The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-23
Get Ready.

It will soon be spring. There are
hints of it in the air already. The
plants on the window-sill feel the in
fluence of the spell, and put forth bud
and leaf, and seem to laugh out their
gladness as they anticipate the passing
of winter. And the flower-lover is full
of delightful anticipations, also. He
sees, in his minds eye, the garden he
Is going to have next summer. He can
smell the sweet peas in it, and gather,
in advance, the poppies and the pan
sizes which will brighten it. So it hap
pens that the person who really loves
flowers enjoys them before they come
almost as much as when they are here.
And the memory of them fingers after
they are gone, 80 we get pleasure out
of them the whole year round.
But we must not let a sentimental
anticipation of the pleasure next sum-
mer's garden is to give US make US OBJ
Hvious CT the practial things which
ought to betaken into consideration
in connection with it. Before
there can be garden, there
must be a good deal of planning
done, and considerable work. The
work will come later, but the planning
should be done now, while there is
leisure in which to plan well and wise
ly. The garden that is not thought
out" before garden-making time comes
is quite likely to be disappointing in
many ways. There will be tumble
of things where there ought to be har-
mony, because we do things in hurry,
and "tske our chances" And that
"dosn't pay"
What does pay, in en.making
as well as in business, is knowing just
where things belong, and taking pains
to see that they get in the right place.
The wise gardener who takes the time
to think out her garden will not make
the mistake of getting blue flowers
alongside scarlet ones, or tall plants in
front of low-growing ones. Every
kind of flower she uses will be where
it will show to the best advantage.
The colors which harmonize will get
into adjoining beds. White, or neu-
trail colors, will act as peace-makers,
and keep quarrelsome colors apart.
The color which is pretty in itself will
be heightened in it's effect by having
with it, or near it, complimentary
color whose office is quite as much
that of emphasizing the beauty of
others as of asserting its own charms.
Of course, all this calls for careful
thought and intelligent consideration
of ways and means. If you do not
know the new plants, make yourself
familiar with their colors and habits
by studying the catalogues. Never
use q plant without learning all about
these things. Make that rule, and you
will avoid many mistakes.
Don't be too ambitious. BY that |
mean, don't let your enthusiasm lead
you into attempting more than you
can carry out we'll. This is trite advice
I am well aware, but it needs repeat.
ing each season. Bear in mind the
fact that large garden will req uire
great deal of work at your hands, 10
order to bs what it ought to be, and DC
not undertake the making of it unless
you know that you can do 1t justice
Slovenly, half-done work is always un'
satisfactory work, and that is just the
kind of work we are likely to do when
we make larger plans than we can live
up to. A little garden kept in perfect
order will afford great pleasure; but 8
large garden neglected or only nal
cared for will be a constant reproach tc
us, and an offence to the eye OF the
person who believes that flowers de-
serve the best of treatment.
Therefore, get ready for your garden
in advance. Know where every bower
is to 20. Know the shape and size ol
your beds. And depend on the gooo