PLANTS. 13 



ponding to their natural habit, in season of blooming, <fcc., 

 the tallest in the back ground, and endeavor to make them 

 contrast in color and be as much diversified as possible. 

 It is the practice of many to flower bulbs by themselves, 

 such as the Tulip ; Hyacinth, &c. ; this is certainly a good 

 plan when the collection is large. Bulbs show to good ad- 

 vantage in the border with other plants, but when inter- 

 spersed with other flowers cannot be always re moved when 

 required without disturbing other plants ; when this is the 

 case it would be best to top-dress the border and let thean 

 remain two or three years, and they will flower well and 

 cause but little trouble, and be still ornamental. Hardy 

 shrubby perennials do not die down, but retain their habit, 

 and many varieties their leaves; these are called ever- 

 greens, and are propagated by seeds, and some few by lay- 

 ering. The double flowering herbaceous perennials will 

 not seed freely and must be increased by cuttings or divid- 

 ing the root in the fall. Fibrous rooted, such as the Car- 

 nation and its tribe, more by layering than by seed, and 

 sometimes by cuttings and slips. Take the perennials in 

 general they merit more care than is generally bestowed on 

 them, being easily managed (with the exception of some 

 exotics), and propagated, affording us some of the most mag- 

 nificent flowers in cultivation. If the perennials do not 

 flower from seed the first season that should be no draw- 

 back, we should bear it in mind that when once flowered 

 we may consider them perpetual, and those hardy require 

 little or no care afterward, which is a great desideratum in 

 a large or small garden, when time is an object to a busines? 

 person, 



