by attention in the selection and planting of flower-roots.

Our first step in this case should be to collect a sufficient quantity of those that blossom earliest in the spring, as at this time the number of species is not large, and each sort should therefore be planted in greater abundance, so as to give effect by a mass of colour. A want of attention to render the parterre gay at this period is the great defect of most gardeners. No flowers are more delicately beautiful than those which blossom at this season of the year, when they are received with a double welcome, because their appearance seems, in some degree, to banish the dreary months, and thus to prolong the duration of Flora's cheerful reign.

A very essential part to be attended to is, to observe that the plants of the spring, such as the hardy and early kinds of Narcissus, Anemonies, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Double Daisies, &c., should be planted in considerable quantities on one spot; for when they are divided into little clumps they make no striking appearance, as we have noticed in

the body of this work, under their respective histories.

At this season also the ground under such as are not evergreen should be completely covered with Primroses, Harebells, and such other flowers as will flourish in these situations, observing to contrast the colours as much as possible, but not to mix them indiscrimately.

When this is accomplished, we may justly exclaim in the words of Cowley

But with no sense the garden does comply,

None courts or flatters,-as it does-the eye.

Who would not chuse to be awake,

While he's encompass'd round with such delight

To th' ear, the nose, the touch, the taste, and sight?

Who, that hath reason and his smell,

Would not among Roses and Jasmine dwell,
Rather than all his spirits choke

With exhalations of dirt and smoke.

We shall not be very minute in giving directions for the summer arrangements, that season being generally well and amply provided for by Flora herself; but we have to speak of a very material part of the duties of those who, at a later period, undertake to

furnish the parterre with its beauties. Formerly, Flora took her departure from this island as soon as Ceres and Pomona made their appearance, as if the country was not sufficiently spacious to contain the three goddesses at one time; but since we have naturalised the plants of China and Florida to our climate, we have the delight of seeing these three deities in perfect reconciliation, walking hand in hand, and continuing their embraces until driven by Boreas into temporary shelter. By this happy union, which has been brought to such perfection by the exertions of our indefatigable countrymen, the time of the flower season is so considerably lengthened, that what formed the dreary season of our ancestors is now half expired before we perceive its approach. The Vine is now seen suspending its purple clusters over the blushing petals of the China Rose; the Barberry Bush hangs its crimson fruit over the variously-coloured Asters of China; the Mountain Ash droops its clusters of coral berries over the richly-painted Dahlias of the new world; the Juniper mixes its blue-pow

dered berries as a contrast to the Golden Marigolds of Africa; the purple, and the sweet-scented white Clematis entwine their branches with the native Bramble, interweaving the happy gifts of Flora and Pomona on the same festoon; the Indian Chrysanthemum waits to decorate its branches in all the hues of Iris, so as to rival and succeed the mellow fruits of the orchard. Thus we now see the well-dressed parterre clothed in the various robes of distant climes, cheering the month of November, and daring the rigours of December, until its beauties are overtaken and hidden by the falling snow.

Lo! winter desolates the year;

The fields resign their latest bloom,
No more their breezes waft perfume,
No more the streams in music roll,
But snows fall dark or rains resound,
And while great Nature mourns around,
Her griefs infect the human soul.

AKENSIDE.

The flowers of the autumn are generally of a larger size and richer colour than those of the spring or summer, consequently they are less delicate and more showy in appearance; and as many of them, such as the Hollyhock,

the Sunflower, and the Dahlia, &c., grow to a considerable height and size, their proper place is amongst shrubs; for since there are but few trees or large shrubs that make a show at that time of the year, the plantation will be greatly enlivened by this arrange

ment.

The Chrysanthemums are also better adapted to beautify the foreground of the shrubbery than to ornament the parterre; and in planting them in such situations, it should be observed to place them so that the shrubs may form a screen from the north, which will add considerably to their time of duration. It is also desirable to give as good a contrast as possible to the colour of the blossoms by the shade of the foliage before which they are planted, observing to place purple flowers before shrubs whose foliage is of a yellowish cast, as the common Laurel, &c., and those with white petals in front of the darkest foliage, giving the yellow or coppercoloured blossoms to the blue greens. Again, in planting the China Asters, where the colours are not ascertained, they should not be