THE AMATEUR’S FLOWER GARDEN. 
85 
bilities and difficulties. In all well-kept gardens, the parterre 
should be planted at least twice a year, namely, in May for 
the summer display, and in October for the spring display. 
The employment of chrysanthemums for autumn, and ever¬ 
green shrubs for winter, demands much space, makes much 
labour, and needs very nice management, whether the system 
of planting or plunging be resorted to for the sake of con¬ 
tinuous enjoyment of “a gay garden.” Considering a dis¬ 
play of spring flowers to be absolutely necessary, it will bo 
proper to offer a few practical remarks on the course to bo 
pursued by those who would secure it at the least possible 
cost, and with the best possible result. Having disposed of 
that part of the subject, the summer display will demand 
attention. 
The most useful materials for a display of spring flowers 
are to be found amongst the hardy bulbs. The kinds on 
which we must chiefly depend for the principal effects out of 
doors are the crocus, snowdrop, tulip, and hyacinth. Where* 
required to be used in large quantities these may be had in 
distinct and striking colours, and of good quality, at very 
cheap rates. It is most important for people who really wish 
to do the best with their gardens, to know that a show of 
spring flowers does not necessitate extravagant outlay ; for 
though we may spend five-and-twenty pounds upon a single 
tulip, and five pounds more to grow it properly, as good an 
effect may be produced, if the embellishment of the garden 
is all that is required, by a bulb costing one penny, and an 
additional farthing for the expense of cultivation, inclusive of 
labour, manure, and rent. Nevertheless, there is a popular 
dread of bulbs for use on a large scale as ruinously expensive. 
There is also another difficulty, and that is, that gardeners 
wish to deal with them as with summer bedders. The latter 
they dispose so that all shall be in bloom at the same time, 
and they want to do the same with a collection of bulbs, but 
Nature is against them. It is a very easy matter indeed to 
plant the several sorts of bulbs so that their blooming at 
different times is a positive advantage, whether in continuous 
borders or in beds that constitute groups all under the eye 
at the same time. For instance, in a geometrical garden 
laid out on a lawn within view of the drawing-room windows, 
all the beds that correspond with each other in the pattern 
can be planted with the same kinds of bulbs, so that when. 
