FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 
247 
Considering such flowers as the finishing decorations of a 
home, as accessory embellishments rather than principal features, 
it is desired to suggest the places where they may be put with the 
best effect rather than to give descriptions of even a small number 
of their almost innumerable variety. The immense collections of 
our leading seedsmen, and their beautifully illustrated catalogues, 
give a bewildering sense of the folly of attempting to know, much 
less to grow, a hundredth part of those which are reputed desira¬ 
ble ; and they also force upon us the wise reflection that the good 
growth and skilful arrangement of a few species only, will produce 
effects quite as pleasing as can be attained with the greatest 
variety. 
Annuals, perennials, and bedding plants are used in three 
tolerably distinct modes, viz. : First, in narrow beds bordering a 
straight walk to a main entrance, or,skirting the main walk of a 
kitchen-garden. Second, in a variety of beds of more or less 
symmetrical patterns, grouped to form a flower-garden or parterre, 
to be an object of interest independent of its surroundings. 
Third, as adjuncts and embellishments of a lawn, of groups of 
shrubs, of walks and window views, to be planted with reference to 
their effect in connection with other things. 
On large and expensively kept grounds all these styles may be 
maintained in appropriate places respectively. But on small 
lots the first or the last mode should be adopted, though some¬ 
times both may be desirable. 
The simplest and rudest mode of planting in the first style, is 
to border a walk closely with a continuous bed from two to four 
feet wide, filled with flowering plants of all sizes and shapes and 
periods of bloom,—here overhanging the walk with unkempt growth, 
like weeds, there leaving a broad barren spot where spring-flowers 
have bloomed and withered. Fortunately this mode is becoming 
less common, and the pretty setting of a margin of well-cut grass 
is better appreciated than formerly. 
Flower-beds cut in the grass have a more pleasing effect than 
when bordered by gravel-walks. When made as marginal embel¬ 
lishments of straight walks, they should rarely be cut nearer than 
two feet from the side of the walk if they are of much length 
