50 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



manure and new plants would, if appropriated to an entire change of the 

 soil, give to the enterprise as many cheerful features as it had before of 

 gloomy ones. Of course, manuring must be counted as one of the reme- 

 dial measures — draining, deep digging, trenching, and watering are 

 others ; but, above all things, the proper selection of plants for the 

 purpose is the chief secret of success. On reference to the " Town 

 Garden," whidi is the only work in which this knotty subject has yet 

 been consecutively treated, we find that, so far from the choice of plants 

 being limited, a very extensive assortment is proposed on the basis of the 

 author's own experience and observations ; and a right hearty denuncia- 

 tion is there of the abominable lilacs, firs, and laburnums — excellent 

 things in a good air, but the very bane of our delapidated squares and 

 miserable city gardens. It may be worth something to town folks, who 

 we regret to say, seldom begin digging or planting till country people 

 have finished, to know that some handsome deciduous trees, as the 

 Oriental Plane, the Tulip tree, the Hornbeam, the Thorn, the hand- 

 somest species of Poplar, the common Ash, Lime, Ontario Poplar, Willow, 

 Birch, Maple, and even the apple, the Pear, and the Fig, thrive well in 

 London smoke ; and the latter even flower and fruit freely where they 

 have been originally well planted, and have a moderate amount of air 

 and sunshine. Among evergreens, who has not many a time wondered 

 at the healthy appearance of Aucubas, Lauristinus, and Rhododendrons, 

 half buried in dark areas ; but when we remember that such things do 

 best in the country when partially shaded by trees, it is clear that smoke 

 and ill-treatment are the only real banes they have to fear, and season- 

 able ablutions are the antidote for the first, and the extensive circulation 

 of the " Floral World " the antidote for the second. The author of the 

 " Town Garden " says : — " Laburnums and lilacs are grown very much in 

 squares, and in front plots, in all parts of London, but any one may see 

 they are very much out of their element," and in their place he recom- 

 mends the use of the cheapest and commonest evergreens, especially those 

 just named, with Ivy, Tree-box, Hollies, and Portugal Laurel ; but we 

 would add to his suggestion, that those who may have a fancy for a choice 

 collection may very safely choose from the most expensive of our choicest 

 evergreens, even including the Desfontanias and Berberies, so long as 

 they remember the rule to " avoid all trees which have gummy or resinous 

 exudations, such as firs, larches, &c, for these fail, in consequence of the 

 adherence of the soot to their bark, and the trees, at last, pine and become 

 brown, and then perish through suffocation ;" and this observation is 

 borne out by what Ave see everywhere. Loudon abolished the Conifers 

 from the squares, and we now want those interested in these valuable 

 properties to show a little liberality in the adoption of such plants as have 

 been proved to be suitable both for effect and the peculiar circumstances 

 under which they are to live. 



In the way of flowers, all the best of the bedders (with the exception 

 of Petunias and Salvias) and annuals and hardy perennials (excepting those 

 of the Primula and Violet families) do well, if properly cultivated ; and 

 whoever doubts this statement should this next spring and summer pay 

 an occasional visit to the Temple Gardens, and see what Mr. Broome 

 and Mr. Dale have accomplished in vindication of London soil and 



