180 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREATMENT OF 
disadvantage, from a mistaken idea of its character, or ignorance and negligence 
in providing it with the situation most appropriate to it. 
With some plants, this carelessness and indifference in management produces 
little deterioration in beauty, as they readily develop themselves independent of 
the culturist, and are scarcely improved by his most assiduous attentions ; others, 
however, when neglected, are little more than weeds, and yet assume an ornamental 
character of no mean pretensions, when favoured with suitable management. 
Amongst Lupines, we find species of both these classes. The old L. poly- 
phyllus^ so universally known and extensively diffused throughout the country, 
even amongst the gardens of cottagers, where it frequently forms one of the 
gayest and most alluring ornaments, requires little attention to induce it to assume 
its utmost degree of loveliness ; indeed, the full force of the cultivator*s skill 
makes little impression upon it. The same remark will apply with equal propriety 
to L. grandifolius^ and several other similar species, all of which, planted in a 
common garden soil, need little further attention ; and the only way in which 
their effect can be improved is in the arrangement — when they are considered 
as a feature of an extensive design, and not as an abstracted object. 
With L. miitahilis, CruickskanMi, and some others, the case is different. These 
species need some peculiarities in their treatment, especially in the early part of 
the season ; but as they are seldom seen invested with the loveliness and luxuriance 
of which they are capable, they rarely excite much solicitude regarding them. 
Most of the specimens seen in gardens consist of a single stem, weak and crooked, 
usually not more than a foot or eighteen inches high, and rarely adorned with 
more than one or two puny spikes of blossom. 
When rightly treated, however, they form trees six or seven feet high, with 
beautiful branching heads of the most complete symmetry, beset with numerous 
spikes of various-coloured flowers, in which a light blue preponderates, peeping 
from amongst the many-cleft leaves, and forming conspicuous and engaging 
objects, especially if favourable situations are selected for exhibiting their elegant 
proportions. 
Much of the pleasing effects of plants depends on their tasteful and judicious 
arrangement. Our object in the present remarks, therefore, will be to point out 
some of the most eligible methods of disposing the different species, and to subjoin 
a few observations on their culture. 
The greater part of the genus, which consists of the herbaceous and annual 
species, in most cases produce the best effect when planted in masses, either 
of single species, or of two or three mingled together. In the latter case, 
only those species should be aggregated that harmonize well together, exhi- 
biting no harsh contrast in form of growth, or unmeaning irregularity in the 
different heights they individually attain. A group planted in an open con- 
spicuous part of an extensive rockwork, or on the sides of a rough uneven 
bank, has a beautiful appearance. Broad patches, planted at distant intervals 
