20 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



yard and the garden, which puzzle the owner what to do 

 with them. They are too much in everyday sight, as 

 well as too damp to hold either firewood or tools, or 

 domestic animals, — and to what other purpose to turn 

 them, he cannot tell. Such a corner will often make a 

 capital eernery, where a curious, beautiful, and myste- 

 rious Natural Family of Plants may be cultivated. The 

 British ferns alone will furnish a number of handsome 

 hardy species, — though all British ferns are not hardy. 

 Persons inclined to adopt the suggestion, will be aided 

 by the study of " Sowerby's Ferns," or the magnificent 

 " Ferns of Great Britain, Nature-printed, Life-size." 

 " Lowe's History of Ferns, British and Exotic," is also 

 in the course of publication. 



An essential convenience is thus pointed out in Paul's 

 clever "Hand-Book of Villa Gardening:"—" Much of 

 the comfort and enjoyment in a garden depends on the 

 state of the walks. Their formation may appear a simple 

 matter, but it is one that requires attention. In wet and 

 retentive soils, the earth should be removed to the depth 

 of a foot or so, and a foundation laid of broken bricks, 

 rubble, or coarse gravel ; over these successive coats of 

 finer gravel may be laid, keeping the centre of the walk 

 slightly raised, and contriving a fall when possible, that 

 the effects of a heavy shower may the more speedily pass 

 away. It is very pleasant to be able to traverse the prin- 

 cipal walks of a garden with comfort five minutes after a 

 spring shower, and there is no reason why this should 

 not be done, if they are properly contrived." 



Country Gardens, or those adjoining the country seats 

 of wealthy families, are often on a magnificent and even 

 a royal scale. In British gardens of this class, the acme 

 of horticultural perfection is attained. Their manage- 

 ment is intrusted to able and experienced persons, who 

 have no need of admonition from a book like this ; on the 

 contrary, it is from their practised intelligence that its 

 writer is too happy to learn. Without further preface, 

 therefore, a summary shall be given of Bulbous Flowers, 

 Tuberous and Khizomatous Flowers, Herbaceous Flowers, 



