostgiftedliterarycriticsawhileagopointedoutthepoeticcharmofevanescence;pointeditoutmoreplainly,Ifancy,thanithaseverbeenshownbefore.Butevanescencehasthispoeticcharmchieflyinnature,almostneverinart.Thetransitorinessofasunsetglory,orofhumanlife,isrifewithpoeticpathosbecauseitisatransitorinesswhich_cannotbehelped_.Thereinlaythecharmofthatpoeticwonderandmarvelofitsday(1893)theColumbianExposition's"WhiteCity";itwasanarchitecturaltriumphandglorywhichwecouldnothaveexceptonconditionthatitshouldvanishwiththeswiftnessofanaurora.Evenso,therewouldhavebeenlittlepoetryinitsevanescenceif,throughbadworkmanshiporanyobviousfolly,ithadfailedtofulfilthetransientpurposeforwhichitwaserected.Theonlypoeticevanescenceistheevanescencethatisinevitable.Anunnecessaryevanescenceinthingswemakeisbadart.IfIrememberthestorycorrectly,itwastoaRomanladythatBenvenutoCellinitooktheexquisitewaxenmodelofsomepieceofgoldsmithingshehadcommissionedhimtoexecuteforher.Sodelightedwasshewiththismeremodelthatshelongedtokeepitandcalledittheperfectionofart,orsomesuchword.ButBenvenutosaid,No,hecouldnotclaimforitthehighnameofartuntilheshouldhavereproduceditingold,thatbeingthemostworthymaterialinwhichitwouldenduretheuseforwhichitwasdesigned.

UnlessthegreatItalianwasinerror,then,agardenoughtnottobesolargelymadeupofplantswhichperishwiththesummerastobe,attheirdeath,nolongeragarden.Saidthatharsh-spokenjudgewhomwehavealreadyonceortwicequoted--thatshepherd's-dogofajudge--atoneoftheannualbestowalsofourCarnegiegardenprizes:

"Almostanyplantingaboutthebaseofabuilding,fenceorwallisbetterthannone;butforthispurposeshrubsarefarbetterthanannualflowers.Annualsdonotsufficientlymaskthehard,offensiveright-anglesofthestructure'scornersorofthelinewhenceitstartsupfromtheground.Andevenifsometimestheydo,theytakesolongtogrowenoughtodoit,andaresosoongonewiththefirstcoldblast,

thatthethingstheyaretohideareforthemostoftheyearnothidden.Besideswhich,evenattheirbestmoments,whenundoubtedlytheyareverybeautiful,theyhavenotasufficientlysubstantiallooktobegoodcompanyforthesolidstructuretheyaresetagainst.Sweetly,modestly,yetobstinately,theyconfesstoeverypasser-bythattheydidnotcome,butwereputthereandwereputthereonlylastspring.Shrubs,contrariwise,giveafeelingthattheyhavesprungandgrownthereinthecourseofnatureandoftheyears,andsoconveytothehousewhatsomanyAmericanhomesstandinwantof--aquietairofbeinglongmarriedandamotherofgrowingchildren.

"Floweringshrubsofwell-chosenkindsareinleaftwo-thirdsoftheyear,andtheirleaflessbranchesandtwigsareapleasingrelieftothe

structure'scoldnakednesseventhroughthewinter.Ihaveseenahouse,whosemistresswastooexclusivelyfondofannuals,standwaitingforitsshoesandstockingsfromOctoberclearroundtoAugust,andthenbarefootedagaininOctober.Insuchgardeningthereistoomuchoflove'slaborlost.Ifone'sgroundsaresosmallthatthereisnobetterplacefortheannualstheycanbeplantedagainsttheshrubs,astheshrubsareplantedagainstthebuildingorfence.Atanyratetheyshouldneverbebeddedoutinthemidstofthelawn,andquiteasemphaticallytheyshouldnever,alone,besettomarktheboundarylinesofaproperty."

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[Illustration:Afterthefirstfrostannualplantingsceasetobeattractive.]

[Illustration:Shrubberyversusannuals.

Thecontrastinthesetwopicturesisbetweentwosmallstreetplantingsstandinginsightofeachother,oneofannualswithadecorativeeffectandlastingthreemonths,theotherwithshrubberiesandlastingninemonths.]

Itishopedthesesayings,quotedorotherwise,mayseemthemoreinplaceherebecausetheycontemplatetheaspectslikelytocharacterizetheAmericangardenwheneverthatgardenfullyarrives.Welikelargeness.Therearemanyotherqualitiestodesire,andtodesireevenmore;butifwegivethemalsothelikingwetrulyowethemitisrightforustolikelargeness.Certainlyitisbettertolikelargenessevenforitself,ratherthansmallnessforitself.Especiallyisitrightthatweshouldlikeourgardenstolookaslargeaswecanmakethemappear.Ourcountlesslawns,nakedclearupintotheirrigidcornersandtotheirdividinglines,arenakedinrevoltagainsttheearlierfashionofspottingthemoverwithshrubs,theeasiestaswellastheworstwayofmakingaplacelooksmall.Butanakedlawndoesnotmakethepremiseslookaslarge,nordoesitlookaslargeitself,asitwill

ifplantedinthemannerweventuretocommendtoourNorthamptonprize-seekers.Betweenanytwopointsalineofshrubberyswinginginandoutinstrong,gracefulundulationsappearsmuchlongerthanastraightone,becauseitislonger.But,overandabovethis,itmakesthedistancebetweenthetwopointsseemgreater.Everybodyknowstheoldboastofthelandscape-architects--thattheycanmakeonepieceofgroundlooktwiceaslargeasanotherofthesamemeasure,howeversmall,bymerelygradingandplantingthetwooncontraryschemes.Thepresentwriterknowsonesmallstreetinhistown,astreetoffairdwellings,onwhicheverylawnisdiminishedtotheeyebyfaultygrading.

[Illustration:Shrubsarebetterthanannualsformaskingrightangles.

SouthHall,WillistonSeminary.(See"WheretoPlantWhat.")]

[Illustration:"...alineofshrubberyswinginginandoutinstrong,gracefulundulations."

Thestraightplantingonthispicture'sleftmasksthebackyardsofthreeneighbors,andgivesthemaprivacyaswellasMyOwnAcre.Thecurvedplantingshowsbutoneofthreebends.ItwasherethatIfirstmadethemistakeofplantingasinuousalley.(See"MyOwnAcre,"p.34.)]

Forthishehasnooccasiontomakehimselfresponsiblebuttherearecertainemptylotsnotfarfromhimforwhoseaspectheis

answerable,havinggradedthemhimself(beforeheknewhow).Hehasrepeatedlyheardtheirdepthestimatedatninetyfeet,neveratmore.Infactitisonehundredandthirty-nine.However,hehassomewhattodoalsowithagardenwhosegradingwasquiteasbad--identical,indeed--whosefaulthasbeencoveredupanditsdepthmadetoseemactuallygreaterthanitis,entirelybyacorrectiveplantingofitsshrubbery.

Oneofthehappiestthingsaboutgardeningisthatwhenitisbadyoucanalways--youandtime--youandyearafternext--makeitgood.Itis

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veryeasytothinkoftheplants,bedsandpathsofagardenasthingswhich,beingonceplaced,muststaywheretheyare;butitisshortsightedanditisfataltoeffectivegardening.Weshouldlookuponthearrangementofthingsinourgardenverymuchasahousekeeperlooksonthearrangementofthefurnitureinherhouse.Exceptbuildings,pavementsandgreattrees--andnotalwaysexceptingthetrees--weshouldregardnothinginitaspermanentarchitecturebutonlyasfurnishmentanddecoration.Atfavorablemomentsyouwillmakewhateverrearrangementmayseemtoyougood.Ashrub'smerebeinginacertainplaceisnofinalreasonthatitshouldstaythere;ashruboradozenshrubs--nextspringorfallyoumaytransplantthem.Ashrub,orevenatree,maybelongwhereitisthisseason,andthenextandthenext;andyetinthefourthyear,becauseofitsexcessivegrowth,ofthemoredesiredgrowthofsomethingelse,orofsomerearrangementofotherthings,thatspotmaybenolongerthebestplaceforit.

Veryfewshrubsareinjuredbycarefulandseasonable,eventhoughrepeated,transplanting.Manyarebenefitedbyoneoranothereffectoftheprocess:bytherootpruningtheyget,bythe"division,"bythechangeofsoil,bychangeofexposureorevenbybacksetingrowth.Transplantingispartofagarden'sgooddiscipline.Itisalmostasnecessarytothebestresultsaspruning--onwhichgravesubjectthereisnoroomtospeakhere.TheownerevenofanAmericangardenshouldrulehisgarden,notberuledbyit.Yetheshouldrulewithout

oppression,anditwillnotbetrulyAmericanifitfailstoshowataglancethatitisnotovergardened.

Thusdoweproposetoexhortournextseason'scompetitorsasthisfallandwintertheygatheratourprojectedindoorgarden-talks,oraswegoamongthemtooffercounselconcerningtheirgroundsplansfornextspring.Andwehopenottoomittosay,aswehadalmostomittedtosayhere,inbehalfofthekindofgardenwepreach,thatshrubs,themostofthem,requirenogreatenrichmentofthesoil--animportantconsideration.Andweshalltakemuchcaretorecommendtheperusalofbooksongardening.Oncethisgentleartwaslargelykeptaclosesecretofcraftsmen;butnowallthatcanbeputintobooksisinbooks,andthebooksarenon-technical,briefandinexpensive;orifvoluminousand

costly,assomeofthebestneedsmustbe,areinthepubliclibraries.Intheirpagesareahostoffacts(indexed!)whichoncehadtobeburdensomelyremembered.Foronepreoccupiedwithothercares--aseveryamateurgardeneroughttobe--thesebooksarenomeanpartofhisequipment;theyareasnecessarytohisbestgardeningasthedictionarytohisbestEnglish.

Whatadaily,hourly,unfailingwonderarethemodernopportunitiesandfacilitiesbywhichwearesurrounded!Ifthepresentreaderandthepresentwriter,andmaybeafewothers,willbutrespondtothemworthily,whoknowsbutwemayourselveslivetosee,andtoseeasdemocraticallycommonastelephonesandelectriccars,theAmericangarden?Ofcoursethereiseverandeversomuchmoretobesaidabout

it,andthepresentwriterisnotatallweary;buthehearshisreader'sclocktellingthehourandfeelsverysureitiscorrect.

WHERETOPLANTWHAT

Oftenone'shandsaretooheavilyveneeredwithgardenloamforhimto

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gotohisbookstoverifyaquotation.ItwasthegreatJefferson,wasitnot,wholaidintothefoundationsofAmericandemocracytheimperishablemaximthat"Thatgardeningisbestwhichgardenstheleast"?Myrenditionofitmaybemoreaparodythanaquotationbut,whateveritsinaccuracy,tomeitstillsoundsJeffersonian--JosephJeffersonian.

Whetherwereadit"garden"or"govern,"ithasthisfinemarkofamasterfulutterance,thatitmakesnoperceptibleefforttoprotectitselfagainstthecavillerorthesimpleton;frommen,forinstance,whowouldinterpretitasmeaningthattheonlyperfectgovernment,orgardening,isnoneatall.Speakingfromthepointofviewofagarden-lover,Isupposethetruesignificationisthatthebestgovernmentisthegovernmentwhichprocuresandpreservesthenoblesthappinessofthecommunitywiththeleastenthralmentoftheindividual.

Now,Ihopethatasworld-citizensandevenasAmericanswemaybearinmindthat,whilethismaximmaybewhollytrue,itisnotthereforethewholetruth.Whatmaximis?Letuseverkeepasweet,self-respectingmodestywithwhichtoconfrontandconsortwiththosewhoseethescienceofgovernment,orartofgardening,fromthestandpointofsomeotherequallytruefractionofthewholetruth.AllweneedheremaintainforourJeffersonianmaximisthatitswidedominationinAmericansentimentexplainsthelargerpartofallthemeritsandfaults

ofAmericangovernment--andAmericangardening.ItaccountsfornearlyallourAmericanlawsandordinances,manners,customs,andwhims,andinthegreatdiscussionofWheretoPlantWhat(inAmerica)nooneneedhopetoprevailwhodoesnotrecognizethatthishighprincipleofAmericandemocracyisthebestruleforAmericangardening.Thatgardeningisbest,formostAmericans,whichbestministerstoman'sfelicitywithleastdisturbanceofnature'sfreedom.

Hencetheinitialquestion--aquestionwhicheveryamateurgardenermustanswerforhimself.Howmuchsubserviencyofnaturetoartandutilityisreallynecessarytomyownandmyfriends'andneighbors'bestdelight?For--benotdeceived--howeverenrapturedofwildnatureyoumaybe,youdoandmustrequireofher_some_subserviencycloseaboutyour

owndwelling.Youcannottherepersistentlyenjoythewolfandthepanther,themuskrat,buzzard,gopher,rattlesnake,poison-ivyandskunkinfullswing,asitwere.Howmuch,then,ofnature'ssubserviencydoestherangeofyourtastesdemand?Also,howmuchwillyourpurseallow?Foritisastrueingardeningasinstatecraftthat,yourgovernmentbeingoncegenuinelyestablished,themoreofityouhave,themoreyoumustpayforit.Ingardening,asingovernment,thecostoftheschemeisnotinproportiontothegoodnessorbadnessofitsart,buttoitsintensity.

ThisiswhythegeneralandverysaneinclinationofourAmericanpreferencesisawayfromthatintensesortofgardeningcalled"formal,"andtowardthatratherunfairlytermed"informal"methodwhichhere,at

least,Ishouldliketodistinguishas"free-line"gardening.Afreepeoplewhogovernlenientlywillgardenleniently.Theirgardeningwillnotbeavexingtaxuponthemselves,uponothers,oruponthegarden.Whateverfreedomittakesawayfromthemselvesorothersorthegardenwillbenomorethanisrequiredforthenoblestdelight;andwhateverfreedomremainsuntaken,suchgardeningwillhelpeverybodytoexerciseandenjoy.

Thegardenoffreelines,providedonlyitbearealgardenunderarealgovernment,is,tomyeye,anangel'sprotestagainsteveryspeciesand

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degreeoftyrannyandoppression,andsuchagarden,howeversmallorextensive,willcontainalargeproportionoffloweringshrubbery.Becauseagardenshouldnot,anymorethanmylady'sface,haveallitsfeatures--nose,eyes,ears,lips--ofonesize?No,thatistrueofallgardeningalike;butbecausewithfloweringshrubberyourgardeningcanbemorelenientthanwithannualsalone,orwithonlyherbaceousplantsandevergreens.

[Illustration:"Howeverenrapturedofwildnatureyoumaybe,youdoandmustrequireofher_some_subserviencyaboutyourowndwelling."

AfrontviewofthethreeolderbuildingsofWillistonSeminary.]

So,then,ourproblem,WheretoPlantWhat,maybecomeforamoment,WheretoPlantShrubbery;andtheresponseofthefree-linegardenwillbe,ofcourse,"Remember,concerningeachseparateshrub,thatheorshe--orit,ifyoureally_prefer_theneuter--isyourguest,andplanthimorheroritwhereitwillbestenjoyitself,whilepromotingthewholecompany'sjoy."Beforeithasarrivedinthegarden,therefore,learn--andcarefullyconsider--itslikesanddislikes,habits,mannersandaccomplishmentsanditsfriendlyorpossiblyunfriendlyrelationswithyourotherguests.Thisdone,determinebetweenwhomandwhomyouwillseatit;betweenwhatandwhatyouwillplantit,thatis,soasto"drawitout,"aswesayofdiffidentorreticentpersons;ortouseit

fordrawingoutothersoflesssocialaddress.Buthowmanyalovelyshrubhasarrivedwhereitwasurgentlyinvited,andfoundthatitshostorhostess,orboth,hadactuallyforgottenitsname!Didnotknowhowtointroduceittoanyfellowguest,orwhetheritlovedsunorshade,loam,peat,clay,leaf-mouldorsand,wetnessordryness;andyetshouldhavefoundallthatoutintheproperblue-book(horticulturaldictionary)beforeinvitingthepoormortifiedguestatall.

"Oh,praybeseated--anywhere.Plantyourselfaloneinthemiddle.ThisisLibertyGarden."

"Itisnosuchthing,"saysthetear-bedewedbeautytoherself;"it'sAnarchyGarden."Yet,liketheladysheis,shestayswheresheisput,

andgetsalongsurprisinglywell.

NewEnglandcallsNorthamptononeofhermostbeautifultowns.Butitsbeautyliesinthenaturallandscapeinandaroundit,intherise,fall,andswingoftheseatonwhichitsits,thegracefulcurvingofitsstreets,thenoblespreadofitsgreatelmsandmaples,thegreenandblueopennessofgroundseverywhereaboutitsmodesthomesanditshighlypicturesqueoutlookupondistanthillsandmountainsandinterveningmeadowsandfields,withtheConnecticutwindingthrough.Itsarchitectureisinthreeorfourinstancesadmirablethoughnotextraordinary,and,asinalmosteverytowninourvastAmerica,therearehardlyfivehouseholdersinitwhoarereallyskilledflower-gardeners,eitherprofessionaloramateur.

[Illustration:"Plantitwhereitwillbestenjoyitself."

Thesewildrosesareintwoclumpswithasix-footopenwaybetweenthem.Theyareawildrose(_RosaArkansana_)notmuchinusebutworthyofmoreattention,asindeedallthewildrosesare.ThesunlittreefarthestontherightisSolSmithRussell'slinden.]

Asthepresentcenturywascomingin,however,theopportunity,throughprivateflower-gardening,todoubleorquadruplethetown'sbeautyand

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todoitwithoutgreattroubleorexpense,yetwithgreatindividualdelightandsocialpleasure,cametothelivelynoticeofanumberofus.Itis,then,forthepromotionofthisobjectthroughoutallourbounds,andnotfortheperfectionoftheartforitsownsake,thatwemaintainthiscompetitionandawardthese"Carnegie"prizes.Hencecertainfeaturesofourmethodthevalueandnecessityofwhichmightnotbecleartothecasualinquirerwithoutthisexplanation.

MayIrepeatit?Nottorewardtwoorthreepersonsyearlyforreachingsomedizzypeakofartunattainablebyordinarytasteandskill,nortorewardonepartofthetownoroneelementofitspeopleforgardeningbetterthananother,nortopromotetheproductionofindividualplantsorflowersofextraordinarysplendor,noreventoincitechildrentoraisepatchesofflowers,isourdesign;buttomakethemodestanddemocraticartofWheretoPlantWhat(anart,nevertheless,quitebeyondthegraspofchildren)sowellknownandsovaluedthatitspracticaladoptionshalloverrunthewholetown.

Tothisendwehavedividedourfieldintosevendistricts,ineachofwhichthenumberofgardensisaboutthesame.Ineachofthesesevendistrictsonlythreeprizes(outoftwenty-one)maybetakeninanyoneseason.Consequentlythreeprizes_must_falltoeachdistricteveryyear.Yetthebestgardenofallstillcarriesoffthecapitalprize,thesecond-bestmaywinthesecond,andcannottakealowerthanthe

third,andthelowestawardsgointothedistrictshowingthepoorestresults.Eventhisplanissomodifiedasfurthertostimulatethosewhostriveagainstoddsoflocationorconditions,fornodistrictisallowedtoreceivetwoprizesconsecutiveinthelist.Thesecondprizecannotbebestowedinthesamedistrictinwhichthefirstisbeingawarded,thoughthethirdcan.Thethirdcannotgointothesamedistrictasthesecond,thoughthefourthmay.Andsoontothetwenty-first.Moreover,agardenshowingmuchimprovementoverthepreviousseasonmaytakeaprize,asagainstabettergardenwhichshowsnosuchimprovement.Alsonogardencantakethecapitalprizetwicenorevertakeaprizenothigherthanithastakenbefore.Thetwenty-oneprizesareforthosewhohirenohelpintheirgardening;twoothersareforthosewhoreservethelibertytoemployhelp,andstillanothertwo

areexclusivelyforpreviouswinnersofthecapitalprize,competingamongthemselves.Ineachofthefivedistrictsacommitteeofladiesvisitsthecompetinggardens,inspecting,advising,encouraging,sometimeslearningmorethantheyteach,andreportingtoheadquarters,thePeople'sInstitute.Attheseheadquarters,ontwoacresofgroundintheheartofthecity,wehavebroughtgraduallyintoshape,onaplanfurnishedbyFrederickLawOlmsted'sSons,LandscapeArchitects,ofBoston(Brookline),aremarkablyhandsomegardenofflowersandshrubberydesignedasamodelfortheguidanceofthoseinthecompetitionwhoseektocombineartisticbeautywithinexpensiveness.Fromtimetotimewehavegivenattheseheadquarterswintercoursesoflecturesonpracticalflower-gardening.

Asaresultwehaveimproved,andarestillimproving,theaspectofentirestreetsandareinterestingthewholecity.

Buttoreturntoourdiscussion.Hereisashortstoryoftwoladies.Theyarenotinourcompetition,thoughamongitsmostardentwell-wishers.Afriendhadgivenoneofthemabitofgreen,woodygrowthsometwofeethighandhalfaninchthick.Shehadaweesquarebitoffrontgrass-plotsomethinglargerthanatable-cloth,butcertainlynotlargeenoughforagameofmarbles.Inthecentreofthisbitofgrasssheplantedherfriend'sgift.Thencameourotherlady,

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makingacall,andwithherbestsmileofhumorouscommendation,saying:

"Mydear,youhaveviolatedthefirstruleofgardening.You'veplantedyourbushwhereyouwantedit."

Thedelightedgardenerwentinthestrengthofthatwitticismforfortyweeksoratleastuntilsomefiendofcandor,abrother,likeasnot,said:

"Yes,trulyyouhaveviolatedthefirstruleofgardening,foryouhaveputyourwillow-tree--that'swhatitis--whereaminute'srealreflectionwouldhavetoldyouyou'dwishyouhadn't."

WheretoPlantWhat!Plantitwhereyou--andyourfriends--yourfriendsofbestgardeningtaste--willbegladyouplanteditwhenallyourthingsareplanted.Pleasethosewhoknowbest,andsobestpleaseyourself.Nevertheless,beware!Watchyourself!Dosospeciallywhenyouthinkyouhavemasteredthewholeart.Watcheventhosewhoindisputablyknowbetterthanyoudo,foreverybodymakesmistakeswhichheneverwouldhavedreamedhecouldmake.OnlytheotherdayIheardanamateursaytoadistinguishedprofessionalgardener:

"Didyouplantthoseshrubsofgorgeousflowerandbroad,darkleafoutonyourstreetfrontpurelyasamatterofartistictaste?"

"Idid,"hereplied."Iwantedtoputmybestfootforemost.Wouldn'tyou?"

"WhyshouldI?"askedtheamateur."Iwouldn'tbeginasongwithmyhighestnote,noragamewithmystrongestcard,noranaddresswithmymostimpassioneddeclaration,norasonnetwithitsmostpregnantline.IfIshould,whereweremyclimax?"

Certainlytheamateurhadthebestofit.Agardenisadiscourse.Agardenisaplay.Seewithwhatcareboththedramatistandthestage-manageravoidputtingthebestfootforemost.Seehowwarilytheyholdbackthesupremestrengthofthefourorfiveactpieceforthe

lastactbutone.Thereisacharminglyinstructiveanalogybetweenagardenandadrama.Ineachyouhavepreparation,progress,climax,andclose.Andthen,also,ineachyoumusthaveyourlesserclimaxesleadingmasterfullyuptothesupremeone,andafinalquietonetoletgratefullydownfromthegiddyheight.

InNorthamptonnearlyallofourhundredsofgardenscontestingforprizesareplaysofonlyoneortwoacts.Imeantheyhaveonlyoneortwobuildingstogardenuptoandbetweenandaroundandawayfrom.Yetitisamongtheseone-actplays,theseone-housegardens,thatIfindthearttruthmostgracefullyemphasized,thatthebestfootshouldnotgoforemost.Inalargegardenafalsestartmaybeatonedforbybetterartfartheronandin;butinasmallgarden,formerewantofroomand

thechancetoforget,abadstartspoilsall.No,bethegardenaprince'soracottager's,theclimaxestobegotbysuperiorityofstature,bydarknessandbreadthoffoliageandbysplendorofbloombelongatitsfarend.Evenintheone-housegardenIshouldliketoseetheclimaxespluraltotheextentoftwo;oneimmediatelyatthebackofthehouse,theotherattheextremerearoftheground.AtthefarendofthelotIwouldhavethefinalstormofpassionandriotofdisclosure,andthencloseabouttherearofthehousethereshouldbethethingsofsupremerichness,exquisitenessandrarity.

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Thissoft-voicedechoansweringbackoutoftheinmostheartofthewholedemesnegivesgenuinenessofsentimenttotheentirescheme.Toplantaconflagrationofcoloragainstthebackfenceandstoptherewouldbeworsethanmelodramatic.Itwouldbetoclosetheplaywithabang,andevenaworthyone-actplaydoesnotclosewithabang.Thebackofthelotisnottheabsoluteendofthegarden-play.Likethestage-play,thegarden-playbringsitsbeholderbackattheverylast,byasweetreversion,tothepointfromwhichitstarted.Thetruegarden-lovergardensnotmainlyforthepasser-by,butratherforhimselfandthefriendswhocometoseehim.Evenwhenhetreadshisgardenpathsaloneheisapleasedandwelcomevisitortohimself,andshowshisgardentohimselfastoavisitor.Hencethereisalwaysatlastaturningbacktothehouseortothefrontentrance,and_this_istheplay'sfinallines,thelastgroupingoftheplayers,thereliefofalltensionandthedescentofthecurtain.

[Illustration:"...climaxestobegotbysuperiorityofstature,bydarknessandbreadthoffoliageandbysplendorofbloombelongatitsfarend."

Everythinginthisphotographwasplantedbytheamateurgardenerexceptthepine-treesinperspective.]

Onepointfartherinthisdirectionandwemaygiveourhard-worked

analogyarespite.Itisthis:asthosewhomakeandpresentaplaytakegreatpainsthat,byflashesofrevelationtoeyeandtoear,thesecretsmostunguessedbythecharactersinthepieceshallbeearlyrevealedtotheaudienceandpersistentlypresseduponitsattention,soshouldtheplantingofagardenbe;that,asifquitewithoutthegardener'sorthegarden'sknowledge,always,totheeye,nostrilorear,somecleardisclosureofcharmstillremotemaybeckonandlureacrosseasyandtemptingdistancesfromnooktonookofthesmallgarden,orfromalleytoalleyandfromgladetogladeofthelargeone.WheretoPlantWhat?Plantitasfarawayas,accordingtotheforceofitscharacterorthesplendorofitscharms,itcanstandandbeckonbackwithbestadvantageforthewholegarden.

[Illustration:"Somecleardisclosureofcharmstillremotemaybeckonandlure."

FromaphotographtakenonMyOwnAcre,showinghowIpulledthelawninunderthetrees.Thebigchestnutsinthemiddleareontheoldfencelinethatstoodontheveryedgeoftheprecipitouslyfallingground.Allthegroundinsightinthepictureisafill.]

Thuswegeneralize.Andaslongasonemaygeneralizeheiscomparativelysafefromhumiliatingcriticism.Itisonlywhenhebeginstonamethingsbynameandsaywhatisbestforjustwhere,thathetouchesthenakedeyeball(orthefunny-bone)ofotherswhosecrotchetsarenotidenticalwithhis.YetinNorthamptonthisiswhatwehaveto

do,andsincethecompetitorsforourprizesalwayshavetheWherebeforetheyaremovedtogetandplacetheWhat,wefindourwhere-and-whatproblemeasiesttohandlewhenweliftit,sotospeak,bythetail.Thenitis"WhattoPlantWhere,"andforanswerwehavemadeashortlistoffamiliarfloweringshrubsbestsuitedtoourimmediategeographicallocality.Wenameonlyfourteenandwesodescribeeachastoindicateclearlyenough,withoutdictating,whereaboutstoputit.Webegin:

"Azalea.Ourcommonwildazaleaisthefloweringbushbestknownas

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'swamphoneysuckle.'Thetwoazaleaslistedhere,_A.mollis_andtheGhentvarieties,areoflarge,beautifulandluxuriantbloom,andexceptthe'swamphoneysuckle'aretheonlyazaleashardyinwesternMassachusetts.Mollisisfromtwotosixfeethigh,threetosixfeetbroad,andbloomsinAprilandMay.Itsblossomsareyellow,orangeorpink,singleordouble.Itssoilmaybesandyorpeaty,andmoist,butanygoodgardensoilwillserve;itspositionpartlyshadedorinfullsunlight.TheGhentsaresomewhattallerandnotsobroadinproportion.TheybloomfromMaytoJuly,andtheirblossomsarewhite,yellow,orange,pink,carmine,orred,singleordouble.Soilandpositionaboutthesameasformollis.

"Berberis.Berberisisthebarberry,sowellknownbyitsbeautifulpendentberries.Itisoneofthebestshrubstousewhereathornybushiswanted._B.vulgaris_,thecommonsort,andoneofthemostbeautiful,growsfromfourtoeightfeethigh,withabreadthoffromthreetosixfeet._B.Thunbergii_,orThunberg'sbarberry,isthewell-knownJapanesevariety,adense,droopingbushfromtwotofourfeethighandsomewhatgreaterbreadth.Itspale-yellowblossomscomeinAprilandMay,anditssmall,slender,bright-redberriesremainonthesprayuntilspring.Adrysoilisthebestforit,thoughitwillgrowinany,andneedslittleshadeornone._B.purpurea_isavarietyofvulgarisandisashandsomeasthecommon.Itanswerstothesamedescription,exceptthatitsfoliageispurple,whichmakesitvery

temptingtonewgardeners,butveryhardtorelateingoodartistictasteamongtheothershrubsofthegarden.Fewsmallgardenscanmakegooduseofpurplefoliage.

"_Deutziagracilis._Thegracilisisoneofthemostbeautifulofallthedeutzias.Itsdelicatefoliageofratherlightgreen,itssnowyflowersanditssomewhatbendingform,makeitoneofthefairestornamentsofthehomegrounds.Itsheightisthreefeet,itsbreadthfromtwotofourfeet.ItbloomsinMayandJune.Itssoilmaybeanywell-drainedsort,anditspositionanyslightlyshelteredaspect."

Sowehurrydownthealphabet.Thelistisshortforseveralgoodreasons,onebeingthatitiswelltogiveotherlistsfromseasonto

season.Nodoubtourinaccuracieswoulddistressabotanistorscientificgardener,butweconveytheinformation,suchasitis,toourfellowcitizens,andtheyuseit.Inthelasttenyearswehavefurnishedtoouramateursthousandsofshrubsandplants,atthesamereducedratesforafewspecimenseachwhichwepayforthembythehundred.

Butofthereallygoodsortsarethereshrubsenough,youask,toaffordnewlistsyearafteryear?Well,forthecampusofacertainpreparatoryschoolforboys,withtheplantingofwhichthepresentwriterhadsomewhattodoafewyearsago,thelistofshrubssetroundthebasesoffourlargebuildingsandseveralhundredyardsoffencenumberedseventy-fivekinds.Toendthechapter,letussaysomething

aboutthatoperation.Onapictorialpageortwowegiveourselvesthepleasureofshowingtheresultsofthisundertaking;butfirst,bothbypicturesandbyverbaldescriptionletmeshowwhereweplantedwhat.Ofcoursewemadesundrymistakes.Eachthingwedidmaybevulnerabletocriticism,andourownlargesthopeisthatourresultsmaynotfallentirelybeneaththatsortofcompliment.

Thiscampuscoverssomefiveacresinthemidstofasmalltown.Alongthreeofitsboundariesoldmaplesandelms,inordinarysingle-fileshade-treelines,towerandspread.Onthefourthline,therearbound,

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aboardfencedividesthegroundfromtheveryunattractivebackyards,stablesandshedsofanumberoftownresidents.Thefrontliesalongthemainstreetoftheplace,facingtheusual"shop-row."Theentireareahasnearlyalwaysbeengrassed.NotwhatanEnglishmanwouldcallso,butturfedinastutteringfashion,impetuousandabashedbyturns,andveryeasytokeepoff;mostrankupagainstthegraniteunderpinningsofthebuildings,andmanagingsomehowtowrithetoallthefences,ofwhichthoseonthestreetfrontsareofiron.Parallelwiththefrontfenceandsomefiftyfeetbehindit,threeoftheinstitution'sbuildingsstandabreastandaboutahundredfeetapart.Allthreearetall,rectangularthree-storypilesofoldredbrick,ongranitefoundations,andfullofwindowsallofonesize,pigeon-housestyle.ThemiddleonehasafairlygoodGreek-pillaredporch,ofwood,onthemiddlehalfofitsfront.

[Illustration:"...tall,rectangular,three-storypiles...fullofwindowsallofonesize,pigeon-housestyle."

MiddleHall,WillistonSeminary,facingthemainstreetofthetown.]

Amongthesebuildingswebeganourplanting.Wehaddrawn,ofcourse,agroundplanofthewholeplace,toscale,showingeachground-floordoorandwindow,sothatwemightrespectitscustomaryorprojecteduse.Agreatpoint,that,inWheretoPlantWhat.Ionceheardofaschool

whosesmallboyswereaccusedofwantonlytramplingdownsomenewlysetshrubsontheplayground."Well,"demandedonebraveurchin,"whatmade'emgoandplantalotofbushesrightonfirstbase?"Andnoonewasreadywithananswer,forthereissomethingmorallywrongaboutanygardenthatwillrobaboyofhisrights.

Withthisgroundplanbeforeuswedecidedindoorswheretoplantwhatoutdoorsandcalculatedarithmeticallythenumberofeachsortofshrubweshouldneedfortheparticularintervalwedesignedthatsorttofill.Ourschemeofarrangementwasacrescendooffoliageandflowereffects,beginningonthefrontsofthebuildingsandrisingtowardtheirrears,whileatallpointsmakingmoreoffoliagethanofbloom,becausethebloomshowsforonlyamonthorless,whiletheleafremains

forsevenormore.Beginningthuswithourquietestnote,theinterestofanyonelookingin,orcomingin,fromthepublicfrontissteadilyquickenedandprogressivelyrewarded,whilethecrowningeffectsattherearofthebuildingsarereservedforthecrowningmomentwhenthevisitormaybesaidtobefullyreceived.Ontheotherhand,iftheapproachisareturningonefromtherearoftheentirecampus,--wherestandstheinstitution'sonlyotherbuilding,alargetall-toweredgymnasium,alsoofredbrick,--thesesuperlativeeffectsshowoutacrossanopengrassydistanceoffromtwohundredtothreehundredfeet.

Wherefore--andhereatlastweventuretobringnamesofthingsandtheirplacestogether--atthefrontsofthenorthernmostandsouthernmostofthesethree"Halls"wesetfavoritevarietiesof

white-floweringspireas(_Thunbergia,sorbifolia_,_arguta_,_VanHouttei_),thepearl-bush(_exochorda_),pinkdiervillas,andflowering-almonds.Afterthese,onthesouthernsideofthesouthernmostbuilding,forexample,followedlilacs,whiteandpurple,againstthemasonry,--thewhiteagainsttheredbrick,thelilactintwellawayfromit,--withtamariskandkerriaoutside,abreastofthem,andthenpinkandredspireas(_Bumaldi_anditsdwarfvariety,_AnthonyWaterer_).Ontheothersideofthesamehousewesetdeutzias(_scabra_againstthebrick-workand_Lemoynei_and_gracilis_outside).Inawingcorner,wheremeltingsnowscrashdownfromaroof-valley,weplacedthe

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purple-flowered_Lespedezapenduliflorum_,whicheachyeardiestothegroundbeforethesnow-slidescome,yeteachSeptemberbloomsfromthreetofourfeethighindroopingprofusion.Thenfromthatangletotherearcornerweputinamassofpinkwildroses.Lastly,onthetall,doorless,windowlessrearend,weplantedthecrimson-ramblerrose,andunderitagoodhundredoftheredrugosas.

I