252 FLOWER GARDEN. 



nials, not being so imposing, may retire into the more se- 

 cluded situations, as they are supplanted by the superior 

 brilliancy of the annuals, which then fill the vacated beds 

 of florists' flowers, or are scattered over the faded clumps 

 of May and June. 



Before attempting to plant, the floriculturist would do 

 well to construct tables or lists of flowers, specifying their 

 respective times of flowering, their colors, and altitudes. 

 These tables, when skillfully used, would prevent mis- 

 takes, produce a greater facility of execution, and put the 

 colors nearly as much under control as they are on the 

 painter's pallet. To diversify properly and mingle well 

 together the reds, whites, purples, yellows, and blues, with 

 all their intervening shades, requires considerable taste 

 and powers of conception ; but if success is not attained in 

 the first attempt, inaccuracies should be noted, and rectifi- 

 ed at the proper time next season. Certain series of colors 

 have been given, but these it is needless to mention, as it 

 is not very material whether the first flower in a row be 

 red or white. The principal object is to preserve an agree- 

 able contrast ; and as at particular seasons a monotony of 

 tint prevails, it is useful at such times to be in possession 

 of some strong glaring colors. White, for instance, should 

 be much employed in July, to break the duller blues and 

 purples which then preponderate. The orange lily, too, 

 is very effective at that season. On the other hand, yel- 

 lows are suberabundant in autumn, and therefore reds and 

 blues should then be sought for. 



Besides mere vividness of color and elegance of form, 

 there are other qualities which render plants desirable in 

 the flower garden. Whoever has visited a botanic garden, 

 must have been sensible of an interest excited by the 

 curious structure of some plants, or by their rarity. Even 



