PREFACE THE idea of writing this little book occurred to me because numerous people have frequently asked me, When did you take up gardening and seemed surprised at my reply, that I never remembered being without a garden. The fashion of taking up is now so gardening prevalent, that I thought it might be a help to have some simple book that would form a sound foundation of the rudiments of gardening for children and beginners of all ages. I hope this little volume may be fortunate in directing their ideas to the work required to produce bright gardens, and that by pointing out a few of the endless attractions of the it pastime, may increase in the young the taste for practical in common with gardening, which I myself, thousands at all times of life, have found to be one of the surest sources of happiness. This book is only intended as a sketch, and gives the merest mention in unscientific language of some of the most obvious plants and necessary work in each season of the year. More com- plete and scientific works should be referred to for following up the threads of knowledge in the lines here indicated. I have to thank all kind friends who have assisted me by sending photographs or draw- ings for illustrations and I am specially grateful to Sir Thomas Hanbury for reading the final proofs of these pages. ALICIA M. CECIL. 10 EATON PLACE, LONDON, S.W. August, 1902. I. THE GARDEN II. SPRING . III. SPRING WORK . IV. SUMMER V. AUTUMN VI WINTER . APPENDIX INDEX CONTENTS PAGE 35 8 3 I 3 l .167 2I1 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.