BOOK II. 



FORMATION OF THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



791 



a parterre is to be situated, is sloping, the size should be larger than when a Hat surface, 

 and the borders of various shapes, and on a bolder scale, and intermingled with grass ; 

 but such a flower-garden partakes more of the nature of pleasure-ground than of the 

 common parterre, and will admit of a judicious introduction of flowering shrubs." " To 

 cover twenty acres with mere flowering plants," Abercrombie observes, " producing 

 nothing esculent in the root, leaves, or fruit, would be puerile and ridiculous, as it would 

 exceed the moderation with which nature scatters her ornaments." (Pract. Gard. 338.) 



6082. Shelter is equally requisite for the flower as for the kitchen garden, and, where 

 naturally wanting, is to be produced by the same means, viz. planting. The plantation 

 on the side next the garden, should begin with the lowest shrubs, and rise in gradation 

 to the trees, which, unless on the north, or very exposed points, should not be of the 

 tallest kinds. A few elegant shrubs, and one or two trees may be scattered through 

 the scene, either in the dug compartments or in the turf-glades, for the purposes of shelter 

 and shade as well as ornament; but in general, much of either of the two former quali- 

 ties are highly injurious both to the culture of flowers, and die thick closeness of turf; 

 besides rendering the garden unfit to be resorted to in the winter and spring seasons. 

 Sometimes an evergreen-hedge will produce all the shelter requisite, as in small gardens 

 composed of earth and gravel only (Jig* 541.) ; but where the scene is large ( jig. 540.), 

 and composed of dug compartments (a), placed on lawn (b) the whole may be sur- 

 rounded by an irregular border (c) of flowers, shrubbery, and trees. 



540 



6083. Soil. Most of the hardy herbaceous flowers, and the deciduous and evergreen 

 ornamental shrubs, will succeed in a soil of common good qualities, moderately light and 

 mellow. Negatively, the ground should not be excessively strong and clayey ; and mere 

 gravel is very intractable. (Abercrombie.) 



6084. Nicol oberves, that flowers in general " will thrive very well in common garden-earth of a mid- 

 dling texture, if broke fine, to the depth of a foot. Some, no doubt, do better in light than in heavy soils ; 

 and the contrary : and others do best in rich humid earth. Bulbous flowers, in general, do best in light 

 sandy earth ; though some require a stronger and a richer soil. In general, the soil for these should be 

 formed at least eighteen inches deep, and should be made very fine by the spade, or be put through a 

 coarse screen." In parterres where the finer flowers are cultivated, a variety of soils will be required ac- 

 cording to the nature of the plants, as rich sandy loam for bulbs, loamy earth for the primula tribe, bog- 

 earth for American plants ; and hence it follows," that, provided the sub-soil be dry, the nature of the sur- 

 face-stratum is of the less consquence. 



6085. Surface. Where the extent is small, and the plants grown to be chiefly florists' 

 flowers, or other select kinds, in beds separated by gravelled paths, a level or gentle 

 and uniform slope will be found most suitable ; but where the limits are more exten- 

 sive, and turf and shrubs are introduced, a wavy surface, either naturally or rendered 

 so by art, will have much the best effect. " In recluse scenes immediately under the 

 eye, art, may create a sort of miniature of beautiful ground. Man is but a puny object 

 compared to those of inanimate nature. He may overlook a distant hill, separated by 

 low ground ; but a mound of less than three yards in height, placed near the eye, confines 

 the view, and all other objects being shut out, acquires, if apparently a work of nature, a 

 degree of importance in his imagination : winding walks, four feet below the original 

 surface, will supply earth for accompanying them by wavy hills or swells eight feet high. 

 If these hills and swells are formed and contrived so as to produce a varied and natural- 

 like whole, with every change of position, a very suitable basis will be raised for a pic- 

 turesque shrubbery or flower-garden. It was to this sort of art that Pope's garden, at 

 Twickenham, was indebted for so great a variety of beauties in a small space ; and the 

 flower-garden at Lord Harcourt's, at Nuneham, was laid out under the eye of Mason the 

 poet, on the same principle." (Ed. Ency. art. LandscajK Gardening. ) 



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