96 FAMILY RECEIPTS. 



kingdom, as well as its resemblances and differences, 

 should obviously be arran2;ed according to some system 

 or method of study. In modern times, the choice is 

 almost limited to the artificial system of Ijnnaeus, and 

 the natural method of Jussieu, though Adanson has 

 given above fifty-six different methods by which plants 

 may be arranged. The latter has much the best effect 

 in a garden, and corresponds better with culture. The 

 former, though most convenient for the young student, 

 yet by bringing plants together that have few or no 

 obvious relations, it destroys that harmony which is so 

 gratifying in viewing natural families. Whatever meth- 

 od is adopted, the plants may either be placed in regu- 

 lar rows, or each order may be grouped apart, and 

 surrounded by turf or gravel. For a private botanic 

 garden, the mode of grouping on turf is much the most 

 elegant, and it has this advantage, that as the species 

 belonging to the group are increased, it can be enlarged 

 by appropriating a part of the turf, and any group con- 

 taining few species, may be filled up with repetitions for 

 effect. The groups may be of the most irregular out- 

 lines, and those which are to contain trees may be raised 

 or lowered in surface, according as the species may be 

 natives of hills or valleys, and the trees and plants so 

 dispersed as that the former shall not conceal the latter, 

 Dor present a compact lumpish appearance at the edges, 

 or in the outline against the sky. Rock-work may be 

 introduced in groups, where there are many alpines to 

 be grown; and bogs, ponds, and springs imitated in oth- 

 ers destined for aquatics, &c. as far as consistent with 

 botanical purposes. A gravel walk may be so contrived 

 as to form a tour of all the groups, displaying them on 

 both sides; in the centre, or in any fitting part of the 

 scene, the botanic hot-houses may be placed; and the 

 whole might be surrounded with a sloping phalanx of 

 evergreen plants, shrubs, and trees. The plants in such 

 a garden should generally be neatly, but inconspicu- 

 ously named, or, at all events numbered; but naming is 

 greatly to be preferred, as saving trouble to the specta- 

 tor, and more inviting to the novice desirous of know- 

 ledge. It is hardly necessary to observe that the above 



