with Hints for the Grouping of Plants. 71 



be more in proportion with the side beds 22, 23, 30, and 31, with 

 which they should accord. The placing of the fence 2 in. within the 

 gravel, in order to facilitate the cutting of the grass edging, is not 

 good; because, as it will be impossible to roll within 2 or 3 inches 

 of the fence, the walk will show a raw rough edge 5 or 6 inches 

 wide, than which I do not know any thing that has a more 

 untidy appearance. By care and attention this might be averted; 

 but, where the mowing of the grass in the original plan formed 

 an objection, it is doubtful whether there would be sufficient 

 pains taken for that purpose. It is also objectionable, because, as 

 the walk is only 4 ft. wide, two ladies cannot walk abreast with- 

 out one of their dresses sweeping the fence ; and because, by im- 

 parting a meagre and confined appearance, it militates so much 

 against that boldness and ease so necessary in a principal walk. 

 I should reconnnend it to be placed on the grass, and at least 

 18 in. from the walk, and if the horizontal wires are strained, 

 and the lower one placed 1 in. above the grass, it will be easy, 

 in mowing, to pass the point of the scythe under, so that there 

 will be no loss of time. 



In the choice of plants with which the garden may be stocked, 

 you have been very unfortunate ; not so much because some of 

 them are worthless, as that you have introduced so many an- 

 nuals, some of which are of such an ephemeral character, and 

 others, as the Rhodanthe Mangles//, of such doubtful culture in 

 the open air, that I hold it to be impossible, without almost 

 supernatural power, to keep the beds filled with flowers from 

 June to October. It is true, that with unremitting attention a 

 tolerable display may be kept up, but shabby indeed when com- 

 pared with what would be produced by using verbenas, pelar- 

 goniums, petunias, &c. &c. What are the best of our annuals 

 after a month or six weeks' flowering, even in the most favourable 

 seasons; such, for instance, as clarkias, nemophilas, clintonias, 

 godetias, collinsias, &c. &c. ? Some of them will produce 

 flowers for a longer period than above specified, and the beds may 

 be replanted; but the flowers, after the principal bloom, will be 

 small, and the plants look weedy; while the beds, if they are re- 

 planted, unless the plants are just coming into bloom, will have a 

 very shabby appearance, in consequence of their not being suf- 

 ficiently full of plants to group properly with the beds containing 

 perennial plants. Depend upon it, the greater part of our most 

 fashionable annuals, when self-sown, point out the time best 

 suited for their growth and flowering; and, though they may 

 flower when sown at a later period, the flowers are never so 

 fine as they are in the early part of the season. The reason of 

 this is, if the season is fine, the plants are incapable of supporting 

 the excessive heat, while, on the contrary, if the season is wet, 

 one small shower after they are in bloom dashes them all to pieces. 



