THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
199 
appears of a darker hue. As a general rule, it may be stated that large 
masses of black in trees are always productive of more effect than large 
masses of white; and the same rule will hold good in a great measure in 
the disposition of flowers. 
These remarks are intended chiefly to assist those who have little 
natural feeling or taste for colours. By bearing them in mind no great 
errors can ever he committed ; but to attain the most beautiful effects of 
mixture of colours in flowers, there must he a certain degree of natural 
taste for colours; or a considerable share of experience in working with 
them on paper, either in colouring landscape, or in drawing flowers. 
Harmony, whether in colours, sounds, or forms, is alike produced by the 
union of concords and discords on certain general principles, which are 
easily laid down, but the application of which, so as to produce superior 
effect, can only he attained by minds endowed by nature with taste and 
genius, and highly cultivated by art. 
ON RAISING VARIETIES OF THE AQUILEGIA VULGARIS. 
BY MR. GORNER. 
The common Columbine ( Aquilegia vulgaris) ought to he reckoned 
among those plants that add to the perfection and beauty of our gardens, 
and should therefore attract the attention of the florist. It is true that 
we are already in possession of so many indigenous and foreign plants, 
and have so many genera, species, and varieties, that the florist cannot 
pretend to cultivate even the most beautiful of them all; hut the charm 
of novelty might induce him to add to his collection by exerting himself 
to produce something new from nature, and thereby to enhance the enjoy¬ 
ment. The Columbine seems to me to be a plant peculiarly suited for 
this purpose, as its beautiful flowers appear at a time when we have but 
few to ornament our gardens, as the spring flowers are then over, and 
those of summer are not so far advanced as to fill up the empty spaces. 
A novelty, therefore, which pleases by its compensation and enrichment, 
ought not to be rejected, particularly the Columbine, as it and its numerous 
varieties are easily forced, and are so much adapted to ornament our 
flower-gardens, chambers, and greenhouses. 
The double variety of Aquilegia vulgaris , in a variety of colours, has 
long been known to us, from which A. vulgaris , var., a beautiful variety, 
has been obtained; also A. vulgaris corniculata and inversa, and others 
with double flowers. Our gardeners are also indebted to A. sibirica , 
