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Is for comfort and convenience, for luxury even; it is to express civilization and care and design, and te foster the 
refinement of our natures. In planning it, beauty of form should always be kept in view; for as in a work of art 
beauty of form is superior to coloring, as it betokens a deeper acquaintance with principles, a higher refinement, so 
in gardening shapeliness is superior to quantity, and gracefulness of outline to meaningless groups of color. By this 
we do not in any sense mean that color should be discarded; for beauty of tint and tone are necessary adjuncts of 
comeliness of form. As a general thing the delicate shades of pink and white, pale blues and greens, and the softer 
shades of crimson and scarlet, are more expressive of beauty than the positive colors. 
Gardening requires talent, the knowledge of the beautiful, the harmony of color, and the ability to grasp ideas 
and work them out so that the desire may pass from inception to fulfilment. The “ styles” of gardening may be 
stated as three: The Geometrical or Italian, as it is called from its adaptation to Italian forms of architecture; in 
this style the terrace plays a prominent part, as it can be used most successfully in hilly situations. The “ Picturesque,” 
which is almost Jetting nature alone, or aiding her in intensifying sharpness of detail or raggedness of outline, and is 
only suitable for rough and hilly sections. Loudon has aptly called the last form the “ Gardenesque,” for in it are 
shown varied tastes and methods, the individual preferences which take precedence of style, and which add, after all, 
the greatest charm to the garden, for they are the most natural. To this latter class belong the groupings of small 
shrubbery, the beds of perennials, which delight by their apparent disorder, the mixed borders which constantly 
present a change from grave to gay, from beauty of form and color to that which presents an appearance which would 
be ill-pleasing were it not for the single redeeming feature of fragrance which charms all the senses through one. For 
this style of gardening perennials are admirably adapted, for they combine in a marked degree permanence and 
beauty. The graceful Foxglove delights in half-shaded situations, such as shrubbery affords, and will be in bloom 
when the shrubs are rich only in foliage. The pretty, nodding Columbine, with its fairy bells, will lend a. charm to 
the rockery or rough situations on hillsides, as it requires but little soil, and bears drouth admirably. For a distant 
vista through trees Hollyhocks are indispensable, as they not only add beauty to the scene, but also give a sense of 
increased distance. Tall, hardy grasses, such as the Pampas, Erianthus and Arundos, Castor Oil Bean, Aralias, Palms 
and Wigandias, properly grouped, will give a tropical effect, and transform barren and unsightly views into scenes of 
beauty and verdure. 
a F practicable, the Garden should have d warm and southeasterly exposure. But when the 
ground slopes to the north and west, it is important to have it located on the sunny side 
of an orchard or buildings. The most desirable situation possible should be set apart fox 
the kitchen garden, as the exposure has much to do with the early maturity of the crops. 
The soil must be in a friable state to secure the prompt vegetation of the seeds and the 
proper growth of the plants. Soils are susceptible of alteration and improvement in tex- 
ture; heavy clays can be rendered open and porous, -and light sandy soils may be consoli- 
dated and rendered more retentive of moisture. 
To secure a fair return in seasonable crops, for the labor and outlay invested, it is 
essential that the soil of the Vegetable Garden should be well drained, thoroughly trenched, and enriched by a judicious 
application ci manure. It isstill the current opinion, based on experience, that for all purposes well-composted barn-yard 
manure, when available, is the best material ; but several of the concentrated manures, now manufactured, are useful and 
convenient, especially for a succession of crops. A very efficient liquid manure, for promoting the growth of vege- 
tables already started, is made by dissolving one pound of pure Peruvian guano in ten gallons of water; it should not : 
be applied oftener than once a week. 
The mode of laying out the ground is a matter of taste, and may be left to the gardener himself to determine, the 
form being of little importance in the production of useful vegetables; and it matters not if the ground is laid 
out in beds of 4 or 10 feet wide, provided it is well worked and kept neat and free of weeds. 
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