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HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
duced by planting certain kinds of trees in masses, instead of mixing them in a manner which becomes 
monotonous through excess of variety, and which meets with no countenance in natural forests, since in 
them trees grow in masses of one kind, from the adaptation of the different kinds of trees to different 
soils and climates. In the flower-garden on gravel, contrast, in as far as the design of the beds is 
concerned, is produced by placing large and small alternately or in groups. In the flower-garden on 
grass, the same effect is aimed at by clustering the beds near the walks, and leaving a breadth of grass 
unbroken by a single bed, or even by a solitary standard rose. In planting the flower-garden, contrast 
is produced in two main ways, the one botanical and the other dependent on the effect of colour. The 
first consists in planting shrubs and flowers in separate beds, and thus keeping ligneous plants entirely 
distinct from those of a herbaceous nature. The second way has been fashionable for some years. On 
its first introduction, the lovers of the promiscuous mode of planting defended that mode on the ground 
that the beauties of a flower should be judged of by inspecting that .flower individually, and not in 
relation to others. Such objections, however, were soon overcome, and the plan of planting beds with 
flowers of one kind, and of thus producing contrast by separate masses of colour, so arranged as that 
two adjacent colours should be entirely distinct in their nature, soon found many advocates and prac- 
tises. Perhaps, however, its recent wide prevalence may have been partly the result of a desire on 
the part of flower cultivators to be " fashionable ; " and if this has been the case, the system must 
be regarded, to a certain extent, as lacking in permanence, for experience testifies that there is no 
stability in the laws of fashion. It is of importance, therefore, that there should be a searching after 
first principles in this as in other matters. A labyrinthine maze of beauty may be formed by an 
indiscriminate mixture of flowers and shrubs, beds, gravel, and grass ; but no high degree of art would be 
exhibited in such a scene. A flower-garden in the massing system is highly artistical, while at the 
same time it receives countenance from nature ; for who has not admired the effect of a bank of 
cowslips, a mountain-side covered with heather, a grassy glade enlivened by a group of the early 
orchis, a brae-side yellow with the blossom of the broom, or an expanse of moorland adorned by the 
whin? Everywhere around us the beauties of nature are heightened by contrast; and it would there- 
fore be an insufficient reason for giving up the system of planting flowers in masses because it had 
become unfashionable. There will be no permanency hi the art of ornamental gardening while fashion 
is allowed to hold sway within the bounds of the garden or park. 
HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
February 18. — On this occasion a small plant of Rondeletia thyrsiflora, a veiy promising Ixora- 
like stove plant, with deep rose-coloured flowers, was exhibited by Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith. A 
larger plant of the same, with a neatly-grown Centradenia fioribunda, was sent by Mr. Gaines, of 
Battersea. Mr. Cole, gardener to H. Colyer, Esq., had a young plant of Allamanda neriifolia, which 
has lanceolate-acuminate leaves, arranged mostly in whorls of five, and bears terminal cymes of 
several yellow flowers, which, however, at this season, proved less attractive than those of species 
usually seen in cultivation ; the plant appears to have a stiffer and more shrubby habit ; and it is 
expected that, when bloomed in summer, it will prove much more showy. Two seedling Epacrises of 
some merit, came from Mr. Ivinghorn, gardener to the Earl of Kilmorey ; they were grandiflora 
rubra, and Kinghornii, and to the habit of grandiflora added, in the former case, much deeper 
crimson flowers with the white tips, and in the latter, flowers of a light rose-colour, with white tips ; 
they were both bred from miniata. Mrs. Lawrence sent a nicely-bloomed plant of Cypripedium 
caudatum, and several other orchids, together with cut blooms of a splendid Heliconia, named brasi- 
liensis, but apparently some other species ; its rich crimson bracts and pure white flowers rendered it 
very attractive. Mr. Ingram, gardener to her Majesty, sent a magnificent mass of Begonia manicata ; 
spoiled, however, in the transit, which this species will not bear. A fine tree of Camellia tricolor, one 
of the most showy of this family, was sent by Mr. Hamp, gardener to J. Thorn, Esq., of South 
Lambeth. Among the plants from the Society's garden were Aeacia ixiophylla, a useful small kind 
for pot culture, and the too-little known plaited-leaved Snowdrop, Galanthus plieatus. Of fruits and 
vegetables, there were — from Mr. Fleming, well-preserved white Tokay grapes, with a dish of 
Muscats ; and Cannon Hall Muscats were sent by Mr. Butcher, gardener to W. Leaf, Esq., of 
Streatham. Messrs. Rcndle and Co., of Plymouth, sent some Brocoli, called Penzance, which was, 
no doubt, Adams's early white, finely developed in a Devonshire climate ; and from the Society's 
garden were samples of the yellow Finland turnip, a small firm-rooted sort, apparently possessing 
little merit ; variegated kale, more ornamental than useful ; and Corn Salad, an old-fashioned salad 
herb, now coming again partially into use. 
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