118 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



covering, by which they are protected or supported when 

 expanded. Most flowers have also an equal proportion, and 

 an exact number of parts, in many thousands of blossoms ; 

 and in these there is every thing to please, and nothing to 

 offend, the most refined or chaste observers. 



In concluding this subject, it may be necessary to offer a 

 few remarks on the management of the city garden. I ear- 

 nestly recommend it to be kept neat and clean, in order to 

 promote the health of the plants, and of their owners. It 

 should be often worked, to create a clear, sweet, healthy air ; 

 and at different times fresh mould should be added, to give 

 new vigor to the plants ; much manure is seldom requisite, 

 as city gardens are often too rich, owing to the quantity of 

 lime, ashes, and the like, incorporated with the soil. 



The grass plat requires to be often mowed, for conve- 

 nience, neatness, and the well-being of the grass. 



The plan of the garden, I recommend to be such as to give 

 ease, with variety ; so as to accommodate various plants and 

 shrubs ; the walks to be of clean gravel, with an edging of 

 box, or neat dwarf plants, as the Thrift, Dwarf Iris, Moss 

 Pink, and such like. 



The trellises, arbors, walls, fences, and so on, should be 

 covered with vines and creepers, so that the whole may have 

 a corresponding appearance. 



In laying out flower gardens, let them be so managed, that 

 many kinds of flowering shrubs may be introduced; for this 

 purpose, beds should be appropriated. The most common 

 error in laying out city gardens is, that they are too much cut 

 up into small figures, and consequently, shrubs, so essential 

 to give a variety, cannot be admitted. Nothing should be 

 cramped, but every thing should have an open, easy appear- 

 ance in the flower garden. (See Part I, Chapter I, " On 

 Laying out the Flower Garden.") 



