260 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
C November, 
features, will tlius be altogether avoided. Thus Lilies dotted through thickets of 
Ehododendrons will not only have a better appearance than isolated masses, but 
as they pass out of flower they will not be noticed as eyesores, as they would be 
in unrelieved tufts in the borders ; and, moreover, the soil for the Ehododendrons 
would be exactly what would suit them, and further their development. In 
this way great numbers of choice hardy flowers could be better accommodated than 
in any mixed border, while a constant variety would be springing up to vary and 
beautify the scene. Then there are the charming Spring Bulbs, subjects of ex¬ 
quisite beauty, and as yet not half utilized. Shrubbery walks and grassy glades 
not too frequently mown are just the places where these, such as Snowdrop, 
Crocus, Scilla, Anemone, and even Narcissus, can be introduced with good effect. 
In gardening of this sort, nearly all the trouble would be over with the first 
planting, and labour and skill could be successively devoted to other parts of the 
grounds., All that the covered borders would require would be an occasional 
weeding or thinning, &c., and perhaps, in the case of the more select spots, a 
little top-dressing with fine soil. Here and there, between and amongst the 
plants, such things as Forget-Me-Nots and Violets, Snowdrops and Primroses, 
might be scattered about so as to lend the borders a floral interest even at the 
dullest seasons ; and thus we should be delivered from digging and dreariness, 
and see our ugly borders alive with exquisite plants. The chief rule should be 
never to show the naked earth ; carpet or clothe it with'dwarf subjects, and then 
allow the taller ones to rise in their own wild way through the turf or spray. 
Having thus explained what he means by a wild garden, Mr. Eobinson pro¬ 
ceeds to give in Part II., under their natural families, a descriptive enumeration 
of hardy exotic plants, suitable for naturalization in the situations alluded to ; 
while in Part III. he gives selections of plants for naturalization in various posi¬ 
tions ; and in different soils—one of the most practically useful sections of the book. 
Part IV. is devoted to the British Garden of Wild Flowers, and consists of a 
gossipy run through the British Flora, indicating the plants most suitable for the 
purpose. 
As an attempt to impart a higher tone to our flower and pleasure gardens by 
discountenancing to some extent the vulgar craving for mere colour effect, and 
by stimulating the cultivator to place a higher value upon beauty of form, upon 
happy association, and even upon the beauty of simplicity, this effort of the 
author well deserves our commendation.—T. M. 
NOVELTIES, Etc., AT FLOWEE SHOWS. 
HEEE is no lack of interest about the meetings of the Eoyal Horticultural 
Society, and the doings of the Floral Committee, notwithstanding that 
winter is rapidly advancing. The weather has been fine and open, and 
consequently the blooming time for plants has been prolonged beyond the 
usual limits. The meeting of the Committee pn September 21 brought together 
