208 THE FLORIST. 



decoration, I think we might mth good taste assist our designs by 

 introducing some permanent embeUishment, in the shape of Box, Savin, 

 or any low-gromng evergreen shrubs, either accompanying the outUne 

 of the design or forming distinct portions of it. We are pleased to see 

 that, in some of Nesfieid's best designs he has introduced such ; and, in 

 our opinion, with good effect, and if he would make his designs less 

 intricate they would be a step in the right direction towards improving 

 English flower gardens in point of taste. 



In accordance with the above views, we this month present our 

 readers with a design which we think will look well, even when the 

 beds are empty. The design is intended to occupy a square plot of 

 ground, and may be adjusted, as regards size, to any reasonable dimen- 

 sions. As the figure is strictly an architectural one, the outside border 

 should have a dressed stone edging, three or four inches wide and as 

 many high, according to the scale of the beds. The design will be 

 carried out as follows : — 



1. Outside borders, with dressed stone edgings ; these are intended 

 for low-gi'owing plants. 



3. Beds for taller growing plants. 



2. This space to be laid dowm to turf, or dwarf Box, or Sa\nn, 

 kept close : this is intended to form a fi-ame for the beds marked 3, as 

 well as to relieve the eye when the beds are empty. 



The beds No. 3 may either have a raised stone edging, rather bolder 

 than the outside bordering, or may be defined by a strip of bright gravel 

 intervening between the plants and the turf A round-headed symmetri- 

 cal tree should occupy the recess at each corner, and an upright Cypress, 

 or Irish Yew, each side of the fountain. This design would be most 

 effective if the ground would admit of its being two feet below the sur- 

 face, when the corners 4, 4, 4, 4, would form the frame, and the slope 

 should be carried round at a distance of 2 ft. 6 in. or 3 ft. from the 

 outside bed, in which case steps would be required at 5, 5, to correspond 

 with the slope ; the points marked 6, 6, would be suitable for a figure, 

 vase, or other accessory to architectural gardening. 7, 7 is gi'avel. 



NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



May 25. — G. W. Hoyle, Esq., in the chair. The subjects sub- 

 mitted on this occasion were: — Azaleas, from Messrs. Ivery, Dorking; 

 Shrubby Calceolarias, from Mr. Cole, St. Alban's; Cinerarias, from 

 C. P. Lochner, Esq., and Messrs. Ivery; Pelargoniums, fi^om G. W. 

 Hoyle, Esq., the Rev. ]\Ir. Trimmer, and Mr. Turner; Rhododendrons, 

 from Messrs. Ivery and Son; Pansies, fi-om H. Brown, Esq.; Gera- 

 niums, fi-om I\Ir. Ivery, Peckham; Tropseolum, from Mr. Cole. The 

 following are the awards : — First class certificate to G. W. Hoyle, Esq., 

 for Pelargonium Wonderful ; this is a large flower of the finest form, 

 with smooth, stout petals. The top petals are dark maroon, shaded off 

 to the margin with orange and rose. The lower ones are deep pink, 

 centre large, white. It is a very free bloomer. The same raiser also 



