SITE OF THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



45 



and minor grouping as will produce good individual 

 groups in its divisional sections, when these are seen in 

 positions from whicli the whole cannot be comprehended. 

 From want of conformity vdth this principle, flower- 

 gardens have sometimes a fine effect when seen from one 

 or two leading points of view ; but when examined in 

 detail, they lose all their interest, except what arises 

 from individual plants, or masses of flowers and shrubs. 

 Effective secondary and minor grouping not only adds to 

 the beauty of fine plants, but very much improves the 

 appearance of those which scarcely deserve that name. 



Site of the Flower-Garden. — Convenience of access 

 requires that the flower-garden should be at no great dis- 

 tance from the house. It may be separated from the 

 other grounds by trees and shrubs, and if the kitchen- 

 gardens are not remote, it may take an intermediate 

 position between these and the house. The site should 

 be warm, sunny, and dry, and well sheltered, though not 

 shaded. It should be remembered that the beauty of 

 the flower-garden arises more from its graceful arrange- 

 ment and superior culture, than fr^om fine views existing 

 without its boundary. Such views, then, are not neces- 

 sary to complete it, and a seeking after them may 

 deprive the garden of that shelter which is absolutely 

 indispensable to the successful cultivation of fine plants. 

 This circumstance should be kept in mind, both in the 

 selection of the site, and in the laying out of the compo- 

 nent parts. 



The Ground Colour of the flower-garden and of its 

 walks has a considerable influence on the effect of its 

 arrangements, and, as it varies, sometimes leads to the 

 adoption of different styles of gardening. Independently 



