84 Arrangement of Flower Gardens. 



of distant climes, cheering the month of November, and daring 

 the rigors of December, until its beauties are overtaken and hid- 

 den by the falling snow. 



The flowers of the autumn are generally of a larger size and 

 richer color than those of the spring and summer, consequently, 

 they are less delicate and more showy in their appearance ; and 

 as many of them, such as the hollyhock, the sunflower, and 

 dahlia, grow to a considerable height and size, their proper place 

 is among the shrubs ; for, since there are but few trees or large 

 shrubs that make a show at that time of the year, the plantation 

 will be greatly enlivened by this arrangement. The chrysan- 

 themums are also better adapted to beautify the foreground of the 

 shrubbery than to ornament the parterre ; and in planting them 

 in such situations, it should be observed to place them so that the 

 shrubs may form a screen from the north, which will add consi- 

 derably to their time of duration. It is also desirable to give as 

 good a contrast as possible to the color of the blossoms, by the 

 shade of the foliage before which they are planted, observing to 

 place purple flowers before shrubs whose foliage is of a yellowish 

 cast, as the common laurel ; and those with white petals in front 

 of the darkest foliage, giving the yellow or copper-colored blos- 

 soms to the blue-greens. Again, in planting the china-asters, 

 where the colors are not ascertained, they should not be planted 

 too near the chrysanthemums, excepting in front of the white 

 variety, as the general colors of these two kinds of flowers are 

 too similar to harmonize agreeably ; but where the purple astei 

 can be planted near the yellow chrysanthemum, and vice versa, 

 the effect of the colors is heightened. In planting flowers, an in- 

 discriminate mixture is generally bad, although it may be admit- 

 ted in some instances. Nature seldom confuses her colors, and 

 we should, in arranging them, endeavor to imitate her operations, 

 and let the dyes 



In bright suffusion glow, 

 That now with gold empyreal seem to glow, 

 Now in pellucid sapphires meet the view, 

 And emulate the soft celestial hue. 

 Now beam a flaming crimson to the eye, 

 And now assume the purple's deeper dye ; 

 But here description clouds each shining ray, 

 What terms of art can Nature's power display*? Falconer. 



