184 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



that improvement of whicli they are susceptible. By 

 the adoption of special aims in different gardens^ some- 

 thing like a division of labour might be attained^ valuable 

 knowledge of local peculiarities might be secured, and 

 needless expense might be avoided. At the same time, 

 every one will be ready to desire that the great garden 

 at Tumham Green, which is maintained by the affluent 

 London Society, should retain its general destination 

 and full complement of sectional departments, and 

 that from the influence which its wealth, science, and 

 central position fit it to exercise, it should continue 

 to be the connecting link of all such gardens in the 

 empire. 



In every case a considerable space of lawn should be 

 left open in some prominent part of the garden for the 

 temporary erection of tents, stages, and other appliances 

 of those flower-show exhibitions which have been found 

 to contribute so much to the funds and to the general 

 prosperity of the societies. These shows, indeed, have 

 proved to be of so much importance that some of the 

 older horticultural gardens have been more or less altered 

 to admit of their extension. The space thus devoted 

 need not be of any formal shape, but it should not be 

 encumbered with too many parterres or figures of 

 shrubs and trees. It should communicate with the 

 more ornamental parts of the garden by means of 

 walks and lawns, in order to extend and diversify the 

 promenades. 



Certain of the minor departments of these gardens, 

 such as the culinary vegetable section, the propagating 

 grounds, and the forcing frames and nursing pits, may 

 be appropriately kept within small enclosures formed by 

 means of low walls or hedges, arrangements that are 



