22 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



stones, or other rubbish, that may be either troublesome or 

 detrimental to the well-being of the plants ; it should then be 

 made level on the surface, and the walks marked out to their 

 proper width. This done, take out the earth from the walks, 

 six inches deep, and spread on the flower beds, which should 

 be so managed as to leave them rather highest in the middle. 

 If box edging is to be planted, it should now be done, when 

 the walks are to be gravelled, taking care to keep the coarse 

 at the bottom, and the fine on the top. This done, rake the 

 walks, and flower beds neatly, leaving each highest in the 

 middle, and the work is done. When the work is com- 

 pleted, the beds and walks should have a gradual rise from 

 the outside to the centre, in order that water drains gradually 

 from them. Care should also be taken, in laying out of gar- 

 dens, that they are laid a little on a descent to one corner, or 

 any given point, so as to let off the superfluous water ; it 

 should also be a given rule, that the flower garden attached to 

 dwelling-houses should have a gradual descent from the house. 

 If the earth where the garden is to be made, is of a poor, 

 sandy, meagre nature, the soil should be taken out where the 

 flower beds are to be made, and a mixture of good, mellow 

 loam, with a portion of well rotted manure added to it, should 

 be put into those places intended for the beds, or borders. 



CHAPTER II. 



On the Nutriment of Plants. 



ART. 1. Preliminary Remarks. 



BEFORE I proceed to the culture of plants and flowers, it 

 will be proper to point out their different nutriments and 

 stimulants, and how they act on the vegetable system, either 

 in a congenial or injurious manner, which, by a little obser- 

 vation, will be found to be of great importance in the culture 



