LAYING QUT THE FLOWER GARDEN. 55 
ure, and old, rotten manure, would, in most cases, be the 
best application to increase the depth of the soil. 
If the ground allotted for the flower-garden is inclined 
to be wet, or springy, it should be thoroughly drained by 
ditches, or drains, so deep underground as not to interfere 
with cultivation. A location having a gravelly subsoil 
and exposed to drought, should be avoided, if possible. 
In a word, what is wanted is a deep, rich soil, natural or 
artificial, not too wet, nor too dry. 
Lavine ovr THE Garpen.—In giving directions for lay- 
ing out a flower-garden, it must be borne in mind that it 
is not the design of the writer to give elaborate plans for 
extensive pleasure grounds; those who are able or dis- 
posed to indulge themselves in this great luxury, will, 
probably, consult the professional landscape gardener, or 
derive their information from other sources within their 
reach, rather than from a work written particularly for 
the multitude, whose means may be more or less limited. 
‘“* Neatness should be the prevailing characteristic of a 
flower-garden, which should be so situated as to form an 
ornamental appendage to the house; and, when circum- 
stances will admit, placed before windows exposed toa 
southern or south-eastern aspect. The principle on which 
it is laid out ought to be that of exhibiting a variety of 
colors and forms, so blended as to produce one beautiful 
whole. In asmall flower-garden, viewed from the windows 
of the house, this effect is best produced by beds, or borders, 
formed on the side of each other, and parallel to the win- 
dows from whence they are seen; as, by that position, the 
colors show themselves to the best advantage. In a re- 
tired part of the garden, a rustic seat may be formed, over 
and around which honeysuckles, and other sweet and orna- 
mental creepers and climbers, may be trained on trellises, 
so as to afford a pleasant retirement.” 
In laying out a flower-garden, it is best to have the 
