PLATE 156 "Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Mrs. Chester ThornePLATE 156"Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Mrs. Chester Thorne
PLATE 157 "Thornewood"PLATE 157"Thornewood"
PLATE 158 "Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Chester Thorne, Esq.PLATE 158"Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Chester Thorne, Esq.
PLATE 159 Seattle, Wash. Robert Merrill, Esq.PLATE 159Seattle, Wash. Robert Merrill, Esq.
PLATE 160 Seattle, Wash. Robert Merrill, Esq.PLATE 160Seattle, Wash. Robert Merrill, Esq.
PLATE 161 Section of a Rose hedge bordering an avenue in Portland, Ore.PLATE 161Section of a Rose hedge bordering an avenue in Portland, Ore.
PLATE 162 "Rosecrest," Portland Heights, Portland, Ore. Mrs. F. I. FullerPLATE 162"Rosecrest," Portland Heights, Portland, Ore. Mrs. F. I. Fuller
PLATE 163 "Cliff Cottage," Elk Rock, Portland, Ore. Peter Kerr, Esq.PLATE 163A garden in three terraces"Cliff Cottage," Elk Rock, Portland, Ore. Peter Kerr, Esq.
PLATE 164 "High Hatch," Riverwood, Portland, Ore. Thomas Kerr, Esq.PLATE 164A rock garden leading to formal garden"High Hatch," Riverwood, Portland, Ore. Thomas Kerr, Esq.
Last, but not least, comes Alaska; even if last to arrive on the map of the Union, yet not least in size of territory or in flowers, and with still another condition of climate to be considered. Alaskan gardens are as yet but tiny modest plots against the gray log cabins, suggesting the homes of our Pilgrim fathers on the milder New England coast so long ago, and as we think of the stone and marble pergolas in modern New England, there comes the suggestion: "Then why not Alaska likewise some day?"
To those who think of Alaska only as a land of snow and ice, descriptions of its flower-surrounded log cabins seem like impossible dreams. Quoting from Reverend Mr. Lumpkin's paper:
"In coming into Alaska, you first awake to the beautiful reality in Skagway. This is the point where the White Pass road is taken to make connection with the river boats for the interior. Your eyes rest upon the wonderful fulfilment of the flowers and your crag-weary soul is refreshed.
"Every growing thing in Alaska seems to exemplify the Alaskan spirit, and that is to make the very best ofbad conditions, and to make the very most of the many good ones. With the dark winters and short summers, every ray of sunshine has to be used, and when in the summer the sun shines all day and nearly all night for three months, there is no time for loafing in flower land.
"Just take a walk down through Fairbanks in July and you will begin to think that wonders will never cease. You will see flowers, that at home you had to coax and nurse into growth, here in radiant, luxuriant masses. The Pansies are unusually large, whole borders of them, and paths bordered with beds a foot wide, filled to the edges with changeable velvet. Sweet Peas grow up to the tops of the fences, and then, if no further support is given them, over they go, back to the ground again. All summer the Nasturtiums climb nearer and nearer the roofs of the cabins, and bloom and bloom in sheer delight. Some paths are bordered with Poppies, big stately red and white, and white and pink ones, or the golden California beauties. These natives of warmer climes seem perfectly at home in the Northland. Asters scorn hothouses and grow in profusion wherever they are planted, and wherever they are they are beautiful. They are as large as the Chrysanthemums the Easterner delights in, and of all the various changes of colors. By them, perhaps, will be Dahlias as large and rich as any you have ever seen. The more beauty-loving and flower-loving the owner of the garden, the longer you will stay to look and wonder. Candytuft, Sweet Alyssum, and Mignonette will greetyou from their accustomed places on the borders of beds of flowers, and you will almost smile at them as at some old-time friend. Then you will see where some daring gardener has bordered the beds with Phlox or Snapdragon, and you will feel compelled to admire the result.
"Never have I seen such Begonias. The flowers are like Camellias, and the colors exquisite. Shades of pale yellow to deep yellow, pale pink to deep pink, and the pure white. The Geraniums, too, grow to giant size, and seem to be ever-blooming. One really is tempted to feel the stalks of some of them before it can be believed that they are not two plants tied together. There was a Geranium in one of the small towns which filled the window of a store.
"Many cabins have five or more baskets hanging from the eaves. Imagine gray log cabins with birch baskets filled with blue Lobelias; flame-colored Nasturtiums climbing to the roof, beds of velvet Pansies, borders of crimson Poppies leading to the gate, where golden California Poppies make way for you to pass, and beyond, the distant Alaskan mountains, snow-covered and glistening in the sun. Imagine one cabin, and then think of streets of them; change your flower colors as you will, as a child changes his kaleidoscope, and you will have some idea of Alaska flower land."[5]
The lure of the far-famed gardens of the island so close to our shores is enticing enough to make a happy excuse for giving the space of a page to one of its smaller gardens.
In the heart of this fair garden, in the country of the Englishman, at the end of this book on American gardens, the author, though a proud American, unhesitatingly admits that usually it is the Englishman who has inspired us to make gardens as nearly as possible like those of the mother country. Is it the old blood that is stirring within us, the common bond of past associations and brotherhood so often expressed in our physical resemblances as well as in many of our ideals? The garden in the accompanying illustrations shows a beautiful combination of flowers with picturesque old trees.
The climate of this favored place is even more delightful and balmy than that of the mainland, and the charm of the great Pacific is doubly felt along these quiet shores. The untravelled may picture it as isolated and forsaken, but rather is it just enough retired to be apart without loneliness; and, except, in a few cities, excludingthe turmoil of the world, yet hospitably open to the friendly passer-by.
There is more sunshine here than in England, although the climates are very similar. On Vancouver Island there are the four distinct, well-defined seasons; the temperature is more like that of Portland than of Tacoma. The island is generously covered with vegetation, and when its native wild flowers are considered, in addition to the gardens in rich cultivation, it may well be called a garden island.
PLATE 165 Victoria City, Vancouver Island, B. C.PLATE 165Victoria City, Vancouver Island, B. C.
PLATE 166 Victoria City, Vancouver Island, B. C.PLATE 166Victoria City, Vancouver Island, B. C.
PLATE 167 Longview, Tenn. Mrs. James E. CaldwellPLATE 167Longview, Tenn. Mrs. James E. CaldwellFrom a photograph by G. C. Dury & Co. Reproduced by permission of the author of "Your Garden and Mine"
PLATE 168 "Knock-Mae-Cree," Westport, Conn. Mrs. William Curtis GibsonPLATE 168"Knock-Mae-Cree," Westport, Conn. Mrs. William Curtis GibsonFrom a photograph by Brown Brothers
PLATE 169PLATE 169
PLATE 170 "Hamilton House," South Berwick, Maine. Mrs. George S. TysonPLATE 170"Hamilton House," South Berwick, Maine. Mrs. George S. Tyson
PLATE 171PLATE 171
PLATE 172 "Glen Alpine," Morristown, N. J. Charles W. McAlpin, Esq.PLATE 172"Glen Alpine," Morristown, N. J. Charles W. McAlpin, Esq.
PLATE 173 East Hampton, L. I. Mrs. Theron G. StrongPLATE 173East Hampton, L. I. Mrs. Theron G. Strong
PLATE 174 "Glendessary," Santa Barbara, Cal. Mrs. R. C. RogersPLATE 174"Glendessary," Santa Barbara, Cal. Mrs. R. C. Rogers
PLATE 175 "Clifton," Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Samuel H. TaftPLATE 175"Clifton," Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Samuel H. Taft
PLATE 176 "Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Chester Thorne, Esq.PLATE 176"Thornewood," Tacoma, Wash. Chester Thorne, Esq.
FOOTNOTES:[1]Quoted from "Old Time Gardens," by Alice Morse Earle.[2]See also the frontispiece.[3]These climatic conditions are explained in New Jersey chapter.[4]"Country Homes of Famous Americans."[5]FromThe Alaskan Churchman.
[1]Quoted from "Old Time Gardens," by Alice Morse Earle.
[1]Quoted from "Old Time Gardens," by Alice Morse Earle.
[2]See also the frontispiece.
[2]See also the frontispiece.
[3]These climatic conditions are explained in New Jersey chapter.
[3]These climatic conditions are explained in New Jersey chapter.
[4]"Country Homes of Famous Americans."
[4]"Country Homes of Famous Americans."
[5]FromThe Alaskan Churchman.
[5]FromThe Alaskan Churchman.