18 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



If the ground allotted for the flower-garden is inclined to be 

 wet, or springy, it should be thoroughly drained by ditches or 

 drains so deep underground as not to interfere with cultivation. 

 A location, having a gravelly subsoil and exposed to drought, 

 should be avoided, if possible. In a word, what is wanted is a 

 deep, rich soil, natural or artificial, not too wet, nor too dry. 



Laying out the Garden. In giving directions for laying 

 out a flower-garden, it must be borne in mind that it is not the 

 design of the writer to give elaborate plans for extensive pleas- 

 ure grounds ; as those who are able or disposed to indulge 

 themselves in this great luxury, will, probably, consult the sci- 

 entific landscape gardener, or derive their information from 

 other sources within their reach, rather than from a work writ- 

 ten particularly for the multitude, whose means may be more 

 or less limited. 



"Neatness should be the prevailing characteristic of a flower- 

 garden, which should be so situated as to form an ornamental 

 appendage to the house ; and, when circumstances will admit, 

 placed before windows exposed to a southern or south-eastern 

 aspect. The prkiciple on which it is laid out ought to be that 

 of exhibiting a variety of colors arid forms so blended as to pro- 

 duce one beautiful whole. In a small flower-garden, viewed 

 from the windows of the house, this effect is best produced by 

 beds, or borders, formed on the side of each other, and parallel 

 to the windows from whence they are seen ; as, by that position, 

 the colors show themselves to the best advantage. In a retired 

 part of the garden a rustic seat may be formed, over and around 

 which honeysuckles, and other sweet and ornamental creepers 

 and climbers, may be trained on trellises, so as to afford a pleas- 

 ant retirement." 



In laying out a flower-garden, it is best to have the work all 

 completed by the middle of October, that it may be in read- 

 iness to receive bulbous, and many of the herbaceous and other 

 plants, and such shrubs as are hardy enough to set in autumn. 



The work may, therefore, be commenced at any leisure time 

 during the months of August and September ; or, if it is more 



