26 ANNUAL REPOBT 



WHAT IS A FLOWER GARDEN ? 



The term flower garden is so comprehensive in its signification^ 

 that it necessarily needs considerable modification to be able to 

 treat it in a practical manner. A flower garden to one person 

 would suggest a large tract of ground comprising acres, laid out 

 beautifully with fancy shaped beds, gravelled walks, fountains, 

 rockeries, etc., under the direct supervision of a professional, whose 

 whole time and energies are spent in perfecting the most elaborate 

 plans. To another person it suggests a more moderate sized en- 

 closure, a handsome lawn well kept, with fancy beds scattered here 

 and there filled with lovely flowers and foliage plants from the 

 greenhouse, planned and directed by the feminine portion of the 

 household, for they are generally the most interested in flowers, 

 but all the work being performed by the gardener. To yet another 

 person would be suggested a still more modest one, comprising 

 only a few ornamental beds on tlie lawn and side beds for cat 

 flowers; and last, but not least, some one would think of the more 

 humble one consisting of a bed placed side by side with the more 

 useful beds of the kitchen garden, and from which many bouquets 

 may be cut. These aie really the four classes into which flower 

 gardens may be divided. The first exhibits everything that art, 

 skill, and above all, money can procure. The loveliest from all 

 lands are made to contribute to the general effect, to the grand 

 climax of a reproduced garden of Eden, and we stand by and gaze 

 with awe and admiration at the result of the expenditure of so- 

 much time and money. To be sure it is very nice, indeed grand, 

 but very few of us after drinking our fill of the beautiful scene, are 

 inspired to go home and do likewise, for the simple reason we 

 couldn't if we would, for we have not the time, still less the money^ 

 to use in this way. 



The second class of flower gardens, after drawing liberally from' 

 the owner's greenhouse and purse, is a pleasant sight, and — well it 

 would be nice to always have some one to do the hard work, ready 

 to put their hands in the dirty soil, while we stood by with our 

 hands so soft and white, enjoying the result — but alas! the sight 

 of such an one is not inspiriting either, for we do not all possess 

 the requisite article — a hired man to come and go, dig and hoe, 

 fetch and carry as we wish. These two flower gardens would re- 

 quire a treatise of formidable dimensions to convey an idea of the 

 work and requisite care demanded in the carrying out of the plans 

 of the spring campaign, and the bringing out of all the beauties 



