The first thing to be done is to make up one's mind definitely what effect can be best produced with the materials at command. Every large plant - say over three feet in height and diameter - is an object that should have some relation to its surroundings. It may be a center-piece. It may be balanced by another of about equal size. It may nicely fill and grace a corner. But there should be some definite reason for its chosen position; it should look better there than anywhere else. The second thing to be considered is that great changes in the effect produced by plants take place as the season advances. A Crown Imperial - and it should here be said that there are some fine recent varieties of this old-fashioned flower - makes a good show in spring, but wilts in the early summer. A Bleeding-Heart, covering much space with singular blossoms - there are white now as well as pink on the same bush - dies down before the first breath of autumn. The Scarlet Salvia is modest enough in the matter of room during summer, but when its glories spread in the fall it needs abundant space, and no other flowers may stand in the way of its expansion.

To make a continuous show, either plants must be selected that will come up successively, or they must be skillfully transplanted to the positions where they will appear best as the season advances. With smaller plants the latter is by far the best system.

The question of edging is alwayB open. Box is regarded as too stiff and antiquated, but nothing else is half so trim. Grass is troublesome as an edging unless a deep trench an inch wide is spaded down on its inside margin, to keep it from spreading into the flower-bed. If one can afford them, of course the variegated plants are admirable. A bed of variegated Geraniums, with an edging of the Alternanthera or dwarf Coleus, is beautiful, but rather expensive. The Oxalis, a bulb from which a dark-green foliage, and rose, lilac, yellow, and white flowers spring, is very successfully used for edging in Central Park. But excellent edgings can be had -at far less cost. The common wild Violet, which can be obtained in the woods, answers admirably. Mixed Tulips, which can be bought for $3 or $4 per 100 (depending upon size), as well as their offshoots, which are about half price, and do not flower the first year, make a first-rate spring border. Between the Tulips the seeds of the Dwarf Single Marigold (Tagetes Pumila) may be planted, or Sweet Alyssum or Candytuft. These will grow up as the season advances and take the place of the Tulips, and can be thinned out or transplanted a little, so as to make the edging regular.

These will show themselves next year, and thus a permanent edging is established. - N. Y. Tribune.