67 



greatest advantage, is an open border, raised at the back 

 and sloping gradually down to the walk in front. By 

 this position the flowers are presented to the eye in a 

 combined broad mass. In these sloping borders the 

 tallest varieties should be planted in the rear, and 

 those of dwarfer habit in the front. (Pax ton on the 

 Dahlia, 40.) 



When raised borders of this description lie parallel 

 on each side of the walk, or have their margins taste- 

 fully broken into irregular recesses, of from twelve to 

 three feet in depth, as well as the surface slightly un- 

 dulated, the beauty and grandeur of these masses, 

 when in flower, defy all attempts at description. Mr. 

 Pax ton adds, that not a richer, more brilliant, or 

 more varied display of flowers could be produced 

 from the combined beauty of any other family of plants 

 in the whole field of vegetation. 



Soil. — The best of all soils for this, and, we believe, 

 for all other tuberous-rooted plants, is a light, fresh 

 loam, unexhausted by being lately cropped, but with- 

 out the addition of either fresh animal or vegetable 

 manures. 



At the same time, we may observe, that the moister 

 light part of the garden is to be preferred for those 

 dahlias which are liable to have green hard centres, 

 as the Marquis of Aylesbury, Hudson's Princess 

 Royal, &c, and where water can he obtained for them 

 conveniently. Abundance of moisture and rapid 

 f 2 



