Then why should not
man, who was made after the image of his Maker, and has some of those long-
ings for the beautiful and the perfect follow such a pleasing example and culti-
vate the flowers that have been given him so plentifully and thereby beau-
tify his home V* Flowers are associated with all that is bright and beautiful
on earth. They have a language and they speak to us of Nature and Nature's
Qod. The following beautiful lines so thoroughly echo my feelings that I
feel safe in advising all to make use of the sentiments conveyed in them:
Hake your home beautiful— bring to it flowers.
Plant them around yon to bud and to bloom;
Let them give light to your loneliest hours-
Let them give light to enliyen your ^oom.
If you can do so, 0 make it an Eden
Of beauty and gladness almost divine;
Twill teach yon to long for that home you are needing;
The earth zobed in beauty beyond thia dark climA."
664 THE FLOWER OARDBV.
THS OUT DOOR GARDSXT.
As to the exact situation for a flower garden^ it is not always in onr
power to choose. A level spot, however, is preferred, for if it slopes to any
extent, heavy rains will wash away the soil. The best location is one having^
a sonthem aspectv sheltered from the north and west winds. A location
which lies to some other aspect, the east for example will answer, but an
inclination to the north or west or any point between these should be
avoided if possible.
The soil must be rich. In our western country it is abundantly fertile,
but if it is not so, it must be brought into that condition by heavy manuring
and deep working. If it is clarey and heavy, sand will make it light, and 3
it is too sandy, wood ashes ana well rotted manure will be of great benefit to
it. Have it made deep, rich and dry — ^not too dry — ^and you have what is
wanted for jour flower garden as far as soil is concerned. If the ground is
very i>oor, it will pav to cart it oft altogether and replace it wiSi better.
That which may be obtained from an old cow pasture is the best for this pur»
pose I have ever found. Where decayed forest leaves can be had, a portion
may be advantageously mixed with the soil.
The best time to commence a flower garden is in the Autumn, so that by
the middle of October the beds may be in readiness to receive the bulbous
and many of the herbaceous plants and such shrubs as are usually set out at
that season. The work therefore may for this be commenced in say Sep*
tember ; if it must be deferred until Spring let work be begun then at the
earliest moment the soil will work without sticking to the spade. But aa
Autumn is decidedly the best time, we will proceed to the laymg out of the
flower garden. The writer is not what is known as a landscape gardener,
nor is it hib design to give elaborate plans, for those who can afford to lay
out a garden in a luxurious manner will be likely to call in the services of an
expert. As to the style, it may be either square, round, oblong or irregular,
and in such manner as the taste of the owner may suggest. It is usually
most convenient to lay off thef^und into beds, or walks may be made and
the adjoining ground planted with shrubs or low ornamental trees for a back*
Page 582
Presented as published in 1890. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Then why should not man, who was made after the image of his Maker, and has some of those longings for the beautiful and the perfect follow such a pleasing example and cultivate the flowers that have been given him so plentifully and thereby beautify his home? Flowers are associated with all that is bright and beautiful on earth. They have a language and they speak to us of Nature and Nature's Qod. The following beautiful lines so thoroughly echo my feelings that I feel safe in advising all to make use of the sentiments conveyed in them:
Make your home beautiful— bring to it flowers. Plant them around yon to bud and to bloom;
Let them give light to your loneliest hours- Let them give light to enliven your room.
If you can do so, 0 make it an Eden
Of beauty and gladness almost divine; Twill teach yon to long for that home you are needing;
The earth robed in beauty beyond this dark clime."
664 THE FLOWER GARDEN.
THE OUT DOOR GARDEN.
As to the exact situation for a flower garden, it is not always in our power to choose. A level spot, however, is preferred, for if it slopes to any extent, heavy rains will wash away the soil. The best location is one having a southern aspect, sheltered from the north and west winds. A location which lies to some other aspect, the east for example will answer, but an inclination to the north or west or any point between these should be avoided if possible.
The soil must be rich. In our western country it is abundantly fertile, but if it is not so, it must be brought into that condition by heavy manuring and deep working. If it is clayey and heavy, sand will make it light, and if it is too sandy, wood ashes and well rotted manure will be of great benefit to it. Have it made deep, rich and dry — not too dry — and you have what is wanted for your flower garden as far as soil is concerned. If the ground is very poor, it will pay to cart it off altogether and replace it with better. That which may be obtained from an old cow pasture is the best for this purpose I have ever found. Where decayed forest leaves can be had, a portion may be advantageously mixed with the soil.
The best time to commence a flower garden is in the Autumn, so that by the middle of October the beds may be in readiness to receive the bulbous and many of the herbaceous plants and such shrubs as are usually set out at that season. The work therefore may for this be commenced in say Sep* tember ; if it must be deferred until Spring let work be begun then at the earliest moment the soil will work without sticking to the spade. But aa Autumn is decidedly the best time, we will proceed to the laymg out of the flower garden. The writer is not what is known as a landscape gardener, nor is it hib design to give elaborate plans, for those who can afford to lay out a garden in a luxurious manner will be likely to call in the services of an expert. As to the style, it may be either square, round, oblong or irregular, and in such manner as the taste of the owner may suggest. It is usually most convenient to lay off the ground into beds, or walks may be made and the adjoining ground planted with shrubs or low ornamental trees for a back