34 INTRODUCTION. 



holly or other trees 5 exhibiting its flaming- 

 petals to enliven the closing year. 



In young plantations, where the evergreens 

 have not spread sufficiently to cover the sur- 

 face, clumps of wall-flowers are exceedingly 

 ornamental, and their green, which is of the 

 most agreeable tint, lasts through the winter. 

 They often flower both late in the autumn 

 and early in summer. The periwinkle is 

 also an excellent running plant to cover the 

 slopes and banks of the shrubbery, as its blue 

 flowers are to be seen amidst its evergreen 

 leaves, from March to the middle of No- 

 vember. 



It must not be forgotten that England 

 possesses advantages over every other part of 

 the globe for ornamental gardening ; first, in 

 the fineness and beauty of its turf, which re- 

 tains its verdure throughout the year without 

 much labour or expense ; whilst, on the 

 continent, this is obtained only by the 

 assistance or partially-concealed means of 

 irrigation. The few lawns that are kept in 

 any tolerably decent order abroad, are ge- 

 nerally under the care of Scotch or English 

 gardeners. The gravel of this country is also 

 so superior to that of any other part of 

 Europe for the formation of walks, that the 

 royal gardens of Naples have their paths 



