out, and occupying about the centre of the lawn; when these are well kept, the freshness and verdure of the green turf, gives a fine contrast to the flower beds, and adds very much to the brilliant colors of the flowers themselves. In some of the beds, I would aim at producing splendid masses of one color, and in others, such as the largest beds, a mixed and choice collection of annuals, which would give a variegated mass of colors throughout the season: in other beds by themselves, I would fill up with exotic flowers, or flowering shrubs, such as are brought forward under glass for bedding out, such as Heliotropes, Lantanas, Bouvardias, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Ageratums, Verbenas, etc.

The following collection and arrangement for a large oval bed will be found to give a brilliant display of colors from July to November. In the first row, Mignonette to be sown all round the border, eighteen inches from the edging; after the seed is through the ground, plant all the various colors of Portulaca alternately, one foot apart in the same row. The second row, three feet from the edg ing, plant all the fine mixed colors of Phlox Drummondii, eight inches from each other. The third row, four feet from the edging, sow with white Candytuft, planting all the fine varieties of China Pink three inches apart in the same row. The fourth row, five feet from the edging, plant with Purple Globe Amaranth eight inches apart, with a German Ten Week Stock between the Amaranths. The fifth row, six feet from the edging, plant alternately, all the various colors of fine double German Asters, six inches apart in the row. The space remaining in the centre, fill with all the different colors of the Petunia, planting one foot apart amongst the Petunias, bulbs of all the fine colors of the Hybrid Gladiolus, which, when in bloom with their long densely flowered racemes of blossoms, varying from white to salmon and carmine, scarlet

and crimson, standing up among the creeping Petunias, will make a fine display.

The annuals that I have been in the habit of sowing in separate beds, are as follows: The splendid collection of German Asters, German Ten Week Stocks, Double Chinese Pink, all the varieties of Phlox Drummondii, Petunias, Coreopsis Drummondii, which makes a fine yellow bed, Purple Globe Amaranths, and Mignonette. I do not wish any one to imagine that I decry and discard all the other annuals and tender bedding-out plants, not mentioned here, they are all very pretty, and some of them curious, but they should, in my opinion, only be planted in borders along side of gravel walks, or amongst flowering shrubs.

The variety and beauty of many tall growing plants should secure them a place in every garden of large size, that has long lines of borders along side of gravel walks, especially when the borders have a back ground of green trees and shrubs; they are then set off with a beautiful and charming effect. The following is a select list of a few of the most showy perennials, biennials, and annuals: The tall growing ones for the back ground, viz., Dahlias, Hollyhocks, all the tall growing Phloxes, Digitalis alba and purpurea, Spiræas, Delphinium elatum, etc., Campanulas and Salvias; in addition to these there should be light frames for a few choice climbers, such as the Maurandias, purple, white, and pink varieties, Sweet Peas, Cypress Vine, Tropaeolum of sorts; mixed Morning Glories; Thunbergias, mixed. Then should come the plants of middle height to be gradually sloped off with masses of Petunias, Gladiolus, French and African Marigolds, Asters, Balsams, Globe Amaranths, Canterbury Bells, blue and white, Coreopsis in variety. Delphinium Sinensis, formosum, etc., all the varieties of Helichrysums or Eternal Flower, African Hibiscus, Mirabilis in variety,

Dwarf-rocket Lackspur in variety; all the beautiful Nemophilas, etc. With good taste in their arrangement so that all the colors are well blended, these flowers will make a very brillant show through all the summer."

PLANTS FOR BEDDING.

There is no more pleasing or tasteful arrangement of certain flowers than disposing of them in masses upon the margin of a lawn, or in a grass plot in figures cut out in the grass. These figures should not look stiff and set, as they will, if laid out in squares, parallelograms, or triangles, but there should be ease and grace in their appearance. Figures with gentle curves should be adopted, fern-leaved shaped scrolls, or any other fanciful form which may be adopted by a person of taste, and no one should be employed for laying out these beds, who has not an eye to the beautiful.

No disposition of plants can be made which will be so satisfactory and pleasing as flowers massed in this way, provided the grass be kept smooth and close.-The figures are first marked out with stakes; the sods carefuly taken out, and the edges of the beds pared true with a sharp spade or turf-parer. The space should be filled up with rich garden mould, and compost, sufficient, after it has been. dug and settled, to raise the beds in the centre-so as to have them crowning. They are then ready for the reception of the plants. As a general rule, one variety or one color should be in each bed; but where there is a limited extent of ground, two or three colors may be disposed in one figure, for example red, rose, and white will harmonize, or purple dark blue, light blue and white; blue and scarlet, bright red and yellow; orange, yellow, sulphur and white, and many other combinations and shades harmonize. But blue and yellow should not stand side by side, nor dull red and yellow. It will be found a very interesting study

to learn the art of arranging the flowers for the lawn or garden; and such as have a correct taste for the colors, will probably be the most expert.

The most suitable plants for bedding are the following: Portulacas; white, lemon, orange, scarlet, and crimson. Verbenas; scarlet, rose, white, purple, and blue. Heliotropes; lilac, and blue. Petunias; pure white, crimson, and variegated. Eschscholtzia; orange. Drummond's Coreopsis; yellow. Geraniums; scarlet. Pyrethrum, or Double Fever-few; white. Mexican Ageratum; pale blue. Dwarf Coreopsis; dark brown, brown with yellow edge, yellow. Drummond's Phlox; crimson, scarlet, rose, and white. Stock Gilly flowers; Dwarf Phloxes, and many other plants of taller habits appear to great advantage when planted in masses in the shrubbery border or lawn, where the latter is extensive.

DOUBLE FLOWERS.

Many botanists do not approve of double flowers or hybrids: they see no beauty in them, it brings into confusion the regularity of their classification, and therefore regard them as monsters, as indeed they really are. By high cultivation, the stamens of the flower are converted into petals, to the great delight, in most cases, of the florist. In what estimation, in the eye of the florist, would a single rose be held, in comparison with a full double perfect variety, or a single Aster beside an improved Ponyflowered one. The fragrance would be the same in the rose, double or single; but it would be like going back to

barbarism to prefer the single flower; thus ignoring the culture and skill of the florist for past generations. Adam and Eve were put in possession of a truly botanic garden: God gave wild flowers as he made them, and left it with them and their successors in horticultural pursuits, to find their pleasure in making improvements.

But all flowers are not improved, even in the eye of an amateur, by the multiplication of the petals.

The efforts of man to improve certain flowers are futile. Being perfect in themselves, any attempt to improve their beauty is almost impious, and results in failure. Take for example the white garden lily, a flower so perfect, pure, and comely, with its parts so distinct and lovely. What an abortion and failure is the double flower: the upper leaves of the flower stem are transformed to petals, and we have the flower contorted into a lengthened assemblage of green leaves, passing into white, without form or grace, a ridiculous transformation of beauty into ugliness: it is a monstrosity indeed, and can only be retained in a collection for its oddity.

The Petunia is not improved in its double varieties. A few years since, they were all the rage; but are now generally discarded, as the fine improved single varieties are considered far superior.

The double Campanula media has no merit; it may be likened to a nest of tubs or boxes. The large bell is filled with smaller bells in the same way.

The double Nasturtium or Tropaeolum is another example of a failure to improve; the centre of the flower is filled up with numerous contorted petals, and one not acquainted with it would not suppose it to be a Nasturtium.

The Zinnia, one of the most unlikely flowers to be improved, has within a few years become quite a favorite in its double varieties. Instead of the rough and stiff form of the flower, with the ugly high disk in the centre, it has,