FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLOWER GARDENS. 
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FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLOWER GARDENS. 
Bv a flower garden, as distinguished from 
what is called pleasure ground, is undei'stood 
a detached spot, occupied entirely by beds of 
flowers, intersected by gravel walks, or walks 
formed of turf, kept closely cut, and some- 
times a mixture of the two. The latter plan 
is preferable when it can be accomplished, 
because most available for all seasons. 
Flower Gardens of this class, usually are, 
or should be entirely detached from other 
scenery, by hedges, plantations of dwarf shrubs, 
or other appropriate living fences. They 
therefore should consist of three parts : — the 
boundary fence, the walks, and the flower 
beds. 
General Preparation. — In regard to the 
general preparation of the ground, the flower 
garden requires the same kind of attention as 
any other department. Thorough drainage is 
essential as a preliminary : next the ameliora- 
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tion or improvement of the staple of the soil, 
assimilating it as nearly as possible with what 
are called free sandy loams ; and then the 
disposal of the surface into beds of various 
forms suitable for the intended purpose, each 
of which should appear appropriate and pleas- 
ing in itself, and still more so, as forming 
part of the whole. The series of beds form- 
ing a flower garden of this kind, should 
always form a regular and connected design, 
and above every other consideration, they 
should not be crowded too near each other. 
The surface of a flower garden may often 
be varied with good effect : thus, instead of 
being level, it may form a slope, or a series of 
steps or terraces ; or, if large enough, the 
ground may all slope towards the centre, by 
which the whole of the beds can be better 
seen than under any other arrangement. 
Laying out. — It is necessary to provide 
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