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REVIEW. 
which there accumulate in the atmosphere ; whilst if the garden be situated on 
high or sloping ground, a screen of greater density will be essential. 
To promote a healthy vegetation, and abundance of bloom, a flower-garden 
should decidedly have an aspect laying well towards the sun. Most border plants, 
when not confined at the root, require as much light as possible, especially as the 
autumn approaches. But there are some exceptions : for instance, the lovely 
little Nemophila insignis revels in a partially shaded spot. With regard to the 
exposure to the light, there are some particulars in the after-management of the 
plants in the open air which deserve attention. We allude chiefly to the usually 
crowded state of the shoots of many kinds, during the latter months of summer, 
whereby the leaves are prevented from receiving their full share of solar influ- 
ence ; as, for example, the whole race of Pelargonia. If a little timely pruning, 
and occasional thinning out were adopted, not only would the appearance of the 
bed be improved, but the quantity of flowers would be increased, and their colour 
improved. Other plants, again, require stopping back, to keep them from 
struggling too far, and to further the development of lateral shoots ; and with 
others, as the Phloxes and some species of Salvia, the same ends will be answered 
by fastening the shoots to the ground with small pegs. 
It will be seen, that throughout the present article we have expressly had in 
view that portion of the pleasure-ground especially styled the flower-garden, and 
devoted almost entirely to the culture of half-hardy plants in beds, each containing 
a single kind. Many of the points inculcated are applicable, either wholly, or to 
a partial extent, to other departments ; and some of the plants which unavoidably 
come under the general description here given, may require some modification in 
the management ; but these are comparatively few in number, and do not affect 
the general question. 
REVIEW. 
Practical hints on the culture and general management of Alpine or Rock plants. By James 
Lothian. W. H. Ltzars, Edinburgh. 
Not long ago we endeavoured to draw the attention of our readers to a little-valued, but 
very interesting, class of plants— Lichens and Mosses. The minuteness of the majority, and 
the singularity of many (such as the Nidularia campanulata), of these plants, together with the 
rich appearance of some of them when growing in large patches, render them well worth care 
and culture, wherever there is an appropriate situation for them. But they have no richly 
coloured flowers to allure and dazzle the eye. The little book before us treats upon another set 
of generally minute plants, exhibiting flowers of all hues, and various forms. Perhaps some of 
our readers will find such plants more interesting. Certainly there is something extremely 
pleasing in their dwarf habit and diminutive proportions ; and the elegance and delicacy of their 
several parts will well repay the closest scrutiny. These properties suit them for some detached 
plot, where planted by themselves, they may form a kind of fairy garden. From the greater 
number being naturally found growing in mountainous or alpine situations, they receive the 
common name of Alpines. Many of them are indigenous to our own island, but as they are 
