REPORT or THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 287 



plants that do not flower in April, May, or June. All bulbs, both 

 native and foreign, find here a home, as do all the beautiful flow- 

 ering shrubs. In the centre of the whole, stand two finely devel- 

 oped hemlocks, from twenty-five to thirty feet high, receiving the 

 homage of all this varied loveliness. The whole effect is one of 

 quiet, and restful beauty, and must be seen to be justly appre- 

 ciated. 



"These changes are entirely due to Mrs. Gardner's excellent 

 taste. The advantages of this style of planting are manifestly 

 great. Through the snow the Chionodoxa and the Snowdrop usher 

 in the advent of another season of active vegetable life. The 

 swelling buds and unfolding leaves and flowers of tree and shrub, 

 the peeping out from mother earth of impatient, yet timid, bulb- 

 growth, call up glorious immortal hopes and consoling joys and 

 remind us of the words : ' I am the resurrection and the life.' 

 And as one day follows another, one is perplexed to decide what 

 presents the strongest claims to his affection or admiration. 



" By the end of June, a large portion of all this varied floral 

 beaut}' has vanished, yet its attraction can be maintained by many 

 beautiful annuals. 



" The advantage, for private gardens, of this style, over the 

 massing and ribboning and the gaud and glitter of the method of 

 decoration which has long prevailed, and is still in fashion, will be 

 readily seen. Rarel}', in this section, can bedding out be com- 

 menced before the 20th of May ; more often it must be many days 

 later, nor can we count upon its full development before Jul}^ 

 and, when in its prime, the proprietors think of the sea-side and 

 the mist}' mountain top." 



In this method we see an idea that is new to many, and, while 

 the usual style of bedding out will continue to prevail in pub- 

 lic places and many private ones, there are a vast number who 

 could derive more pleasure from adopting the system now so suc- 

 cessfully practiced at Mr. Gardner's than b}' following in the old 

 ruts of summer displays. New styles and changes we see on 

 every hand, but none, even when properly used, and in their 

 places, seem to commend themselves to those who leave their 

 homes in the summer more than this. 



Mr. Atkinson has favored us with the following list of twenty- 

 five of the choicest hardy herbaceous plants, which will be found a 

 valuable guide to all who wish to add to their collections, or make 

 new ones. 



