44 



THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS. 



[Chap. II. 



more in want of their assistance than a nettle. In any garden 

 well laid out the shape of the beds must not be obtrusive. In 

 the gardening of the future, the plants, not the beds, will be 

 what meets the sight. Over the whole of this large garden the 

 impudent bed shown in the woodcut preceding stares at one, 

 not only when it is filled, be it observed, but when it is bare of plants. 

 The plan is as needless as it is offensive. Given a good warm soil 

 and good drainage, there is no need for this awkward elevation of 

 the bed ! On the contrary, there is often decided advantage in 

 having the roots in a cool medium, not more exposed to evapora- 

 tion than need be. The gentle rise towards the centre of a bed 

 that is sometimes desirable is easily secured without raising the 

 edge above the turf, from which all flowers should spring. 



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