262 FLOWER GARDEN. 



either singly or in masses; but the compartments them- 

 selves should be so intermingled as that no particular 

 class should be entirely absent from any one quarter of 

 the garden. The May parterres should, however, chiefly 

 occur in the vicinity of the green-house or conservatory, 

 or, when these are absent, in a warm sunny situation. 

 The flowerings of June and July, as being highly showy, 

 should occupy the most conspicuous parts of the garden. 

 The autumnal perennials, not being so imposing, may 

 retire into the more secluded situations, as they are sup- 

 planted by the superior brilliancy of the annuals, which 

 then fill the vacated beds of florists' flowers, or are 

 scattered over the faded clumps of May and June. 



Before attempting to plant, the floriculturist would 

 do well to construct tables or lists of flowers, specifying 

 tbeir respective times of flow^ering, their colors, and 

 altitudes. These tables, when skillfully used, would 

 prevent mistakes, produce a greater facility of execu- 

 tion, and put the colors nearly as much under control 

 as they are on the painter's pallet. To diversify pro- 

 perly and mingle well together the reds, whites, purples, 

 yellows, and blues, with all their intervening shades, 

 requires considerable taste and powers of conception; 

 but if success is not attained in the first attempt, inac- 

 curacies should be noted, and rectified at the proper time 

 next season. Certain series of colors have been given, 

 but these it is needless to mention, as it is not very ma- 

 terial whether the first flower in a row be red or white. 

 The principal object is to preserve an agreeable con- 

 trast; and as at particular seasons a monotony of tint 

 prevails, it is useful at such times to be in possession of 

 some strong glaring colors. White, for instance, 

 should be much employed in July, to break the duller 



