Particular Objects 193 



put edgings to beds, whether these be fiUed'with dwarf shrubs 

 or with flowers. In respect to beds arranged formally, and 

 occupied with dwarf shrubs, as in regular winter gardens or 

 in peculiar positions on lawns, edgings of some dwarfer shrub 

 than the one employed in the center of each may help to 

 define the beds more clearly, to impart an additional air of 

 neatness, and to secure greater contrast and variety. 



For flower beds, again, the same practice, where a plant of 

 a dwarfer and compacter habit is used as the edging, may be 

 equally suitable; and if a decided change of color be thus 

 introduced the effect may become even brilliant. But the 

 system requires to be pursued with judgment and caution, 

 and in reference more to individual beds or small groups 

 than to a regular flower garden. 



A degree of quaintness and an appearance of antiquity 

 are sometimes attained by surrounding large flower beds on 

 lawns with an edging of some shrub or tree, and keeping this 

 duly clipped. I have seen even the common oak and the 

 Turkey oak thus applied and kept at the height of about 

 nine inches, presenting a dense mass of leaves in the summer 

 season. 



As a rule, all sorts of freak edgings are to be eschewed, as, 

 for example, the wire edgings in vogue fifty years ago, or 

 edgings of whitewashed stones, or of bricks standing uncer- 

 tainly on their corners. One occasionally sees flower beds 

 edged with telephone insulators, inverted beer bottles, or 

 other convenient debris, which no matter how curious and 

 striking can hardly be said to be ornamental or in good 

 taste. 



