FLOWER GARDEN. 231 



Origanum majorana ; Summer Savory, Satureja hortensis ; 

 Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum ; and Bush Basil, 0. 

 minimum. These last, the basils, which are natives of the 

 East, and in much request for their delicate flavor, are 

 raised on hotbeds in spring, and transplanted with balls 

 into some warm situation. In Scotland, they are mostly 

 treated as tender annuals, and are grown under glazed 

 frames, in flower-pots. 



It may here be noticed that the young green leaves of 

 Prunus Laurocerasus (under the name of laurel) may pro- 

 perly enough be employed in garnishing ; but they ought 

 never to be used, as they too often are, for giving a nutty 

 flavor, or for greenifig other articles ; the hydrocyanic or 

 prussic acid given out being very apt to prove injurious, 

 even in small quantities. 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



The cultivation of flowers, if not the most useful, is at 

 least one of the most pleasing, occupations of the horticul- 

 turist, and has generally shared largely in his attention. 

 It is probable that, at first, flowers, as objects of curiosity, 

 were confined to a few beds or borders in the garden, as is 

 still the case in many old places ; but in the progress of 

 the art, and the diffusion of taste, separate departments 

 were allotted to them, under the name of Flower Gardens, 

 After some general remarks on the style and situation, we 

 shall treat of the component parts of flower gardens, theii 

 various decorations, and of floriculture. 



The designing of flower gardens unquestionably belongs 

 to the fine arts, involving in it the exercise of invention, 

 taste, and foresight. Its principles are more vague and 



