SUBTROPICAL GARDENING. 121 



Of dark scarlets, — Douglas Pearson and Wellington, 



Of pinks, — Master Christine and Pink May Queen. 



The whites and salmons are not satisfactory for bedding ; the 

 former are not free flowering enough, and a better and more per- 

 manent effect can be obtained from the white-edged Albion Cliffs, 

 or from the variegated alyssuni, than fi'om any white flowering 

 plant with which I am acquainted. The alyssum, when well 

 grown and full flowering, gives one of the softest and most har- 

 monious effects to be obtained from the combination of the foliage 

 and flower. 



Centaurea Candida is another beautiful edging for beds of pelai'- 

 goniums, but it must not be planted too close to them, for, if 

 shaded, it is almost sure to damp off; in fact, in a wet season it 

 is a difficult plant to keep a line of in good order. 



These are some of the materials to be used. Many things have 

 been omitted that cannot easily be obtained, or easily grown, or 

 kept through the winter without great expense ; but these, by 

 themselves, if well arranged, will make a garden a source of never 

 failing pleasure to its owner and all comers ; and I take it that the 

 highest art is to get the best results from simplest means. 



Palms and tree-ferns, yuccas, agaves, and musas, all so beau- 

 tiful, require too much care and are too costly to be generally used. 



As to arrangement it is impossible to give any but general 

 directions, so much must depend on the size and shape, the 

 locality, exposure, and surroundings of the garden. The founda- 

 tion of all must be good turf well kept ; without this no planting 

 can be satisfactory, and perhaps the best general rule that can be 

 given is to leave the centre open for breadth and dignity of effect 

 and to confine the planting to the sides, following a walk making 

 the circuit of the place. 



The Chairman remarked that in his judgment Mr. Gray's paper 

 contained more information than any other that has been read here 

 or published on the subject. 



W. C. Strong said that the highest art is in producing the best 

 effect by the simplest means, and this is what Mr. Gray has taught 

 us. The paper read recalled to Mr. Strong a beautiful picture 

 which, he saw abroad, — a lawn planted with beds of flowers, 

 where one of the most prominent features was the golden pyreth- 

 rum, which seemed to light up the whole scene on a gray, 



16 



