WE believe there lingers in the mind of every dweller in the country, although infinitesimally small in some, a desire for rural adornment - some little natural landmark, as it were, to break the otherwise desolate appearance of their dooryards. Do not the ever-present clumps of Lilacs and Snowballs afford ample evidence of this latent taste, and is it not a proof that, if opportunity offered for culture in this direction, there would be many a beautiful blossom casting joy and gladness over those of our households now slumbering in blissful ignorance of its very existence?

In the great multitude of varieties classed under the expressive title of Flowering Shrubs it becomes an exceedingly difficult task to select a few suited to moderate means. The great improvement made in these plants of later years increases the longing to possess them all; as the greater portion really combine the requisites of perfection - i e., hardiness, profuseness of bloom, distinct color, and adaptation to most soils.

A few remarks relating to the systems of planting may not prove amiss. Two plans were pursued by our grandfathers, or rather our grandmothers, in decorating the little space surrounding the house and conscientiously hedged in by the whitest of whitewashed pales. The first and most conspicuous of these was the strictly mathematical style, where the space between every tree, shrub and flower was measured as accurately as if a hair's-breadth one way or the other would be dollars out of their pockets. The other plan is best explained by terming it the crowded, incongruous style. In this every available spot was set with a plant or tree, as if the ground were too precious to be wasted.

"Why," said an elderly lady of the old school, lately, to a gentleman whose very beautiful lawn had recently been planted according to the naural style of grouping, "don't you scatter your trees and plants all over the place? They would show off so much better? "

This expresses the ancient idea of fitness exactly - sacrificing beauty to mere show. In arranging our shrubs, two essential ideas must be kept prominently in view: the first, as a matter of course, is to exhibit the bloom as fully as possible; and the other is to arrange the plants with an eye to effect independent of the bloom. Many gardeners neglect the former altogether, and more our amateurs ignore the latter.

A specimen shrub standing singly on the lawn, provided it is in a proper position and possesses some marked characteristic, is capable of calling forth general admiration; but, as a general rule, flowering shrubs present a much better appearance when naturally grouped together, either three or four in a clump or a larger number in a mass or prolonged belt. In arranging these, knowledge must be gained in advance as to their size and habit, the color of the flowers, and the period of their bloom. All this is necessary to prevent forming a jumbled heap of foliage, without order of arrangement.

It has been said that every position of a tree and plant, every curve in a walk, in fact, every detail of our lawns should show of itself just why it was so constructed; and this is a lesson that very many of us have yet to learn.

In a small clump of say three or four plants a pretty effect may be produced by using one variety that is especially showy - as, for instance, the great-flowered Hydrangea (Jet. paniculata grandiflora); or it may embrace as many different colors, all blooming about the same season, but uniform in height and general character.

The most extensive belts and masses should be so designed as to have the taller and coarser species and varieties in the back, gradually sloping down to the front; or, if out on the lawn, a large plant must constitute the center, with those of smaller size around the outer edge. And do not make the group too formal in its outline; an undulating margin pleases the eye far better than the exact curve or precise circle in landscape gardening.

For a few years after planting, shrubbery needs shearing, to produce a dense habit; but, as good taste deprecates anything like regularity of form, it is best to let Nature have her own way as soon as the requisite bushy habit has been gained.

We have a class of shrubs not cultivated for the beauty of their bloom alone, but for the showy appearance of the foliage as well. Take, for instance, the Purple Barberry, Dwarf Variegated Wiegela, Variegated Elder, Purple Hazel, Variegated Dogwood, etc., and set these in a group. We thus produce a constant show all the season through. And, whilst beauty of foliage is being discussed, let us suggest the Green Briar and American Ivy, to clamber over a mass of common coarse shrubs somewhere in the background of the place; so that, in addition to the graceful festooning during summer, in the autumn they will be gorgeous in color and we shall be well repaid for trouble.

We will allude to one other system of arrangement in planting, and then pass to the consideration of the shrubs themselves. Bedding is practiced only with special kinds - that is, a bed of any shape in keeping with the location is dug, and, after being suitably prepared, the plants are set at proper distances to form a complete mass.

Roses, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, etc., are all examples of this character, and show to far greater advantage than when dotted about singly upon the grass. In these beds bulbs of various kinds may be introduced, especially Gladiolus and Lilies.

For convenience of description, wo propose to arrange our most popular flowering shrubs into three distinctive classes. First, those of largest size, used mainly for the backgrounds of large groups, for screening unsightly objects, and for shelter belts; secondly, those of medium size, embracing, perhaps, the greatest assortment of beautiful species and varieties; and lastly, the low-growing plants, suitable for the outer edge of clumps, as well as for small clumps themselves, and for bedding purposes. In the first of these, recent introductions cannot well surpass the fine old Snowball, common Pink and White Lilacs, Double Corchorus, Sweet - scented Shrub (Calycan-thus), Missouri Currant, Burning Bush (Euonymus Europens), and Mock Orange or Syringa (Philadelphia). Instinctively our thoughts revert to these as a part of our childhood's treasures, that we wish to preserve as long as life shall last.

[To be continued.]