324. THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
set them. I must beg of you to understand that it is not my inten- 
tion to attempt to write a lengthy and systematic essay on spring 
gardening, and I must ask you to excuse me if my remarks are 
of a somewhat desultory character. 
The course we take in filling the beds is, I must confess, rather 
an extravagant one; but the flower garden is not over large, and 
we are most anxious to have it as bright and cheerful as we can 
throughout the spring season as well as durivg the summer months, 
Moreover, it is only those beds within the range of view from the 
drawing and dining-room windows that are filled exactly as I shall 
describe. very bed is filled with spring-flowering plants of some 
kind, but those at some distance from the house are planted with 
hardy things that can be multiplied at home by means of seed or 
cuttings. 
That the beds shall present a pleasing appearance throughout 
the winter is a prime necessity, and for hiding the soil, and at the 
same time forming a green carpet, they are planted in the course of 
the autumn with such things as Aubrietia deltoidea, a very dwarf- 
growing plant ,producing a dense carpet of purple flowers; Alyssum 
saxatile compactum, a greyish-leaved plant, growing a few inches 
higher than the preceding, and bearing bright yellow flowers, which 
form a solid mass all over the bed; Iberis sempervirens, about the 
same height as the Alyssum, and bearing pure white flowers; Double 
Daisies, the red, white, and pink varieties being the most effective ; 
Silene pendula compacta, a free-growing annual, which attains a 
height of six inches, aud becomes in its season solid with its pretty 
pink flowers; Myosotis sylvatica, commonly known as the Wood 
Forget-me-not, which has pale blue flowers, and attains a height of 
nine inches; and Single Walijlowers. We have these last in two 
colours; one known as the Blood-red has flowers of a rich dark crimson 
colour; and the other is known as Yom Thumb, and bears bright 
yellow flowers. The heights of the two varieties may be roughly 
stated as twenty and twelve inches respectively. In addition, some 
few of the beds are filled with Cliveden Blue and Cliveden Yellow 
pansies, which attain the same height as the ordinary pansies. 
Each bed is filled exclusively with one of the subjects mentioned 
above, excepting that it bas a six or nine-inch band of Golden 
Feather or Veronica incana, which are the best golden and white- 
leaved plants respectively for spring bedding. The greatest distance 
at which all the plants are put apart is six inches; that is, from 
centre to centre, as they do not spread much until the spring, and 
I like the beds to appear well filled throughout the winter. 
After the plants are put out, we proceed to fill the beds with 
hyacinths and tulips, and in a few instances with both, so as to 
insure two distinct displays; and in addition we put just inside the 
belt of Golden Feather or Veronica a band of crocuses. These are 
planted rather thickly in a double row, about an inch apart, and the 
result is a solid line of bloom. Mixtures are so effective, that I have 
no desire for anything better; and those who are anxious to pro- 
ceed as economically as possible may plant them without any 
misgivings. The byacinths and tulip bulbs, when arranged sepa- 
