Church Gardens.

ing than architecture itself ; and it should never be forgotten that gardeners have observed ancl propagated varieties of this tree which differ greatly from the ordinary type , and are no less beautiful . The Irish yew for example , one of the most

precious trees in existence , because it is as hardy as it is distinct from all other trees in beauty . It would be easy to adorn many a churchyard Avith varieties of the common yeAv alone , ancl of these Ave should certainly give preference to the green

as against the variegated kinds ; but though Ave shall never get any finer tree than our native yeAv and its varieties , it must be remembered that our gardens IIOAV contain many noble evergreen trees from various countries , and from which a selection may be made ; but in that selection there should never be a tender tree .

It has long been quite fashionable to plant quantities of evergreen trees not hard y enough for many districts of the country , and even Avhere they seem so far to be hardy , anybody who knoAVs anything of the quick growth of the trees in their OAvn and in more favourable climes knoAvs also

that they will never attain their natural dignity or beauty in this country . There are , for example , many places where the Deodara , the Wellingtonia , or the Araucaria should not be planted , not to speak of others . The church garden being

usually limited in space , for this reason alone , only trees certain to be long lived in the situation should be planted . Evergreens have been mentioned first . Summer leafing trees should , however , not be

neglected , as among these are our most beautiful flowering trees , and many of them give also refreshing shade and pleasant foliage fresh and green long into the autumn , as , for instance , the locust tree . Where the space is limited and it is desirableas it nearly ahvays isto leave some

, , room betAveen the trees for views , & c ., the various pyramidal or tapering trees will be useful . In planting , it is essential not to hide tlie building itself from important points of vieAv . To enhance and not to conceal beauty should be the lanter ' s

obp ject , and he can scarcely pay too much attention to points of view both from and to bis site . In all the results of planting there is nothing more lovely than the contrasts afforded b y the leaf builders and the

stone builders Avhen their works are seen in association . All who knoAV how readily and simply the walls of churches may be made into charming gardens of evergreen or floAvering plants , must regret that so many of them are bare of even ivy or

Virginian creeper . On Caunton Church there is a large and free blooming specimen of gloire de Dijon rose , and many of the finest floAvering climbers could be grown in such positions . Fresh foliage or roseate blooms are never seen to greater

advantage than against the Avorn gray or brown stones of our churches . The several sides of the church may each have its appropriate plants , choice roses ancl the least hardy subjects having the warmer and more sheltered Avails . Where ivy is

used it should not be allowed either completely to cover the Avails , or to Avholly exclude other ancl less common subjects . The IOAV walls often placed round graveyards offer also a desirable position for wall plantssuch as the various ivies

, , clematis , cotoneaster , & c . Sometimes tombs may offer opportunities here and there for the groAvth of a plant of similar character ; and here we would say that Ave

Avould countenance no disturbance of any monuments or graves for planting of any kind . Intelligence will be best employed in beautifying , not concealing or obliterating such objects . FloAver beds of the common type are quite out of place in

a churchyard . A group of yuccas or of lilies may be planted , but they do not need formal beds ; but the tasteful gardener may make at least one beautiful large bed—the Avhole of the turf . In this one of the ideas of the " wild garden " —dotting

bulbous flowers through the grass—may be most effectively carried nut . It is scarcely necessary to state here that many of our brightest spring flowers are easily naturalized in grass . The surface of the churchyard is often suitable for this ,

because the grass in it is not mown so early or so primly as that in gardens . There are usually in churchyards little variations in surface or soil which favour the development of a variety of spring floAver lifeand the flowers are very

AVCI-, come among the budding grass in spring . The scillas and snowdrops d * o exceeding ly well in turf , and so does the Appennineanemone . It may be urged that the occa-