176 



THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



compact rooting bushes and shrubs, such as Lavender, Rosemary, 

 and Dwarf Roses. The aim should be to supply a continuous 

 variety of bloom and greenery from spring to autumn, to arrange 

 contrast of colour and form, and yet to maintain a plan under- 

 lying the maze of plants. While, generally speaking, the smaller 

 plants are placed towards the front of the border, and the taller 

 ones towards the back, this should not be done with mathematical 

 accuracy. The tallest plants should not be quite at the back, 

 and some of the smaller plants should be placed between or even 

 behind the line of the taller ones. The shrubby plants above 

 mentioned should constitute the skeleton of the border, and 

 should be planted in a regular slightly zigzag line, at intervals 

 along its length. The clumps of bulbs should not be planted in 



isolated groups, but 

 near some plant or 

 shrub which will act 

 as a background to 

 them when they are 

 in flower. The front 

 part of the border 

 may be occupied by 

 Pinks, Sweet Alys- 

 sum, Aubrietia, Saxi- 

 frage, Pansies, Violas, 

 Dwarf Larkspurs, arranged irregularly but at equal intervals. Be- 

 hind these and between the shrubs would come the tall perennials. 

 The clumps of annuals will be similarly arranged, approximately 

 according to height, among the permanent occupants of the border. 

 Above all things, do not crowd the border, but let every plant, 

 or group of plants, occupy a distinct space, with intervals between 

 sufficient to cultivate with the Dutch hoe. Neatness is essential, 

 and there can be no neatness when the plants are jostling each 

 other. 



PLANTS IN WINDOWS 



For town schools, and for all girls' schools, whether in town 

 or country, window gardening is an excellent means of developing 

 an interest in flower culture. Window boxes may be constructed 



FlG. 70. End view of plants in borders, 

 border ; B, back of border. 



A, front of 



