52 



CHAPTER XIII. 



IX THE GARDEN. 



If we were looking for a site on which to locate an extensive 

 Flower Garden, we would be very particular about the aspect 

 and soil ; but as this work is intended only for the amateur 

 who loves Flora's Children and is anxious to raise only a few, 

 we do not think it necessary to dilate on that part of the 

 subject, because if the fioil is not just suitable, we can make it 

 so, and if the aspect is not the most desirable for some kinds of 

 plants, it will do first rate for others ; in fact there is no part 

 of the globe that is inhabited by man or beast, in which the 

 vegetable kingdom is not fully represented. In the matter of 

 soils, ap'proximate the following : A subsoil of gravel or sand 

 is the most desirable, as this will allow all surplus water to 

 pass away rapidly. If the subsoil is of a clayey nature, it 

 should be drained : however, for a few plants, not many per- 

 sons v>-ould be willing to go to the trouble and expense of 

 thoroughly draining a small patch of ground according to the 

 established laws on the subject. Sometimes when we have 

 been making flower beds, where there was a cla}' subsoil, we 

 have excavated it t-o a depth of three feet from the surface, and 

 filled the hole two-thirds full with gravel, then completed the 

 filling with a soil which contained sulficient sand and fibrous 

 matter to allow the surplus water to pass through to the 

 gravel underneath. This soil had been enriched with half 

 rotted stable manure, and should be so enriched each succeed- 

 ing fall or spring. Draining on a more extensive scale has 

 been and is still occasionally discussed in all the leading agri- 

 cultural papers; we do not think a repetition is necessary, 

 hence we omit it. 



The soil we have described as being used for the surface of 

 the flower beds is suitable for growing nearly all kinds of 

 plants, and is what we would prefer as a basis to begin with. 

 If, lor some particular variety, we needed a litle more sand, 

 clay or manure, this soil could be prepared to suit them by 

 giving the soil a top dressing of clay or manure, as necessity 

 demanded, and thoroughly incorporating it into the soil by 

 spading or plowing; or if there should be only a few plants. 



