364 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
extend this paper to an undue length; but the subject itself is 
extremely interesting, and the particular topic discussed is a most 
important matter. Attention is beginning to be directed throughout 
the country to the desirability and necessity of providing public 
parks for the recreation of the people, and in some of the cities 
and towns of Scotland these have already been laid out and planted, 
and are highly ornamental and much appreciated. I need not say 
how much the inhabitants of Edinburgh esteem their public parks 
and gardens, or how much these conduce to the embellishment and 
beauty of their otherwise magnificent city. But the grounds around 
Holyrood Palace, including Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat, pre- 
sent views of romantic interest and loveliness unsurpassed by any 
royal demesne in Europe ; and their picturesque effect would be 
immensely increased by some such planting as I have now sketched. 
With her numerous and efiBcient educational and literary institutions, 
why should the “ Modern Athens ” not also have her “ groves of the 
Academy,” to which the sons of learning and science might con- 
veniently retire and find soothing i-elaxation in the intervals of 
their severe studies ? — 
Where rears the ash his airy crest. 
And shines the birch in silver vest, 
And the beech in glistening leaves is drest. 
While dark between shows the oak’s proud breast, 
Like a chieftain’s frowning tower. 
And surely for the tourist no greater attraction could be added to 
the many already abounding in the city and its suburbs than the 
grateful shelter which might be afforded by the sweet sylvan retreats 
around the famous Palace of Holyrood. Coming to inspect the 
stately structure and its historical curiosities, he might also mark 
What time in many-coloured bowers. 
Pale autumn wreaths the latest, loveliest flowers ; 
The rich luxuriance mark of every view, 
The mild and modest tint, the splendid hue, 
The tempered harmony of various shades ! 
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM AS A CONSERVATORY 
ELOWER. 
HE cultivation of the Chrysanthemum has, within the 
last few years, been widely extended, and in November 
it is by no means unusual to meet with splendid displays 
of this noble autumnal flower in gardens, in which, a 
few years since, a few plants of the most inferior of the 
pompone varieties were alone to be found ; notwithstanding this 
fact, it cannot be said that the Chrysanthemum as a conservatory 
flower is appreciated to the extent it should be. Its grandeur is 
unquestioned, and in its season it has no competitor, for there is 
scarcely anything to be seen in the way of floral beauty at the same 
time of year, for such things as we find in bloom are either past 
