226 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



main object of the flower-bed is to produce an abundance 

 of flowers. 



In making a flower-bed, see that the ground is well drained; 

 that the subsoil is deep; that the land is in a mellow and friable 

 condition, and that it is fertile. Each fall it may have a mulch 

 of rotted manure or of leafmold, which may be spaded under 

 deeply in the spring; or the land may be spaded and left rough 

 in the fall, which is a good practice when the soil has much clay. 

 Make the flower-beds as broad as possible, so that the roots of 

 tlie grass running in from either side will not meet beneath the 

 flowers and rob the beds of food and moisture. It is well to 

 add a little commerc al fertilizer each fall or spring. 



Although it is well to emphasize making the ground fertile, 

 it must be remembered (as indicated on page 114) that 

 it can easily be made too rich for such plants as we desire 

 to keep within certain stature and for those from which we 

 wish an abundance of bloom in a short season. In over-rich 

 ground, nasturtiums and some other plants not only '^run to 

 vine," but the bloom lacks brilliancy. When it is the leaf 

 and vegetation that is wanted, there is little danger of making 

 the ground too rich, although it is possible to make the plant 

 so succulent and sappy that it becomes sprawly or breaks 

 down; and other plants may be crippled and crowded out. 



There are various styles of flower-planting. The mixed 

 border, planted with various hardy plants, and extending along 

 either side of the garden- walk, was popular years ago; and, 

 with modifications in position, form, and extent, has been a 

 popular attachment to home grounds during the past few years. 

 To produce the best effects the plants should be set close 

 enough to cover the ground; and the selection should be such 

 as to afford a continuity of bloom. 



The mixed flower-bed may contain only tender summer- 

 blooming plants, in which case the bed, made up mostly of an- 

 nuals, does not purport to express the entire season. 



