Evening star., 1925-05-23

Relation of the elements in the
little garden is the secret of all sue
cess" says Mrs. King, advising that
one should secure the services of a
landscape architect before those Of an
architect. She deplores the necessity
for a garage on a small lot. as any
garden lover must, and speaks well
of red clay, and tells how she mows
her lawn, but behind all this advice
lies the idea of relationship of one
element to another.
1t is the lack of plan that Is re-
SpOnSible for most that Is ugly in
America, she tells us, going on to
state her preference for formal treat
ment of the small garden. The rec
tangular idea, closely followed, pro-
duces best results, she believes.
Then, in the chapter on "The Plan, "
she declares: However, whether we
advocate formal or informal plans,
one thing is needed in either case:
and that is some line or border of
green growth which shall encircle the
lot-shall make it into that garth. or
inclosed spot. which gives the word
garden it's old first meaning"
The garden must be inclosed, pref
erably by a wall, II not then by a
clad in green. II often wonder how
long 1t will be before the smaller
householder in America will be able
to understand the necessity for the
beauty of privacy in his own grounds
and gardens" Mrs. King says.
The beauty of privacy, There
you see the author true to her leading
light, even when discussing privacy
Privacy not for itself alone, but for
beauty's sake.
Gates, the trellis, garden furniture
are treated from the same standpoint
AS for the trellis, she says that the
little garden calls for "a most deli
cate use of this most delicate garden
decoration" OF sun dials, of bird
baths, she says succinctIy: Think
twice before overcrowding small
garden. Keep out of it il
you can. Your garden will be better
II extraneous objects are few"
Other interesting chapters treat OF
flowers in the little garden, color In
the garden and the care of the
garden. No reader will agree with
everything Mrs. King says. but he
will find much that is helpful.
l, for instance, think she rather
overdoes II when she advocates. for
lDlOTIlldl painting, an OQ0 nufnDer Ol
plants in a group-five, seven, nine
even three, declaring: This gives a
quality of ease, of naturalness, due
To the absence of all geometric sug
gestion Of the even number"
Try my eest, l have been unable tC
see any geometric suggestion in
flowers. and | doubt very much II
there is any.
Mrs. King prefers blue as the
''peacemaker" in the garden, although
admitting that white is perhaps more
often spoken of in that role.
A striking example of the role
played by white flowers was given
recently in the grounds of the De
partment of Agriculture, when the
pansies were set out. The pure white
pansies set off all the other colors
without the white ones the blues
yellows, mahogany and other shades
would have lost much of their charm
Mrs. King speaks highly of the
gladiolus. saying that no flower, OF
all those at command, catches and
holds more interest than the Gladiolus
in its nearly endless types, varieties
and colors."
THE Little Garden is a valuable
book because II gives one a true per
spective of the garden as the best
part of the house, and a good book
for those who love books, because II
iS we'll written.