THE OLD SCHOOL GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE OLD SCHOOL GARDEN

Dear Garden-Lovers.—l am going to tell you about a visit that I paid the other night to my old school garden. 1 wonder if you all love your school garden as much as I love mine? Although it Is now nearly five years since 1 played in that garden 1 still like to be interested in it and occasionally 1 take a peep around to see just how it looks. _ , , When my friend and I" set off the other evening 1 knew there was a treat in store for us, as the almond tree was in bloom. It was a beautiful night and the moon lent touches of beauty to those things that in daylight seem' so ordinary. Why, even the muddy puddles on the road glistened in the moonlight and seemed quite prettyl On entering the -school garden we were met with a beautiful scene. All around us was the sleeping garden. There on the lawn was the almond tree, which had already started to shed its petals, and on the ground was a carpet of petals. The garden, bathed in the moonlight, seemed most enchanting. We strolled by the borders of Virginian stock, violets, and sweet-smelling flowers, and passed the tidy gardens of ranunculi and golden daffodils. The gum tree near by rustled its leaves and whispered to the garden. The pepper tree by the hedge is now so big and shade-affording. Jt 'is not now the little seedling we used to cherish so much. Near by is a lilac tree that has not yet aroused from sleep. The fine big puriri tree we had our lunches under in my schooldays is now so tall that it must have to peer a long way down to see the daffodils peeping from under the hawthorn hedge. Slowly we wandered over the playground to the wattle trees that are now very big and leafy. Standing amid them we gazed out on the enchanting scene with trie moon above above us playing hide and seek and the school roof in the distance with the dew on it glistening like silver. With reluctant steps my girl friend and 1 wandered nearer the gate and then with a last peep at the garden we left and went home after a pleasing evening's adventure.—Your fellow garden-lover. Hazel Curtis-Smith, Maungaturoto (age 17).