THRIFT. 93 



on a little common between Lancing and Wor- 

 thing, in Sussex, as to form a complete turf of 

 green leaves in the winter, and enamelling the 

 ground by a mass of pink flowers from the month 

 of May until August, which formed a charming 

 contrast with the blue ocean. 



These plants improve in the size and often in 

 the colour of their flowers by cultivation, and in 

 such situations as require an edging plant to the 

 borders, are certainly preferable to the uniform 

 appearance of the box edgings ; but the Thrift is 

 still better calculated to form irregular masses on 

 banks or in wilderness scenery, where its pink 

 flowers create a charming effect when in large 

 quantities. 



In undulating lawns it may be employed with 

 happy effect to cover the tops of some of the 

 highest eminences, which will give an appear- 

 ance of distance, whilst it adds to the beauty of 

 the turf without injury to its neatness. These 

 masses should be of an irregular shape, and car- 

 ried over the risings, so that their extent may not 

 be visible from the spot where it is principally to 

 be viewed from. 



In the time of Queen Elizabeth this plant was 

 called Ladies' Cushion and Sea GilloHower, as 

 well as Thrift, and was then much used for the 



