44 
FLOWER BORDERS. 
production of flowers, it may be left to work its own remedy, 
and, as in all probability there are ninety-nine of those cases in 
which the starving system is followed to one of its opposite, we 
may regard the latter as not requiring especial reference. 
But, that flower borders require at least an annual renewal, 
I think no one who has taken the pains to observe for himself 
will for a moment deny. Generally, these places are filled through 
the summer as thickly as it is possible to place the plants, and 
not one crop alone, but three or four are grown upon the same 
ground in the course of the season. How, then, can it be 
reasonably expected to continue the reproduction under such 
an exhausting system, if not assisted with manure in a liberal 
manner ? 
If we compare it with the kitchen garden how different we find 
the treatment; true, there is a difference in the crops, though 
perhaps not so.much in their exhausting qualities as may at first 
sight be supposed, if the plants in the culinary department are 
on the whole larger in their several parts, those in the other part 
of the garden are placed more closely together, and where the 
flower garden is cultivated as it should be, there is not even so 
much rest allowed it as falls to the share of its neighbour. So 
forcibly has this mode of viewing the case impressed itself on my 
attention, that for some years past I have been in the habit of 
renovating the earth of my flower beds at every opportunity 
afforded by their becoming vacant. I apply manure in about the 
same state and quantity as for vegetables, through the autumn and 
winter, and in summer, on the removal of any set of plants, the 
ground receives a heavy dressing of leaf-mould before the next 
occupants are placed in it; no part is allowed to go undrained 
that requires it, and in many places they are rather thickly placed, 
yet have I far less trouble in the after-management of the plants 
than was the case previous to the adoption of the present mode : 
even through the past trying summer, watering was but little 
wanted, and except among recently transplanted subjects was 
very seldom applied; the roots of established individuals were 
able to extend themselves among the rich moist earth beneath 
them, and consequently had always an abundant supply. 
The varieties of the ten-week stock are great favorites here, and 
