DEVOTED TO 



Jorfirufturp, ^Ertiorirulfurp, Poieng %* PluraJ SSffeirs. 



THOMAS MEEHAW, Editor. TANTTA"RV IRR'T 



W. G. P. BRIJSrCKLOE. Publisher. J OAXVX, lOO/ . 



VOL. IX. -NO. 1. 



ifinh for 3anuapg. 



We are now entering on our ninth annual vol- 

 ume; and as we shall most probably, in view of the 

 increased attention given to horticulture with the 

 return of peace, have a heavier list of new subscribers 

 than we have had for many years, we may state 

 here, that the object of these hints is not to teach 

 the art of gardening. Experience has shown that 

 calendars and montlily directions, given as absolute 

 guides to practice, are worse than useless. As well 

 may we think to make an artist by guiding the hand 

 that holds the pencil or the brush. It is only by 

 one's thinking for himself, and putting into effect 

 the results of his own thought, that the operations 

 of gardening can be successful. Our aim is, in 

 these Hints, therefore, to furnish food for thought, 

 at about such times or seasons that such thought 

 would be timely for the usual seasons for special 

 practices. 



Our circulation, we may say, is world-wide. Not 

 only do we reach the chief cities of Europe on the 

 East, but beyond the Pacific to the Sandwich Islands 

 and Japan; and from the highest Northern lati- 

 tudes on this continent to the South American 

 States. We wish to make our remarks interesting 

 to every reader. Over so vast an extent of terri- 

 tory it is evident the most practical work will be 

 that which, while giving the usual routine of prac- 

 tical operations, at the same time furnishes the rea- 

 sons on which they are founded, so that all can 

 apply them to the varying and continually changing 

 circumstances. 



Again, Horticulture is not altogether an art, but 

 a progressive science. The wisest of us have to be 

 continually unlearning things in which we once im- 

 plicitly believed ; and learning new facts, as the 

 science develops itself. Were it not so, one series 

 of "calendars," written for one year, would do 

 forever, and need only an annud reprint as the first 

 edition became exhausted. Hence, though much 

 that we may say in these Hints is, necessarily, like 



what we have had to say before, we always re- write, 

 in order to add or change views that we have for- 

 merly entertained. We therefore trust that even 

 the oldest of our readers will always find something 

 to interest them in the perusal of these remarks 

 preliminary to each monthly issue. 



FLOWER-GARDEN AND PLEASURE- 

 GROUND. 



The chief enjoyment in this department at this 

 season, lies in planning out the necessary improve- 

 ments, arrangements, and work to be done during 

 the next active season. In gardening there are two 

 styles of flower-growing, — one which looks to the 

 enjoyment of beautiful flowers individually ; the 

 other for the effects which color gives to the beauty 

 of one's ground. In the first place, hardy Herba- 

 ceous Plants, Annuals, Bulbs, and such like plants, 

 are to be employed, and the flower-beds for them 

 must be arranged with this view, so as to aff"ord 

 opportunities for individual examination. There 

 is nothing better for this than long, narrow bor- 

 ders ; such, for instance, as the narrow belts along 

 the walks of a vegetable garden. 



For flowers for effect, the mass system, of course, 

 is to be preferred. The flowers are selected and ar- 

 ranged with regard to their harmonious tints of co- 

 loring one with another, and the beds must be ar- 

 ranged to suit the ideas sought to be accomplished. 

 The shape of the various beds is of no account in 

 this system of gardening. Hearts, pears, stars, 

 crosses, and so forth, are not recognized when filled 

 with flowers; but they have to be arranged one 

 with regard to the other, that the eff"ect we design 

 shall be fully accomplished. 



It is a very nice winter study for ladies, and one 



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