Style and Desigi. 621 
One of the gravest faults committed by inexperienced gar- 
deners is the confusion of styles by indiscriminate planting, 
and tasteless use of architectural adjuncts. A large and diver- 
sified area may admit of the development of all the known re- 
sources of horticulture, both in the picturesque and formal 
styles, including the various purely artificial accessories. But 
in all cases a '»vish display of vases and other stone and rustic 
work should be avoided. It is much easier to err on the side 
of profuseness than on the side of sparseness of inanimate 
objects. We have seen this idea so much overdone as to give 
a small flower-garden the appearance of a manufacturer’s show- 
yard. Where these accessories are admissible, or properly form 
a part of the plan, great discrimination and judgment should 
be exercised in the selection of elegant and suitable designs, 
harmonising as far as possible with the permanent buildings 
or other contiguous surroundings And, again, in the choice 
of a design for a pleasure-garden, whatever the size, due atten- 
tion should be paid to the natural capabilities of the site, 
the style of the dwelling-house, and also to the character of 
the adjoining premises. In a broad sense, then, the plan 
should be projected for the ground, though to a certain extent, 
and in detail, the ground must be moulded in accordance with 
the plan. There is, of course, ample scope for individual taste, 
even when artistic rules are not ignored. And as every man 
is free to indulge his own particular fancies, more especially in 
all that appertains to his home pleasures, it would he idle 
to lay down hard and fast rules for his guidance. But 
there is a large class of men whose pursuits naturally prevent 
them from obtaining the necessary practical knowledge to 
enable them to select suitable shrubs and trees and decide 
upon the most attractive disposition of them, to produce a 
permanently effective garden. And often, too, it happens 
that they cannot afford to engage the services of a talented 
gardener. It is on behalf of amateurs, and what we may term 
the unprofessional gardeners, that the following and foregoing 
remarks are penned. The proprietors of extensive gardens 
and park-lands, as a rule, have competent men to direct their 
establishment, men of experience, who thoroughly understand 
their craft, and who could learn nothing from us. But it is 
so apparent to all observers that there is wide-spread want of 
correct. taste, that a few words on this subject will not be 
superfluons. 
