131 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[May 30. 
dening, and the beauty is much increased by being extended, 
I hope the annexed one will not be censured for being small, 
as I expressly made it so in order to meet the case of such a 
one as X. Y. Z —it numbering the same quantity of beds as 
his, exclusive of the centre one, which I believe, in his case, 
was a fountain. It may, therefore, be regarded as one of a 
set of rivals to X. Y. Z.'s figure, of which I could easily 
contrive many others, but hope some one else will do so, 
being of opinion that for a limited piece of ground there is 
no method so well adapted for a floral display in summer, or 
an interesting appearance in winter, as Dutch or geometrical 
plans of which this is only a limited sketch, capable of being 
varied in many ways. Even the largest plans are not (I 
think) complete without something of the sort. I imagine 
an arrangement of 50 or 100 beds in various tastelul figures, 
bordered” with box, and walks of uniform width between, 
placed in such a situation as to be seen from an elevated 
position, as a terrace, balcony, up-stair window, or any place 
where the whole figure at once can be distinctly seen, and it 
need hardly be asked what opinion will be given. Tine, 
there are some who aspire to what they call a close attention 
to Nature, who despise everything in which symmetry forms 
a part ; but even these are rapidly becoming converts to the 
opinion which makes a pleasure-ground picturesque in the 
true sense of the word, and not grotesque, as the attempts to 
imitate a forest or extended landscape on less than an acre 
of ground too truly imply. 
Whilst on this subject, I will make a few remarks on what, 
I think, ought never‘to be lost sight of in this description of 
gardening. When a good view from above cannot be obtained, 
and one °nearly horizontal must serve, never allow much in¬ 
tricacy in the figures, for although it may look very pretty on 
paper, you will find, when it is laid out and planted, the beauty 
of the outline will be lost; and, what is worse, the points of 
beds that may seem jutting into their neighbours, will appear 
as forming part of such, and thus a confused mass of flowers 
will present themselves instead of clearness and distinction. 
I beg to put particular stress on this point; but, where the 
principal view is from an eminence, where the whole of the 
internal walks, and the beds when in flower, can be distinctly 
seen, then you can exercise your own taste in the matter. 
Ever bear in mind, however, that walks ought in all cases to 
be of uniform width, which puts a task on your ingenuity, in i 
order to get the various ornamental figures you wish to in¬ 
troduce fit into each other. 
It may be proper to add, that grass need not be totally 
banished from this kind of gardening ; a circular centre-piece 
of turf, with a vase, sun-dial, or piece of sculpture on it, 
looks very well; as also does a broad margin, say four feet 
wide, surrounding the whole, and dotted in proper places with j 
vases or plants, which can be retained in symmetrical appear¬ 
ance, as clipped box, Irish yew, Yuccas, standard roses, and 
the like. Slopes and terraces form useful adjuncts to this 
kind of gardening, with their accompanying appendages— 
flights of steps and broad walks. 
And now for the planting—that very serious undertaking. 
I say serious, because Mr. Beaton seems afraid to stake his 
reputation by giving us an example, which, as I before said, 
would have conveyed a more clear idea than a whole volume 
of letter-press, from which so many inferences maybe drawn, 
that I am induced to give my opinion also ; at the same 
time I do it in such a manner as, literally speaking, nails my 
colours to the beds (instead of the mast) ; not that I think 
they are the best that can be, but that others in criticising 
them may do so without using that vague description of 
generalities which leads to very inaccurate conclusions. For 
my part, I confess, I do not see the utility of investing the 
mere planting of a few flower-beds with the importance that 
of late has been attempted to be put upon it. But I will 
keep to my case, and observe, that one great error seems to 
be run into, of arranging the colours so as to centre in one 
harmonious whole at one point or centre; the fallacy of which 
is easy to explain. A flower-garden is not like a portrait; it 
ought to present equally agreeable views, sideways or upside- 
down!—a fact which writers seem to have forgotten ; but my 
meaning will be best understood by reference to the annexed 
list, as being the plants with which I advise to plant the 
accompanying design:— 
No. 1 Scarlet geranium (Tom Thumb). 
2 Verbena, a white variety. 
3 Petunia, a purple (say Pliosnice). 
4 Anagallis, or Lobelia (blue). 
0 Heliotrope. 
No. 6 Cuphea strigulosa. 
7 Calceolaria viscosissima. 
8 Verbena, crimson (Hendersonii, 
or Charlwoodii). 
9 Silver-edged geranium. 
