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A GROUP OF PYRETHRUMS. 



LAYING OUT A GARDEN. 



WHEN entering upon a new house, with the garden fresh from the builder's 

 hand, nne must consider the best way to lay it out, first ensuring that 

 the soil is not a mixture of brick' ends, tin pots, or debris of a similar 

 undesirable nature — not a good foundation for the growth of flowers. It is 

 of impoitance to commence well, and poor soil will not support masses of plants or fruits or 

 vegetables. 



In the laving out of gardens much of the detail must naturally be left to individual 

 taste, but a few broad rules may be laid down for the guidance of the beginner. First and 

 foremost, cart in plenty of good soil, unless, of course, the ground has not been disturbed by 

 the builder for the purpose of securing gravel. In the construction of the garden beautiful the 

 methods of Nature, and not those of the architect, should be our guide. Form the beds not 

 primarily with the idea of exhibiting their geometrical or fantastic proportions, but so that they 

 may fitly supply the wants of the flowers that they contain. It is not in the contour of the 

 beds, but in the beauty of their occupants, that the charm of the garden should be sought. 

 The soft green of an expanse of sward is restful to the eye, but this effect is marred where 

 the lawn is cut up by the introduction of many trivial flower beds. Villa gardens with small 

 lawns are often spoilt in this way, and therefore compare unfavourably with cottage plots 

 through which a simple straight path leads from the wicket to the door, bordered on either side 

 with hardy flowers we have known and loved from childhood's days. Where there is space 

 on the lawn for beds, without unduly limiting its area, these should be of simple form — oblong, 

 oval, or round — and not so restricted in size as to interfere with the full expression of beauty 

 of the subjects they contain, for natural and artistic effect can never be attained where the 

 plants are unable to assume characteristic growth. 



Oftentimes, however, in small gardens the lawn will be too small to admit of flower 

 beds, and in such cases space may usually be found for a wide border by the side of the 



