822 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



ponding better with their cultivation. For private botanic 

 gardens, where the collection is not completed at its formation, 

 but yearly addiMons made to it, the most convenient method 

 of disposal is by grouping upon turf ; and as the plants of any 

 class increase, tlie beds can be enlarged in proportion, by 

 appropriating part of that which was turf into border for them. 

 These groups should be of the most irregular forms possible. 

 A walk of gravel should be so contrived as to make a tour of 

 all the groups, and that of a continued scroll, as in the ac- 

 companying sketch, may be the most convenient. In this sketch 

 we have adopted the sexual system of arrangement, and have 

 given a group or clump for each of the twenty-four classes, 

 (numbered 1 to 24,) not including aquatic plants, or such as are 

 not conveniently cultivated in the borders. Aquatic, bog, and 

 Alpine plants, particularly such of the latter as are liable to 

 perish in winter, or be overlooked in consequence of their 

 minute growth, should be cultivated in groups by themselves. 



25, 25, rock-work, where such Alpine plants may be cul- 

 tivated as would be liable to be lost or overlooked if in the 

 general arrangement. 



26, 26, should be rendered capable of retaining water suf- 

 ficient for the cultivation of such as are natives of bogs or 

 watery places. 



27, a border prepared for a collection of plants with va- 

 riegated leaves, or such as degenerate into singular varieties 

 or monstrosities. 



28, 29, CO, and 31, borders for dahlias, carnations, pinks, 

 bulbs, and similar showy flower garden plants, and in summer 

 to be enriched with scarlet geraniums, and other interesting 

 green-house plants. 



Flower gardens, laid out according to systematic arrange- 

 ment, will only be appreciated by those who are attached to 

 that delightful study, or by such as pride themselves in the 

 number of species that they possess. Few attempts have been 

 made in this country of blending botanical arrangement with 

 picturesque beauty in our flower gardens ; that of the celebrated 

 Dr. Darwin was probably the most complete. The numerous 

 species of plants which necessarily enter into a botanical ar- 

 rangement, although extremely interesting to the lover of that 



