434 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



portions of length to breadth being retained), its scale could 

 not, on the other hand, be much lessened without loss of effect. 

 This fact would make it unsuitable for very small gardens. 



In the second place, large decorative effect being one of its 

 main objects, a limited number of kinds of plants have been 

 used, but each of these generally in considerable quantity and 

 in naturally grown masses. It will thus be seen that the plan 

 will not be suitable to the needs of those who, whether from 

 want of space or other cause, are wanting a border which shall 

 contain a great number of species and varieties. 



In the third place, plants which bloom before May or after 

 September have been generally omitted from this plan. In 

 our opinion the later blooming plants, such, for instance, as the 

 finer Michaelmas Daisies, are on the whole better grown in a 

 bed by themselves and not in a mixed border like the present. 

 And, again, as regards those blooming earlier, it is thought that 

 though on the one hand there is doubtless room for the in- 

 genious introduction of spring-blooming plants (bulbous and 

 other), even in quantity, through and among the summer-blooming 

 occupants of such a border, where reasons sufficient exist for 

 that course, yet on the other hand any such attempts at a spring 

 display are better made elsewhere, or at least quite subordinated 

 to the principal purpose. This for several reasons. The fading 

 foliage of spring-blooming plants is an unwelcome intrusion 

 upon the border during summer. These, too, rob the soil not a 

 little, and occupy space better given to summer-blooming plants. 

 All such questions must of course be decided on the balance of 

 advantages ; and doubtless such will not infrequently be found 

 to be on the side of borders, so mixed as to include both spring 

 and late autumn-blooming plants. In the case, however, of the 

 plan now in question it has for the reasons given been thought 

 well to exclude them. 



It may be added that in the selection of the plants, regard 

 has been paid to securing beauty of foliage as well as of flower, 

 and that so far as those plants are concerned which have been 

 included on this account {e.g. Megaseas and Funkias) their 

 blooming season has been disregarded. 



Finally ; it will be noticed that in this plan flowers of one 

 colour, though of successive flowering seasons, have been brought 

 together in the groups with the purpose of securing a good mass 



