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of a detached conservatory or other garden structure, it may sometimes be expedient to arrange a formal plot in geometrical

flower beds, surrounding these with stone or box edging. And for such a purpose, fig. 184 may be useful. The two centre

Fig. 183.

blocks are for vases on pedestals; and these should be low and flattish, especially on a terrace. The pattern would be most suitable in association with a Gothic house; and might, of course, be extended to cover any required space in regard to length.

There may be cases, again, where a very regular plot, of any

Fig. 184.

defined figure, lies in front of a house or conservatory, and where

either the plot itself is too large to be entirely occupied with flowers, or, from individual taste, or the peculiarity of sur

rounding circumstances, a large proportion of grass may be desirable. Fig. 185 may supply a hint as to the treatment of such a flower-garden. The figure is supposed to be square, defined by a walk, with the corners cut off in an incurved form; the beds being designed so as to fill the corners, and cluster together more conspicuously in the middle, the whole being con

nected and thrown into the general shape of a cross by the small circular beds that fill up the diagonal lines.

A more intricate design than any yet supplied, and one that would be adapted for a garden beneath a terrace, where a more embroidered style is sought, is furnished in fig. 186. The beds here are intended to be edged with box, with gravel walks between, and a broader gravel walk accompanying the whole. But the beds might be cut out in grass, if preferred. Or a

stone edging might, in some cases, be appropriate. From the varied size and shape of the beds, scope is afforded for the introduction of considerable variety of form and colour in the plants; and by an ingenious arrangement of these, an effective and striking result might be secured.

In fig. 187, finally, the combination of flowers and Roses, so as to obtain a small flower-garden and a Rosery in conjunction,

is the principal feature; and this was designed for W. R. Lewis, Esq., the High Beech, Hollington, near Hastings. The group was to stand on an open flat lawn, within sight of the house, but at some little distance from it. The figures 1 refer to specimens of half-standard Roses, while the beds marked 2 are to be filled with mixed Roses, or Roses of one class or colour. The masses (3) at the corners of the plot are of mixed shrubs, principally evergreen, for the double object of partially defining the

whole, and of giving some little shelter, the situation being an elevated and exposed one. The rest of the beds, as denoted by their shading, are for flowers.

Much may be done by way of giving increased variety to flower gardens, by dividing up the beds, where they are capable of division, into concentric zones or other regular segments, at the time of planting, and putting only one sort of flower in each part. The separating lines may either be marked by appropriate bars of wood, or only by the plants themselves. Or a large bed may be allocated into small parts, like a mosaic pavement, and a certain number of plants be placed formally in each square or segment, taking care to keep the colours judiciously harmonised and blended. Or plants of three or four suitable colours may be placed promiscuously, or at regular intervals, in some of the beds.

In these, and a variety of similar ways, a pleasant change from the usual style of bedding can often be brought about, and the monotonous repetition of the same method of arrangement, year after year, be readily escaped from.

Parterres formed of coloured stone are more properly the adjuncts of winter gardens, and should never be brought into association with flower-beds, because the colours of the stone and those of the flowers will materially interfere with or destroy each other. It is essential to the full effect of such parterres, that they be placed where they can be looked down upon from a lofty terrace or other platform, that they be kept in a detached part of the garden, and be freely accompanied with dwarf evergreens. Indeed, if a portion of the pattern be composed of various-coloured evergreens, and the whole be surrounded or framed with taller forms of evergreens, the result will be much more satisfactory, and the garden will thus be supplied with gay and cheerful tints at a season of the year when no flowers could possibly be obtained.

3. Persons who have a fancy for a rock or fern garden, will do well to keep it somewhere in the background, and not in sight from the windows of the house or the principal parts of the lawn. It may be made very interesting if thus secluded, and be approached from the main walk of the garden, through a rustic arch, mantled with climbers, or by a kind of narrow winding passage, canopied and darkened with evergreens. Masses of