The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-12-25

= ueEDAccOuS piSDtS, SIHOHS WHICH AZ
iris, phlox, columbine and magnifi-
, cent varieties of the herbsceous Pc
ony follow these, and extend the
{ season well into summer. Among
the most interesting of summer
Towering bulbs and plants are the
gladiolus in almost countless vsrie-
ties of great beauty; the tigridas
remarka BILE foits snowy petals, sud
the double hollyhock. Lilies in q
great number of varieties are snowy
and of easy culture, and mostly
hardy. Amongst hardy plants the
chrysanthemum must not be over
looked, extending, as it does, the
season almost into winter.
The last few years have wrought
q great change in the mode of grow
ing flowers and plants. Formerly
it was the individual plant or fow-
er which it was the aim and study
of the gardener to prodace, now the
general effect is the great end to
be attained, and to obtain this re-
suit flowers are grown in masses.
While in this way much is lost in
symmetry and individual beauty,
much is gained in imposing and at
tractive combinations. There are
many plants which individually are
Insignificant, in masses show to
great advantage. There are many
plants, which, grown as specimens,
are of stately and symmetrical
habit, and singly are effective,
whether in the garden or landscape.
These, unless grand effect is to be
produced, should not be grown in
masses. In massing flowers, how
eyer, much attention must be paid
to the location of the display. A
small garden or yard would lose
the grace and beauty which consti-
tute its charm if over-stocked with
large masses of flowers, while the
flowers suitable for garden would
be lost grown upon large lawn
or park. We must study the size of
the place TO be adorned. and choose
our plants accordingly, that all may
conform TO the general design. Of
late years a peculiar kind of garden
ing, called "ribbon planting" has
become very popular, especially in
England. 1t consists in planting
low-growing plants, in narrow,
winding lines or belts, SO that the
variously colored flowers or leaves
contrast prettily, forming belt
with stripes of different colors. In
this country it has not been done
extensively, and perhaps never will
become very popular on account of
the difficulty of getting plants that
will endure the heart of our sum-
mer suns and retain their color and
bloom.
The general rule for growing
plants in masses is very simple. In
the first place the habit of the plant
must be considered SO as not to use |
tall plant where low one is need |
ed, or the reverse. In the second |
place, plenty of room must be af- |
forded for the development of the |
plants. Nothing is ever gained by |
crowding, even if better effect is
produced for few weeks in early |
spring. When we set out in the |
spring the little cutting from q |
thumb pot, it seems hardly possible
that the growth of few months
will give US a plant independently
large, and so no room is left for
growth. The distance to be left be-
tween plants must depend entirely
upon their habit and size in perfec-
ton. The end to be gained is that
the plants may present a mass of TO-
liage with no intervening spaces
and no crowding. Some plants
may be allowed to run into and
oyer each other, of which / may
mention the Verbena, helitrope, por-
tulacca, tropeolum, and, as general
rule, all plants of a trailing or creep
ing habit. The plants adapted for
bedding in masses are numerous,
far too numerous to even mention
them in the limits of this paper. 1
will, however, name a few which
are more particularly adapted to
this mode of culture. They are
generally greenhouse perennials,
but among them are some plants
that bloom late in summer from
seed sown the same spring, and of
which fine varieties are propagated
from cuttings. place first on the
list, because more generally sue
cessful in this locality, the petunia,
then the verbena, lantana, heliotrope,
geranium, ageratum, pansies, tea
and China roses, carnation and pi- |
coffee pinks, snapdragons and 9TH
ers.
In the list of hardy ANNALS there
are many flowers of great merit,
many of which are endeared by old
associations, and without whice our
summer gardens would be incom-
plete. The number of bedding |
plants has been increased SO of late |
years that ANIMALS are by no means
as much cultivated a. formerly. |
Yet, what can excel the beauty and |
dazzling brightness of the annual |
phlox, and the portulaccs, or the |
brilliant contrasts of the morning
o,lorxy 0r fho 1al;niono norf,,Dooo ~
the sweet pea, and the delicate fra
GRANGE of the mignonette2 There
are many other trees, shrubs, flow
ers and plants, which the true lover
of beauty will admire and make use
of in ornamental gardening, but I
have only indicated a few of the
leading ones, TO aid the beginner in
his labor in this most delightful
| work.
''Seek to make your homes most lovely,
Let it lie a smiling spot
| Where, in waet contentment resting
| Care and SORROW are forgot.
| Where the flowers and trees arc waving
| Birds will sing their sweetest song;
Where the purest thought will linger,
Confidence and love belong.
''More than building snowy mansions,
More than dress and fine array,
| More than domes and LOFTY steeples,
More than station, power, and sway,
| Make your home both neat and tasteful,
Bright and pleasant, always fair,
Where each heart shall rest contented,
Grateful for each beauty there.
There each heart will rest contented,
gr.Nz1 1t r.. 49,.
Or if roaming, still Will ever
Cherish happy thoughts Of home.