Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-11
NO. 1873.
miseellaneous.
THE WILD GARDEN.

Gardening. like all things else, is sub
iect to changes in fashion. In times past
the formal style, as it may especially be
termed, was in vogue. Elaborate designs
of curious figures, balancing each other
i'm complete whole, with narrow walks
between, all planted with box-edging, en-
gagged the talent of the artist.
When first laid out. and for few years
afterwards, it presented neat and trim
appearance At that time hardly herb
aceous plants and ANNALS chiefly conSti-
tuted the stock-in-trade for furnishing
these beds. But after the spring and
summer months. when the greater num-
Der Of these plants had passed their pc
riod of lowering, the beds presented n
ragged and bald appearance. In the
course of time, the box-edging grew
apace. and its roots robbed the adjacent
beds of nourishment and moisture, and
portions of the edging would die out. Civ
ing the whole a most forlorn and unsatls-
factory look.
The change from this to what is techni
callv termed the bedding system, or
planting in masses such plants rs gave
continuous bloom throughout the summer.
and the herbaceous beds became neglected,
Growing out of this the formal style as
sumed a new shape in what is called RIB
bon" planting. by planting in contrast
lines or groups of color or form. How
ever SNOWY and beautiful these groups
oftentimes were, their exclusive use fails
to satisfy the mind We still admire the
delicate beauties of early spring flowers,
succeeded by the more showy beauties ot
summer of the old-lashoned hardy herb
L t,. mo.
sense of our willful neglect of them.
The advantages of bedding plants that
Weld continuous show of flowers
throughout the summer are too great to
be discarded, neither is it necessary TO do
so in order to enjoy those Of the herba-
ceous border.
The wild garden" is the latest sugges-
ton for portion of=space devoted to their
exclusive culture, and a very beautiful
garden it can be made, wherein can be
accumulated wonderful variety. unfold
ing new beauties continually. Ii is not
necessary that ii should be allowed to
grow up with noxious weeds. The ground
should undergo course OF preparation
beforehand to free it from them and to in
sure stroag and healthy growth of the
new occupants.
III neeus no 1OrT1ul plaltipS, Caie oeI'S
taken to plant sufficiently close to smother
an obnoxi, us growth of grass. Whenever
one takes a ramble IN the woods or fields
and finds fern or some other plant, or.
in visiting a neighboring garden, sees
something he would like to possess, but
knows not where to put it in his formal
beds, the wild garden is always at hand
to give it a welcome In time 1t will be-
come miniature floral treasure-house.
continually increasing in interest year by
year-a source OF perennial pleasure. An
Out-of-the-way corner can be made availa-
BILE tor the purpose. but better still some
location that is partially shaded, and, if
possible, if large enough, where can be
had damp corner for plants that require
more than an ordinary amount OF moist
ure.
A rock or unsightly stump can thus Of
ten be made very attractive. by covering
with climbers, and surrounding them with
a perennial wild garden. or sowing wild
garden seeds