Taste in Horticulture and in Designs. 17 



by training, some unsightly traits. These minuter distinc- 

 tions apply more particularly, however, to the greenhouse 

 culture, than to that of out-door. But even here we have 

 been offended at the want of good taste. Pot culture, at the 

 best, is liable to great inconveniences ; yet a degree of ele- 

 gance, combined with artistic effect, has been repeatedly 

 attained. In greenhouses of commercial gardens, we do not 

 of course expect such niceness and propriety ; nothing more 

 beyond what will conduce to successful culture, and to the 

 best disposal of the stock on hand. But, in private collections, 

 how unseemly are crowded masses of pots, a multitudinous 

 grouping of mere individual plants, all struggling for those 

 elements of light and air which should belong by good rights 

 to but a few only ! — upright plants growing crooked and un- 

 sightly, for want of management ; trailing kinds stiffly tied 

 in unnatural positions, and others trained in modes where, 

 what of beauty might be intrinsic in them, stands more than 

 a fair chance of being lost. Every one knows how much 

 depends on the contour of a greenhouse, that a most judicious 

 management be regarded, so that the individual merits of 

 each plant may be brought to light. A well-ordered private 

 collection should excel in the propriety of its management, 

 not only in the culture, but in the choice. If intended for 

 display, elegant designs should be introduced : if for bril- 

 liancy, profuse flowering kinds, and these well grown : if for 

 uniqueness, larger, rarer and more picturesque species : if for 

 choiceness, the newer and later-known species and varieties : 

 if for the effect of peculiar cultivation, those kinds which are 

 best and only thus adapted : if for delicacy and grace, those 

 of tenderer and lighter character. But in all, choice, taste, 

 and artistic effect are essential, plenty of room, neatness of 

 execution, adaptedness of design. In fine, other things con- 

 sidered in the right place, choice is the great desideratimi ; not 

 rejecting some, simply because old, nor hastily making ac- 

 quaintance with others, because they are new. For scarcely 

 in any department of productive labor is it found more true 

 than in horticulture, in all its branches, that that which is 

 recommended for netv^ is not decidedly an improvement, nor 

 that which is condemned as old^ is henceforth of no value. 

 In out-door culture of the garden, the above observations 



VOL. XIII NO. I. 3 



