50 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Octobee 23, 1860. 
once bring the above idea into full play, and the Box and the 
gravel might be alike in the "way. Without them the whole 
pattern could be changed every year, one colour serving as the 
dividing line from other colours. Even the chain-pattern border 
I lately described and praised at Kimpton Hoo will have its 
chief attractions in winter in this respect. Without the Box anc j 
paths the pattern could be changed every year. I have done 
something in this way, and mean to do more. To Mr. Robson n 
we are indebted for showing what could be done on a large scale ]: 
with hue effect on this system. 
1 
19 
18 
t 
The chief flower garden right in front of the mansion, a plan 
of which is given, is planted as a whole more in the general style. 
The plan is simple and uniform, showing in the effect produced 
that the skill of the planter and culturist is far more important 
than the artistic lines of the beds. All is on grass, and it will be 
noted that there is plenty of room between the beds. The 
seeming crowding of the chasing-each-other centre beds is relieved 
by the centre No. 1 being an octagon of some fourteen feet in 
diameter formed into three rings; that next the outside being 
some two feet above the ground, and the highest ring some three 
or more feet. I am not quite sure of the heights. Wooden pegs 
keep the rings separate, and the outside one is covered with Ivy. 
This central bed is opposite the flower-garden entrance to the 
mansion ; and as that is elevated above the ground level by a 
short flight of steps, the height of the pyramid in the middle 
does not prevent the whole of the garden being seen. When I 
saw it early on the morning after the Towcester Show all the beds 
were full to overflowing with much more bloom than has generally 
been the case this season. Granting the central figure to be 
fifteen feet in diameter, the size of the other figures will be 
guessed at near enough. If far out, our friend will kindly correct 
us. The planting was as follows :— 
1. Geranium Rubens, mixed with about half the quantity of 
Cineraria maritima, and the outer ring wreathed over the Ivy 
with yellow Tropseolum pelegrinum. 
2. Purple King Verbena. 
3. 5. Brilliant Geranium. 
4. Ageratum, pegged down to the same height as the other 
three. 
6, 8. Shrubland Rose Petunia. 
7. Lord Raglan Verbena. 
9. Geant des Batailles do. 
10. Purple King Verbena, edged with Golden Chain Geranium. 
11. Fine rose Verbena, edged with Flower of the Day. 
12. Mrs. Mildmay Verbena, edged with Golden Chain. 
13. King of Scarlets ditto, edged with Flower of the Day. 
14. 15, 16, 17, are beds raised about two feet to the centre. 
The stakes are outside, being covered with Ivy, and all planted 
