54 J0URN.1L OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



use them when the bulk of the planting has been done. This, first, 

 because neither class can be relied on for prolonged beauty throughout 

 the year ; secondly, because the special value of both is generally for 

 filling in and for contrast between and with large and more permanent 

 subjects ; thirdly, because they are thus (what by themselves they are 

 iiot) invaluable as a means of easily prolonging the succession of bloom 

 colour at a given spot ; and often, fourthly, because, as regards many, 

 they can be carried through and among other plantings. 



Myosotis of sorts and Foxgloves, where these will grow, are thus 

 invaluable, almost indispensable, and the kinds of useful bulbs, from 

 Snowdrops, Crocuses, and Daffodils, to Colchicums, autumn Crocus, and 

 Sternbergias, are many more in number than are the annuals and 

 biennials. 



It is ordinarily preferable to seek to make the garden beautiful in all 

 seasons, except in those frequent cases where the owners being in 

 residence during but part of the year, it would then be little visited and 

 cared for. 



In such exceptional cases provision will probably not need to be made 

 for that season. For instance. Conifers or other evergreens, in a garden 

 not visited in winter, may not be wished, or at least they may fall into a 

 secondary place, and the first place may naturally be taken by foliage 

 plants of quite another character, or by shrubs having only summer 

 beauty. In a sense, more is, naturally and properly, expected, so to speak, 

 of a garden wanted for a limited season only, than in one which caters for 

 the whole year through. 



It is far easier then to crowd it, if need be, with colour and with 

 varied beauty, and with such only, than when the demands of several 

 seasons have to be met in the same space. This still more as regards 

 the absence of what may offend the eye, than as .regards the presence of 

 what will please it. 



Yet it is, I think, otherwise and generally, a good method in planning 

 the wild garden to go over it systematically with the purpose of securing 

 that every part of it is made interesting or beautiful, or both, so far as 

 possible, at every season. This is easier than might at first sight appear. 



Suppose that a part of it has been already specially planned and 

 planted for spring or summer eftect only ; it is generally easy to find room 

 for and to add autumn blooming bulbs, and summer flowering or autunm 

 tinted creepers, even striking winter evergreens, or effects of coloured 

 barks or tracery. 



Or suppose that we have set ourselves to plant a conjunction of shrubs 

 and climbers for splendid autumn effect ; it is easy both to give preference 

 in the selection to subjects which fulfil the double purpose of beauty of 

 flower in the early part of the year and of leaf colour in autumn, and 

 also to add beneath the deciduous subjects an under-growth of spring 

 bulbs and of spring flowering and winter green carpeters. We should 

 in ordinary cases think of each of the four seasons and cater for it, in 

 every 200 square yards of surface that we plant. 



Piesmning that Conifers and large evergreens are to be included — as I 

 think they should be— I would repeat that I think it is generally wise (if 

 <iuiet and reposeful eftect be the object), first, not to use too many sorts ; 



