FORAMJL FLOWER BEDS 



IN making use of the expression "formal" in connection 

 with flower-beds, it is necessary to point out two 

 things. The opinion of the writer is, that formality 

 in a garden should only be found in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of a house. 



When we get far from buildings and the straight lines 

 which they bring with them, all hedges, paths, and flower- 

 beds should assume irregular lines, so long as they are 

 natural ones and in no sense exaggerated. For we have 

 to guard as much against the circuitous and exaggeratedly 

 deviating carriage drive as against the star-shaped, mosaic- 

 planted flower-bed. Both are equally undesirable if in any 

 sense overdone. They are sometimes allowable when 

 carried out in moderation and placed in proper surround- 

 ings. Even those who are strongly opposed to formality 

 of any kind in a garden will agree that in the vicinity of a 

 house, where the lines of necessity are straight and the 

 walls are at right angles, it is more restful to have paths, 

 hedges, and beds in accord with these lines. When 

 pictures are hung upon a wall, we know that if all the 

 frames follow one line the room is restful. So it is in a 

 garden. 



The next point to consider is, that by a " formal flower- 

 s' 



