490 



Vases as Receptacles 



with the effect produced by the vase Jig. 82. planted with a 

 group of flowers. The flowers were of the commonest kinds. In 

 the centre of the group were purple georginas ; around these 



nasturtiums with their bright orange 

 flowers, white phloxes, and migno- 

 nette; and, hanging over the rim of 

 the vase, were long slender stolones 

 of moneywort. The general effect 

 was exceedingly good; and it imme- 

 diately occurred to us to recommend 

 this kind of ornament for gardens, 

 especially for those of the town. 

 Nothing, however, ought to be recom- 

 mended without assigning reasons for 

 doing so. Now, there are several 

 reasons for recommending elevated 

 vases as receptacles for flowers, in 

 order that they may form ornaments 

 for gardens in confined situations ; and 

 there are also reasons for recommend- 

 ing vases not to be filled with flowers 

 for gardens in the country. We shall 

 take these reasons in the order of their 

 importance. 



In the first place, town gardens, by 

 which we mean chiefly the front gardens of street houses, are 

 generally so confined by walls, that no herbaceous plant will 

 thrive in them longer than one season. The cause is to be found 

 in the want of air, of light, and of fresh soil. The soil, indeed, 

 gets sodden by moisture and want of drainage to such a degree, 



