106 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN - BOOK 



particular purpose, the same as another section may be de- 

 voted to a zoological garden, play -ground or to other spe- 

 cific use. Flowers which are grown in the middle of the 

 lawn have little relation to other planting, and they have no 

 background to show them off to good advantage. It is also 

 difficult to grow them in small beds in the grass, since they 

 are exposed to sun and wind, and the grass roots absorb the 

 food and moisture. In the formal bed, every effort must be 

 made to keep it prim, otherwise it becomes displeasing ; 

 whereas, if the flowers are planted more or less promiscu- 

 ously in large, irregular borders, or along the edge of shrub- 

 bery, the failure of one or even of a dozen plants is not a 

 serious matter. The growing of plants in formal designs 

 requires so much care and attention that a large part of the 

 fun of plant-growing is lost. Such plant-growing should 

 ordinarily be left to those who make a business of it. 



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 rich. Each fall 

 it may have a mulch of rotted manure or of leaf -mold, 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 prac- 

 tice when the soil has much clay. Make the Flower Beds as 

 broad as possible, so that the roots of the grass running in 

 from either side will not meet beneath the flowers and rob 

 them of food and moisture. It is well to add a little com- 

 mercial fertilizer each fall or spring. 



Flowering Maple. See Abutilon. 



Forget-me-not. This old favorite grows so 

 easily, looks so cheerful, and with a little care will bloom 

 so long, that it should have a place in every collection of 

 flowering plants. It is perennial, but the best results may 

 be had by dividing the roots as often as every other year; or 

 seedlings may be taken up from around the old plants. 

 They require a moist soil, with shade a part of the day. 

 They will thrive exceedingly if grown in a frame like 



