tiie amateur’s flower garden. 11 
possible, and with such a forecast of possible future operations 
that none of the work shall have to be undone during the 
remainder of a lifetime. The system of drainage should be 
ample, and all the measures adopted to remove surplus water 
from the ground should have their counterparts in measures 
devised for putting water on when required. Thousands of 
people can show us bright flowers in summer time, in juxta¬ 
position with grass turf burnt to the semblance of a worn- 
out mat. Generally speaking, bedding plants require no 
water after they have had good nursing for a fortnight 
after being planted, and the time usually wasted in keeping 
them watered might be better employed in flooding the grass 
periodically during droughty weather, with the aid of flexible 
hose, connected with a supply adapted to the purpose. Yery 
much is thought of a south aspect, but for the enjoyment of a 
garden from the windows, a north aspect is invaluable. You 
look out during the whole of the forenoon on the sun-liglited 
garden, from a cool, shady room, and nine-tenths of all the 
flowers that occupy the view turn their faces towards the 
window; or, to speak more correctly, look southwards, and 
that practically is the same thing. Nor is it a small matter 
to have a shady piece of turf in immediate contiguity with 
the house, for conversation with friends, and for the games 
that are proper to the summer season. In arranging a garden 
with a view to the fullest development of its capabilities, it 
is well to remember that, as a rule, evergreen shrubs will 
thrive in partial shade, and a few of them in profound shade; 
that flowers, as a rule, need the fullest exposure to sunshine, 
though the exceptions to this rule are many, while grass turf 
will thrive in sun and shade, if nowhere heavily shaded, and 
may be employed to connect and harmonize all kinds of scenes, 
from the highly artistic to the extremely rustic. It is de¬ 
sirable that every garden should present a few distinct 
features, or at least one feature, to give it a character of its 
own. The owner must determine this matter by a considera¬ 
tion of the possibilities of the situation, the nature of the 
means at command, and the particular taste to be gratified. 
In respect of garden furniture, we can only find room in 
this chapter for reference to Edgings, and this subject we 
cannot pass, for trivial as it may seem, it is a source of much 
trouble and vexation. In open breezy places, dwarf box 
makes the best edging in the world, and the cheapest in the 
end, no matter what its cost in the first instance. If a green 
