GLEANINGS FROM FRENCH GARDENS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Subtropical Gardening. 



I HE cultivation of plants distinguished by fine foliage or 

 nobility of aspect, or in other words, the introduction of 

 beauty of form to the flower garden, is a very desirable 

 improvement that has been making its way in this country for a 

 few years past. The system originated in Continental gardens, and 

 has been brought to the greatest degree of perfection in and around 

 Paris, where as well as in this country, the writer has had full 

 opportunities of becoming acquainted with its merits. An attempt 

 is accordingly here made to give an estimate of its value in relation 

 to our own wants. The most desirable plants and families of 

 plants which we can employ under this system are treated of 

 rather fully, and concise selections given with descriptive notes, 

 with a view of assisting every lover of a garden, no matter what his 

 means, or where his situation in these islands, to add to his garden 

 that which is so very rare in our " ornamental" ones leauty of 

 form. But it has been objected that the plants used for "sub- 

 tropical gardening" are so tender and expensive that the system 

 must be impossible to the greater number of British gardens. 

 This is true of the sorts at present generally used, but why confine 

 ourselves to these? No effect ever given in these latitudes by 



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