CHAPTER II 
FLOWER BEDS AND BORDERS 
Along these blushing borders, bright with dew, 
And in yon mingled wilderness of flowers, 
Fair-handed spring unbosoms every grace. 
Infinite numbers, delicacies, smells, 
With hues on hues expression cannot paint, 
The breath of nature and her endless bloom, 
Thomson 
H AVING in the previous chapter described the formation of a garden, 
it naturally follows that the present one should be devoted to saying 
something on the subject of its decoration. As already remarked, taste in 
the matter of gardening has changed considerably, not only in the style of 
laying out a garden, but in its decoration also. At one time it used to be 
the fashion to have the portion of lawn immediately contiguous to the house 
occupied with numerous beds of fanciful patterns. Sometimes these beds 
were on the level lawns; in others, sunk panel-like a few feet below the 
surface, with edgings of box, and paths of various coloured gravel, spar, or 
bricks. And then they were planted in summer with gaudy flowers or plants, 
arranged in geometrical patterns so as to resemble an intricately designed 
carpet or rug, rather than a flower bed. The flowers and plants used in 
these beds were not allowed to grow of their own sweet will. Oh, no ; that 
would spoil the effect of the designs ! Finger and thumb, scissors and knife, 
had to be called into requisition frequently to keep their growth within the 
desired bounds. Not content with this artificiality, the devotees of this style 
went a step further, and had hideous pyramids of geraniums dotted about at 
regular intervals on the lawns and circular mounds, with one or two tiers, 
