HINTS FOR T1IE FLOWER GARDEN. 
263 
this account we should prefer (where choice is given) a gentle 
declivity rather than a dead level, as a site for the flower- 
garden, because of the greater facility which it affords for 
draining completely. This, however, cannot always be had; 
nevertheless, it is an indisputable point to secure a situation 
sufficiently elevated to enable water to escape readily during 
long-continued rains. Unless this can be done, it is useless to 
attempt growing even the most ordinary half-hardy border 
plants, as no dependence whatever can be placed on realising 
any success. But, supposing a situation sufficiently elevated 
has been selected, it is essential, also, to prevent the garden 
from receiving moisture from the springs in higher grounds. 
Such cases often exist; they are, however, easily remedied by 
passing a drain along the upper side to intercept the flow. 
Now, this is a matter of much importance, especially in 
a wet season, although it is one seldom looked to. Other 
drains may carry the water away freely, but the water in its 
passage robs the ground of a portion of its heat. A drain on 
the upper side prevents more wet from entering the soil than 
what falls immediately upon it; and must, therefore, assist 
largely in keeping up its temperature. In a clayey ground it 
will likewise be needful to adopt some means of ameliorating 
the mechanical texture of the earth, so as to render it suffi¬ 
ciently pervious to air and moisture to enable it to carry a 
healthy vegetation : sand, or the scrapings from a flint road, 
vegetable ashes, light loamy earth, decaying leaves, and heath 
soil, or the refuse from charring stacks, are amongst the best 
substances that can be used. To promote the utility of these 
preparatives in the general improvement of the soil, particular 
care should be employed in forming the beds severally. At 
least a foot of loose stones, covered with brick or lime rubbish, 
or other substance capable of furthering drainage, should be 
laid in the bottom of each bed. The advantage of this is 
greater than most people imagine. Nothing can be more 
injurious to tender plants in the open border than an accu¬ 
mulation of water about their roots; it produces a coldness in 
the soil, which, in spring especially, is so far mischievous that 
it frequently effects the destruction of the plant, and generally 
causes an inertness which it is not recovered from for some 
time. It is, indeed, as necessary to provide a quantity of 
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