THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



805 



assortment should always be kept of the most interesting, in 

 a portable state, for this and similar purposes. 



SHRUBBERY. 



The shrubbery may be defined to be the link which con- 

 nects the mansion and lawn to the flower garden, or to the 

 other parts of a residence, and is most generally planted either 

 for shelter or shade, although often as a screen to hide dis- 

 agreeable objects, for which the plants which compose it are 

 better suited than for forest or other trees. " The shrubbery," 

 says Nicol, " is often a matter of utility as well as of orna- 

 ment ; in which case it gives the highest satisfaction. When 

 formed for the purpose of shutting out the offices or the 

 kitchen garden from the view of the house ; for sheltering the 

 latter, or the garden ; or for connecting the house with the 

 garden and the orchard, the shrubbery becomes useful and 

 interesting." 



" Sometimes a shrubbery is formed, merely for the purpose 

 of growing rare shrubs and for obtaining agreeable walks. In 

 this case, it is necessary to be at more pains, and to display 

 a greater degree of taste in the laying of it out, than in the 

 formation of the useful shrubbery. In the former case, a 

 tasteful arrangement of the plants is a matter of less import- 

 ance than the choice and disposition of kinds that will soonest 

 afford shelter, and ultimately become thick screens." 



In planting shrubberies for screens to hide disagreeable ob- 

 jects, evergreens should form the principal mass, as atibrding 

 a permanent blind, and giving a cheerful appearance even in 

 winter. A few deciduous shrubs, of the most showy sorts, may, 

 however, be with propriety added, w hich will give relief to the 

 more sombre appearance of the evergreens, particularly while 

 the former are in flower ; but, from their nature of annually 

 shedding their leaves, and consequently becoming thin in win- 

 ter, they are not so well calculated for a permanent blind. 



In the disposal of the shrubs, the tallest should be planted 

 farthest from the walk, or front side, and the lower in stature 

 in front ; but if an immediate effect be desired, it is better to 

 elevate the ground than to plant trees of loo great an age. 



