312 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



flower, observing that their position is to be regulated according to their 

 height and colour. The mode of sowing is to foi-m a shallow basin in the soil, 

 such as might be made with the convex side of a breakfast saucer ; in this 

 hollow sow the seeds, and sift half an inch of fine earth over them. Thin out 

 the patches as the plants begin to grow. 



850. Mignonette and ten-weeh Stools may be sown in patches or beds, for 

 transplanting on a warm border in the same manner. 



85 1. Perennials and Biennials may still be transplanted. Among these 

 we may name the whole tribe of — Convolvulaceae, Rockets, Lychnises, Carophy- 

 lacesD ; most fibrous-rooted plants ; and the whole may still be increased by 

 dividing the roots, and by offsets, or by seeds, either sown on borders, in 

 beds, or in pots ; watering the patches moderately in dry weather. 



852. Gravel Wallcs and Lav:ns. — Walks should be broken up and turned, if 

 not done last month ; if turned then, roU twice a week at least. Lawns 

 should now be mown once a week, and carefully ; for nothing looks worse than 

 the marks of the scythe on an otherwise smooth lawn. All gaps in box 

 edging should now be made good, well watered, and trimmed. Place stakes 

 to all such plants in the beds as require support, bearing in mind that ' ' as 

 the twig is bent the plant inclines ;" fix the sticks firmly in the groimd, bring 

 the stalks to the stake, and tie them neatly but firmly to it, without galling the 

 plant, removing all straggling, broken, or decayed shoots, and keeping all 

 clear of weeds, and raking smooth with a small rake. 



§ 3.— The Mixed Flower and Kitchen-Garden. 



853. In the mixed garden, where each department of the garden is repre- 

 sented within the inclosure, a border will probably be devoted to herbaceous 

 flowers, while beds for annuals, and clumps for roses, rhododendrons, and 

 other American plants, occupy the lawn. If it is a massed arrangement of 

 beds, the flowers should be selected so as to contrast effectively. There 

 should be a combination of forms consistent with the style of the house, and 

 a sufficient unoccupied space left for such objects as orange-trees, azaleas, 

 and other greenhouse plants in pots during the summer months ; and in pro- 

 pagating plants for massing, decided colours should be chosen and streaky 

 ones avoided. If gravel walks separate the beds in the flower-garden with 

 dwarf box as an edging, cold colours should predominate ; if the beds are 

 divided by grass, warm colours should prevail : a border, however, may 

 be introduced which shall modify either of these and improve the general 

 harmony ; bearing in mind that a small mass of bright-coloured flowers will 

 balance a large mass of flowers more subdued in tint. Arrange the flower- 

 garden so that the colours may appear from various points of sight to cross 

 each other and form an harmonious contrast, 



854. In the flower-garden annuals were formerly grouped in abundance, and 

 they are still extensively used to fill up vacancies ; but in well-ordered gardens 

 these have given place to a more beautiful class of plants, which are annually 



