228 
SHRUBS FITTED FOR PLANTING IN BEDS. 
to vegetation. Essentially as a base, both are the same ; but rain-water contains 
a very minute quantity of atmospheric ammonia ; pond or river water abounds 
more or less with animal and vegetable substances ; and the water of wells or 
springs, which alone can be justly considered hard^ holds in solution certain 
quantities of lime^ either in the state of a sulphate or carbonate ; and these mineral 
substances decompose and curdle soap. 
We know one nurseryman, who has only hard- water at general command, and 
yet he grows beautiful plants, and in high condition. Pond-water, which, strictly 
speaking, is the result of rain, filtered through the adjoining meadows, is on all 
accounts, perhaps, the best fluid that can be employed by the gardener ; but the 
fact is that hard-water^ when poured upon soil, is partially decomposed, and the 
lime, or salts of lime, are deposited. Thus we have even observed the soil of a pot 
become to appearance a mass of mere rust, by watering it for weeks with a 
solution of salt of iron ; therefore it appears probable that the mischief from hard- 
water is more imaginary than real ; and that, if such water were exposed in wide 
cisterns, or what is better, in clay-bottomed tanks, for some days, it might be 
employed with advantage. A few grains of carbonate of ammonia will tend to 
soften a great quantity of water ; but all chemical salts should be used with 
caution, as experiments only ; and if we are expected to acquire knowledge from 
experiment, the results should be attentively observed, and noted. As yet, all 
our establishments are conducted upon a principle of routine ; hence the confusion 
which prevails, and the perplexity that attends empirical practice. We observe 
effects little, and know still less of causes. 
SHRUBS FITTED FOR PLANTING IN BEDS. 
Our last paper on this subject (p. 204) occupied the attention of our readers 
with a consideration of the propriety of planting shrubs in beds, the situations in 
which these should be placed, their form, and the preparation of the soil for the 
diiBferent objects that are to fill them. Now we are to speak of the kinds of shrubs 
most suitable for the purpose, and the treatment of any portion of them that may 
require peculiar culture. 
We shall first refer to those very dwarf sorts of shrubs which assimilate most 
to herbaceous plants, and may most readily be substituted for them. The different 
dwarf hardy Heaths, which are so easily cultivated, and produce their beautiful 
flowers for so long a period, remaining interesting even when deprived of blossoms, 
are singularly engaging objects in beds. They may be planted so as to compose 
a thicket, in the wildest parts of the pleasure-grounds ; and for such purposes, the 
native and common species should be chosen, and only one sort be placed in a 
patch ; or the better kinds can be brought together in larger groups, and put three 
