226 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
main object of the flower-bed is to produce an abundance 
of flowers. 
In making a flower-bed, see that the ground is well drained; 
that the subsoil is deep; that the land is in a mellow and friable 
condition, and that it is fertile. Each fall it may have a mulch 
of rotted manure or of leafmold, which may be spaded under 
deeply in the spring; or the land may be spaded and left rough 
in the fall, which is a good practice when the soil has much clay. 
Make the flower-beds as broad as possible, so that the roots of 
the grass running in from either side will not meet beneath the 
flowers and rob the beds of food and moisture. It is well to 
add a little commerce al fertilizer each fall or spring. 
Although it is well to emphasize making the ground fertile, 
it must be remembered (as indicated on page 114) that 
it can easily be made too rich for such plants as we desire 
to keep within certain stature and for those from which we 
wish an abundance of bloom in a short season. In over-rich 
ground, nasturtiums and some other plants not only ‘‘run to 
vine,” but the bloom lacks brilliancy. When it is the leaf 
and vegetation that is wanted, there is little danger of making 
the ground too rich, although it is possible to make the plant 
so succulent and sappy that it becomes sprawly or breaks 
down; and other plants may be crippled and crowded out. 
There are various styles of flower-planting. The mixed 
border, planted with various hardy plants, and extending along 
either side of the garden-walk, was popular years ago; and, 
with modifications in position, form, and extent, has been a 
popular attachment to home grounds during the past few years. 
To produce the best effects the plants should be set close 
enough to cover the ground; and the selection should be such 
as to afford a continuity of bloom. 
The mixed flower-bed may contain only tender summer- 
blooming plants, in which case the bed, made up mostly of an- 
nuals, does not purport to express the entire season. 
