26 



Subtropical Gardening. 



of the finest kinds and in the most robust health, 

 all the materials for the best results are abundant, 

 and yet the scene fails to satisfy the eye, from the 

 needless formality of many of the beds, produced 

 by the heaping together of a great number of 

 species of one kind in long straight or twisting 

 masses with high raised edges frequently of hard- 

 beaten soil. Many people will not see their way 

 to obliterate the formality of the beds, but as- 

 suredly we need not do so to get rid of such 

 effective formality as that shown in the accom- 

 panying figure ! 



Formal arrangements in London parks. 



The formality of the true geometrical garden 

 is charming to many to whom this style is offen- 

 sive ; and there is not the slightest reason why 

 the most beautiful combinations of fine-leaved 

 and fine-flowered plants should not be made in 

 any kind of geometrical garden. 



But in the purely picturesque garden it is as 



