JUNE. 
177 
May, that we are wrong in attributing the review of Dr. Lindley’s 
“Theory of Horticulture ”to Professor Balfour. We hasten, thereforej 
to correct this statement, made in our first article. Our impression 
that such was the case was formed through a conversation when last 
in Edinburgh with our northern friend just as the notice of these articles 
came out, that the learned Professor of Botany in the Edinburgh 
University was to write them. We confess to not having read Dr. 
Balfour as we ought to have done—a duty we promise ourselves when¬ 
ever leisure time permits us. In the meantime it is gratifying to 
know that our own humble opinion on this subject coincides with that 
of so good an authority as Dr. Balfour. 
Our observations have been collected ^ more from nature than from 
books, and any future remarks we rriay make on this important 
subject will have reference to the elucidation of the truth, as brought 
under our notice through the evidence of facts known to ourselves. 
SPRING FLOWER GARDENING AT CLIVEDEN. 
We question if sufficient attention is yet paid to the importance of a 
supply of flowers in the open air, during the early spring months, 
previous to “bedding out” for the summer season. No one can deny 
that from November until June, unless some effort is made in the 
direction of winter or spring decoration, the beds of a flower garden 
wear a very cheerless aspect; and as in most cases the beds are in 
close approximation to the house, it really becomes a question worthy of 
due consideration, if more attention should not be paid to the subject. 
Some may argue that such a system entails additional expenses, and is 
therefore objectionable; but if preparation is made beforehand, the 
expense and trouble become really light. So much can be done with 
common inexpensive plants, such as Wallflowers—sown in the previous 
summer. Pansies struck from cuttings during the past season. Tulips of 
sorts, yellow Alyssum and blue Forget-me-not, both of which are 
easily increased, that the difficulty soon becomes lessened. The truth 
is, the plan can be easily and cheaply carried out, if a system is 
adopted. 
We have recently visited Cliveden, and were much pleased with the 
gay appearance of the flower garden; and we find that Mr. Fleming 
has for some time past adopted the plan of having a display of flowers 
in early spring, previous to planting out his usual stock of bedding plants 
for the summer. The display of bloom and the arrangement of colours 
were admirable, and most effective when viewed from the terrace of the 
house. In the terrace garden a broad ribbon border was planted thus : 
—The first belt was yellow Pansies ; the second belt consisted of blue 
Pansies ; the third of white Alyssum; the fourth of blue Myosotis ; 
the fifth of Anemones and Tulips; the sixth of Wallflowers; and the 
seventh of Honesty, in both the red and white varieties. This border 
had a telling effect from the terrace, and the arrangement can easily be 
modified, so as to admit of its being worked out on a smaller scale. 
VOL. X., NO. CXIV. N 
