There has appeared from time to time in the various horticultural journals a considerable share of adverse criticism with regard to the good taste of what is known as "carpet" or "patchwork" bedding. Numerous attacks have also been made upon it by would-be smart writers in the daily press, whose knowledge of the subject about which they wrote was, to say the least, extremely limited. Yet notwithstanding all the abuse which has been heaped upon it, the fashion has more than held its own, as is evidenced by its increasing popularity year after year. I have no intention however to enter into a defence of the merits of the "patchwork-quilt" system, within the limits of the present article. Doubtless like most other things on this mundane sphere too much of it would be likely to create nausea. My intention just now is to merely place before your readers a brief, unvarnished description of some of the more striking combinations which I saw in the gardens at Mr. Gordon's charming residence at Glenville.

Before entering into details a few prefatory re-marks descriptive of, or at least giving some idea of the general appearance of Glenville Park, may be more or less to the purpose. In the first place then, I may state it is of considerable extent, containing nearly two hundred acres. As regards situation, nothing could possibly be more delightful, commanding as it does some of the most beautiful views to be found on Lake Erie. The surface is of an undulating character, and hill and dale, wood and water, all combine to make up a series of landscapes of rare beauty. Nor has art been altogether overlooked by Mr. Gordon in laying out his lovely demesnes. But then it has been introduced with such good taste, and in such excellent keeping with the surroundings, that we are perfectly justified in saying that "this is an art Which does mend nature, - change it rather : but The art itself is nature."

I here have special reference to the rockwork and grotto that overlook the lake, and which have been put together in such a natural way as would be almost certain to deceive any but those who have had considerable experience in such work. Were it not for fear of trespassing too far on the editor's kindness, I should like to enter into some particulars with regard to the formation of this rockwork. I should also like to speak of the crystal spring which flows within its subterranean chamber, and from which chamber a secret stair leads to the summit of the pile, after reaching which it would be necessary to call to mind all the superlatives with which we are acquainted to do anything like justice to the glorious view which bursts upon our sight. All this, however, must be left to the imagination of your readers - possibly the wisest course to adopt under the circumstances - as well as the many other points of interest to be met with by the visitor, and return to the special subject I intended in commencing this article.

Entering by the eastern gate (which is contiguous to the dwelling-house), we at once find ourselves in the flower-garden and attention is immediately arrested by a large oval bed of Dracaena termin-alis, surrounded by a band of Funkia variegata, and having an edge of Echeveria secunda glauca. The color of the Dracaena was wonderfully rich, very "much more so" than when under glass, and the contrast between it and the Funkia and Echeveria made up a picture of rare beauty. Close by, under the shade of some noble old forest trees, is a large tent elegantly fitted up and offering a most welcome retreat from the heat and glare of the mid-day sun, its attractions being greatly enhanced by having some noble specimens of palms and cycads planted around and partly enclosing it. Amongst others are noticed the following as being exceptionally fine, viz. : Cycas revoluta, Cibotium Scheidii, Dicksonia antarctica, Cyathea medularis, Caryota urens, Seaforthia elegans, Latania borbonica and Phoenix Australis. We next come to what I consider one of the most striking and pleasing beds I have ever seen. The bed is circular in shape and about fourteen feet in diameter.

The center was filled with variegated Stevia, surrounded by Achyranthus Gibsonii, planted in the form of a star, the points of which reached the edge of the bed; the spaces between the points being filled with Pyrethrum Golden Feather, in which circular panels of Agera-tum John Douglas were inserted. The colors in this bed were as clearly defined as if they had been laid on with a painter's brush; not a leaf or spray appeared out of place, and the plants were so close and even as to forcibly remind us of a design worked out in Brussels carpet. Of course this very fact will cause the critics to exclaim " Why not have the beds covered with boards and set a painter to work on them?" Such arguments as this however will have no effect we fancy in stopping the carpet-bedding boom.

My attention was next called to what Mr. Gooding correctly designated, the " hearth-rug " beds. One of these was planted as follows: Center diamond of Kleinia repens, surrounded by Alter-nanthera paronychoides major, forming a square; outside of this came a band of Pyrethrum Golden Feather, the whole being edged with Echeveria secunda glauca, planted in a horizontal position so as to raise the bed some four or five inches from the grass. Another of those " hearth-rugs " had a ground work of the Alternanthera just named, with panels of Ageratum John Douglas, and Pyrethrum Golden Feather, the edge consisting of Echeveria secunda glauca, planted in a similar way to the previous bed. Another of these beds had the center filled with two small ovals of Kleinia repens surrounded with Coleus aurea, the remaining portion of the bed being filled in with Alternanthera paronychoides major and Echeveria secunda glauca. At a point of the grounds where two drives meet a triangular shaped bed planted as follows was very effective : Center Coleus aurea, next Achyranthus Herbstii, then band of Coleus Starlight, surrounded by Lobelia speciosa (var.) the whole edged with Sedum glaucum.

Several beds were filled carpet fashion with different varieties of Coleus, the majority of which were very telling" but in my opinion the varieties which appeared to withstand the vicissitudes of the weather best were Starlight, Spotted Gem, and the old Verschaf-feltii. There were a large number of other carpet-beds, but I fear it would prove a weariness to your readers to wade through a description of them, as it would merely be giving a list of the plants already named, planted in different patterns. Your readers must not imagine from what I have stated that flower-gardening at Glenville Park is altogether confined to carpet-bedding. By no means. I noticed some exceedingly fine masses of sub-tropical plants placed in suitable positions. A large circle filled with Castor-oil plants, yellow-flowered Canna, Arundo donax variegata, the curiously-marked Eulalia, and the whole edged with Anthericum repens vittatum variegatum was exceedingly effective. Large masses of the double and semi-double flowered geraniums lit up the scene with their bright glowing colors, one of the best being Dr. Kirkland (a purplish scarlet), and running along one side of the grounds was a broad and very brilliant ribbon-border, having a background of choice flowering shrubs and trees.

I feel how far short is this description towards doing anything like justice to the beauties of the flower-garden at Glenville Park, and would strongly advise all lovers of horticulture having an opportunity during the summer, or fall months, to pay a visit there and judge for themselves. I can guarantee them each and all a hearty welcome from Mr. Gooding, the presiding genius, whose enthusiasm is only equalled by his practical knowledge in all that pertains to the gardener's art.