180 
ECONOMY IN FLORICULTURE. 
autumn with a layer of decayed leaves, which, after the winter, is lightly pointed 
into the soil. A noble example of this practice was given in the great Azalea bed 
at Claremont Gardens ; this we witnessed in 1836, and beautiful were the effects. 
Chemically considered, there is a greater volume of convertible elements in fine 
leaf- mould than exists in any heath soil. It never binds, and yet retains a 
sufficiency of water. Iron is always present, sometimes alumine to a small 
extent ; and, in the earth of beech leaves, some chalk, which might be objection- 
able with the heaths and hair-rooted shrubs. Upon every consideration, it appears 
more than probable that if change of tint, to a greater or less extent, is to be 
produced in flowers, it will be effected by the discriminating application of the 
earth of tree-leaves, reduced more or less by decay in masses, and modified under 
the guidance of experience, by one or more of the staple earths. With siliceous 
white sand alone, it might, we believe, be rendered a complete substitute for any 
kind of bog or heath mould. 
ECONOMY IN FLORICULTURE. 
Economy is the very soul of good gardening ; and comparatively little merit 
attaches to any productions that have not been economically cultivated. In small 
gardens, the manager is generally compelled to practise it ; and in those of larger 
dimensions, it ought to be rigidly adhered to, because useless extravagance, though 
nowhere tolerable, is least so where it represses industry and ingenuity. 
In two systems of treatment, then, of any kind, that are calculated to attain 
the same object, that which does it at the least expense, if it do it as effectually as 
the other, is unquestionably to be chosen. This will hold good as a maxim of 
some importance, though apparently trite ; for, however unanimous cultivators 
might be in admitting its correctness theoretically, many of them shrink with 
apprehension from the mere mention of cheap plans, on account of the very 
inaccurate notions that are current regarding what economy really is. 
Some persons, unaccustomed to reflection on any subject, consider that must be 
the cheapest method which accomplishes an object with the least outlay in the first 
instance. And it is this perverted use of the word " cheap," which makes the 
more calculating grower cautious when he hears it employed. Others, again, 
deem that system the most economical in which the least cash is expended, without 
reckoning the cost of increased labour. And a third party account that plan the 
most saving in which the least money and labour are required, if it fulfil the desired 
end only indifferently. 
All these classes err seriously in their estimate of economy, which term applies 
solely to a course of treatment that, throughout its entire progress, shall cost the 
