622 Summary View of the Progress of Gardenings 



parts of this volume, and to which we shall here recur, viz. the 

 acute-anffular forms of dug beds for flowers and flowerings 

 shrubs, which are commonly to be found on lawns. Beds, the 

 outlines of which form acute angles, are bad in themselves, 

 because they never can be completely covered with flowers or 

 shrubs at the angles, and because if the eye of the spectator 

 who observes them is not on a much higher level, the shape of 

 the bed, of which the angle forms so conspicuous a feature 

 when near, is not recognised. For all ordinary purposes, there- 

 fore, we consider acute-angled beds as ineligible; though, for 

 symmetrical designs, in situations where the design is commanded 

 by an elevated walk, or surrounding terrace, they may with 

 propriety be introduced ; because, in such situations, their forms 

 and combinations display them to almost all the advantage of 

 which they are susceptible. It is lamentable to see the pleasure- 

 grounds of some of the finest old places in England spoiled by 

 the introduction of these angular beds, in the most romantic or 

 otherwise strongly marked scenes, that no man of taste would 

 dare to touch ; the beds perhaps planted with dahlias, hollyhocks, 

 or China roses. 



We wish we could strongly impress on the mind of every 

 amateur, and of every gardener, that, for all general purposes 

 of planting beds of shrubs, or beds of flowers on a lawn, to be 

 laid out in the modern style, the best form is the circle, pro- 

 vided that it be always kept of small size, say from 18 in. to 6 ft. 

 in diameter, one circle never placed nearer to another than 2 ft., 

 and that these beds be thrown together in groups or constella- 

 tions, as stars !are in the firmament, or single trees and single 

 shrubs in a well planted park. 



We do not say that there are not cases where large angular 

 masses, or long variously outlined shapes, may not be preferable 

 to circles, or ought not to be introduced along with them. On 

 the contrary, though in a park we would effect the great part of 

 the planting b}^ single trees, and small groups, as we would on 

 a lawn by circular beds of different sizes, yet there may be cases 

 in both where a particular practice requires to take the place of 

 a general one. The principles, indeed, which guide the disposi- 

 tion of the kind of circular beds that we recommend, are exactly 

 the same as those which guide the disposition and grouping of 

 single trees. Wherever large masses of shrubs or flowers are 

 wanted, there a greater number of circles of different sizes are 

 to be brought together ; and wherever any particular general 

 form is to be produced, the body of that form may consist of 

 beds in the form of circles, the general outline of which will 

 constitute the form required. In short, as every mass of wood 

 is composed of single trees, so every mass of shrubbery, or of 

 flowers on a lawn, should or might be composed of single cir- 

 cular beds of different sizes. 



