the brass band. Planted on the harmonic principle, it can be studied with growing enjoyment, viewed ever so near. It would then stream upon the eye like the mellow tones of the lute; and the longer we contemplate it, the more beautiful it would appear. When near to the eye, harmony should prevail.

But to plant for distinct and more distant effect, and if the mind is to appreciate all its lines and hues with anything like distinctness, every line of it must be laid down on the rule of strong contrast. This, for the design to be distinctly enjoyed from a distant point, is indispensable. The distance sufficiently softens down its hard tones.

And looking at the group as designed on the principle of concentric rings, the same principle, to be most effective in the distance, must be strictly adhered to, especially when viewed from an elevated point. It, however, affords an opportunity of planting on the triangular principle-as will be illustrated presently,— which, although very effective, and well worth adopting occasionally, falls short of the effectiveness of that which is in more rigid harmony with the design, although the triangular principle affords room for greater variety of plants, which is an object, supposing this were all or the chief part of a flower-garden.

The following are some of the ways in which these remarks can be practically illustrated :

Design No. 1.

Bed No. 1.-Any of the yellow or orange-yellow Calceolarias enumerated in the list given; C. aurantia multiflora and C. canariensis are our own favourites. If the latter be used, edge it with a band of blue Lobelia speciosa 18 inches wide. The former being a taller grower, requires a taller

T

growing edging; and Verbena Purple King contrasts very well. Dark-foliaged plants, such as Perilla, Iresine Herbstii, and, where they do well, Amaranthus melancholicus ruber and Coleus Verschaffeltii, contrast well with the yellows.

2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3.-Planting on the principle of concentric rings, these should be planted all the same; and, to contrast with the yellow, No. 1—for lasting autumnal effect, and especially if No. 1 be edged with blue Lobelia-choice would fall upon Verbena venosa, where it does well. But Verbena Purple King, or purple Intermediate Stock, would do very well. The edging to these six beds, to be a contrast to the centre if purple, is a greenish-yellow or white, which also contrasts moderately with the edging of No. 1, and so gives distinctness on either or both sides. This we have supplied in variegated Pelargoniums-gold and silver-and Polemonium cæruleum variegatum. The centre bed being yellow, we should here prefer the silver varieties, such as Mangles, with pale pink flowers, or Flower of Spring; and Dactylis glomerata variegata and Koniga variegata would also

answer.

4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5.- Variegated Pelargoniums having a pale pink flower, such as Silver Queen, Mangles' Variegated, or Flower of Spring; here Viola cornuta, an excellent edging plant, would come in effectively for a band to these light beds. Iresine Herbstii, or any strong contrasting colour to show off the light centre, would answer well.

6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7.—Being the boundary beds, should be planted with a bright colour, such as Pelargonium Tom Thumb. P. Sutton's Perfection or Stella coming in contact with both the purple and the pink or light colours in front and on either side, it would be difficult to say whether the crimson or scarlet shade should be placed in these beds. Our own inclination would lead to Tom Thumb as the type of a good bedding habit; but Stella, or any of the green-leaved crimson zonales, would also be appropriate. If Tom Thumb or any other green-foliaged variety be chosen, and especially if a crimson or dark-foliaged plant be used for edging to beds 4 and 5, we would use Viola cornuta ; but if V. cornuta be placed as an edging to the light beds, Cerastium tomentosum, or any of the dwarf light-foliaged plants, would come in admirably.

Planted in this way, the design would be very expres

sive when viewed from a distance, and every line in it could be distinctly appreciated. If the centre bed No. 1, which is purposely shown of sufficient width to admit of a centrical object, such as a vase, or statue, or fountain, have such an object in it, the yellow would then be lighter, and the band of blue should not be more than 1 foot wide. Supposing that there is no permanent object as a centre, a graceful specimen. plant about 3 feet high would come in well, such as Yucca recurva pendula, Dracena indivisa, or D. Australis. Then, to correspond with this, every bed should have an appropriate specimen. In the centre, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, we would place a single plant of Yucca aloifolia variegata. In 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, a nicely grown specimen of India Rubber plant, or Coleus Verschaffeltii, or even Perilla, would come in effectively; and in the Scarlet Pelargonium beds, a specimen Centaurea Ragusina, raised so as just to leave its lower leaves resting on the surface of the Pelargoniums, would do remarkably well. These centre objects must not be too high, or they will obstruct the outline of the design when viewed from a distance, and especially if the point of view be of the same level: from 23 feet above the surface of the yellow in the centre bed, sloping down to little more than a foot above the outside Pelargonium beds, is sufficiently high for a design of this extent.

It may be objected to this concentric principle of planting, that it does not allow of much variety of plants. This is readily admitted; but it is not recommended to be followed out every year in succession, especially if this group be supposed to be the only one in the grounds. It is, nevertheless, by far the most appropriate and striking principle of planting, and particularly to be recom

mended, if other parts of a flower-garden afford scope for a variety of planting. More variety can, however, be easily imparted to it, without any violation of principle. By putting the edgings that have been recommended 18 or 20 inches in width, and finishing next the walk with a thinner streak of colour, a thin line of Cerastium put as an edging to the blue in No. 1; a band of crimson King Verbena round the light band in bed 2's and 3's; an edge of gold Pelargonium or orange Gazania splendens round the Viola cornuta, or dark-foliaged bands of 4's and 5's; and with Viola cornuta as a band for 6's and 7's, then an edging of Cerastium, or Viola cornuta, or Yellow Pansy, would be suitable.

To plant effectually such a garden as this with plants that require much less trouble to propagate and grow them well, may be an object of considerable importance to many. We are not, however, presuming just now that this applies to those who have not a glass-house and pit or frame or two at command. A splendid effect may be very cheaply produced by filling the beds as follows:

Bed No. 1.-Tagetes signata pumila; banded with purple Intermediate Stock, Barret's crimson Beet, or Viola cornuta; edged with Koniga variegata or Cerastium tomentosumn.

2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3.-Purple Stock, Ageratum Mexicanum, or Nepeta teucrifolia; banded with Dactylis glomerata variegata; edged with Pelargonium Tom Thumb or Little David.

4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5.—White Intermediate Stock; banded with Tropæolum coccineum (scarlet), or with Nepeta teucrifolia, or Viola cornuta; and edged with Arabis mollis variegata or Stachys lanata. 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7.—We are loth to give up the scarlet Pelargonium here; but as Verbenas take less room and potting, etc., say Crimson King Verbena; banded with Crysanthemum Sensation kept pegged or pinched; and edged with Viola cornuta or Nepeta teucrifolia, according as either of these two plants is used for the bands in 4's and 5's.

As centre plants, the hardy Yucca recurva pendula can be used in No. 1; a Queen Holly in 2's and 3's; a Love-lies-bleeding in 4's and 5's; and in 6's and 7's a silver variegated Holly or golden Yew. The whole of the plants used in this composition are such as are easily grown: some of them are perfectly hardy, and none of them are of delicate constitution. At the same time they are all effective plants for compositions of this description, and they are only the type of many others which are easily available.

Another very effective way of planting group No. 1, and still arranging on the principles of contrast, is as follows:-

Bed No. 1.-Centaurea Ragusina; edged with-where it does wellColeus Verschaffeltii; Iresine or Beet are good substitutes for Coleus, where the climate is not favourable.

2, 2, 2.-Yellow Calceolarea; edged with purple Verbena or Viola

cornuta.

3, 3, 3.-Purple Verbena, or purple Intermediate Stock; edged with golden-leaved Pelargonium; a light pink, such as Christine, also makes a very distinct edging to purple.

4, 4, 4.- Variegated (silver) Pelargonium, with cerise flowers, such as Flower of Spring; edged with blue Lobelia.

5, 5, 5.—Pink Pelargonium, such as Christine; edged with a bronzy crimson Calceolarea, such as C. ambassador.

6, 6, 6.-Tropæolum Cooperii, orange scarlet; edged with blue Lobelia speciosa.

7, 7, 7.-A dark crimson Pelargonium, such as Waltham Seedling, or Stella, or Surrey Rival; edged with variegated Dactylis. This is a very effective way of planting such a design as this. The whole of the complementary beds, that is, those beds that are planted alike, are in 3's, and form triangles in the group. Banding and edging each bed, as suggested in the former way of planting it, can be followed up if desired, so also can the relieving specimen plants; but in this case, of course, in 3's, or triangles, according as the beds are planted.

‚—so