108 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETr. 



bellishments, that requires more taste, careful stud}', and unre- 

 mitting attention, than a well arranged flower garden. 



It is the easiest thing in the world for a florist or gardener ta 

 spoil the entire harmony and pleasing efl["eets of an otherwise 

 beautiful landscape by the introduction of senseless patches of 

 color and set patterns in foliage plants. 



The taste for ribbon and carpet gardening is fast disappearing, 

 from the simple fact that it has been overdone. The summer re- 

 sorts b}' the sea and inland, pretentious estates and parks, — all 

 have contributed to the nausea, if I may so term it, for the labored, 

 stiff formality of carpet gardening. 



From this extreme on the one side, a great manj- have found 

 relief in the simple effects to be obtained from the herbaceous 

 border and the perennial plants of our forefathers. 



Then there is a medium line, I think more pleasing and in good 

 taste, where the introduction of Palms, Bananas, Grasses, Cannas,. 

 Agaves and similar semi-tropical plants, supplemented by a 

 judicious use of flowering shrubs and perennial plants, afl'ords 

 opportunities for graceful effects in foliage and color. These, with 

 the more subdued ef[ects of beds of foliage plants less glaring in 

 color, are in greater harmony, more effective and more satisfjing. 



It is sometimes desirable to obtain a succession of effects, and 

 in the early spring months, when the beds are usuall}' bare, and 

 present a cold appearance, with the surrounding green of the 

 lawns, a blaze of color in tulips and early spring bulbs is welcomed 

 by all as a harbinger of coming summer glories, and is gratefully 

 appreciated. 



The early annuals tide over the otherwise vacant weeks, until 

 it is time to put out the less hardy material, stored during the 

 winter months in greenhouses and cold frames. 



The gardener's cottage, storage houses, propagating houses and 

 nursery, are what might be termed the ultimate requirements 

 of the park, and have been placed without the park limits, but 

 contiguous thereto. 



We have as yet no ornamental house, or winter garden, but 

 I think where a park is much frequented in winter, for skating,, 

 driving, etc., such a feature is a desirable acquisition, if the city 

 can afford the expense. 



A large ornamental greenhouse or palm house, or range of 

 ornamental houses, capable of storing tropical plants, arranged as- 



