eing in beauty of bloom with its near neighbours, the
Japanese Quinces, quite outdoes them in glory and bounty of fruit, which
in October is one of the most brilliant things in the garden. There are
no better garden ornaments for foliage than Figs and Vines, and though
the needful pruning of a Vine for fruit takes off somewhat of its
pictorial value, which depends in some measure on the wide-flung,
luscious summer growth and groping tendril, yet in any shape the Grape
Vine is a thing of beauty. Some of its garden kinds also show how, in
distinct departures in colour and shape of leaf, it is always beautiful;
for the Parsley-leaved Vine, with its dainty and deeply-cut foliage, is
a suitable accompaniment to the most refined architecture; while the
red-purple leaf of the Claret Vine and its close clusters of blue fruit
are richly ornamental in the autumn garden. A Medlar tree, with its
large white bloom and handsome leaves, is desirable, and several of the
Services are ornamental small trees. Every one knows the lovely pink
bloom of the Almond in April, but few may have tried something that is
not an experiment but a certainty--namely, the successful culture of the
hardier Peaches, near relatives to the Almond, as standards in the south
of England. A Peach of American origin, the Early Alexander, bears full
or fair crops every year. The only danger is from leaf blister from
sudden cold in May, but if its position is sheltered, or if it can be
afforded the protection of a net, it will suffer but little, and
perfectly ripened peaches, red all round, may be had at the end of July.
The beauty of Cherry blossom is so well known that it needs no
extolling; and any great high wall looks the better at all seasons for a
well-trained old Pear.

A free planting of the cut-leaved Bramble is pleasant to see on the
outskirts of the garden, and is beautiful in leaf, in flower, and in
fruit.

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES

For a full consideration of the Rose as a garden flower, one must look
to such a work as "Roses for English Gardens," but as the Rose is a
flowering shrub it cannot be omitted from the present volume.

In these days of horticultural prosperity and rapid progress, when there
would appear to be one or more specialists devoting themselves to every
worthy flower, we need scarcely say that the Rose has not been
forgotten. Indeed, within the memory of many who have watched its
culture for the last fort