The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-07-01

England and elsewhere. Whereas this form of
horticultural sculpture is lacking the Virginia
gardens embellished by many an artistic
touch. For instance the grassy or nowerbanked
terraces which can be rendered SO effective have
been introduced whenever the character OF the
site seemed to render It advisable, and fouu-
tains, stone garden seats, etc. are to be found
just as In the gardens laid out In more precise
fashion. The gardens of the Old Dominion also
disclose wide variety of pergolas. arbors and
construction and almost all of them are UMPIRE
tentious in character compared with the orna-
mental buildings to be found In twentieth
fury gardens where money has flowed like water,
but for quiet repose and the charm of sylvan SOL
itude and as trysting places for those who desire
to exchange condolences In a sympathetic though
secluded environment 1t is doubtful II there is
In the entire country anything to compare with
these vine-covered hooks.
Perhaps the ideal time to visit an old vfr-
gnia garden Is in the spring or early summer
when the prim box hedges have tips on every
branch, giving them new coat Of soft green and
imparting the touch of feathers when the hand
is passed over the soft surface. Rose time is
bound to be a favorite season because roses were
ever one Of the most cherished charges Of the
old-time gardeners in this favored cline, and
here one may find in all their glory number
of beautiful varieties, such the Nelly Gusts,
which will not be encountered elsewhere unless
they have been transplanted from Virginia soil
But in reality 1t is injustice to praise the rose
season above other intervals in the prolonged
blossom time. The chief ambition Of the owner
Of a colonial garden In the Old Dominion has
ever been to so select and arrange the flowers
that the garden will be a continual mass Of
bloom from the advent Of the magnolia, the
SNOWFALL and the lilac In the early spring until
after the passing Of the Virginia creepers. the
iessamines, the passion vines and the hardy
chrysanthsmums on the waning season
The amount Of care necessary to keep vir-
ginia garden In proper condition would be likely
to surprise resident of a more northerly state
not familiar from experience with the rapidity
with which things grow in this favored cline.
Even the box hedges-perhaps two hundred
years od-must be trimmed back every year il
they are to be kept less than shoulder high so
that they win not prevent visitors to the garden
from obtaining general views OF the labyrinth of
greenery. The average colonial garden which
has been maintained in anything approaching it's
old-time glory has greenhouse attached In
which plants may be given a favorable start
early in the spring and later transpianted to the
flower beds Many Of the old gardens also have
in one corner of the plot q tiny ornamental
building used q seed house and tool house.
whereas In not few of these ancient floral do
mains the timehonored sun dial has been made
the central object In the garden and the flower
beds have been arranged around II as pivot
At many Of the estates in Virginia, particu-
larry those which were the homes OF men Of ma