50 



A PLEA FOR HARDY PLANTS 



rhododendrons were planted a mulching of rotted cow manure was 

 applied to the surface of the soil. 



It seems to me I have said a great deal about the merit of hardy 

 plants and shrubs, and but very little about their culture; but it must be 

 remembered that my mind is more occupied with the designing of gardens 

 than with their care, and I think it is quite as important to create an 

 interest in hardy material as it is to teach how to grow it. Cultural skill 

 will soon follow enthusiastic desire, which your society is doing so much to 

 create, and when we can have horticultural societies of like intelligence and 

 breadth of object in all our large cities the advancement of the best 

 gardening will be rapid. 



Note. — The plans illustrated in the following pages are intended to show some 

 correct principles of arrangement and not to be used for any particular place. A plan, to 

 be worth anything, must be made for the grounds for which it is intended, and all sur- 

 roundings and conditions must be considered. 



SYRINGA VILLOSA. A SPECIES OF LILAC 



