In our last we gave a design for a set of flower beds, with some remarks favorable to the bedding system of flower gardening, as forming a pleasing contrast to other methods of ornamenting gardens and grounds. Herewith is another. They each afford hints from which all may profit, even though it is not possible to imitate the pattern.

In all cases, if flowers have been growing in the ground many years, new soil does wonders. Rich manure makes flowers grow, but they do not always flower well with vigorous growth. If new soil cannot be had, a wheelbarrow of manure to about every fifty square feet will be enough. If the garden earth looks gray or yellow, rotten leaves - quite rotten leaves - will improve it. If heavy, add sand. If very sandy, add salt - about half a pint to fifty square feet. If very black or rich from previous years' manurings, use a little lime, about a pint, slacked, to fifty square feet.

With March, in the Middle States, comes the annual clearing up - the final dressing over the grave of buried winter, and the planting of it with spring flowers and green things. The lawn is always the first consideration, for the " strip of green grass " is often the vivifying germ which warms the citizen's heart into active love for country life. Much as the lawn plays a part in English gardening, it is of much more account with us. Our heats render the grass particularly refreshing. Our droughts are somewhat against our great success - but the charm of having it, makes every effort for its attainment desirable.

It is well to remember that good health is the preservative of life, and that good, nourishing food is the key to health. Healthy grass will keep green in a dry time easier than weak grass. This is why top dressings of rich fertilizing materials is such an advantage to a lawn. Continual mowings, though the essential practice in making a lawn beautiful, weakens the grass, but the application of good food helps it to recover. At one time the mowings were left on the grass, to make a fertilizer, as it was said. This is not considered good practice now. The shade from the dead grass weakens the living grass in a considerable degree, though not perhaps to the same extent that mowing does.

As this is the season for work, and not for long essays, we may, perhaps, crowd in a few brief hints from experience, especially as the reasons for them have probably been often given in our pages.

Planting trees will require particular attention now; but do not be in a hurry the moment the frost is out of the ground. Cold winds are very hard on newly set out trees. Wait till they are gone. Always shorten in a little the shoots of all trees planted. They will grow the faster for it, and are more certain to live. Evergreens should be left to the last.

Dig garden soil only when the ground is warm and dry. Do not be in a hurry, or you may get behind. When a clot of earth will crush to powder when you tread on it, it is time to dig - not before.

If perennial plants have stood three years in one place, separate the stools, replacing one-third, and give the balance to your neighbor, who has none.

To make handsome, shapely specimens of shrubs, cut them now into the forms you want, and keep them so, by pulling out all shoots that grow stronger than the other during the summer season.

The rule for pruning at transplanting is to cut in proportion to apparent injury to roots. If not much worse for removal, cut but little of the top away. Properly pruned, a good gardener will not not have the worst case of a badly dug tree to die under his hands. In nurseries where these matters are well understood, trees " never die."

Box edgings lay well now. Make the ground firm and level; plant deep, with tops not more than two inches above ground.

Roll the grass well before the softness of a thaw goes away. It makes all smooth and level.

Hyacinths, tulips, liliums, and other hardy bulbs set out in the fall, and covered through the winter, should be occasionally examined, and when they show signs of active growth, must be uncovered; in this latitude this is not safe until towards the end of the month.