Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-19
Bath Krrrnebes 5Our1lal.
The Home Garden.

ate and costly inarsi0n, as well as to tnt
/ lowliest cottage flowers add their charm
and bring Joy to their inmates Whatever
the order Of architecture, or the style Of
furniture may be, plants and flowers are
/ in keeping anywhere. evincing good taste
and imparting an air of refinement. The
rapid increase in the use of flowers for va
rious decorative purposes, is already ex
eriing decided influence in promoline
and educating taste for their cuiiivat'o''
and study, Fastening the coming OF tht
day when good housekeeper's educator
will not be considered complete without
fair knowledge of practical horticulture
! This does not necessarily require minute
study Of botany, any more than gooc
cooking necessitates the study Of chemis-
try, although some knowledge OF the ele
mentary principles Of these fundamental
/ sciences will in either case be found o
great value. and add 60 siderably to the
| interest in its practical work.
Wealth and great expenditure are not
necessary 10 insure success in gardening
II is with the raising of plants as with
rearing children. they quickly respond to
The love and tender care bestowed upon
returning these a thousand told in the joy
and happiness they impart. and rejecting
their purity and beauty upon our own
minds and souls.
The season for sowing and planting Is
already considerably advanced, yet there
are many kinds Of flowers that. il sown or
planted now, will produce beautiful eff
iects during the greater part OF the sum-
mer and autumn, in fact throughout many
of the Northern States it is generally not
safe 10 risk tender plants out doors before
the first of June.
In commencing gardening operations
Of any kind, the all but universal mistake
is to be carried out well and thoroughly !;
therefore it cannot be too strongly i'm
pressed upon the minds of the readers that
The smallest flower bed, single plant
even, properly cared for, is more salts
factory, and gives more enjoyment than an
acre full OF neglected and disorderly ones.
Besides smaller beds, except in very ex-
tensive grounds or when seen from dis
lance produce always a more pleasing
effect than large ones.
Another important point to be consid-
cred is that not all plants will thrive under
the same treatment, and that TO succeed it
likes and disikes of each class OF plants.
1t is therefore best to begin with few
kinds only, increasing their number grad
ualy "a one becomes familiar with their
character and needs.
To the real lover of flowers. the mixed
border constitutes the truest kind of gar
dening. Here each plant is grown for it,
own individual beauty and development;
hundreds Of species and varieties may
be grown in partnership, the only re-
gard in their arrangement being the plac.
ing of the tallest growing kinds IN the
rear or background. and the lowest along
the edge, or in the case OF very wide beds
to plant the taller along the center, slop-
ing off towards the margins according to
their heights. In the mixed border every
day presents new delights and charming
surprises. 1t undergoes constant changes !;
with the fading of one kind of flowers
the buds of others untold new blossoms :;
the interest and enjoyment never ceases
from the opening of the first Crocus and
Snowdrop to the fading OF the last Chrys.
anthemum.
In the formal of ribbon bed, so much in
vogue at present, the character and APP
pearance OF the individual plants are of
little import, they become sacrificed for
the general or collective effect. Such a
flower bed resembles a regiment of SOL
diers on parade, producing grand, mas
i've impression, but in which the ndivid-
ual man disappears. For public grounds
and in extensive lawns superb effects may
be produced with this style of gardening
but in small enclosures careful judgment
has to be exercised in their use adapta-
ton to surroundings is of as much impor-
lance in locating and planting flower
bed, as in the. selection of furniture in
keeping with the color of the wall paper
and carpet.
The more limited in extent the grounds
are. the more simplicity should be OBJ.
served in the shape of the beds, and never
should more than one or two kinds of
flowers be planted in the same bed. 1t is
here where single specimen plants may
he used to excellent advantage Good
Housekeeping.