THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 93 



AEEANGEMENT OF LAWNS. 



From the Michigan Farmer. 



Happy indeed ought to be the possessor of a wide, sloping lawn, on 

 whicli the ttirf is thick, soft and elastic, and such an expanse of verdure 

 may be made yet more beautiful by exercising a little taste and skill in 

 planning and arranging the shrubbery. Too often the beauty and grace of 

 the whole is spoiled either by a superabundance of flowering plants and 

 shrubs, like " Ossa upon Pelion piled," or else by the queer fancy that every 

 tree m\ist be duplicated, each shrub must have its counterpart on both 

 sides the priiu unswerving walk from front door to front gate. Flower-beds 

 on strictly geometrical piinciples only are permissible, and the whole effect 

 to an artistic eye is as pleasing as a patchwork bedquilt. Nature never 

 works in this wise ; she flings a wild vine here, a rose-bush there ; two or 

 three shrubs of diffei-cnt species grow in loving juxtaposition, but she 

 never duplicates or repeats herself. To many eyes, the unbroken sweep of 

 gi'ccnsward is more charming than if its expanse were broken by any 

 object, however beautiful, while others prefer to mingle flowers and foliage 

 pliints in picturesque confusion. Many plants are far more beautiful in 

 the emerald setting of deep green grass than in the flower garden proper. 

 Among these, the Pa?ony ranks high, its large, deep red blossom and lighter 

 liued leaves contrasting finely with the darker tint of the surrounding grass. 

 A double scarlet Zonal Geranium, if planted where it is partly shaded, wili 

 keep in bloom, by a little attention in the way of a drink now and then, 

 nearly all summer, and its vivid scarlet is ever charmitig. But a new 

 departure is a " grassy bed," in which grasses of various colors and kinds 

 are intermingled with Lilies and Gladioli, and various other plants, to vary 

 the light foliage of the former, and give effective relief to the glow of the 

 Gladiolus, and the pallor of the Lily. Those who can devote a lai'ge circle 

 or capacious oval in a place upon their lawns where it is in full view of the 

 windows, will not regret such an arrangement. Just a breath of air, on a 

 serene summer morning, will stir the light feathery grasses, and give that 

 movement to the group that adds life to its beauty. No matter if the bed 

 is partly shaded, it will do no hann. In the highest part may be planted 

 the Tritoma, or " Red-hot Poker," as it is sometimes called. The tropical 

 looking Yucca, with its tall spike of flowers, is tine in such a location. Tho 

 Pampas grass is beautiful, but will not endure our northern winters, but ita 

 twin, Erianthus Eavennre, is perfectly hardy. The Arundo has golden- 

 yellow striped leaves, and grows six feet high. Next to these may be 

 planted Lilium Longiflorum, a spotless oval of purest white, the fretted 

 spires of the Gladiolus, and the pale yellow of the old fashioned Lemon. 

 Lily, so well known but so universal a favorite. There are placea too. for 

 the Euphorbias, whose curiously margined leaves suggest its common name, 

 " Snow-on-the-Mountain," and which is more strictly a foliage plant, but 

 may be used here with good results ; also for the broad corn-like leaves of 

 " Job's Tears," Coix Lachryma. Near the edge of the bed we may have 

 Briza maxima, one of the very best of the ornamental grasses, and also B, 



