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"UW DOMESTIC GARDENING. 171 
cS manner of ways, can beat those in pots always, by taking- plants from the borders. The diminutive plants y 
we have seen shown, look like caricatm'es of the flower ; and, we confess, that we could hardly believe ; 
oui- own eyes when we have seen such pigmj' growth rewarded with a prize ; nor can we admit the I 
justice of an award that recognises the right of a flagging- plant to a distmction of any sort. Such 
specimens give us a very poor notion of their growth in general. The pottiug up system will be found 
the best for all that, unless they are grown in small Cai-natiou pots. 
DOMESTIC GARDENING.— Classipication of Cultivated Plants. 
By JUk. J. SPENCEE, C.JI.H.S., Gardener to the Marquis of Lansdowne, Bowood. 
fOTHING presents so sui-e an index of the comparative prosperity of the middle classes, and the 
more refined nature of theii- pursuits, than the interest felt b3' those for whom these jiapers are 
more especially intended, in all that relates to the cultivation of then" gardens, and the great thu-st 
which exists for information respecting their management. Nor, need we be siu-prised that such is the 
case, if we consider that of the many recreations affording us enjoyment, a love of gardening appears 
to be the only one which may be indulged iii, without causing any sacrifice of feelings, even to the 
most sensitive minds ; and we generally find the attachment for gai'dening and rural aflau-s increases 
with advancing years, and is reKuquished only with hfe. What other occu.pation or recreation 
embraces so wide a sphere of thought and contemplation as the one whose humble advocate we are : 
pleasing us, as an old author admu-ably vsu-ites, " Dehctando pariterque monendo" 
Before proceeding with plans explaining what I conceive to be proper structures for growing- 
exotic plants, &c., I beg to digress somewhat, for the purpose of arresting the reader's attention, 
while I briefly explain the laws wliich govern and regulate vegetable life ; for it is necessary that 
the principles on which vegetable life depend should be comprehended before anything like an attempt 
at cultivation, property so called, be made.* The domestic gardener must understand, that although 
speaking in general terms, cultivated plants are subject to the same set of laws which prevail generally 
in the Vegetable Kingdom ; yet a broad difference in successful cultivation will be found to exist be- 
tween plants included in the several classes here proposed, which I hope will form some guide in 
subsequently attempting their cultivation. 
Class 1. Di-yision 1. — Plants groivn for their leaves or stems only, as the Cabbage, Celery, Spinach, Lettuce, 
Ehubarb, Asparagus, &c. 
,, ,, 2. — Plants grown for their embryo oriim-ipe fruit, as the Cauliflower, Broeoli, Bean, Pea, French 
Bean, Cucumber, &c. 
Class 2. Division 1. — Plants grown for then- roots onlj^, as the Potato, Carrot, Ttu-uip, Radish, &c. 
,, ,, 2. — Onion, Shallot. 
Class 3. Plants grown for their ripe fruit only, as the Grape-vine, Peach, Apple, Pear, Easpben-y, Melon, &c. 
Class 4. Division 1. — Plants (soft-'n'ooded) grown for flowering specimens, as the Pelargonium, Cineraria, 
Calceolaria, Fuchsia, Pot Eoses, &c. 
„ „ 2. — Plants (hard-'wooded) gro^Ti for flowering specimens, as the Heath and Epaeris tribes, and 
most N"ew Holland Plants. 
,, ,, 3. — Intermediate Plants groM-n as flowering specimens, or for the beauty of their foHage or 
habit, as the Orange, Camellia, and many stove plants. 
Class 5. Plants grown for their individual flowers, as the DaUia, Tulip, Carnation, Eose, &c. 
Class 6. Plants grown to ornament borders, beds, vases, &c., as herbaceous and hardy bulbous plants, Verbenas 
and sununor flowering plants in general. 
It -will be at once conceded that principles, difiering greatly "with each other, are involved in the 
cultivation of the above classes, which, though in some respects imperfect, will help to LLlustrate the 
view I take, in reference to forming plants, requiring something like a similar com-se of treatment, 
into distinct classes, which, when once comprehended, will materially assist the non-professional 
gardener, in proceeding on a correct basis. There are few gai'dens even of the most moderate preten- 
sions, which do not embrace several of these classes, each requu-ing a difference in their management, 
which can only be attained by long- practice, and a considerable knowledge of vegetable physiology. 
Need we wonder then, that where the commonest ideas on these subjects are wanting, gross blunders 
are daily being- committed, winch the slightest acquaintance with the general habits of each class 
would have modified if not entu-ely prevented. 
* As a series of very able articles on yegetable Physiology is being pubUslied in tbese irages, I beg the reader carefully to 
the papers in question. 
