Chap. II.] THE PARC MONOEAU. 31 



character, than when the masses of such as these become so large 

 that there is no relieving point within reach of the eye. A single 

 specimen or small group of a fine Canna forms one of the most 

 graceful objects the eye can see. Plant a rood of it, and it soon 

 becomes as attractive as so much maize or wheat. 



The fact is, we do not want purely " subtropical gardens " or 

 "leaf gardens" or "colour gardens," but such gardens as, by 

 happy combinations of the materials at our disposal, shall be 

 delightful, ever-changing museums of beautiful life. For it is 



Rhus glabra laciniata. Hardy shrubs cut down atmually to secure fine foliage. 



quite a mistake to assume that because people, ignorant of the 

 inexhaustible stores of the vegetable kingdom, admire the showy 

 glares of colour now so often seen in our gardens, they would be 

 incapable of enjoying scenes displaying some traces of natural 

 beauty and variety if they could see them. 



The fine-leaved plants have not yet been associated immediately 

 with the flowers : hence also a fault. Till they are so treated 

 we can hardly see the great value of such in ornamental garden- 

 ing. Avoid unmeaning masses, and associate more intimately the 



