chap, viii.] THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 245 
true that we cannot associate the ideas of 
pleasure with anything that gives us very 
much trouble. The culture of flowers is 
exactly in the happy medium between what 
is too hard and what is too easy. There are 
difficulties in it, but they are such as may be 
readily surmounted; and the result at once 
gratifies our own sense of what is beautiful, 
and our pride at being the means of present¬ 
ing, so much that is worthy to be admired, 
to others. 
Laying out a Flower-Garden .—Very little 
need be said of the aspect of the flower- 
garden, as, in most cases, it depends on 
circumstances quite beyond the control of 
the cultivator of flowers: when, however, a 
situation can be chosen, the best is one open 
to the south or south-east, and sheltered on 
the north. It must be observed, however, 
in all situations, that flowers never do well 
under the shade of trees. Where no ground 
can be spared for a flower-garden but a spot 
surrounded by tall trees, it is better to give 
up at once the idea of growing flowers in it 
in beds, and to ornament it with rock-work, 
fountains, vases, statues, &c., interspersed 
