Isforcomfort and convenience, for luxury even; it is to exi)ress civiiiziitiou auJ care and design, and to 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 plavs a prominent part, as it can be used most successfully in hilly situations. The " Picturesque," 

 which'is almost letting 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-pleasins 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 afibrds, and will be in bloom 

 when "the shrubs are rich onlv in foliage. The pretty, nodding Columbine, with its fiiiry 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 Hollvhocks 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. 



F practicable, the Garden should have a 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 fo; 

 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 of manure. It is still the current opinion, based on experience, that for all purposes well-compo.sted 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 eflicient liquid manure, for promotmg 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. tc * a . ■ .1. 



The mode of laying out the ground is a matter of taste, and may be left to the gardener himself to determme the 

 form" being of little importance in the production of useful vegetables ; and it matters not if the ground i.s laid 

 out in beds of 4 or 10 feet wide, provided it is well worked and kept neat and free of v.eeds. 

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