The Somerset reporter., 1898-08-11
Here and There. No. II.

WoluS Oh tue pTouu, happy OWNER ol an
ordinary country garden, containing
not more than thirty varieties of plants,
Il have flowers of all kinds The
garden was really saved from primness,
only because the lilies had assembled in
great masses aud thus it became stately.
Quite unlike, however, the present day
borders of perfumed white or richly
eolored lilies, were the common garden
flowers bearing the same name. But
they seemed to require no urging and
with scant attention, loved to keep their
accustomed place, year after year, and
in the main they were desirable acqui
sitlons of the garden society.
Twas plain unattraetive place, even
the little school children, usually affect
ed by the near presence of flowers, did
not loiter as they passed save when the
roses bloomed. The roses too, came
more than half way to meet them, for
they clambered over the low fence and
rambled on as though glad to get out
into the children's world. These pink
roses were as unkempt as little street
waits and were stunted, short-lived
things AT best, but the abundance and
the color were decidedly captivating
How many would have turned their
steps toward the old time garden had
they but known that therein were to De
found "howers of all kinds. There
would have been seen sd colored pop
pies, which would not now be recognized
By the Mikado and would be coolly
met 10y the Iceland poppy of to day.
Still in that New England garden, there
waved the princes feather of deep rich
red, while close beside it. all uneon
scous OF color values, was invariably
found the purplsh blue of the lady's
slipper The bleeding heart was suffer-
ed to grow in wild abandon, but merci-
fully it would seem, it was far out done
in vigor and strength by the near at
hand, compassionate balm. Rather early
hours were the rule in this primitive
garden, the morning glory only paled
when greater appeared, while the
social life really began with the bright,
precise four o clocks In the musk scent
ed air gay bachelors saw with pleasure
the rosemarys and altheas, likewise the
sweet williams met their dear lady's
delight. There were nasturtinms glow
ing from out cool. green, leafy depths,
though the owner was wont to some
what shorten their name, as she was
sure to lengthen the name of the purple
asters with their hearts of gold. The
modern aster. with superf1uity of ruff es
and curling fringe, with deep or delicate
~ shaded tints, seems long distance
from the earlier blossom
In New England, still in no small, out
of.the way, country town but at the
centre of all things where culture seems
oil NJ 70 hn
there vas once a garden. Very likely
there was a very good garden and
history tells us that the owner was will
ing to admit that he thought 1T was ex
cellent There had been much to over
come. for it was in the early years of
Boston's existence and the owner had
tliumphed over every obstacle and sue
cess seemed to crown his efforts.
Here was truly fine field for display
for extensive gardens were not at all
common in the new country. Possess
ing both taste and wealth, both were ex-
pended and the owner saw the fair trees
and delicate Towering plants gradually
take on a natural air in new place.
" ishing to give foreign visitor pleas
ure and that visitor being anxious TO see
all that was to be seen in the new coun-
try, a drive was proposed. He was con-
fident of his guests delighted surprise
when he should be shown the beautiful
winding drives charming views, the fine
Young trees, trim hedges and gay flower
borders. While the owner watched the
shadows fitting across his pet lawns, he
suddenly exclaimed in pleased exulta-
ton II think you are surprised at my
success in gardening Gould he but
have left the matter quite in his English
friends hands 1t might have been as
well but the answer came, delivered in
measured tones, "1ruly it gives me
great pleasure and it is a very great sur
prise, for you see it is all so different
here, it is SO very new and rough"
Serenely unconscious of failure ia tact
fulness, this habitant of the old world,
where perfection in gardening is surely
to be found, presumably returned gladly
to his centuries old place.
Ii is sincerely hoped that the Boston
gentleman also, being measnrably COM
placent and having the calm support of
well doing, did not greatly suffer under
his disenchantment The point of view
is truly of grave significance, in our
good world. While quite irresistible is
the feeling that even the owner of
flowers of all kinds " as In more than
one sense To De 6uNleu. happily the
good soul was in NJ danger of dlsen-
chantment from the cold glance of superb
GRITTY, even had IA greater than boston's
garden lover surveyed her FLOWERS of
all kinds" He would have been offered
the nosegay of poppies and marigolds
with the pei feet ease and the same i'm
partiality which ever accompanied hel
gifts. The daily passers by, hearing
often the boastful words were saved
from an improper levity, just because
the garden was of 80 much value To its
owner. ~pring afte spring as the buds
of promise appeared il VAS delightful to
all 70 see the clear spaces of brown earth
making effective the green things
growing Later or all would be
changed for better or tor wors accord
ing to the point of view, but to one,
emphatcally the former when her
flowers were I'm blow Certainly the
once admired spaces were all hidden,
where intense colors harshly, even riot
ouslv comingled; where the faint, sweet
perfume of the early pink, was quite
lost in the ubtrusive breath of the great,
over crown DeOnV Bnt to the simple