[1] From “My Garden,” one of the collected poems of T. E. Brown. By kind permission of Messrs. Macmillan and Co.
It is not alone amongst our village people that we hope for steady development in the cultivation of our soil. They unconsciously assimilate much from what they see carried out in the vicarage garden, the manor-house orchard, and the large park. These must set the example both in tidiness, artistic arrangement, and well-grown produce. Education in taste, as well as scientific knowledge, is required for the heads of these gardens. We know that in Japan gardening and flower arrangement have attained wonderful perfection. There it is necessary to learn for seven years before a requisite amount of skill is acquired. Not only are artistic effects studied, but flowers are used as modes of expression. Different colours and combinations convey distinct meanings.
Surely we Western races should also look upon a garden as of the same artistic value as a beautiful picture, or a many-coloured, skilfully wrought piece of embroidery? In short, so ancient a craft should be as intelligently and carefully studied as any Fine Art. A garden is a living picture. The painter having found a subject, studies each detail. Surroundings, background, the position it should occupy upon the canvas, what portion is to be accurately depicted, which objects are to be omitted or only faintly indicated: all these points are considered before he takes up his brush. A gardener must do likewise. Sometimes, when ground is not yet laid out, he must do more. He then has to think some years ahead and imagine what this bare piece of meadow will be when plants have grown in it. The lay of the land, the character of the soil, the relation of the house with the garden—all have to be weighed before planting is commenced. Therefore, our gardeners must be artists as well as successful cultivators of plants.
True gardening gives scope for much sympathy and feeling. There is a soft repose in grey and pale pink. An arbour with such colouring invites thoughtfulness, quiet contemplation; whereas orange or bright yellow may, in some sad moments, be obtrusive, or jar upon our feelings. A brilliant bed of scarlet poppies, if put in the right natural surroundings, are gay with joie de vivre, whilst gentle pansies appear to look with melting human kindness as they raise their little faces appealingly towards us. Good effects have been gained by planting large, bold clumps of Pampas grass in empty spaces. The situation must be very carefully selected or it is apt to strike a discord. In the solemn graveyard it soothes; the waving plumes seem to bow down in sympathy with the mourners.
A real artist gardener not only has aptitude for placing right lines, and forming rich, telling colour effects, but he also understands the personality of flowers, the sentiments of colours and scent. A painter’s instinct tells him where the varied colours of a mixed border are allowable, and how elsewhere a touch of strong, brilliant colour is wanted to lead again to a shaded path of mystery.
In order to successfully accomplish this Fine Art gardening, which we in England are now ambitious to have, artistic, well-educated, refined head gardeners are needed. From our Colonies, too, comes a cry for skilled and well-instructed “heads.” There they have plenty of hands to do mechanical work, numbers of “coolies” to do menial jobs, but they want more intelligent directors and guides to industry. Again, in our schools, we require for the children those who sympathise with school garden work and Nature-study.
These, then, are the ambitions of lady gardeners. They do not wish to supplant able, clever men head-gardeners, nor even to compete with them. They do desire, however, to assist as far as their strength allows, by lending intelligence, good taste, refinement, towards securing better cultivation of our great country. What they lack in physical strength they endeavour to compensate by other equally important, yet softer, womanly qualities.
This book has two objects in view. It hopes, by means of practical advice—in fact, by some it may be considered somewhat Spartan counsel—to draw attention to what is required of lady gardeners. The other aim is to show employers what would be gained by appointing them; at the same time to disarm any mistaken illusion which may have arisen that ladies wish to supplant men gardeners. They merely intend to supplement and increase the good work which men are doing for our land.
GARDENING FOR WOMEN
Part I