148 
THE RESERVE GARDEN. 
In geometrical gardens, or where the several kinds of plants 
are grouped so as to be included in one view, it will be necessary 
to provide a repetition of the present colours, that the comple- 
mental harmony may not be interrupted by any subsequent 
alteration of the plants ; either the same kinds may be propagated, 
or others of the same heights and tints that are more readily 
procurable, and that will produce a copious display of flowers at 
the required time, even though they be shorter lived; these are 
matters that only require forethought to determine on, and must 
be left to the judgment of the operator. The spot selected as 
the depot for such things as are likely to be wanted for this 
purpose, should be some shaded place where the necessary opera¬ 
tions may be carried on without trespassing on the finished 
appearance of the garden proper, as it may be impossible or 
unnecessary to maintain the order here that should distinguish 
the more open parts. It will be requisite to have the plants in a 
portable condition at all times, to secure which, implies the use 
of pots, which, under most circumstances, entails a great deal of 
labour in watering, cleaning, and general attention; yet there 
appears no practicable way of avoiding this, unless wooden boxes 
be substituted, and the plants placed in them as they are to stand 
when finally stationed ; the evaporation is then considerably less, 
and consequently less water will suffice. I have sometimes, when 
pressed for pots, tied the more free-rooting kinds up in a ball of 
moss with some earth inclosed, and standing them rather closely 
together, with a little old tan between the balls, have had them 
in excellent condition for removal, with the fibres completely 
interwoven in the moss, and by transferring them to the beds 
just as they were, no check was observable of any kind, and but 
little trouble occasioned in their previous management: this course, 
however, can only be recommended with such as grow freely, 
lest disappointment ensue. A good stock of the most showy 
annuals are often of great service in autumn, and if sown about 
the middle of this month, will commence blooming at the time 
they are most likely to be wanted; these and all other plants 
kept in pots must be plunged either in old tan or ashes, as it is 
far better for them to prevent the draught arising from exposure 
to the air, than to make good the deficiency by watering, though 
it be ever so well attended to, and they are pretty certain to 
