This term, although applied indiscriminately to all manner of flower-beds, is really a very expressive title for the system which employs only the dwarf-growing plants, arranged in intricate patterns, and set so closely as to combine a decided mass of colors and forms. It is distinguished from Ribbon-gardening, as we. understand the two terms, by the fact that the latter may be composed of such tall-growing plants as Abutilon Thomp-soni, Achyranthus Lindenii, Coleus of sorts, etc., whilst the latter, as we before stated, must be dwarf in habit, either naturally, or else by close planting; and should in all cases be very carefully worked up. It is a disputed point, whether or not this system of gardening is admissible on our lawns; but that it is exceedingly attractive and highly ornamental, there can be but one opinion, It belongs to the highest grade of landscape art, and finds its place properly in the so-called Italian gardens, where all its surroundings are of a formal and precise order.

In the company of neatly clipped evergreens, beautiful terraces, elaborate fountains, statuary and vases, the "Carpet-beds " are at once appropriate, and suggestive of beauty in an artistic sense.

The one insurmountable obstacle in the way of its general introduction, is the fact that so great a number of plants are required to form even the smallest sized beds, that the enthusiastic florist calculates with dismay the drain that will have to be made upon his purse before a fine effect can be produced.

Perhaps the finest examples of this peculiar style may be found in the sub-tropical grounds of Battersea Park, near London, where almost every available plant is brought into play, and used in a variety of ways. The system is likewise in vogue at Sydenham, at the South Kensington Gardens, at Kew, and is especially fine at Hampton Court Palace. At the latter place, where great attention has, within the past two or three years, been paid to this feature, may be found the greatest diversity of patterns, although not so elaborate nor so grand as at Battersea. It would be an idle task to undertake to give even general directions how to lay out these beds, and arrange the various plants therein, as the taste of the gardener must here be exercised; but we suggest, as suitable for our climate, the following list of good sorts, that, as a general rule, will succeed in our usually hot, dry summers.

In the first place, we need plenty of Sem-pervivums, of which family our old House-leek is a good illustration.

The so-called S. Californicum, which is in in reality S. calcareum, is splendidly adapted for this work, as it spreads out well, and the extreme points of the leaves are prettily tinged with dull red. Then we have a neat and very interesting little species called S. arachnoideum, or the Spider's-web Houseleek, which proves very conspicuous on account of its white web-like threads intersecting each other in all directions; in some cases completely covering the plant with an exquisite veil.

The S. tabuliformt belongs to the larger class of species, but works in well as a central plant, or for forming an inside boundary. S. globiferum is likewise one of the best; but in fact, out of so many species belonging to this genus (perhaps seventy-five or eighty in cultivation), it seems invidious to particularise.

The Sedums constitute another genus of succulents which are nicely adapted for this work. S. acre, the most common species, works well, but requires constant attention to keep it within bounds; but there is a new form of it, with golden-yellow foliage, which will perhaps supersede it for edging. The best of the family, however, is, beyond a doubt, the elegantly variegated varieties of S. Sie-boldi; but, unfortunately, the conspicuous stripes and markings are liable to be lost if the green shoots are once allowed to get the upper hand.

S. Orientale is a glorious species, but almost too large for our purpose. This genus, like the preceding, is very large, and embraces quite a number of kinds suited for carpet-gardening.

Still another genus of succulents is the Echeveria, with fewer species than the foregoing, but all available. Prominently we may call attention to the E. metallica, a large, fleshy-leaved kind, that is covered with a pinkish bloom. E. secunda, and E. secunda glauca, are invaluable for this style of planting; and E. sanguined, when young, is useful as well. There are a few rare species that will in time make capital bedders, but, probably, not superior to those already enumerated.

The Lobelia genus supplies us with several showy little species and varieties, which, unfortunately, do not succeed so well with us as they do in England. The blue, white, and pink flowers of the various sports, taken in connection with the dwarf, compact habit of the plants, render them invaluable for this "rule and line" system. We might say, in passing, that L. pumila grandiflora is about the only variety that seems to hold its original peculiarities when grown from seed. The others must, therefore, be increased by divisions of the plant. As summer draws towards a close, the Lobelia needs a close trimming, when it will throw out a young set of shoots, and again deck itself with a profusion of its delicate little flowers.

The Cuphea plat ycentra makes a valuable addition to our list of dwarf, free-flowering plants. From early summer to late autumn it is always decked with its wealth of scarlet, tubular bloom. It is readily propagated by cuttings, and, if set thickly in the row, will form a desirable contrast with the preceding.

Cerastium Bierbesteeni and C. tomentosa are each valuable, as they make a dense carpet of silvery-white foliage, exceedingly pleasing to the eye. A new and deservedly popular plant, sent out under the name of Stellaria aurea, or "Golden Chickweed," will in time prove one of our very choicest aids in working out complicated patterns. Another golden-leaved plant, and one that is unsurpassed where it succeeds properly, is the now wellknown Golden-Feather; a Pyrethrum, with yellow leaves, which does not behave handsomely in all situations. We have seen it the past summer, both in Europe and in this country, where it was certainly a gem in the collections. It needs to be frequently and closely pinched-in, to make it a suitable plant for the work we are attempting to describe. Another set of prettily colored plants will be found in the genus Alternanthera. In rich soils, with us, these will grow too luxuriantly; but, by close planting and quite frequent clipping, similar, to that recommended for the Golden Feather, they can be made very useful among our smallest plants. Two entirely new candidates for popular favor come under the heading of very low "trailers," and are equally effective for tracing intricate patterns.

The first, Othonna crassifolia is a pale-green, succulent plant, laying close to the surface of the bed, and blooms regularly all summer long. The plant itself is quite handsome, however, even without bloom, and has withstood the hot, dry weather of the past season charmingly. We predict for it a "long run." A fit companion for this is found in our other novelty, the Mesembryanthemum cordifo-Hum variegatum; a long name for an exquisite little creeping plant, which has fully justified the encomiums heaped upon it by its introducers. Its white and yellow markings glistening in the sunlight, with myriads of tiny, silver-like specks, at once places it in the front rank of miniature plants. These two are among the best basket-plants of which we have any knowledge; and for planting around the edges of vases, where the trailing stems may hang down, they are particularly effective and useful.

A second season's trial of the golden-leaved Peristrophe has proven that, in one locality at least, it makes a marked feature in "carpet-beds. "In one of the hottest, dryest positions possible, it has grown finely, and has shown a much richer color than other plants of the same variety in the shade.

The variegated Sweet Alyssum forms a good contrast to the brilliant-leaved plants, as the foliage is prettily striped with white, and, when grown thickly, becomes dense in habit without much attention on the part of the gardener.

The hardy, herbaceous- plants furnish us with many useful species for carpet-gardening; for instance, some dwarf Gnaphaliums, Achillea, Saxifragas, etc. Then, again, we have several very pretty annuals of small size that will work up in this way very usefully, such as Sweet Alyssum, Portulacca, Ageratums (dwarf sorts), and others similar plants.

In preparing a bed for the purpose of forming handsome designs of the character treated of in this paper, we should bear in mind that a sloping bank will show the figures to much better advantage than a dead level; consequently, the bed should be raised high in the middle, and carefully rounded off to the edges. In England it is customary to have a perpendicular edge of, say, six or nine inches in height, which is plastered with clay. This we unhesitatingly condemn, as in poor taste. Others, again, set this edging with Sempervi-vums of sorts, and this is a decided improvement over the first; but we cannot help thinking that the most preferable plan of all, is to allow the slope of the bed to reach the level surface without a break, and then form an edging of about three species of Seinpervi-vums.

The soil should at once be light, moderately rich, and sandy, as the majority of the plants enumerated prefer such to one that is heavy.

We should recommend a compost, prepared one year in advance, of old chopped sods, a little old manure, and some sand; this, if occasionally stirred through the season, will give perfect satisfaction when in use. If the season should prove dry, a frequent watering must be given, as an exposed bed of this character will need more attention than a flat surface. True, the succulents used in the planting thrive, as a rule, with very little moisture; but, after all, they are benefited by that little, judiciously applied.

Now is the season to prepare for the work next year, and the exact number of each species desired may readily be ascertained; and work should at once be commenced upon their propagation by all who have the proper appliances. Better have a few too many than not quite enough, as the plants must be set thickly to produce the finest effects.