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ledge on the part of those who are the proprietors of gardens, of the vast increase of labour which has arisen in consequence of preparing and cultivating so many tender plants as are demanded by modern summer flower-gardening, and all without anything like corresponding resources in the way of houses and pits for propagating and growing such numbers of plants. The extent to which this is the case is but little thought of by proprietors, and the energy and resources of the present generation of gardeners are wonderfully exemplified in the production of tens of thousands of plants, with the most unsuitable amount of accommodation.

Another important consideration, in prospectively contemplating improvement, lies in the undue amount of extent, on which, in many instances, flower-gardening is attempted to be carried out. Proprietors and gardeners, too, are alike in fault in this matter,-the one from the idea of enlarging the sources of their emjoyment, the other with the view of getting more scope for displaying their taste and skill. Instead of realizing this, it may perhaps be considered bold to say that few things would tend so much to the improvement of flower-gardening, in a general way, as that the area over which it is attempted should be reduced by one-third. Surely it is more desirable to have fifty beds about a place well filled and arranged with choice plants, than twice that number made up indifferently. And then there is the most important matter of dress and high-keeping the whole season, than which there is not anything else that so much affects the enjoyment and comfort of all concerned. The greatest possible amount of flower-gardening cannot be pleasing, or contribute to the enjoyment of ladies and gentlemen with any pretence to refined taste,

unless a high state of cultivation and neatness prevail. Half the number of plants, with the same amount of labour properly applied, would be more certain to minister enjoyment, and tend to advance the art. One bed of flowers may be made to attract more attention and cause more admiration than a great number; and the smaller groups of beds may be made far more attractive than the larger, if attempted with the same means. Flower-gardens are not to be disapproved of merely because they are large. The larger the better, if the means allowed be in proportion. What is contended for is, that a small garden, well arranged and highly kept, must, in the nature of things, be far more productive of enjoyment, and tend more to the advancement of the art, than a larger one, out of proportion to the means of its owner, and consequently badly kept.

Another matter which would tend greatly to advancement is, that one of the elementary and important principles of flower-gardening—namely, the harmonizing and contrasting of colours-should be more studied than it is. There are few things more certain than that any one who attempts to arrange plants in a flower-garden without a knowledge of the general principles upon which the harmonizing and contrasting of colours are founded, will make mistakes. This is maintainable as a general rule. At the same time, there are some combinations that set the laws of colour at defiance, and are yet most pleasing. There is nothing easier than to become conversant with this subject; and it is my intention to show how the harmony and contrast of colours can be easily decided by those who have not hitherto studied the matter.

CHAPTER I.

REVIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL GENERA MOST SUITABLE FOR SUMMER GROUPING, ETC.

THE number of beautiful plants which have been furnished to the flower-gardener of the present day, and the well-matured experience in making judicious selections for various soils and climates, give us considerable advantage over those who were the pioneers of the grouping system. Nevertheless, we must not consider that anything more has been attained than a favourable stand-point, from which a still improved order of things can be descried. And if it be true, as doubtless it is, that so extensive a use of comparatively tender plants has led to the neglect of many an interesting hardy border-plant, all has not been loss. That wonderful law of compensation which pervades the universe has not been absent here. In proof of this, we have only to review the many beautiful half-hardy plants which have been added to our lists, and have disputed so successfully the position of popular favourites. And should the current of popular taste ever flow more than it does at present in the direction of mixed flower-beds and borders of hardy plants, there must be a compromise. Selection from both the hardy and half-hardy orders of plants is creeping on just as fast as it is being discovered that some desirable feature or effect is gained; and thus, by a

sort of mutual concession, the flower-garden will be furnished with judicious selections, and not with an omnium gatherum of all sorts.

In taking a retrospective glance at some of the plants which are now so extensively used, it cannot fail to be abundantly apparent to those who are conversant with the plants which formed, as it were, the dawn of the grouping system, that the improvement in some cases has been wonderful, and in nearly all very considerable indeed. Thirty years ago, the very headquarters of flower-gardening were all but entirely destitute of anything in the way of Pelargoniums that would now be tolerated, unless as a curiosity. The old Horse-shoe among Zonales, and old Frogmore among plain-leaved scarlets, were the gems of those days. In variegated Pelargoniums the poverty was even deeper still; and as for the tricolor-leaved sort, they were never dreamed of nor hoped for. General Tom Thumb, the history of which is more like romance than reality (in being saved from a dust-bin, where, after the tender mercies of a nursery of children, it was cast to die the death of an unproved seedling), led the way in improvement; and, in company with new Frogmore, the plucky little General has marched through many a gaudy garden, and probably they have held their ground for a greater length of time than any others. Globe Compactum and Shrubland Superb led the way among sorts with zoned or horse-shoe leaves; and, when properly managed, both varieties are very effective, although dark-zoned leaves are not now so highly prized in a bed of scarlet-flowered Pelargoniums. About 1850, Flower of The Day commenced the era, and a new race of silver-edged varieties. And what have we now? It would indeed be difficult

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to say how numerous these varieties are, and more difficult to describe their beauty and adaptability for one purpose or another. From pure white up through the various shades of pink, peach, rose, cherry, salmon, scarlet, to crimson of various shades, with foliage of all shades of green, to say nothing of the shimmering beauty of the creamy, silver, golden-edged, and bronze varieties, we have them, thanks to the skill and energy of hybridizers and sport savers; and all culminate in the gorgeous tricolor-leaved varieties, which almost combine, in one. leaf, the colours of the rainbow, and vie, in beauty of marking, with the tenants of our stoves.

Looking at Verbenas, I cannot help recording my conviction, that the present principle of arranging plants in masses owes them very much, perhaps more than any other genus of plants. The introduction of the Verbena had a very considerable share in the advent of the grouping style, and helped to establish it. Verbenas made dense and dwarf masses of long-continued and brilliant colours possible, and were found of easy culture. For bedding purposes, perhaps, the improvement has not been quite so striking as in Pelargoniums. The desirability of growing only such varieties as will stand rains the best, combining distinctness of colour with a compact stiff habit of growth, good foliage, great substance of petal, and a prolonged profusion of bloom, has very much contracted the choice of Verbenas. Still, making such points as these the standard of merit, we have very fine sorts which could not be well spared, and which, for producing a long-continued mass of colour, cannot be excelled. It is singular that in the way of foliage no very striking improvement has been accomplished. Could we possess a purple or blue

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