HINTS FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
233 
uere contemplation of the general effect and arrangement, from bestowing the 
roper consideration and attention on adapting them for the objects intended to be 
I iltivated in them ; forgetting that on this depends in a large measure the capacity 
) accomplish the general design of the whole. Yet such is actually the case. It 
'/ould be thought egregious folly in a mechanic contriving a piece of machinery 
>r a definite purpose, were he to attend only to the construction of its parts of the 
equired size and proportion, and to its outward adornment ; and to pay no regard 
) the materials of which it was formed, their suitability and durableness, or to 
roviding the springs and other minutise by which alone it could be set in motion, 
ad made capable of accomplishing the proposed end : and so it is with the flower- 
arden^ — unless the minor and individual arrangements are based upon the 
rinciples of cultivation, however specious and perfect the general design may 
'e, it is certain to be defeated or defective in its result. 
i In laying out a flower-garden, then, beyond the consideration and judgment 
'squired to preserve harmony with the general garden scene, and to render the 
i round most eligible for displaying its floral garnishments to the utmost advantage, 
is in an equal degree essential to provide those conditions which most contribute 
) the health and fertility of the plants. It ought not to be expected, though it 
ommonly is, that the gardener who has all the evils of previous mismanagement 
1 the construction of the flower-garden to contend with, should be able to compete 
1 the culture of plants with those to whom every facility is furnished to 
emedy the natural defects of the situation. The question then naturally arises, 
-what are the points to which attention is principally requisite ? And in 
rder to answer this we must first glance at a few circumstances connected 
nth the subject and essential to its elucidation. 
And first, by far the largest number of the plants used for the parterre at the 
resent day are natives of a much warmer and more equable climate than we have 
1 this country, and are correspondingly more liable to suffer injury from the 
udden variations to which they are exposed in the open garden. 
Keeping this before us, it will be evident that the first thing to wdiich it 
3 necessary to direct attention is the nature of the ground and locality in 
eference to w’armth and humidity. It is well-known that a wet soil is always 
cold one ; and on this account we should prefer (when choice is given), a gentle 
eclivity, rather than a dead level, as a site for the flower-garden, because of the 
reater facility which it affords for draining completely. This, however, cannot 
Iways be had ; nevertheless, it is an indispensable point to secure a situation 
ufficiently elevated to enable water to escape readily during long-continued rains. 
Jnless this can be done it is useless to attempt growing even the most ordinary 
lalf-hardy border plants, as no dependence wliatever can be placed on realising any 
access. 
But supposing a situation sufficiently elevated has been selected, it is essential 
Iso, to prevent the garden from receiving moisture from tlie springs in higher 
VOL. XII. NO. CXLII. 
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