,small ,gardens and ,how to ,make the ,most of ,them ,,special ,,notice4 ,,seeds ,,if ,,you ,,want ,,really ,,good ,,bulbs ,,seeds ,,at ,,moderate ,,prices1 ,,send ,,to ,mr4 ,,robert ,,sydenham1 #dd1 ,tenby ,street1 ,birmingham4 ,no ,one will serve you ,better4 ,,his ,,unique ,,lists ,are acknowledged by all to be the ,best1 ,cheapest1 and most ,reliable ever published4 ,they contain only the ,best ,,vegetables1 ,,flowers1 ,,and ,,bulbs ,,worth ,,growing4 ,being the ,selections of the ,largest ,seed ,growers1 ,market ,gardeners1 and the most celebrated ,professional ,gardeners and ,amateurs in the kingdom4 ,they also contain very useful cultural instructions4 ,mr4 ,,sydenham',s ,bulbs and ,seeds were represented and gained ,first ,prizes at ,london1 ,birmingham1 ,preston1 ,newcastle-on-,tyne1 ,shrewsbury1 ,edinburgh1 etc41 etc41 in #ahic1 #ahid1 #ahie1 #ahif1 #ahig1 #ahih1 #ahii and #aijj4 ,,sweet ,,peas ,a ,,speciality4 ,no ,flowers give so much cut bloom at so little cost and trouble if treated as instructions sent with each collection4 #ab good varieties1 #ej seeds of each1 #as4 #f;d42 #ab choice varieties1 #ej seeds of each1 #bs42 or the ,two ,collections for #bs4 #f;d42 a ,third ,collection of the #ab best varieties for ,exhibition1 #cs42 or the ,three ,collections1 #es41 post free1 with a packet each of the four best striped varieties added free of charge4 ,generally sold at twice or three times the money4 ,,the ,,best ,,tomatoes1 #c;d4 per packet of #bjj ,seeds4 ,,the ,,best ,,cucumbers1 #f;d4 per packet of #aj ,seeds4 ,,all ,,other ,,seeds equally cheap and good4 ,,full ,,lists ,,post ,,free ,,on ,,application4 ,,put ,,it ,,on ,,top of your ,fowlhouse1 ,tool or ,bicycle ,shed1 or anything in the shape of a shed that you are building4 ,ask your ironmonger for our handy booklet1 which will help you considerably with useful hints on building all kinds of structures1 and roofing them with ,,red ,,hand ,,roofing ,,felt ,if your ironmonger has not got it1 you can get it free1 and name of nearest holder1 from ,d4 ,,anderson ,,son1 ,,ld41 ,,lagan ,,works1 ,,belfast4 ,,special ,,notice4 ,,laxton',s ,,grand ,,new ,,large-,,fruited1 ,,early ,,strawberry ,,for #aija4 ,the ,laxton1 ,,the ,,ideal ,,amateurs' ,,and ,,market ,,growers' ,,fruit4 ,the ,fruit that everyone must ,grow6 ,a ,,darker1 ,,firmer1 ,,and ,,improved ,,royal ,,sovereign4 ,we believe this to be by far the finest of our many introductions1 and in it we claim to have combined all the good points of those two fine varieties from which it was raised1 viz1 ,royal ,sovereign and ,sir ,j4 ,paxton1 and believe it to be the most wonderful ,strawberry for earliness1 size1 firmness1 quality1 hardiness1 and vigour of plant combined4 ,the following are some of its good points-- ,earliness4--,in earliness it is as early as ,royal ,sovereign4 ,size4--,in size it is as large as1 if not larger than1 ,sovereign1 and certainly larger than ,sir ,j4 ,paxton4 ,colour4--,but in colour it is much darker and brighter than ,sovereign1 partaking of the rich colour and taking appearance of ,sir ,j4 ,paxton4 ,flavour4--,in flavour it is quite as rich as ,royal ,sovereign4 ,firmness4--,it is also much firmer than ,sovereign1 does not rot on the ground in damp weather1 and is a far better traveller4 ,cropping ,qualities4--,its cropping qualities are prodigious1 heavier than either ,sovereign or ,paxton1 throwing its bold tresses well above the foliage4 ,constitution4--,a very hardy and vigorous grower1 retaining its foliage well in winter4 ,fast ,selling ,out for #aija4--,the demand for this variety has been already very large1 and as the stock is small and is fast selling out1 we must ask for early orders or we shall be unable to execute until #aijb4 ,,plants ,,in ,,pots ,,only ,,supplied4 ,,price #ahs4 per doz42 ,l#e per #ajj4 7,not less than #a_/b at the doz4 and #ajj rates47 ,as the demand is very great1 and the stock limited1 the price cannot be much lower for several years4 ,a ,handsome ,coloured ,plate1 and full descriptive ,catalogue published shortly4 ,free on application4 ,,laxton ,,brothers1 ,strawberry ,plant ,growers and ,specialists1 ,,bedford4 ,,small ,,gardens ,illustration ,green's ,lawn ,mowers ,imitated by ,many6 ,equalled by ,none6 ,over #bgj1jjj ,sold6 ,illustration ,,green',s ,,garden ,,rollers ,,are ,,unsurpassed6 ,known and appreciated throughout the ,world4 ,illustration ,,thos4 ,,green ,,son1 ,ltd41 ,blackfriars ,road1 ,,london1 ,s4,e41 and ,,leeds4 ,please write for ,list1 ,s4 ,g41 #aija4 ,may be had from ,local ,ironmongers and ,seedsmen4 ,small ,gardens and ,how to make the most of them ,by ,violet ,purton ,biddle ,london ,c4 ,arthur ,pearson ,ltd4 ,henrietta ,street ,w4,c4 ,sidenote3 ,patent ,coil ,stake ,,notice4 ,,don',t ,,stake ,,your ,,carnations ,,till ,,you ,,have ,,seen ,,the ,patent ,improved ,coil ,stake4 ,no ,tying required4 ,stakes last a ,lifetime4 ,the ,greatest ,boon ever offered to ,growers4 ,only wants seeing4 ,prices 7,cash with ,order73-- #bj;in41 #g_/f per #ajj1 #a_/- per doz4 #be;in41 #aj_/f #a_/f #cj;in41 #ac_/f #b_/- #cf;in41 stouter1 #ag_/f per #ajj1 #b_/f per doz4 ,a4 ,,porter1 ,stone ,house1 ,,maidstone4 ,sidenote3 ,fruit ,trees1 ,shrubs1 ,seeds1 etc4 ,,the ,,finest ,,apple ,,on ,,earth ,,is ,,undoubtedly ,,bramley',s ,,seedling1 ,unequalled for ,productiveness and ,quality4 ,,all ,,kinds ,,of ,,fruit ,,trees ,,on ,,offer ,,to ,,suit ,,every ,,planter4 ,,the ,,rose 7the ,queen of ,flowers71 ,all new varieties stocked4 ,,flowering ,,and ,,ornamental ,,shrubs ,a ,,speciality4 ,my ,flower and ,vegetable ,seeds cannot be excelled4 ,send for my lists which contain valuable remarks on ,profitable ,fruit ,growing4 ,free on application to-- ,henry ,merryweather1 ,the ,nurseries1 ,southwell1 ,notts4 ,sidenote3 ,garden ,netting ,,tanned ,,garden ,,netting4 ,protect your ,strawberry ,beds1 ,seeds1 c41 from the ravages of birds4 ,,nets ,,oiled ,,and ,,dressed2 #cf ,,square ,,yards ,,for #a_/-4 ,can be sent any width or length2 carriage paid on orders over #fs4 ,,henry ,,robinson1 ,,garden ,,net ,,works1 ,,rye1 ,,sussex4 ,sidenote3 ,plants for ,small ,gardens ,,small ,,gardens ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,the ,,most ,,of ,,them 7,,country ,,or ,,suburban74 ,send a small ,rough ,plan of your ,garden1 showing points of the compass1 and stating whether in town1 country1 or suburb1 to ,mr4 ,,wood1 and he will give you a list of ,,plants sufficient and suitable for the different positions4 ,communication in regard to ,rockeries and ,rock ,plants is specially invited4 ,list of ,,alpines1 ,hardy ,,herbaceous ,,plants and ,,aquatics on application to ,j4 ,,wood1 ,woodville1 ,kirkstall1 ,,leeds4 ,,synopsis ,,of ,,contents ,,chapter ,i ,the ,general ,arrangement of the ,garden ,what to go in for1 and what to avoid--,brick walls--,trees1 their advantages and disadvantages1 etc4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,lawns1 ,paths1 ,beds1 and ,border ,how to keep the lawns level--,paths1 and how to lay them--,beds and bedding--,the new style ,,versus the old--,flower borders and their backgrounds--,improvement of the soil4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,on the ,duty of ,making ,experiments ,description of a small yet lovely garden--,colour schemes--,a novel way of growing flowers1 the spring dell--,variety in the flower-garden4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,some ,neglected but ,handsome ,plants ,the sweet old columbine--,,bocconia ,,cordata at ,hampton ,court--,,campanulas as continuous bloomers--,the heavenly larkspurs--,christmas roses--,the tall and brilliant lobelias--,chinese-lantern plants--,tufted pansies4 ,,chapter ,v ,the ,conservatory and ,greenhouse ,mistakes in staging--,some suitable climbers--,economical heating--,aspect1 shading1 etc4--,the storing of plants--,no waste space--,frames4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,the ,tool ,shed and ,summer-,house ,spades and the ,bishop--,weeding a pleasure--,trusty thermometers-- ,summer-houses and their adornment4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,roses for ,amateurs ,teas--,hybrid perpetuals--,bourbons--,rose-hedges--,pi llar roses--,suitable soil4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,enemies of the ,garden ,slugs1 and how to trap them--,blight or green fly--,earwigs--,wireworms-- ,snails--,mice--,friends or ,foes8 ,,chapter ,,ix ,the ,rockery ,a few hints on its construction--,aspect and soil--,a list of alpines-- ,other suitable plants4 ,,chapter ,x ,trees1 and ,how to ,treat ,them--,shrubs ,some good plants for growing beneath trees--,list of hardy shrubs-- ,climbers--,enriching the soil4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,the ,ins and ,outs of ,gardening ,planting--,watering--,puddling--,shelte r--,youth and age1 in relation to plants--,catalogue defects--,a time for everything4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,the ,profitable ,portion ,fruit1 best kinds for small gardens--,size minus flavour--,vegetables-- ,herbs4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,annuals and ,biennials ,why they fail--,table of good annuals--,table of biennials4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,window-,boxes ,how to make them--,relation of box to residence they are intended to adorn--,suitable soil--,window-plants for different aspects4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,table ,decoration ,graceful arrangement--,thick-skinned stems--,preserving and resuscitating flowers--,colour schemes--,table of flowers in season4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,the ,propagation of ,plants ,by division--,by cuttings--,by seeds--,by layers4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,the ,management of ,room ,plants ,best kinds for roughing it--,importance of cleanliness--,the proper way of watering them4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,various ,hints ,artificial manures--,labelling--,cutting off dead flowers--,buying plants--,tidiness in the garden1 etc4 ,,terms ,,used ,,by ,,gardeners ,mulching--,term used for applying manure in a thick layer round the roots of shrubs1 as a protection from frost4 ,pricking off--,transplanting seedlings into separate pots4 ,eyes--,incipient leaf-buds4 ,heel--,the hardened part of a cutting1 formed where it is joined to the original plant4 ,annual--,lasting one year4 ,biennial--,lasting two years4 ,perennial--,lasting several years4 ,herbaceous--,term applied to plants which die down completely every winter4 ,deciduous--,not ever-green2 this term is applied to trees the leaves of which fall off every autumn4 ,suckers--,shoots that spring up from the common stock1 as distinct from those which belong to the engrafted portion4 ,pegging down--,bending branches down close to the ground1 and securing them with a peg4 ,runners--,separate little plants1 issuing from the parent1 and ultimately rooting for themselves4 ,spit--,a spade's depth4 ,strike--,a term applied to cuttings making roots4 ,pinching out--,rubbing off undesirable shoots4 ,blind--,a term applied to plants which turn out flowerless4 ,heeling in--,the process of temporarily covering plants with soil1 till the weather is suitable for setting them out in their permanent quarters4 ,carpet-bedding--,the geometrical arrangement of plants4 ,all ,seeds and ,bulbs sent carriage and packing free on receipt of remittance4 ,,barr',s ,,seeds ,,for ,,flower ,,kitchen ,,garden ,,of ,,finest ,,selected ,,strains ,,tested ,,growth ,the ,best ,seeds in the ,world for securing a supply of ,vegetables the year round1 and for keeping the ,flower ,garden and ,greenhouse always gay1 and with abundance of ,flowers to cut for vases and bouquets4 ,,barr',s #ba_/-;,collection of ,vegetable ,seeds ,contains a liberal assortment of the following useful ,vegetables3--,beans 7,broad and ,french71 ,beet1 ,borecoli1 ,broccoli1 ,brussels ,sprouts1 ,cabbage1 ,capsicum1 ,carrot1 ,cauliflower1 ,celery1 ,colewort1 ,corn ,salad1 ,cucumber1 ,cress1 ,endive1 ,herbs1 ,leek1 ,lettuce1 ,melon1 ,mustard1 ,onions1 ,parsley1 ,parsnips1 ,peas1 ,radish1 ,salsify1 ,savoy ,cabbage1 ,scorzonera1 ,spinach1 ,tomato1 ,turnip1 and ,vegetable ,marrow4 ,other ,collections of ,barr's ,superior ,vegetable ,seeds3--#e_/f1 #g_/f1 #ab_/f1 #db_/-1 #fc_/-1 and #aje_/-4 ,full particulars sent on application4 ,,barr',s ,,choice ,,flower ,,seeds ,,barr',s ,,seed ,,guide contains a ,select ,list of all the most beautiful ,annuals and ,perennials4 ,special ,collections for all purposes and many ,sterling ,novelties4 #ab ,packets of the ,best ,hardy ,annuals #b_/f #be #e_/f #aj ,perennials #b_/f #be #g_/f ,for ,collections of ,half-hardy ,annuals or ,perennials1 and ,seeds of ,plants for ,rockwork1 c41 see ,,barr',s ,,seed ,,guide1 free on application4 ,,barr',s ,seed ,guide1 containing many useful notes on culture1 which will be found of great value to ,gardeners1 ,amateurs and ,exhibitors1 free on application4 ,,barr',s ,catalogue of ,hardy ,perennials and ,alpines1 ,ready in ,february1 ,free4 ,,barr',s ,catalogue of ,bulbs and ,tubers for ,spring ,planting1 ,ready in ,february1 ,free4 ,,barr',s ,list of ,autumn-flowering ,bulbs1 ,ready #ast ,july1 ,free4 ,,barr',s ,catalogue of ,beautiful ,daffodils1 ,ready in ,august1 ,free4 ,,barr',s ,catalogue of ,bulbs for ,garden and ,greenhouse1 ,ready #ast ,september1 ,free4 ,,barr ,,sons1 #aa1 #ab #ac1 ,,king ,,st41 ,,covent ,,garden1 ,,london ,nurseries--,long ,ditton1 ,near ,surbiton1 ,surrey4 ,sidenote3 ,corpulency and the ,cure4 ,,how ,,stout ,,you ,,are ,,getting4 ,there is too often a scarcely veiled reproach in that exclamation3 ,how stout you are getting6 ,at any rate1 the corpulent one is generally sensitive on that point1 and perhaps feels a reproach where none is intended4 ,certain it is that to lose the svelte symmetry of youth1 to broaden out1 to swell wisibly1 as ,sam ,weller has it1 and finally to become fat and scant of breath1 is a process at once humiliating and distressing1 especially to those who possess that keen appreciation of personal appearance which is a part of what is termed good breeding4 ,there is now1 however1 no excuse for those who have resigned themselves to carry to the grave the rotund proportions of a ,falstaff4 ,the perusal of a little book entitled ,corpulency and the ,cure1 by ,f4 ,,cecil ,,russell1 has afforded us not a little interest and instruction on a subject that has hitherto received but superficial attention from the medical profession4 ,mr4 ,russell has made the cure of obesity his life's study1 and judging from the record of his achievements--over a thousand grateful letters from his patients are printed in the book--he has been singularly successful4 ,the author's treatment is not by wasting4 ,there is no sweating2 there are no stringent restrictions as to eating and drinking2 no drastic conditions of any kind4 ,the medicine prescribed is simple and pleasant1 purely vegetable1 and perfectly harmless4 ,its action is two-fold2 it reduces the abundant fatty tissue at a very rapid rate--in some cases to the extent of over #alb4 or #blbs4 in twenty-four hours--usually from #clbs4 to #dlbs4 in a week 7sometimes considerably more71 and at the same time it acts as a refreshing and invigorating tonic1 promoting a healthy appetite1 and dispelling the feeling of depression and extreme malaise experienced by the majority of corpulent people4 ,does the fat return after cessation of the treatment8 is a question that many will ask4 ,no1 under normal conditions it does not4 ,mr4 ,russell's treatment goes to the root of the malady1 and1 without having the slightest pernicious effect even on the most delicate persons1 eliminates the cause of the tendency to corpulence4 ,corpulency and the ,cure1 a dainty little book of some #bef pages1 is now in its eighteenth edition4 ,we would cordially recommend such of our readers who are troubled with what we will call1 for the sake of euphony1 exaggerated embonpoint1 to procure a copy by sending two penny stamps to ,mr4 ,f4 ,c4 ,russell1 ,woburn ,house1 ,store ,street1 ,bedford ,square1 ,london4 ,this well-known specialist can claim the unique distinction of having successfully treated over #aj1jjj cases of obesity4 ,a ,,unique ,,treatment4 ,the ,russell treatment is a marvellously efficacious and radical cure which is not only not harmful1 but extremely vitalising and strengthening1 promoting appetite and aiding digestion1 assimilation and nutrition4 ,meanwhile the reduction of adipose matter goes steadily on until normal weight is reached4 ,no ,noxious ,drugs4 ,no ,stringent ,dietary4 ,no ,drastic ,restrictions4 ,,an ,,unfailing ,,test4 ,the weighing machine will prove that the reduction of fat commences within #bd hours1 the loss of weight varying from #a_/b to #blb42 even more than this in severe cases of obesity4 ,the compound forming the basis of the treatment is purely vegetable1 wholly free from objectionable ingredients4 ,whilst permanently reducing the body to normal weight and size1 the ,russell treatment has a wonderfully strengthening invigorating effect upon the system4 ,mr4 ,russell will be pleased to give to all readers suffering from ,obesity a copy of his book1 ,corpulency and the ,cure1 #bef pages4 ,when writing for the ,book1 enclose two penny stamps to cover its postage4 ,the ,book will be forwarded in a sealed plain envelope4 ,,address3-- ,woburn ,house1 #bg1 ,store ,street1 ,bedford ,square1 ,london1 ,w4,c4 ,,small ,,gardens ,,chapter ,i ,the ,general ,arrangement of the ,garden ,what to go in for1 and what to avoid--,brick walls--,trees1 their advantages and disadvantages1 etc4 ,it is imperative that a small garden1 such as one generally finds attached to suburban or small houses1 should be made the very most of4 ,frequently1 however1 its owners seem to think that to attempt to grow anything in such a little plot of ground is a veritable waste of time and money1 as nothing ever comes of it4 ,the aim of this book is to show that even the tiniest piece of land can be made pretty and even profitable1 if due attention be given it4 ,,well ,,begun ,,is ,,half ,,done4 ,to begin with1 it is well to remember that the tenant of a small garden should not endeavour to represent every feature he sees in large grounds2 the poverty-stricken shrubbery and pond just about large enough for a nice bath1 are too often seen1 and only call forth ridicule4 ,some landscape gardeners have even objected to the presence of a lawn1 where the space at disposal is very limited indeed1 but to my mind a little turf is always advisable1 for it not onl entices people into the fresh air for a game1 but forms a good foil for flowering plants1 and above all looks so well during the winter4 ,a long narrow garden is always easier to deal with than a square plot of land1 the range of vision not being brought up short1 as it were4 ,it is well to take heed of this fact where there is any choice in the matter4 ,good brick walls are a great help in gardening1 though alas6 in these hurried days they are becoming much rarer1 the wooden fence being run up so quickly1 and at far less expense4 ,as regards the walks1 it is better to have one path wide enough for two people abreast than several unsociably narrow ones4 ,each path should lead somewhere1 to the summer-house1 or a gate1 for instance3 otherwise it looks inconsequent4 ,besides the flower-garden proper1 a nursery for making experiments1 sowing seeds1 and striking cuttings1 should find a place1 if possible2 a rubbish-heap is invaluable1 too1 where all decayed vegetable refuse1 road-scraping1 soapsuds1 etc41 should be thrown4 ,in autumn1 all the leaves the gardener sweeps up should be placed near by1 both heaps being frequently turned over to allow of the noxious gas escaping1 and to assist decomposition4 ,the rubbish corner should be at the furthest extremity of the garden1 though it need not be unsightly if a screen is placed around it4 ,privet is certainly the quickest growing shrub for that purpose1 but1 as it is so common1 other shrubs1 such as pyrus japonica1 arbutus1 barberry1 and pyracantha1 may be used4 ,,the ,,joys ,,of ,a ,,greenhouse4 ,if there is no greenhouse1 try to obtain one2 it is such an infinite delight all through the dark months of the year1 and this without any great cost for fuel4 ,a ,rippingille oil-stove1 with one four-inch wick1 will suffice to keep the frost out of a structure measuring #af x #aj1 if a lean-to 7that is1 attached to a dwelling-house74 ,even this expense may be avoided where it is built against a kitchen wall1 though1 if the wall happened to face north1 only ferns and just a few flowers would thrive4 ,but even these would form a great interest1 especially to invalids1 who often find their greatest pleasure in pottering about under their little bit of glass4 ,a ,,vexed ,,question4 ,the vexed question of lopping one's neighbours' trees is sure to crop up sooner or later4 ,however much detriment the trees may be doing1 by preventing the free access of sun and air1 tenants should know that the law only justifies them in cutting down those branches which actually overhang their own domains4 ,this being the case1 it is often the best to grin and bear it1 and lop the trees as little as possible1 for we must acknowledge that the fine form of a tree is always spoilt when interfered with to any great extent4 ,if the border would1 in any case be shady1 so much the better2 it will only require a little more attention in the matter of watering1 etc4 ,after all1 shade from the hot summer sun is absolutely necessary if we would enjoy a garden1 therefore it is always well to hesitate over an act which takes but a few minutes to do1 but may need years to repair4 ,where the trees overhang a good south or west wall the matter is more serious2 it is then advisable to cut back as far as possible1 for roses1 peach-trees1 and1 indeed1 most climbers resent the constant drip they are obliged to endure in wet weather4 ,a list of plants which do well under trees in various aspects is given in another chapter4 ,,breaking ,,up4 ,as the eye wearies of the straight piece of lawn with gravel path and border surrounding it1 where practicable the ground should be broken up a bit4 ,some wide trellis-work1 painted dark-green1 with an arch-way on either side1 helps to do this1 and lends a pleasant sense of mystery to what might otherwise be a prosaic garden4 ,it should be covered with all manner of creepers1 such as clematis1 jasmine1 roses in variety1 and some of the hardy annuals4 ,very tender plants should not be put on a trellis1 as it does not by any means take the place of a wall1 being more draughty than the open ground1 though such things as the ceanothus will often live through several winters1 and bloom beautifully every summer in such a spot1 till an unusually hard frost kills them outright4 ,mulching1 however1 of which more anon 7see ,glossary71 materially aids in preserving them4 ,in gardening it is the little things that tell4 ,a mere trifle often makes the difference between failure and success4 ,people will hardly believe1 for instance1 how important it is that certain plants should only receive soft water1 and continue giving the water laid on by the company when all the time gallons and gallons of precious rain from heaven are running to waste4 ,it is only a question of a tank to preserve it1 which should be in an unobtrusive situation1 though easily get-at-able4 ,where alpines are concerned1 rainwater should be the only beverage1 and this reminds me that a rockery on which to grow these gems of other countries is not such an impossibility in a town garden as might be thought by their scarcity4 ,,how ,,not ,,to ,,do ,,it4 ,the rockery1 as seen in most gardens1 both public and private1 is too often an example of how not to do it4 ,a heterogeneous mass of clinkers1 planted here and there with ivy1 and exposed to the full force of sun and wind1 is not to be named in the same breath with those at ,kew1 for instance4 ,of course1 these are not made with bricks at all1 but of soft grey stone1 rather difficult to obtain by amateurs4 ,nevertheless1 the shape and general characteristics may be copied2 indeed1 a day every now and then spent in the ,royal ,gardens at ,kew or in any other well planned gardens1 is a liberal education in such matters1 and a great help in laying out a garden to good effect1 though1 naturally1 everything must be considerably modified4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,lawn1 ,paths1 ,beds1 and ,border ,how to keep a lawn level--,paths1 how to lay them--,beds and bedding--,the new style versus the old--,flower-borders and their backgrounds--,improvement of the soil4 ,,the ,,autocrat ,,of ,,the ,,garden4 ,we have spoken of the general arrangement of the suburban garden1 and must now proceed to particularize4 ,first as to the lawn3 ,it might often be described as a thing invented to keep the journeyman gardener in constant work1 for where that individual only comes for a day or even half a day each week 7on which basis this book is written7 he generally seems to occupy his time in rolling1 mowing1 and sweeping the grass4 ,an endeavour should a made to curtail this lengthy business1 if it can be done without hurting his very sensitive feelings4 ,when a boot-boy is kept1 he can be set to roll the grass before and after it is mown1 and also assist in the tidying up1 thus giving the man leisure to attend to other matters4 ,where tennis or more especially croquet is played1 great care should be taken to keep the turf level2 inequalities can always be remedied in the winter or early spring4 ,fine soil should be scattered over each depression where these are only slight1 and a little seed sown about ,march2 but when the turf is very uneven it is a better plan to lift it1 fill up underneath with soil1 and re-lay1 rolling well so that it may settle down properly4 ,to keep a lawn even constant rolling is most necessary4 ,even when the lawn is smooth1 it is as well to some seed in the spring of every year1 for there are sure to be weeds to eradicate1 and this is apt to leave bare patches which mar the beauty of any lawn4 ,during hot1 dry summers1 water must be regularly applied or the grass will wither and perhaps die out altogether4 ,grassy slopes especially should be looked after1 as they are the first to show signs of distress4 ,where there is no hose1 a spreader will be found a most useful adjunct to a water-can1 and is quite inexpensive4 ,the knives of a mowing-machine should not be set too low in warm weather1 as close cutting of grass is often responsible for it turning brown4 ,the paths of a garden can be composed of several substances1 gravel possibly being the best1 as it is so easily renewed and kept in order4 ,in cottage gardens delightful pebble walks with an edging of tiles can be sometimes seen1 but unless plants having a mossy or cushion-like growth are allowed to fall over the tiles1 this arrangement is rather stiff4 ,when laying gravel down1 see that it is of a binding quality1 and laid fairly thick1 as this method is economical in the long run1 because it can be easily turned4 ,the paths must be kept clear of weeds1 and1 except in the wild portion1 free also of moss1 a difficult thing where the growth of trees is very rank4 ,picking up the path constantly with a rake and scattering common salt over it1 is one way of keeping moss down4 ,it is important that the centre of a path be higher than the sides1 so that it should dry quickly after rain4 ,,beds ,,and ,,bedding4 ,as regards the beds in the garden1 these are usually all on the lawn1 though a long raised bed with a path on either side looks extremely well if filled with flowers1 and can be easily got at on dewy mornings without wetting the feet4 ,fantastic shapes are not advisable1 unless carpet-bedding#a is the style aimed at4 ,rose-trees look best in round or oblong beds1 and do not lend themselves to filling up stars1 though a crescent-shaped bed suits the low-growing kinds very well4 ,as a rule only one or two different kinds of flowers should be used in the same bed1 and if a good display of blossom is required these must be frequently changed4 ,cuttings a year old make the best bedding-plants in a general way1 for1 though the quantity of bloom may not be quite so great the habit is more bushy1 the individual flower far finer1 and the period of blossoming greatly prolonged4 ,it has been found that many of the old-fashioned flowers bloom much better if they also are divided and new soil added4 ,this is particularly noticeable in such flowers as delphiniums1 campanulas1 and japonica anemones4 ,once every two or three years1 however1 is often enough for these hardy denizens of our gardens4 #a ,see ,glossary1 p4 #g4 ,,making ,,the ,,most ,,of ,,the ,,land4 ,a new style of bedding has cropped up lately1 or rather a lesson that ,nature has always been teaching us has at last been taken to heart1 for the idea is really as old as the hills4 ,two plants flowering at different seasons are placed together where formerly each would have had a separate piece of ground2 thus1 a tall1 autumn phlox will be seen rearing its panicles of flowers from a carpet of aubrietia1 alyssum1 or forget-me-not1 which all flower in spring4 ,in this way each foot of ground has something to interest us at all seasons of the year4 ,lilies have been planted amongst rhododendrons and azaleas for some time past1 and now the system has been extended4 ,when once we have made up our minds to have no bare soil1 various schemes will present themselves to us4 ,bulbs can be treated so1 to the great improvement of the garden1 as when they grow out of some hardy herbaceous plant1 their dying leaves which present such an untidy appearance are nearly hidden4 ,this double system of planting is especially necessary in beds which are in full view of the house1 as these must never look empty4 ,,wanted--,,an ,,eye ,,for ,,colour4 ,borders are not so much trouble in this way1 as1 if the wall or fence at the back is well covered with a succession of flowering shrubs1 this makes a very good back-ground1 and1 as every artist knows1 that is half the battle4 ,the colours1 however1 must be carefully chosen1 so that the plants in front blend with the creepers on the wall4 ,the inconsistency of people in this matter is very noticeable1 for they will mix shades in their borders which they would not dream of allowing on their dinner-tables4 ,who has not had his teeth set on edge by the sight of a pinkish-mauve everlasting pea in juxtaposition with a flaming red geranium6 it is repeated every year in scores of gardens1 to the great offence of every artistic eye4 ,colours that quarrel so violently with each other should never be visible from the same point of view1 but kept rigorously apart4 ,it is important that the soil of the border be of fairly good quality2 if the staple be poor and rocky1 plenty of loam must be incorporated with a small proportion of manure4 ,on the other hand1 if it is heavy1 cold1 and clayey1 sand must be added to make it porous1 and thus improve the drainage4 ,where the soil is not improved1 some trouble should be taken to choose only those plants which will do really well in the particular soil the garden possesses4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,on the ,duty of ,making ,experiments ,description of a small yet lovely garden--,colour schemes--,the spring dell--,a novel way of growing flowers--,variety in flower-gardens4 ,be original6 is a motto that every amateur gardener should adopt4 ,far too few experiments are made by the average owner of a garden2 he jogs along on the same old lines1 without a thought of the delightful opportunities he misses4 ,each garden1 however small1 should possess an individuality of its own--some feature that stamps it as out of the common run4 ,i remember seeing a tiny strip in a large town quite fairy-like in its loveliness1 and it has always been a lesson to me on what enthusiasm can do4 ,the old lady to whom it belonged was not rich1 but an ardent lover of all that is beautiful in nature and art2 moreover1 she did nearly all the work herself4 ,though it was situated amid smoke and dirt1 it almost invariably looked bright and pretty1 reminding one somehow1 from its quaintness1 of the days of long ago1 for there were no geraniums1 no calceolarias1 no lobelias1 and not a single ,portugal laurel in the whole place4 ,gardeners of the red1 white1 and blue school1 if any read this book1 will open their eyes at all this1 and wonder1 maybe1 how a proper garden could manage to exist without these indispensable plants4 ,but then it was not a proper garden in their sense of the term2 paths were winding instead of straight1 flowers grew so well1 and bloomed so abundantly that they even ran into the walks occasionally1 and1 what was yet more reprehensible1 there was not a shadow of a box edging to restrain their mad flight6 ,roses and jasmine threw their long flower-laden shoots over the arches in wild luxuriance1 and were a pretty sight1 as viewed from the seat hidden in a bower near by4 ,there was a small fernery1 too1 containing some of the choicest specimens that can be grown in this country4 ,altogether it was a most charming little garden1 and gave infinite pleasure to the owner and her friends2 indeed1 ,i for one have often been much less pleased with formal ground of several acres in extent1 though the latter might cost a mint of money to keep up4 ,experiments in the way of colour-schemes are most interesting1 and should appeal to ladies1 who may gain ideas for their costumes from the blending of shades in their garden1 or vice-versa4 ,here a word of warning will not be out of place2 do not rely too much on the coloured descriptions in the catalogues1 for1 as they are usually drawn up by men1 they are frequently inaccurate2 so many men are partially colour-blind1 and will describe a crushed strawberry as a carmine6 ,frequently a flower will change its colour1 however1 when in different soil and position1 even in the same district4 ,,the ,,dell ,,at ,,chertsey4 ,a novel way of growing plants is to open up a spring dell4 ,i wonder if any of my readers have ever seen the one on ,st4 ,ann's ,hill1 ,chertsey8 ,i will try to picture it here4 ,a large basin is scooped out of the hill1 and on the slopes of this basin are grown masses of rhododendrons and azaleas4 ,round the rim at the top is some light rustic fencing1 partially covered with climbing plants1 and there was also a narrow bridge of the same material4 ,this dell could not be copied in very small gardens1 because it should be so placed as to come upon one rather in the way of a surprise1 but where there are any corners not quite in view of all the windows1 a little ingenuity will make a lovely thing of it4 ,the shrubs used need not be identical2 less expensive plants may be grown in just the same way4 ,those on the slope of the dell will do best2 the plants for the bottom must be carefully chosen1 as1 of course1 they will get much moisture and little sun4 ,wall-flowers would run to leaf in that position2 and so1 ,i am afraid1 would forget-me-not2 daisies 7double ones7 would revel there1 however1 particularly if the soil were made fairly rich2 they are extremely reasonable in price1 and easily obtained4 ,bluebells1 wood anemones1 doronicums1 hepaticas1 narcissus1 snowdrops1 all like such a situation1 but perhaps the queen of them all is dicentra spectabilis1 or lady's locket1 as it is sometimes called2 it has pink drooping racemes and finely-cut foliage1 and is generally found under glass1 though it is never seen to such advantage as when well grown out of doors4 ,this dell is the very place for it1 as1 when out in the open ground1 rough winds injure its precocious blooms4 ,the hardy cyclamen would do admirably1 too1 but these must be planted on the slope of the dell1 as they need perfect drainage4 ,in summer it should be a mass of filmy ferns1 foxgloves1 and hardy orchids2 the best of the orchids is cypripedium spectabile1 and it should be planted in peat and leaf-mould1 and in such a way that it is fairly dry in winter and well watered in summer4 ,experiments in the way of growing uncommon plants are always interesting2 in the next chapter1 therefore1 ,i will mention a few unreasonably neglected plants1 including some novelties which ,i can personally testify to as well worth obtaining4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,some ,neglected but ,handsome ,plants ,the sweet old columbine--,,bocconia ,,cordata at ,hampton ,court-- ,,campanulas as continuous bloomers--,the heavenly larkspurs--,christmas roses--,the tall and brilliant lobelias--,the ,chinese-lantern plants--,tufted pansies4 ,we will begin alphabetically1 therefore ,i will first say a few words regarding the pink-flowered anemone japonica4 ,though the white variety 7alba7 is to be seen in every garden1 the older kind is not grown half enough2 perhaps this is owing to the peculiar pinkish shade of the petals1 a colour that will harmonize with few others1 and might be termed aesthetic2 it should be grown in a large clump by itself or mixed with white2 it flowers at the same time as ,a4 j4 alba1 and equally approves of a rich and rather heavy soil1 and also likes a shady place4 ,both kinds spread rapidly4 ,aquilegias1 or columbines1 are most elegant plants1 generally left to the cottage garden1 though their delicate beauty fits them for the best positions2 they do well on borders1 and generally flower about the end of ,may2 in a light soil they seed freely1 and spring up all round the parent plant4 ,asters1 the botanical name for ,michaelmas daisies1 are beautiful flowers for a small garden if the right sort are chosen2 those that take up a great deal of room should be discarded where space is an object1 and such kinds as ,a4 amellus bessaribicus1 planted instead2 this is perhaps the finest of the genus1 and is first-rate for cutting4 ,it is only two feet high1 of neat habit1 and bears large1 bright mauve flowers with golden centres very freely1 from the beginning of ,august right into ,october4 ,a4 ericoides is another one of neat habit1 and is only half a foot taller than the last2 it bears long sprays1 covered the whole way up the stem with tiny white flowers and mossy foliage4 ,some of the novi-belgii asters are also very good and easy to grow4 ,one of the most effective and beautiful plants in the summer months is bocconia cordata2 it has delicate1 heart-shaped foliage of a clear apple-green1 silvered beneath1 and creamy flower-spikes which measure from three to five feet in height2 though so tall1 it is eminently fitted for the town garden1 for it is not a straggling plant and rarely requires staking4 ,at ,hampton ,court ,palace it is one of the most striking things in the herbaceous border during ,july4 ,the hardy campanulas are good things to have1 and in their own shade of blue are not to be beaten2 of the taller varieties1 the blue and white peach-leaved kinds are the handsomest1 and come in very usefully for cutting4 ,c4 carpatica and ,c4 c4 alba are shorter1 being only one foot high2 they flower continuously1 and look very well in a bed with the double potentillas1 which are described further on4 ,coreopsis grandiflora is handsomer than the old lanceolata1 and bears large bright yellow flowers1 which are very handsome when cut and bloom for a long period4 ,it is difficult to imagine what we should do without delphiniums 7larkspurs7 in the hardy flower-border2 they are absolutely invaluable1 and seem to have almost every good quality1 neither are they at all difficult to grow2 some of their blossoms are of an azure blue1 a rare colour in nature2 then they can be had of a ,cambridge blue1 purple1 white1 rose1 and even red2 the last1 however1 is a fickle grower and not to be recommended1 save for the rockery4 ,though one may give #bas4 and even more per dozen for them1 beautiful kinds can be had for #ajs42 these plants run from two to five feet high in good soil1 but need plenty of manure to do them really well1 as they belong to the tribe of gross-feeders4 ,the erigerons are useful plants to grow1 very much like the large-flowered ,michaelmas daisies1 except that they come in earlier and are of a dwarfer habit2 they may be had in orange as well as blue shades4 ,the funkias are grand plants1 grown chiefly for their foliage1 which is sometimes green margined with white1 or green mixed with gold1 and in one kind the leaves are marbled blue and green2 they set off the flowers near them to great advantage4 ,in the early spring slugs attack them2 these must be trapped and killed 7see ,chap4 ,,viii474 ,why are the old ,christmas roses seen so little1 ,i wonder8 ,grown in heavy soil and cold aspect they do beautifully1 and bring us their pure white flowers when little else is obtainable outside4 ,one thing against them in this hurry-skurry age is the fact that they increase so slowly2 this makes them rather expensive too4 ,good plants of helleborus niger maximus may1 however1 be bought for half-a-crown2 this variety has very handsome leaves1 and is all the better for a little manure4 ,a flower that everybody admires is the heuchera sanguinea1 a rare and lovely species2 it has graceful sprays of coral-red flowers1 borne on stems from one to two feet high1 which generally appear in ,june1 and are first-rate for cutting4 ,lobelia fulgens is a brilliantly beautiful species1 not to be confounded with the dwarf blue kinds2 these tall varieties have quaintly-shaped red flowers1 and narrow leaves of the darkest crimson2 the roots are rather tender1 and much dislike damp during the autumn and winter4 ,lychnis chalcedonica is one of the unreasonably neglected plants2 it has bright scarlet flowers1 a good habit1 and grows from two to three feet high2 it must have a sunny position and prefers a sandy soil4 ,some of the new hardy penstemons are lovely1 and flower during the whole summer2 they look very well in a round bed by themselves1 and do not require much looking after2 they are rather too tender to withstand our damp winters without protection1 therefore the old plants should be mulched1 after having had cuttings taken from them1 to be kept secure from frost in a frame4 ,the winter cherry1 or ,cape gooseberry 7physalis alkekengi7 is a most fascinating plant2 its fruit is the attraction1 and resembles ,chinese-lanterns2 they appear early in ,september1 and make quite a good show in the garden4 ,when bad weather comes1 the stalks should be cut1 hung up to dry for about a week1 and then mixed in vases with dried grasses and the effect is very pretty4 ,care must be taken when asking for this plant under the ,english name1 as there is a greenhouse plant so termed which is quite different1 and1 of course1 will not stand frost4 ,a dozen plants cost about #es42 do not be persuaded to get the newer sort--franchetti--the berries are larger1 but coarse and flabby1 and not nearly so decorative4 ,polemonium richardsoni is a very pretty plant1 its ,english name being ,jacob's ladder4 ,the flowers are borne in clusters1 and are pale sky-blue in colour with a yellow eye3 the foliage is fernlike in character and very abundant4 ,this plant likes a shady nook1 which must not be under trees1 however1 and if well watered after its first bloom is over in ,june1 it will flower again in autumn4 ,the double potentillas are glorious things for bedding1 and are most uncommon looking4 ,their flowers are like small double roses in shape3 generally orange1 scarlet1 or a mixture of both3 the leaves1 greyish-green in colour1 resemble those of the strawberry4 ,unfortunately1 these plants require a good deal of staking1 but they are well worth the trouble4 ,the large-leaved saxifrages1 sometimes called megaseas1 merit a good deal more attention than they receive4 ,for one thing they begin flowering very early1 holding up their close pink umbels of flowers so bravely in cold winds3 then their foliage is quite distinct1 and turns to such a rich red in ,september that this fact1 added to their easy cultivation1 makes it wonderful that they are not more grown4 ,i remember1 on a dreary day in mid-,february1 being perfectly charmed by the sight of a large bed of this saxifraga ligulata1 completely filling up the front garden of a workman's cottage in one of the poorest roads of a large town4 ,the flowers are particularly clean and fresh-looking1 and having shiny leaves they of course resist dust and dirt well4 ,tradescantias and trollius are two good families of plants for growing on north borders2 the first have curious blue or reddish-purple flowers1 rising on stiff stalks clothed with long pointed leaves1 and they continue in flower from ,may till ,september4 ,the trollius has bright orange or lemon-yellow cup-shaped blossoms and luxuriant foliage4 ,it flowers from the end of ,may for some weeks4 ,both these plants grow about two feet high4 ,violas or tufted pansies are very pretty1 and extremely suitable for the ground work of beds1 especially where these are in shade1 though they will not do under trees4 ,cuttings must constantly be taken1 as one-year-old plants flower more continuously1 and have larger blooms and a more compact habit than older plants1 besides which they are apt to die out altogether1 if left to themselves4 ,these are but a few of the wealth of good things to be made use of1 for1 when once real enthusiasm is awakened1 the amateur who wishes to have a thoroughly interesting garden will only be too eager to avail himself of all that is best in the horticultural world4 ,,chapter ,v ,the ,conservatory and ,greenhouse ,mistakes in staging--,some suitable climbers--,economical heating--,aspect1 shading1 etc4--,the storing of plants--,no waste space--,frames4 ,a well-kept conservatory adds much to the charm of a drawing-room1 but requires careful management4 ,potting and the like cannot very well go on in a place which must always look presentable4 ,a conservatory1 of course1 is tiled1 and therefore every dead leaf and any soil that may be spilled show very much2 it is therefore advisable to have a greenhouse as well1 or1 failing that1 some frames4 ,a greenhouse1 though it may be only just large enough to turn round in1 is a great help towards a nice garden1 and a boon in winter2 it also allows of a change of plants for the dwelling-house and conservatory1 greatly to their advantage4 ,staging generally takes up far too much room2 the middle part of a conservatory should be left free1 so that there is space to walk about2 stands for plants are easily arranged1 and give a more natural appearance than fixed staging1 which always looks rather stiff4 ,being a good deal more liable to visits from guests than an ordinary greenhouse1 the conservatory must be kept scrupulously clean and neat2 the floor1 walls1 and woodwork must be washed very often1 and the glass kept beautifully bright4 ,cobwebs must never be allowed to settle anywhere1 and all the shelves must be kept free of dirt and well painted2 curtains should be hung near the entrance to the drawing-room1 so that they may be pulled across the opening at any time1 to hide work of this sort4 ,hanging plants are great adjuncts where the structure is lofty1 and open-work iron pillars1 when draped with some graceful climbing plant1 are a great improvement4 ,where there is but little fire heat1 considerable care will be needed to choose something which will look well all the year round4 ,we will suppose that the frost is merely kept out2 in the summer1 such a house can be bright with plumbago1 pelargoniums1 salvias1 and indeed all the regular greenhouse flowering plants1 as1 except in hot-houses1 no artificial heat is then necessary anywhere4 ,in winter1 there is more difficulty1 for all the climbing plants which are in conspicuous positions must be nearly hardy2 of these1 the trumpet flower 7bignonia71 swainsonia1 passion-flower1 choisya ternata1 myrtle and camellia1 are the best2 these are nearly evergreen1 and consequently look ornamental even when out of flower4 ,plants suitable for hanging baskets are the trailing tradescantias1 the white campanula1 lobelia1 pelargonium1 and many ferns4 ,for the pot plants there are hosts of things2 freesias1 cyclamen1 marguerite-carnations1 primulas1 ,christmas roses1 arums1 azaleas1 kalmias1 spireas1 chrysanthemums1 narcissus1 roman hyacinths1 and so on4 ,many late-flowering hardy plants1 will1 if potted up1 continue in bloom long after the cold has cut them off outside4 ,cactus plants1 too1 ordinarily grown in a warm green-house1 will even withstand one or two degrees of frost when kept perfectly dry1 dust-dry1 in fact4 ,during winter in ,england it is the damp that kills1 not the cold2 bearing that in mind1 we shall be able to grow many things that hitherto have puzzled us4 ,all those delicate iris1 half-hardy ferns1 and tiresome plants that would put off flowering till too late1 why1 a cold conservatory or greenhouse is the very place for them6 ,green-houses are altogether easier to manage than conservatories1 and therefore are the best for amateurs4 ,there cuttings may be struck1 plants repotted1 fuchsias1 geraniums1 etc41 stored1 and tender annuals reared4 ,a lean-to greenhouse should face south preferably1 and the door should be placed at the warm end1 that is1 the west1 so that when opened no biting wind rushes in4 ,when the summer comes1 a temporary shading will be necessary2 twopennyworth of whitening and a little water mixed into a paste will do this4 ,about the middle of ,september it should be washed off1 if the rain has not already done so2 for if it remains on too long the plants will grow pale and lanky4 ,,artificial ,,heat4 ,the ,rippingille stove before referred to must be placed at the coldest end1 and only sufficient warmth should emanate from it just to keep out the frost1 unless it is intended to use it all day4 ,it is well to remember that the colder the atmosphere outside1 the cooler in proportion must the interior be4 ,even a hot-house is allowed by a good gardener to go down to #fj deg4 or even #ee deg4 on a bitterly cold night1 as a great amount of fire-heat at such times is inimical to plant life1 though it will stand a tremendous amount of sun-power4 ,several mats or lengths of woollen material1 canvas1 etc41 stretched along outside will save expense1 and be a more natural way of preserving the plants4 ,one great advantage that a greenhouse has over a conservatory is this3 that any climbers can be planted out1 whereas tubs have to be used where the floor is tiled4 ,cucumbers and tomatoes do very well in a small house1 and an abundance of these is sure to please the housekeeper4 ,seeds of the cucumber should be sown about the first week in ,march on a hot-bed2 if in small pots all the better1 as their roots suffer less when transferred to where they are to fruit4 ,do not let the shoots become crowded1 or insects and mildew will attack them4 ,in the summer1 damp down pretty frequently and give plenty of air1 avoiding anything like a draught1 however4 ,telegraph1 though not new1 is a reliable cucumber of good flavour and a first-rate cropper4 ,tomato seed should be sown about the same time and the plants treated similarly1 giving plenty of water but no stimulant in the way of guano till they have set their fruit1 which can be assisted by passing a camel's hair brush over the flowers1 and thus fertilising them4 ,of course1 out of doors the bees do this2 their busyness materially aiding the gardener4 ,as to storing plants1 a box of sand placed in a dry corner where no drip can reach it1 is best for this1 burying the roots of dahlias1 etc41 fairly deep in it1 and withholding water till the spring1 when they may be taken out1 each root examined1 decayed parts removed1 and every healthy plant repotted4 ,the pots should be placed under the shelves till they shoot forth1 when they can be gradually brought forward to the light4 ,this reminds me that the dark parts of a greenhouse should never be wasted1 as1 besides their use in bringing up bulbs1 ferns can be grown for cutting1 and such things as rhubarb1 may be readily forced there4 ,frames are very useful and fairly cheap1 though it is best to get them set with #ba-oz4 glass1 or they will not last long4 ,seedlings may be brought up in them with greater success than if in a greenhouse1 and a supply of violets may be kept up in them during the coldest weather4 ,the mats they are covered with during the night must never be removed till the frost is well off the grass1 say about #aa a4m41 as a sudden thaw makes terrible havoc4 ,the great point to remember when about to indulge in a greenhouse is this3 unless sufficient time and trouble can be given to make it worth while1 it is better to spend the money on the outdoor department1 which to a certain extent takes care of itself4 ,where there is leisure to attend to a greenhouse1 however1 few things will give more return for the care spent on it4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,the ,tool ,shed and ,summer-,house ,spades and the ,bishop--,weeding without back-ache--,the indispensable thermometer--,well-made tools a necessity--,summer-houses and their adornment4 ,though it is true enough that the best workmen need little mechanical aid1 yet a well-stocked tool-shed is not to be despised4 ,sometimes it may only be a portion of a bicycle-shed which can be set apart for our implements1 or the greenhouse may have to find room for a good many of them1 but certain it is that a few nicely-finished tools are an absolute necessity to the would-be gardener4 ,of course a good many of them can be hired2 it is not everyone1 for instance1 who possesses a lawn-mower1 but if the owner of a garden is ambitious enough to wish to do without a gardener altogether1 a lawn-mower will be one of the first things he will wish to possess himself of4 ,in that case he cannot do better than invest is one of ,ransome's or ,green's machines4 ,their work is always of a high standard and the firms are constantly making improvements in them4 ,the newest ones are almost perfection1 but it is better to get a second-hand one of either of these firms than a new one of an inferior make4 ,a roller is useful too1 but1 as these large implements run into a good deal of money1 it may be as well to state that1 on payment of #b;d4 or so1 any of them may be borrowed for an hour or two4 ,ladders can be had in this way2 also shears1 fret-saws--anything that is only wanted occasionally4 ,a spade is a daily necessity1 however4 ,has not one of our most learned divines exalted the art of digging by his commendation thereof1 and who shall say him nay8 ,it is expedient to wear thick boots1 however1 during this operation1 not only on account of the earth's moisture1 but also because otherwise it is ruinous to our soles4 ,to preserve the latter1 a spade with a sharp edge should never be chosen1 but one which has a flat piece of iron welded on to the body of it4 ,digging is good because it breaks up the earth1 and exposes it to the sun and also to the frost1 which sweetens and purifies it2 care must be taken however1 in doing it1 as so many things die down in the winter and are not easily seen4 ,the ordinary hired gardener is very clever at burying things so deep that they never come up again6 ,most people abhor weeding1 yet if done with a ,dutch hoe it is rather pleasant work1 as no stooping is required4 ,after a few showers of rain the hoe runs along very easily1 and the good it does is so patent that ,i always think it very satisfactory labour indeed4 ,these hoes cost about #as4 #f;d4 each4 ,raking is easy work1 and very useful for smoothing beds or covering seeds over with soil4 ,english made1 with about eight or ten teeth1 their cost is from two to three shillings4 ,one of the most necessary implements is a trowel1 in particular for a lady1 as its use does not need so much muscle as a spade2 their price is from #as4 #f;d4 to #bs4 #f;d4 each4 ,where there are many climbers a hammer is wanted1 not a toy one of ,german make2 these are sometimes chosen by amateurs under the mistaken idea that the lighter the hammer the lighter the work4 ,one of ,english make1 strong and durable1 is the kind of thing required1 and costs about #bs4 or #bs4 #f;d4 ,wall-nails1 one inch long 7the most useful size71 are #b;d4 a pound1 and may be had at any ironmongers4 ,the shreds of cloth may be bought too1 but anyone who deals at a tailor's can procure a mixed bundle of cloth pieces for nothing1 when there is the light labour of cutting them into shreds1 work of a few minutes only4 ,in choosing watering-cans1 see that they are thoroughly good tin1 as a strong can will last for years2 moreover1 when it begins to leak it will bear mending2 they cost from #cs4 upwards1 the roses should be made to take off as a rule1 and a special place assigned to them on the shelf of the tool-shed1 as they readily get lost4 ,syringes1 much used for washing off insects1 are rather expensive1 consequently are not to be found in many small gardens2 a more fortunate friend will sometimes lend one1 as there is a good deal of freemasonry amongst people who indulge in the hobby of gardening4 ,a thing everyone must have is a thermometer1 in greenhouses they are indispensable2 the minimum kind are the most useful1 telling one as they do exactly the degree of frost experienced during the preceding night4 ,they may be bought at a chemist's for #as4 each1 and must be re-set every day2 the aforesaid chemist will show any purchaser the way to do this--it is quite simple4 ,raffia1 or bass1 for tying flower-sticks1 and labels are minor necessities which cost little1 though sticks may run into a good deal if bought prepared for staking4 ,personally1 ,i dislike both the coloured kinds 7never ,nature's green7 and the white4 ,both show far more than the unobtrusive sticks obtained by cutting down the stalks of ,michaelmas daisies1 for instance4 ,galvanised iron stakes last practically for ever1 and if they are of the twisted kind1 no tying is required1 greatly lessening labour4 ,it is a curious fact that though arches made of iron set up electrical disturbance and injure the climbers1 these stakes seem to have no bad effect whatever4 ,at the end of the autumn they should be collected1 and stored in a safe place till summer comes round again4 ,thin ones suitable for carnations1 etc41 may be procured from ,a4 ,porter1 ,storehouse1 ,maidstone1 for #as4 a dozen1 carriage paid4 ,the thicker ones can be made to order at small cost at any ironmonger's4 ,a handy man can often make frames himself1 especially if they are not required to be portable1 and really these home-made ones answer almost as well as those that are bought4 ,good frames can sometimes be had at sales for an old song1 and only require a coat of paint to make them as good as new4 ,here ,i will end my list1 only reiterating that1 however few tools you may have1 it is foolish to get any but the best4 ,a summer-house need not necessarily be bought ready-made4 ,i have seen many a pretty bower put together in the spare hours of the carpenter of the family4 ,there is one advantage in these home-made summer-houses1 that they are generally more roomy than those which are bought1 and can be made to suit individual requirements4 ,,how ,,to ,,cover ,a ,,summer-,,house4 ,of course1 it is more necessary to cover these amateur and therefore somewhat clumsy structures with creepers1 but that is not difficult4 ,even the first summer they can be made to look quite presentable by planting the ,japanese hop4 ,the leaves are variegated1 and in shape like the ,virginia creeper4 ,messrs4 ,barr1 of ,long ,ditton1 ,surrey1 told me it grew #be feet in one season4 ,it can be had from them in pots1 about the first week in ,may1 for #cs4 #f;d4 a dozen4 ,then there are the nasturtiums1 always so effective when trained up lengths of string1 with the dark back-ground of the summer-house to show up their beautiful flowers4 ,if the soil in which they grow is poor and gravelly1 the blossoms will be more numerous4 ,the canary creeper is another plant1 which is so airy and graceful that one never seems to tire of it4 ,get the seeds up in good time1 so that when planted out they are of a fair height1 else so much of the summer is lost4 ,there are so many uncommon climbing plants which should be tried1 notably eccremocarpus scaber1 cobea scandens1 and mina lobata4 ,the last two are annual1 and the first can be grown as such1 though in mild winters and in sunny positions it is a perennial4 ,it flowers whenever the weather will let it1 and its blossoms are orange-yellow in colour1 very curious and invariably noticed by visitors4 ,reliable seeds of all three can be had from ,messrs4 ,barr1 at #f;d4 a packet4 ,the cobea bears pale purple bell-shaped flowers1 and is a quick grower4 ,mina lobata is generally admired1 and though of a different family bears a slight resemblance to an eccremocarpus1 both in the shape of its flowers and in the way they are arranged on the stem4 ,it is only half hardy4 ,clematis jackmanni and montana are good for this position too4 ,jackmanni is the well-known velvety purple kind1 and must be cut down to the ground every autumn1 and well mulched2 that is because it flowers on the new growth of each year4 ,montana1 however1 flowers on the wood of the previous year1 and therefore must be cut back about the end of ,june1 if at all1 as ,may is the month it blooms4 ,the ,dutchman's pipe1 or aristolochia sipho1 is not to be altogether recommended1 as its huge leaves always seem to make small gardens appear smaller still1 which is not desirable2 otherwise1 it is a splendid plant for covering summer-houses1 as it is a rapid climber4 ,it is wise to plant some of the decorative ivies as well1 so that1 if the flowering plants fail1 it will not be of so much consequence4 ,the varieties with pointed leaves are exceedingly elegant1 and are much more suitable than the common sort for decorating churches and dwelling-house1 and cost no more to buy4 ,,fragrant ,,odours4 ,at the base of the summer-house there should be quantities of sweet-scented plants1 as this will make the time spent there all the pleasanter4 ,there are lavender1 rosemary1 thyme1 bay1 sweet peas1 stocks1 and mignonette1 besides the oak-leaved geranium1 tobacco plant1 marvel of ,peru1 and1 of course1 roses1 though the latter do not give off scent quite so much as the other plants mentioned4 ,the position of the summer-house is important4 ,i have seen some divided1 but where there is no partition it should generally face west4 ,it is delightful on a fine evening to sit and watch the clouds change from glory to glory1 as the sun gradually sinks to its rest1 and the stars gleam out in the darkening sky4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,roses for ,amateurs ,teas--,hybrid perpetuals--,some good climbing varieties--,treatment and soil--,rose hedges--,pillar roses4 ,the reason for the heading given to this chapter is that growing roses for show will not be mentioned1 as it is quite a separate branch of the art and would require a book to itself to do it full justice4 ,blooms of a fair size1 but in abundance during five months of the year1 that is what most amateurs need1 for1 after all1 the amount of disbudding that has to be done when growing roses for show quite goes to one's heart6 ,we want fine1 well-coloured1 healthy flowers1 and to attain that end a good soil is absolutely necessary4 ,this is especially the case with ,hybrid ,perpetuals1 but ,teas will often do in a light soil1 if manure is given them1 and plenty of water in the dry season4 ,the ,h4,p4's1 as gardeners call them1 must have loam and clay to do them properly2 where the soil is not improved by adding these ingredients1 it is advisable to rely chiefly on ,tea ,roses4 ,,the ,,advantages ,,of ,,teas4 ,for many reasons ,tea ,roses are the best for small gardens1 as they like the shelter found there4 ,they flower more continuously and in much greater profusion1 are not so troubled with green fly1 and are far more decorative in habit of growth and colour of leafage than most of the other species4 ,in their particular shades of colour they cannot be equalled1 though for cherry reds and dark maroons we have to look to the ,hybrid ,perpetual1 at least1 if we want flowers of fine form1 and also for that lovely fresh pink of the ,captain ,christy type 7though this is now termed a ,hybrid ,tea by rosarians74 ,the name ,perpetual is apt to give a false idea to those who are not experienced4 ,most of these roses are not at all continuous1 many only lasting six weeks or so in bloom1 and some even less1 if the season is hot2 that is one great reason why they are being superseded by ,teas1 at least in the suburbs of ,london and the ,south of ,england4 ,in the ,midlands and ,north the hardiness of the ,h4,p4's is greatly in their favour4 ,teas will stand the closeness of a garden surrounded by houses and trees much better than the ,perpetuals1 which are very apt to become mildewed in such positions4 ,of course1 many remedies are given for this1 but often they are worse than the disease2 flowers of sulphur1 for instance1 to take the best-known remedy1 disfigures the whole plant terribly4 ,teas are much the best for planting in beds which are very conspicuous1 for1 as ,i said previously1 they are always ornamental4 ,where standards are placed down each side of the lawn1 it is rather a good plan to place all the ,hybrid ,perpetuals on one side and the ,teas on the other1 giving the greater amount of sun to the latter4 ,,good ,,climbers ,,for ,,warm ,,walls4 ,when covering a very hot wall1 too1 it is best1 in the ,south of ,england1 to stick to the tender roses1 as the others become almost burnt up4 ,i will name here five of the best climbing ,tea roses for a south or west wall4 ,william ,allan ,richardson the beautiful orange variety so much admired2 ,bouquet d'or1 a daughter of ,gloire de ,dijon1 but prettier in the bud than the old variety2 ,madame ,berard1 fawny yellow1 very floriferous2 ,l',ideal1 and ,gustave ,regis4 ,l',ideal is a most beautiful rose1 its colouring almost defying description--a peculiar yellow1 streaked with red and gold1 like a ,turner sunset4 ,gustave ,regis1 though often classed as a bush rose1 easily covers a low wall1 and is one of the best kinds there are1 as it is covered with bloom the whole of the season4 ,the buds make lovely button-holes1 and are creamy yellow1 long1 and pointed4 ,they are just like water-lilies when fully open1 and on a warm sunny day exhale a perfectly delicious fragrance1 unlike any other rose with which ,i am acquainted4 ,another good climbing tea-rose is ,duchesse d',auerstadt4 ,though introduced as long ago as #ahhg1 this variety is not often heard of1 perhaps on account of its shy blooming qualities4 ,this however need deter no one from growing it1 as its lovely foliage makes it quite a picture at all times3 bronze1 crimson1 rich metallic green1 its shoots and leaves are a pleasure to look at4 ,its flowers1 too1 when they come how splendid they are6 great golden goblets full to overflowing with the firm1 rich petals and with a scent to match2 they are indeed worth waiting for6 ,anxiously is each bud watched1 for they take so long to come to perfection that the anxiety is not ill-founded4 ,i have known a bud take four weeks to come out1 but then it had to stand a lot of bad weather1 and came through it safely after all4 ,all these rose-trees may be had from ,benjamin ,r4 ,cant ,sons1 ,colchester1 at #as4 #f;d4 each4 ,this firm always sends out good plants1 with plenty of vitality in them1 and as these old-established rose-nurseries are by no means in a sheltered spot1 you may be sure of each tree being hardily grown and thoroughly ripened1 great points in their future well-being4 ,,climbers ,,for ,,cool ,,walls4 ,east1 or better still ,e4,s4,e41 is a good aspect for ,hybrid ,perpetual and ,bourbon roses on walls4 ,i have frequently noticed that they have a great dislike to the very hottest of the sun's rays1 and that is the reason ,i have advised those places to be reserved for ,teas4 ,some good climbing varieties for cool aspects are3--,mrs4 ,john ,laing1 a satiny pink of lovely form and sweet scent4 ,jules ,margottin1 cherry-red1 globular in shape1 sweet-scented and very floriferous4 ,prince ,camille de ,rohan1 one of the best dark roses to be had1 as they are generally so difficult to grow--it is blackish-maroon in colour1 and flowers abundantly4 ,boule-de-neige1 a ,bourbon1 with white flowers in great abundance4 ,madame ,isaac ,pereire another ,bourbon2 it is a quick grower and most abundant flowerer1 the flowers are bright rose crimson4 ,souvenir-de-la-,malmaison1 one of the best ,bourbons we have2 does particularly well on cold walls1 even on those facing north4 ,its flowers are very large1 somewhat flat in form1 and blush-white2 it blooms abundantly in autumn1 and is rarely subject to blight4 ,,climbers ,,require ,,very ,,little ,,pruning4 ,it is a case chiefly of cutting out all dead wood1 and snipping the decayed ends of those that are left4 ,when planting rose-trees of any description1 choose mild and if possible calm weather1 for it is better to keep the trees out of the ground a few days rather than plant them in frosty weather4 ,the soil should be friable1 so that it crumbles fairly well1 and when the plant is in position it is advisable to cover the roots with potting-soil for two or three inches4 ,spread the roots out like a fan1 and be sure not to plant the tree too deep4 ,look carefully for the mark showing the union of graft and stock1 and be careful not to cover this with more than two inches of soil4 ,tread down the soil well to make it firm1 and thus induce the rose-trees to make fresh roots4 ,in planting out climbers1 carefully tack all loose shoots to the wall or fence behind it1 else the wind may do much harm4 ,when all is finished give a good mulching of strawy manure1 which should be dug in when ,march comes2 and if there is a likelihood of frost1 protect the branches with bracken or any light covering4 ,,bush ,,roses ,,of ,,the ,h4,p4 ,,type4 ,i will now give a few of the best ,hybrid ,perpetuals of the bush type2 many of the varieties ,i shall name1 however1 make very good standards though they are more expensive4 ,the dwarfs1 as rosarians call them1 only cost from #i;d4 to #as4 each at ,messrs4 ,cant's1 except in the case of novelties2 and where these are concerned1 it is well to wait a year or two1 as they rapidly go down to the normal price4 ,duke of ,teck1 bright carmine scarlet1 of good form1 and occasionally blooms in the autumn4 ,dupuy ,jamain1 one of the best ,h4,p4's ever introduced1 the flowers are almost cherry-red in colour1 sweet-scented1 and come out in succession the whole of the summer3 it is a quick grower1 and does well in a somewhat shady position4 ,heinrich ,schultheis flowers of a true rose-pink touched with silver1 very prettily shaped and exceedingly fragrant4 ,unfortunately1 this variety is subject to attacks of mildew1 though this does not seem to affect the beauty of the flowers but spoils the leaves4 ,baroness ,rothschild1 a faultless rose as regards form and colour1 which is a beautiful pale pink1 but utterly devoid of scent1 a serious fault in my opinion4 ,comtesse de ,bearn1 large1 dark1 and very floriferous4 ,madame ,gabriel ,luizet1 light silvery pink1 quick growing1 and free blooming4 ,ulrich ,brunner1 always given an excellent character in the catalogues1 and indeed it is a good rose1 cherry-red in colour1 sweet-scented1 and of fine form3 it rarely ails1 mildew and rust passing it by altogether4 ,it is exceedingly vigorous1 and makes therefore a good pillar-rose4 ,pride of ,waltham1 a rose little heard-of yet most lovely2 its blossoms are of the brightest pink1 sweetly scented1 and beautifully cupped4 ,charles ,lefevre1 beautiful crimson with dark shading2 also very good at ,kew 7and continuous74 ,abel ,carriere1 another dark maroon of fine form1 and ,queen of the bedders1 producing carmine flowers so freely that it must be disbudded2 it is subject to mildew4 ,so many roses formerly classed as ,hybrid ,perpetuals are now called ,hybrid ,teas4 ,the dear old ,la ,france is one that has undergone this change2 it is a rose no-one should be without1 and should be grown both as a standard and a bush2 its silvery pink flowers have a most exquisite scent and perfect shape 7that is1 when nearly wide open2 it is not a good button-hole variety74 ,another ,hybrid ,tea rose that has come to the fore lately is ,bardou ,job1 a splendid bedding variety1 with flaming roses almost single in form1 but produced in prodigal profusion2 it pays for feeding4 ,queen ,mab is a somewhat similar rose but has apricot flowers1 tinted pink and orange1 borne in the same generous manner4 ,it is a china rose2 neither of these kinds attain a great height1 nevertheless beds entirely composed of them are exceedingly effective and may be seen some distance off2 they require very little pruning4 ,,pillar ,,roses4 ,having mentioned pillar-roses1 ,i will add a few more names especially calculated to do well in such positions2 perhaps one of the best is ,paul's ,carmine ,pillar1 with its sheets2 of lovely flowers covering the stems the whole way up1 with plenty of healthy foliage to set them off4 ,when better known1 ,i should imagine it would be a rival even to ,turner's ,crimson ,rambler1 magnificent as that is when grown to perfection4 ,at ,kew recently a bed of the ,carmine ,pillar was quite one of the sights of the garden4 ,a close investigation of the bed in which they were planted revealed the fact that every alternate rose-tree was a ,gloire de ,dijon1 but each one was a sorry failure1 and instead of scaling the heights1 crouched low at the foot of its iron stake1 as though unwilling to compete with the other blushing occupants4 ,the glories were not very youthful either1 that one could see by their thick hard stems2 plenty of time had evidently been given them to do the work1 but for some unknown reason they had shirked it4 ,i have known several cases of this sort with the much-loved glory de ,john1 as the gardeners broadly term it4 ,madame ,plantier is a good white pillar-rose1 doing well in any situation1 and ,cheshunt ,hybrid is also most accommodating1 and blooms well even in poor soil1 though it well repays good cultivation4 ,its flowers1 cherry-carmine in colour1 are large and full1 and the petals are prettily veined and curl over at the edges4 ,the foliage is rich1 and the tree never seems attacked by any disease2 it is a ,hybrid ,tea4 ,aimee ,vibert1 a noisette1 is very good as a pillar-rose and extremely hardy3 it also does well on arches2 the flowers are small and white1 with pink tips to the petals2 it is very free1 and flowers continuously4 ,,rose ,,hedges4 ,hedges of roses are quite as effective as pillars1 and make a very pretty screen for two-thirds of the year4 ,the ever-green roses are best for this purpose1 and of these ,flora is by far-and-away the nicest rose4 ,it has sweet flowers1 small1 full1 and of the loveliest pink2 they are borne in clusters1 each one looking just ready for a fairy-wedding bouquet4 ,they have a delightful scent1 too1 their only fault being their short duration2 in one summer they will grow from five to ten feet1 and are so free-flowering as almost to hide the leaves4 ,dundee ,rambler1 ,ruga1 ,mirianthes1 and ,leopoldine d',orleans are all equally suitable for hedges4 ,,dwarf ,,teas4 ,i will now name a list of the best dwarf ,tea-roses2 to begin with1 ,alba ,rosea is a dear old rose-tree1 moderate in growth1 bearing numbers of flesh-white blossoms1 good in form though small in size4 ,these have a faint1 sweet scent1 and are very pretty for cutting4 ,one day last ,august1 ,i cut a whole branch off with about six open flowers upon it1 and put it in a tall vase just as it was2 they arranged themselves1 and were much admired4 ,the tree is decidedly dwarf and moderate in growth1 and the leaves are very dark green1 thus making a beautiful foil to the roses4 ,catherine ,mermet is somewhat of the same type1 but the flowers are larger and more deeply flushed with pink2 it is a good green-house rose4 ,madame de ,watteville resembles a tulip1 having thick firm petals of a creamy-white colour1 distinctly edged with pink4 ,it is a strong grower and free in flowering4 ,madame ,hoste is a pretty lemon-yellow colour1 one of the easiest to grow in this particular shade2 the flowers are of good form1 and if well manured are large and full2 it has a sweet scent4 ,madame ,lambard is a rose no one can do without1 it is so free-blooming and continuous2 the colour is not constant1 sometimes being mostly pink1 at others almost a fawn1 but as a rule it is a blend of those two shades4 ,marie van ,houtte is another indispensable variety2 the roses are lovely in form1 of a pale lemon-yellow colour1 each petal being flushed with pink at the edges1 and the whole having a soft bloom1 as it were1 over it4 ,this carmine-marking1 however1 is not constant2 weather and position seem to have a good deal to do with it4 ,meteor is one of the darker ,teas1 being carmine-crimson shaded with blackish-maroon2 the roses are not full though of good shape1 consequently they look best in bud4 ,this tree wants feeding to do well1 and is not a vigorous grower4 ,grace ,darling is a gem which everyone should have2 the blossoms are large1 full1 perfect in shape and exquisite in colour1 which is generally a peachy-pink1 the reverse of the petals being a rich cream1 and1 as these curl over in a charming manner1 the effect is unique and extremely beautiful4 ,the foliage is abundant1 of a ruddy tint1 and keeps free from blight2 indeed1 this entirely fascinating rose has only one fault1 it is altogether too unassuming4 ,a bright1 pink rose of fine form is the ,duchess of ,albany2 it is often called a deep coloured ,la ,france1 as it is a sport from that famous rose4 ,the ,marquis of ,salisbury is another dark tea-rose2 it is small but well-shaped though thin1 and the blooms are abundant2 it is strictly moderate in growth1 being somewhat like the ,chinas in habit4 ,a fine rose in a warm summer is ,kaiserin ,friedrich1 as it has large1 very full1 flowers1 which take a good deal of building up2 it appears to dislike cold and rainy weather4 ,sunrise is a new kind that is making a considerable stir in the rose-world2 its flowers vary from reddish-carmine to pale fawn1 and the tree has glorious foliage4 ,,the ,,time ,,to ,,plant4 ,october and ,november are the best months to plant rose-trees1 except in very cold parts2 ,february is then a safer time1 especially for the tender sorts4 ,their first season they require a great deal of looking after2 their roots have not got a proper foot-hold in the earth1 and this means constant watering in dry weather4 ,at blooming-time1 an occasional application of guano does a great deal of good1 making both flowers and leaves richer in colour4 ,dead blooms1 too1 must be sedulously cut off1 as1 if left on1 the tree is weakened4 ,,pruning4 ,do a little pruning in ,october1 though ,march and ,april are the chief months4 ,in the autumn1 however1 the shoots of rose-trees should be thinned out1 the branches left can then be shortened a fourth of their length with advantage1 as the winter's howling winds are less likely to harm them4 ,standards especially require this1 as when carrying much sail they are very liable to be up-rooted4 ,when the spring comes1 look the trees carefully over before commencing operations1 remembering that the sturdier a tree is the less it needs pruning4 ,the knife must go the deepest in the case of the poor1 weak ones4 ,always prune down to an eye1 that is an incipient leaf-bud2 if this is not done the wood rots4 ,evergreen roses need scarcely be touched1 save to cut out dead branches and snip off decayed ends4 ,for ,teas and ,noisettes also1 little actual pruning is necessary4 ,h4,p4's require the most4 ,as a general rule for roses1 if you want quality1 not quantity1 prune3 hard1 but to enable you to cut and come again1 only prune moderately4 ,dis-budding is a certain method of improving the blooms if it is done in time4 ,it is little use to do it when the buds once begin to show colour2 start picking off the superfluous ones when they are quite small1 and the difference in size and shape is often amazing4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,enemies of the ,garden ,slugs1 and how to trap them--,blight or green fly--,earwigs-- ,wireworm--,snails--,mice--,friends mistakenly called foes4 ,the best garden as a rule has the fewest insects1 indeed1 no foe is allowed to lodge for any length of time without means being taken for its extermination4 ,some enemies are more easily got rid of than others2 for instance1 green fly1 or aphis 7to give it the scientific name71 rarely attacks healthy plants to any extent2 it goes for the sick ones1 therefore good cultivation will speedily reduce their numbers4 ,when any is seen1 a strong syringing of soapy water will generally dislodge them1 or1 if this is impracticable1 a dusting of tobacco-powder is a very good substitute4 ,tait and ,buchanan's ,anti-blight1 to be had of most seedsmen1 is a reliable powder2 it is also efficacious in preventing mildew in potatoes1 chrysanthemums1 etc4 ,in some gardens1 especially those inclined to be damp1 slugs are very troublesome2 their depredations are usually carried on by night1 so that it is rather difficult to trap them2 many things are sold for this purpose1 but hand-picking is the surest method4 ,in the evening1 sink a saucer a little way in the border1 and fill this with moist bran2 it is irresistible to the slugs1 and when twilight comes on they will steal out from their hiding-places and make a supper off it4 ,then comes man's opportunity4 ,armed with a pointed stick and a pail of salt and water1 they must be picked off and popped into the receptacle1 there to meet a painless death2 one can squash them under foot1 but where they are plentiful this is rather a messy proceeding4 ,snails may be trapped in exactly the same way2 salt or sand should be placed in a ring round any plant they are specially fond of1 or else in a single night they will graze off the whole of the juicy tops4 ,young growths are their greatest delicacy1 hence they are most troublesome in the spring4 ,wireworm is another tiresome enemy well known to carnation growers1 and more difficult to get rid of than the slug1 owing to its hard and horny covering which resists crushing2 salt again1 however1 is a splendid cure4 ,it should be well mixed with the soil though not brought too close to the plants4 ,earwigs are horrid insects to get into a garden2 they often come in with a load of manure1 simply swarms of them imbedding themselves in such places4 ,dahlias are the plants they like best1 and1 if not kept down with a watchful eye1 they will completely spoil both flowers and leaves4 ,hollow tubes1 such as short straws1 put round will collect many1 or the old plan of filling an inverted flower-pot with moss is also useful1 though somewhat disfiguring1 if perched on the tops of the stakes supporting the dahlias4 ,mice are dreadfully destructive1 too1 especially in the country1 and being so quick in their movements they are troublesome to catch4 ,traps must be baited with the daintiest morsels1 to make them turn away from the succulent tops of the new vegetation4 ,owls and other large birds are most effectual in doing away with these troublesome little animals1 a fact which should be taken into account4 ,many people from ignorance destroy birds or insects which may be urgently required to keep down annoying pests--take1 for instance1 ladybirds--the pretty creatures are invaluable where there is much green fly1 yet how often are they doomed to death by some well-meaning gardener1 and it is the same with birds4 ,a robin or sparrow will eat hundreds of aphides in one day1 so that1 unless there are many fruit-trees in the garden1 it is most unwise to shoot the dear little songsters2 and even in the latter case1 if protection can be afforded1 by all means save the birds6 ,a while ago some farmers had been so enraged by the devastation made by the sparrows and starlings that they determined to kill all the old birds4 ,the consequence was that they were so over-run the next season by insects of every description1 that they had to import birds at great trouble1 to take the place of those they had killed4 ,foes are often mistaken for friends1 but occasionally the reverse is the case6 ,,chapter ,,ix ,the ,rockery ,a few hints on its construction--,aspect and soil--,a list of ,alpines--,other suitable plants4 ,a well-constructed rockery filled with a good selection of ,alpine plants is a never-failing delight to anyone fond of a garden4 ,yet how rare a thing it is6 most of the erections one sees are mere apologies for the real thing4 ,the truth is not one gardener in a hundred knows how to make a rockery1 though he does not like to say so6 ,an artistic mind is needed to construct one that will be pleasing to the eye1 besides a knowledge of draining1 water-supply1 and so forth4 ,an educated person is not actually necessary1 but one with common sense1 who would not dream of making it merely another back-ground for gorgeous bedding-plants which are all very well in their right place1 but absolutely unsuited to a rockery4 ,as regards aspect1 one that is built on each side of a narrow path running north and south1 does very well1 but as this may be impossible in a small garden1 a corner rockery built high in the form of a triangle and facing south-east1 can be made extremely pretty1 as ,i know from experience4 ,where the rockery is in the shade1 no overhanging trees must be near1 if choice ,alpines are expected to live there4 ,the material may be either slabs of grey stone as at ,kew1 or the more easily obtained clinkers4 ,clinkers are really bricks spoiled in the baking1 having all sorts of excrescences on them which unfit them for ordinary building purposes2 they should always be ordered from a strictly local contractor1 as carriage adds considerably to the cost4 ,the soil should be a mixture of peat1 sand1 and loam2 no manure should be incorporated1 the pockets for special favourites and plants that have individual wants can be filled in at the time of planting4 ,one advantage pertaining to a rockery is that many plants which quite refuse to thrive in a border will grow and flourish there1 and the attention they need is less troublesome to give2 in fact1 it is a delightful form of gardening1 especially for a lady1 as there is no fear of the feet getting dirty or wet1 and a trowel1 not a spade1 is the chief implement used4 ,a small piece of turf1 just a few feet wide1 at the bottom of the corner style of rockery1 is a great set-off1 and a vast improvement on a gravel path4 ,,suitable ,,plants ,,for ,a ,,rockery4 ,the following are some of the best flowers for a rockery4 ,the aubrietias are very pretty little plants1 having creeping rosettes of greyish-green leaves1 and a perfect sheet of mauve or lilac bloom about ,april4 ,the effect is greatly enhanced when planted so as to fall over a stone or brick2 indeed1 it is for those things which are so easily lost sight of in a border that a rockery comes in2 they can be closely inspected there without much stooping4 ,the arabis is a pretty plant1 somewhat like the aubrietia in habit and time of flowering2 hence1 where only a small selection can be made1 it might be left out1 as it is a trifle coarse4 ,such a term could never be applied to the androsaces1 which may be numbered among the elite of rock plants2 they are evergreens1 and do not exceed six inches in height2 they bear tiny but very bright flowers1 varying from rose in some species to lavender in others4 ,,apennine ,,gems4 ,some of the alpine anemones are lovely1 notably ,a4 appennina1 which has sky-blue flowers that open out flat on very short stalks1 surrounded by pale green denticulated foliage4 ,a4 blanda is much the same1 save that it flowers a month or so earlier2 they are spring-blooming plants1 and like moisture and shade1 and will not do at all if subjected to much hot sun4 ,these and many similar plants can often be planted on a rockery facing south-east 7which aspect suits so many sun-loving plants71 by arranging bricks1 stones1 or small shrubs1 so as to shelter them from its hottest rays4 ,aquilegias1 mentioned in the list of border plants1 look quite as well on a rockery1 if moisture can be given them1 as their flowers are so delicate1 and the leaves so fragile and prettily coloured1 especially in the early spring4 ,the blue and white ,a4 caerulea1 from the ,rocky ,mountains1 is a gem1 and the scarlet kinds are very effective4 ,for forming close green carpets1 arenaria balearica is most useful2 it creeps over rocks and stones1 covering them completely with its moss-like growth1 and hiding any hard1 unlovely surfaces4 ,the campanula family is a host in itself1 many of the smaller varieties looking better on a rockery than anywhere else4 ,some of these tiny bell-flowers have1 however1 the very longest of names6 ,c4 portenschlagiana1 for instance1 is only four inches high1 and a charming little plant it is1 and flowers for months1 beginning about ,july4 ,the blossoms are purple-blue in colour1 and continue right into ,november1 unless very hard frosts come to stop it4 ,c4 cespetosa is another variety well suited to rock-work1 as it is even smaller than the last4 ,the alpine wall-flower1 cheiranthus alpinus1 is a very choice little plant2 it has creamy-yellow flowers1 borne on stalks a few inches high1 and1 though each individual plant is biennial1 they seed so freely that they are practically perennial4 ,a light1 dry soil and a sunny situation suits them2 they will even grow on old walls1 and very picturesque they look perched up on some mossy old ruin4 ,an attractive rock plant1 though rarely seen1 is chrysogonum virginianum2 its flowers are creamy-yellow1 and grow in a very quaint manner2 this plant blooms the whole season through4 ,plants of this character should be noted carefully1 as they help to give a rockery a well-furnished appearance1 so that one always has something to show visitors4 ,for warm1 dry1 sunny nooks rock-roses are the very thing2 where other plants would be burnt up1 the cistus flourishes1 for it requires no particular depth of soil4 ,c4 florentinus 7white7 and ,c4 crispus 7dark crimson71 are two of the best4 ,one of the most exquisite and interesting rock-plants ,i have ever seen is clematis davidiana1 a plant only introduced of recent years1 but noticeable wherever seen2 it is not a climber1 as its name might lead one to suppose1 for it only grows two feet high1 and generally trails along the ground2 the flowers are curious in shape1 and of a metallic blue-grey colour2 the foliage is very neat and pretty2 it blooms about ,july1 and should be planted so that it can be examined closely4 ,the fumitories are elegant plants1 and nearly always in flower2 the blossoms are small1 yellow1 sometimes white1 and borne in profusion amongst the finely-cut foliage1 which1 the whole summer through1 is a bright clear green4 ,with one plant of corydalis lutea a stock can soon be obtained1 as this variety seeds freely4 ,all the fumitories prefer a light soil and a sunny position4 ,dwarf evergreen shrubs greatly improve the appearance of the rockery in late autumn and winter1 especially when they add berries to their attractions4 ,the cotoneasters are evergreen1 and when about a foot high are very suitable for such a position4 ,c4 horizontalis and ,c4 micicrophylla bear scarlet berries1 and are altogether very choice2 they must not be allowed to get too large1 but taken up when little over a foot high1 and others substituted for them4 ,various bulbs1 which we generally plant in the border1 find a prettier background in the rockery2 here each bulb is made the most of1 and1 where very small1 is seen to greater advantage2 even if ever so insignificant1 it cannot get buried away under a spadeful of soil1 nor get splashed with mud4 ,you must often have noticed how crocuses get blown over and spoilt by the wind1 but in a cosy nook of the rock-work1 planted fairly close together1 and in a pocket surrounded by bricks1 they find a happy home1 and can be inspected without any difficulty4 ,personally1 ,i do not care for crocuses in a line2 one cannot see their pure transparency1 and only get an idea of a broad band of colour2 close at hand1 their dewy chalices1 exquisitely veined and streaked1 seem far more beautiful1 particularly where the finer sorts are selected4 ,all crocuses do not flower in spring2 some of the prettiest species bloom in autumn1 though many people1 seeing them at that time1 imagine they are colchicums2 the latter1 though certainly very decorative when in flower1 are followed by such coarse leaves that the crocus is decidedly preferable4 ,the hardy cyclamen are very suitable for a rockery1 as1 being beauties in miniature1 they are apt to get lost in a mixed border4 ,c4 neapolitanum has marbled foliage and pretty pink flowers1 and ,c4 europeum 7maroonish crimson7 is also well worth growing2 they must be placed in a shady part1 yet where the drainage is perfect2 stagnant moisture kills them4 ,the hardy orchids should be tried too1 especially the cypripedium2 it is not generally known how handsome some of them are2 they like shade and moisture2 indeed1 through the summer the peat they are growing in should be a regular swamp1 or they will fail to produce fine flowers4 ,another plant that likes peat is the little daphne eneorum4 ,this is an evergreen1 and produces its pink fragrant flowers every spring2 it will not do in very smoky places1 but1 like the heath1 must have a fairly pure atmosphere4 ,the alpine pinks are treasures for the rockery1 and do well in town gardens2 they flower nearly all the summer1 and are not particular as to soil and position1 though they prefer plenty of sun4 ,the gentians look very well on rockwork1 but like a stronger soil than most alpines1 loam suiting them best4 ,water should be generously given during spring and summer4 ,g4 acaulis is the best for amateurs4 ,the red shades found in the geum tribe are very uncommon1 being neither crimson1 scarlet1 nor orange1 but a mixture of all three1 with a dash of brown thrown in4 ,they flower continuously1 and have dull green woolly foliage1 which sets the flowers off well4 ,they need a light1 well-drained soil4 ,geum chilense1 or coccineum plenum1 is a good kind1 and so is ,g4 miniatum2 both are about two feet high1 but require no staking whatever4 ,of course1 it will be understood that sticks1 except of the lightest kind1 are quite inadmissible on a rockery4 ,helianthemums1 or rock roses1 are charming little evergreen plants1 with wiry prostrate stems1 and small flowers1 which are freely produced all the summer4 ,they may be had in white1 yellow1 pink1 scarlet1 and crimson1 and either double or single2 the variety named ,mrs4 ,c4 ,w4 ,earle is a very effective double scarlet1 and quite a novelty4 ,iris reticulata is a very fascinating little bulbous plant1 well adapted for a rockery2 it blooms in the early spring1 and very beautiful the flowers are1 being rich violet-purple1 with gold blotches on each petal2 they are scented1 too2 when in blossom1 the stems reach to about nine inches in height4 ,one of the most lovely plants that can be imagined for a rockery is lithospermum prostratum1 and yet how rarely one sees it2 the glossy green leaves always look cheerful1 and the flowers are exquisite1 they are a bright full blue1 and each petal is slightly veined with red1 it is not difficult to grow1 a dry1 sunny position being all it requires2 it is of trailing habit and an ever-green4 ,everyone knows the creeping jenny1 but it is not to be despised for rock-work1 especially for filling up odd corners where other things will not thrive4 ,it blooms best where there is a certain amount of sun4 ,st4 ,dabeoc's ,heath is a pretty little shrub1 very neat and of good habit2 its flowers are the true pink1 shading off to white1 and of the well-known heath shape4 ,somewhat slow-growing1 it prefers peat4 ,plants that flower the whole season through are most valuable on the rockery4 ,o,enotheras may be depended on to present a pleasing appearance for several weeks1 especially if all dead flowers are picked off4 ,the dwarf kinds are the most suitable1 such as ,oenothera marginata1 missouriensis1 linearis1 and taraxacifolia4 ,the last-named1 however1 is only a biennial1 but has the advantage of opening in the morning1 while most of the evening primroses do not seem to think it worth while to make themselves attractive till calling-hours4 ,the most fairy-like little plant for filling up narrow crevices in sunny quarters is the dear old wood-sorrel4 ,it has tiny leaves like a shamrock in shape1 but of a warm red-brown colour1 and the sweetest little yellow flowers imaginable2 they are borne on very short stalks1 and only come out when the sunshine encourages them2 the whole plant does not exceed three inches in height2 it spreads rapidly1 seeds freely1 and thrives best in a very light soil2 it will also do well on walls4 ,the alpine poppies are so delicate and graceful that they seem made for the rockery4 ,they only grow six inches high1 and continue in flower at least four months2 they may be had in a great range of colours1 and are easily brought up from seed4 ,nice bushy plants can be had of these poppies for about four shillings a dozen1 and it is needless to say they require plenty of sunshine4 ,the word phlox conveys to many people the idea of a tall autumn-flowering plant1 with large umbels of flowers1 individually about the size of a shilling4 ,but these are not the only species2 the alpine varieties are just as beautiful in a different way1 though some are not more than a few inches high1 and each flower no bigger than a ladies' glove-button4 ,in spring and early summer they become perfect sheets of bloom1 so that the foliage is completely hidden2 when out of flower1 they are soft green cushions of plants1 and serve to cover bare bricks well4 ,the alpine potentillas are pretty1 and keep in flower for a long time4 ,p4 nepalensis is a good one1 but the merits of p4 fruticosa are much exaggerated1 its dirty-looking yellow flowers are by no means prepossessing4 ,no rockery is complete without several specimens of the family of saxifrages4 ,one cannot do better than make a beginning with them1 as they are so fine in form and diverse in style4 ,s4 aizoon compactum is one of the best rosette species1 and ,s4 hypnoides densa of the mossy tribe2 other kinds well worth growing are ,s4 burseriana1 which has pretty white flowers on red hairy stems in early ,march2 ,s4 cunifolia1 with charming fresh pink blossoms1 and of course ,s4 umbrosa1 the sweet old-fashioned ,london pride4 ,a dry sunny situation suits the saxifrages best4 ,the ,house leeks are somewhat similar in appearance1 but like drier situations than the last-named plants4 ,the sempervivums delight to creep along a piece of bare rock1 and one marvels how they can derive enough sustenance from the small amount of poor soil in which they are often seen growing4 ,the cobweb species1 called arachnoideum1 is most interesting1 and invariably admired by visitors2 it has greyish-green rosettes1 each one of which is covered with a downy thread in the form of a spider's web4 ,a kind more often seen is sempervivum montanum1 and certainly it is a very handsome species1 with curious flowers supported on firm succulent red stems4 ,it is to be seen in broad clumps at ,kew1 and very well it looks4 ,there are no better carpetters than the dwarf sedums1 or stone crops4 ,s4 glaucum has blue-grey foliage1 and spreads rapidly2 ,s4 lydium is the variety most in use1 and can be had very cheaply4 ,the tall1 old variety1 sedum spectabile1 has been improved upon1 and the novelty is called ,s4 s4 rosea4 ,another novelty is shortia galacifolia2 it is a native of ,north ,america1 and has white1 bell-shaped flowers supported on elegant1 hairy stems1 the leaves are heart shaped1 and turn almost scarlet in autumn2 thus1 the plant has two seasons of beauty1 as it blooms in the spring4 ,a peaty soil1 with a little sand added1 suits it well1 if the drainage is good2 and it likes a half-shady position4 ,plants that are sadly neglected are the airy-fairy ,sea-lavenders or ,statices1 with their filmy heads like purple foam2 ,s4 gmelini and ,s4 limonium are two of the best4 ,when cut1 they last a long time1 and are very useful for giving a graceful appearance to stiff bouquets4 ,the dwarf thalictrums are good rockery plants2 they are grown for their foliage1 which bears a striking resemblance to the maidenhair fern4 ,t4 adiantifolium and ,t4 minus are very pretty2 their flower-heads should always be cut off1 so as to promote the production of their fine fronds1 which have the property of lasting well when cut4 ,the aromatic scent of thyme is very pleasant on a rockery2 not only should the silver and golden varieties be grown1 but also those bright kinds which give us sheets of purple1 pink1 and white blossom during summer2 to thrive they must be exposed to full sunshine1 when they will attract innumerable bees4 ,the new kind1 ,t4 serpyllum roseus1 is splendid1 the tiny flowers coming in such profusion as to completely hide the foliage4 ,all are low-growing1 having the cushion habit of growth4 ,veronicas are not often seen1 yet they are exceedingly pretty1 and continuous bloomers4 ,amateurs should not begin with the shrub tribe1 as these are somewhat tender1 but if ,v4 incana1 ,v4 longifolia-subsessilis1 and ,v4 prostrata are obtained1 they will be sure to please4 ,the first and last are low-growing1 but the other is two feet high1 and has long racenes like soft blue tassels1 which hang down in the most charming way4 ,a few words on some more bulbs that look well on rockeries1 besides the crocus and dwarf iris before-mentioned1 may not be amiss3 the winter aconites are most appropriate so placed1 and show to greater advantage than in the level border4 ,their golden flowers1 each surrounded by a frill of green1 come forth as early as ,january1 if the weather be propitious4 ,the chionodoxa1 called also glory of the snow1 is very fresh and pretty1 with its bright blue flowers having a conspicuous white eye4 ,if left undisturbed they will spread rapidly1 and come up year after year without any further trouble2 they are very cheap1 and will do in any soil4 ,snowdrops are charming on rock-work1 and may be placed close to the chionodoxa1 as they bloom almost together4 ,the grape-hyacinths have very quaint little flowers of a bright dark-blue colour1 on stalks about five or six inches high2 they flower for some weeks1 and must be massed together to get a good effect4 ,the early-flowering scillas resemble the chionodoxas1 but last much longer in bloom4 ,they are very easy to manage1 and rarely fail to make a good show4 ,s4 siberica is the best-known variety1 and can be obtained very cheaply4 ,the miniature narcissus is the sweetest thing imaginable2 ,n4 minus1 is only a few inches high1 and when in the open border is apt to get splashed1 but amongst stones in a sheltered position on the rockery they are charming4 ,all these dwarf bulbs look so well in such positions1 because their purity remains unsullied4 ,here ,i will leave the rockery1 merely intimating that early autumn is the best time for planting1 and that if pains are taken to construct it properly at first1 a great amount of trouble will be saved in the end4 ,most of these plants and bulbs may be had of ,messrs4 ,barr ,sons1 #ab1 ,king ,street1 ,covent ,garden4 ,their daffodil nurseries at ,long ,ditton1 near ,surbiton1 ,surrey1 are famous all the world over1 but they also go in a great deal for hardy perennials and rock plants1 of which they have a splendid stock2 their prices are very reasonable1 too1 when you take into consideration that everything they send out is absolutely true to name4 ,their interesting catalogues will be sent post free on application4 ,,chapter ,x ,trees1 ,shrubs1 and ,how to ,treat ,them4 ,some good plants for growing beneath them--,selection of hardy shrubs--,enriching the soil--,climbers4 ,forest-trees in a small garden are somewhat out of place1 but as they are often found in such positions1 ,i will deal with them here4 ,it is to be remembered that though they give most grateful shade1 not only do they rob everything beneath them of sunshine1 but also take so much out of the soil1 that1 unless constant renewals are made1 very little can be grown in their immediate vicinity2 the class of plants that will do best beneath their branches also find the soil they are growing in best renewed by the leaves which fall therefrom4 ,for the sake of tidiness1 these of course are swept away1 but they should be kept for two or three years1 and then brought back1 converted into leaf-mould2 if this is not done1 the quality of the soil will steadily deteriorate1 instead of getting richer1 as it does in woods2 and this is one reason why so many wild plants fail to thrive when brought into cultivation2 manure is no substitute1 but often distasteful to them4 ,,something ,,besides ,,ivy4 ,trees must be divided into two broad sections1 deciduous and ever-green4 ,very few plants will do well under the latter1 but as regards the first1 ivy is not by any means the only thing that will grow1 though it is often a good plan to use it as a foundation1 and work in plants here and there afterwards4 ,there is no need to choose the large kind2 those elegant varieties with long pointed leaves are more ornamental and just as easy to grow4 ,their roots must be restricted when other plants are near1 or they will soon take up all the room4 ,ferns will do very well under trees1 if they are plentifully watered during the dry season4 ,here also a few of the choicest kinds should be grown1 for though some of them may not do so well as in a shady open spot1 most of them will give a fairly good account of themselves4 ,always plant them with the rhizome above ground1 not forgetting that when each fern has its full complement of fronds1 it will take up a considerably larger space than it does at the time it is set out4 ,if the ,osmunda regalis is tried--the royal fern--it is necessary to get a good established turf of it2 strong clumps cost about #as4 #f;d4 each2 plenty of water must be given it in the summer4 ,i have seen it in splendid form under a tree in a very small garden4 ,perhaps the ,st4 ,john's worts come next to ivy and ferns in their usefulness for planting under trees1 as they are always decorative1 being ever-green4 ,in the spring1 the foliage is a most lovely soft apple-green1 and in summer when the golden cups filled with anthers issue forth from the axils of the leaves1 the effect is beautiful4 ,hypericum calycinum is the ,latin term for these plants1 and though they will do on the dryest bank and in the poorest soil1 being very tough and wiry1 if they are grown in good loam and manure is occasionally given them1 they will repay with far finer flowers1 which will be produced for a longer season4 ,a good breadth of woodruff makes a very pretty picture for several weeks1 and has a delightful scent2 here and there bulbs can be planted amongst it1 neither being harmed by this plan4 ,the aubrietias flower with unfailing regularity under trees1 even when the aspect is north1 and no gleam of sunshine reaches them2 their greyish-green rosettes resist drought splendidly1 and though these plants do not give us so much blossom in unfavourable positions1 still they make a very pretty show4 ,aubrietias can be easily propagated by division2 every morsel grows4 ,,banks ,,under ,,trees4 ,the white arabis also does well under similar conditions2 both are useful for draping perpendicular surfaces1 such as the steep side of a bank or hedge4 ,a raised border1 with facing of bricks1 is rather a nice way of growing plants under trees1 and the work of tending them is pleasant1 less stooping being required4 ,the mossy saxifrage droops over the edges1 and mingles well with the arabis1 but it must be more carefully watered1 as it is apt to die out2 pieces should constantly be taken off1 and dibbled in so as to fill up any gaps4 ,the periwinkles meander charmingly over the roughest stones1 and in the most dreary spots2 their glossy ever-green leaves1 and fresh bright little flowerets always looking cheerful whatever the weather4 ,they creep quickly1 rooting every few inches as they grow2 on the perpendicular face of the rock1 succulent plants like echeverias can sometimes be made to grow 7those little green rosettes1 having each leaf tipped with red1 which can be bought so readily in ,may for about twopence each74 ,many things will do for a time1 that want renewing each year1 even if hardy4 ,cowslips1 primroses1 polyanthus1 wallflowers1 all will make a fair show if planted out just before flowering1 but1 unless a few hours' sun daily shines on them1 they will not retain enough vitality to produce seed1 and being biennial soon die out1 leaving not a trace behind4 ,a great many bulbs do admirably under deciduous trees1 especially those which blossom before the new leaves on the branches above them have reached any appreciable size4 ,scillas bloom in the same place year after year2 snowdrops also do fairly well1 and lilies of the valley ring out a few of their dainty bells every spring 7a rich vegetable soil suits them best74 ,tulips only do well when planted afresh every autumn2 but1 as they are so cheap1 that is not a great matter4 ,the megaseas1 mentioned in another chapter1 give forth many of their fine leaves1 but they refuse to turn colour1 owing to the want of sun4 ,fox-gloves1 also1 grow and flower1 seeming to enjoy their position4 ,if the aspect of the space to be filled is a cold one1 such things as geraniums will only give a few poor flowers1 and then succumb4 ,even pansies wilt and gradually fade away under trees1 for their soft1 weak stems and leaves soon get drawn up for want of light1 though they will do well enough on an open border1 facing north4 ,hard-wooded plants will be generally found to do best2 indeed1 some of the shrub tribe succeed very well1 particularly barberry1 pernettyas1 the early daphnes1 whortleberries1 gaultheria shallon and cotoneaster4 ,while on the subject of shrubs1 it may be as well to mention several attractive kinds which may be planted in place of the eternal box and ,portugal laurel2 of course1 these two have almost every good quality2 they will do in any soil1 are ever-green1 and resist smoke1 dust and dirt well2 but1 in places where poor soil and a soot-laden atmosphere are absent1 substitutes might occasionally be found for those shrubs1 which will have the added charm of novelty4 ,one of the nicest for small gardens is cotoneaster microphylla2 this is a joy to look at1 all through the winter months1 when it is at its best2 the branches grow in an uncommon manner1 and are of somewhat prostrate habit2 they are thickly clothed with dark1 small leaves the whole way up the stem1 and shining amongst them are the pretty crimson1 almost transparent berries4 ,it is quite distinct from the ordinary berry-bearing shrubs1 as there is nothing stiff about its gracefully-curving sprays1 which look well cut and wedged in the ,japanese fashion4 ,shrubs of this variety may be had as low as sixpence1 but it is better policy to get a larger one1 costing about eighteen pence1 as they will sooner be of a presentable size2 they are shrubs1 too1 that do not altogether show their capabilities when at a very youthful stage4 ,a ,,good ,,all ,,round ,,plant4 ,berberis aquifolium is another shrub which has a great deal to recommend it2 it is ever-green1 and will do in almost any position2 it bears lovely yellow flowers in spring1 purple powdered berries in ,august1 and the foliage turns a rich red in ,october4 ,always ornate1 it is one of the easiest shrubs to grow1 and just the thing for a small garden4 ,the myrtle1 though liable to be killed in a very hard frost1 can often be grown to a great size in a sheltered garden2 ,i have seen bushes eight yards round1 in an exposed position near the river ,thames1 which must have been braving the storms for many a year past4 ,they should not be planted out till ,march or ,april1 though ,november is the month for most other shrubs4 ,the old pyrus japonica makes a good bush1 though most often grow on a wall2 its bright flowers1 carmine-scarlet in colour with yellow anthers in the centre1 appear early in ,april1 a week or two later than the climbers1 which of course are protected4 ,when grown in bush form1 it is sometimes pruned out of all recognition2 this is especially the case in public gardens1 and is quite an affliction to any one who knows how lovely it can be6 ,the knife should be restrained1 allowing the pyrus to take its own shape as much as possible2 it is often sold under the name of cydonia japonica1 as that is really its rightful title4 ,one or two of the araucarias make very good shrubs for a small garden2 they should not be grown in cold1 wind-swept places1 as their branches soon turn brown if exposed to continued frost and furious blasts4 ,there is a magnificent specimen in the nurseries of ,messrs4 ,veitch1 ,kingston ,hill1 ,surrey1 planted about #ahfe2 its ornamental appearance is greatly due to the number of young branches springing out from the main trunk and almost completely covering it2 they nestle under the larger branches1 and produce a very picturesque effect4 ,small plants of this variety may be had for three or four shillings4 ,messrs4 ,veitch have a splendid selection of shrubs1 all in the best of health2 their hollies are well grown1 and include all the good sorts2 a variety that bears fruit when quite young is ilex glabrum1 of which they have a large stock2 these trees are such slow growers1 that it is advisable to get one that will look attractive almost at once4 ,pernettyas are ornamental little shrubs1 not so much grown as they deserve2 in winter1 when most things look drooping and unhappy1 these ,american visitors to our gardens are bright and cheerful4 ,the dwarf erica carnea1 both pink and white1 show their buds as early as ,november1 and at the turn of the year present a very pretty appearance2 they look well as edgings to rhododendron beds2 their price is about sixpence each4 ,another charming winter shrub is cornus sanguinea2 its beauty lies in the red glow of its leafless stems1 which makes it visible some distance off4 ,spirea ,anthony ,waterer is a fine plant in late summer1 having pink umbels of flowers and a habit somewhat like the valerian4 ,the snow-berry is good in autumn and winter1 having large white berries which hang on a long time2 it is deciduous1 and likes a rich soil4 ,messrs4 ,veitch have a splendid collection of conifers for all aspects and positions2 their small junipers are most fascinating little trees1 with flat spreading branches of the loveliest shade of green1 and their seedling firs are well balanced4 ,they sell a great variety of lilac trees too4 ,,grafted ,,lilacs4 ,a note on lilacs will not be amiss2 if you notice that any lilacs you may happen to have flower sparsely1 and are poor in size and colour it will be as well to examine the stems close to the soil1 and you will probably find a fine crop of suckers2 all these must be cut away as sedulously as those on your rose-trees1 for nearly all lilacs are grafted1 very few kinds being sold on their own roots4 ,the forsythias are pretty climbers or shrubs1 according to the variety chosen1 much like the yellow jasmine1 with its golden stars on leafless stems4 ,just as the latter1 however1 is going out of flower the forsythias are coming on1 and therefore give a succession of very pretty blossoms4 ,originally from ,china1 the wigelias have now taken a place in many ,english gardens1 by reason of their fresh pink and white flowers and easy cultivation4 ,they bloom late in spring1 and should be placed by preference against a dark wall1 as their flowers1 being surrounded by pale-green foliage1 do not stand out sufficiently on a light one4 ,,the ,,delicate ,,ceanothus4 ,the exquisite summer-flowering ceanothus has been mentioned before1 but ,i notice it here again because it is one of those shrubs that should not be overlooked on any account2 its leaves are somewhat like those of a heliotrope1 and its flowers are bluish-mauve in colour and borne in trusses2 it blooms for many weeks and has a most delicious scent1 and should be planted out in the spring4 ,a neglected but really remarkable shrub is the rhus cotinus--the smoke plant4 ,in early ,august it is a striking sight1 with its curious inflorescence quite impossible to describe4 ,at ,hampton ,court there are two or three fine species4 ,,winter ,,shrubbery4 ,it will be observed that shrubs presenting a decorative appearance in winter are made much of2 this is because soft-wooded plants always look miserable then1 whereas with a few berry-bearing shrubs and a nice selection of bulbs1 we may have a pretty garden all the year round4 ,once planted1 however1 they should not be left entirely to take care of themselves2 the soil must be enriched occasionally1 if we wish for good results1 and great care taken to train them in the way they should go1 by pinching out shoots which would tend to give a lop-sided effect4 ,such things as firs must be unobtrusively staked till they are able to support themselves1 as symmetrical growth is part of their charm1 and we must remember that as the twig is bent1 the tree is inclined4 ,standard rhododendrons require to be very carefully staked until they have a fair hold of the ground1 or their big heads are caught by the wind1 and this loosens the soil to such an extent that it is impossible for fresh roots to be made4 ,generally1 some of the bush rhododendrons should be grown amongst the standards1 and if these are dotted about with clumps of lilies the effect is very rich4 ,lilium tigrinum splendens is one of the best for this purpose1 and is most brilliantly beautiful during ,august and ,september2 they are six feet in height1 and the flowers are a rich orange red1 with black spots on each petal2 they can be obtained for half-a-crown the dozen4 ,a lily suitable for placing amongst azaleas1 as it is only three feet high1 is lilium speciosum album2 it has glistening pure-white flowers1 and a graceful habit4 ,the shade of the shrub is most beneficial to the lilies1 as they dislike strong sunshine1 and of course they are also protected from cold in winter4 ,the same soil1 a mixture of peat1 loam and sand1 suits both4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,the ,ins and ,outs of ,gardening ,planting--,watering--,puddling--,aspect --,shelter--,youth and age in relation to plants--,catalogue defects--,a time for everything4 ,now that we have seen what to plant1 it will be advisable to learn how to plant it4 ,perhaps the most important point to be taken notice of is the necessity of firm planting4 ,watch how a clever gardener presses the earth well round the roots of everything he puts in1 where the plants are large1 treading the soil down with his foot4 ,loose planting is ruinous 7except in a few isolated cases71 and yet it is a favourite practice with amateurs1 who call it treating their flowers tenderly6 ,but1 as with the human kind1 a judicious mixture of firmness and tenderness is the happy medium to be aimed at1 and which alone insures success4 ,a good watering helps to make the soil settle as much as anything2 therefore1 when put into the ground the plants should be well soaked1 after which they should be left for a few days1 with the exception of overhead watering1 which is most refreshing4 ,in very hot weather1 it is often possible to transplant with perfect safety1 if the roots are put into puddle4 ,,planting ,,in ,,puddle4 ,puddle is a very expressive gardening term1 which signifies soil mixed with so much water as almost to have acquired the consistency of a paste4 ,operation #a--well water the plant to be removed2 operation #b--;dig the hole which is to receive it2 operation #c--;fill the same with water up to the rim2 operation #d--;carefully take up your plant with plenty of soil round it2 operation #e--;gently place it in hole prepared1 the walls of which will then be thoroughly soaked2 operation #f--;fill in with the puddle above referred to2 operation #g--tread gently but firmly down2 and1 lastly1 scatter a little dryer soil on the top4 ,flowers planted in this fashion can be taken up even during ,june1 ,july and ,august2 and1 if properly looked after1 will scarcely flag at all4 ,,effects ,,of ,,aspect4 ,the influence of aspect on plants is an interesting study2 we all know that a shrub on a south wall is practically in a different climate to a shrub on a north wall4 ,one reason why tender plants do so well on a south or west aspect is because the sun does not reach it till some hours after it has risen and warmed the air4 ,the sun shining on half-frozen buds often has a disastrous effect on plants climbing walls with an eastern aspect2 consequently1 a north wall is often better for a delicate plant1 if the warmest aspect cannot be given it2 camellias1 for instance1 when outside prefer it to any other4 ,if a succession of one kind of flower is desired1 a group facing each corner o,l the compass will often accomplish this1 sometimes as much difference as a month being noted4 ,certain unimpressionable plants refuse to alter their season of blooming1 but1 as a rule1 it is a sure method of attaining this object4 ,colouring is also vastly influenced by aspect2 such things as pansies1 for example1 never show such rich markings under a hot sun1 but require an east border to bring out their true beauties4 ,scotland suits them admirably1 with its cool summer nights and moist atmosphere4 ,,the ,,importance ,,of ,,shelter4 ,shelter has a great deal to do with success in a garden2 in the ordinary town garden1 the builder has generally been only too obliging in this respect1 but in bleak hilly spots it might almost be called the gardener's watchword4 ,few things except ,scotch firs and the like will stand a long-continued high wind with impunity2 not only does it wrench the plants out of the soil1 but1 if it comes from a cold quarter1 both flowers and leaves curl up at its approach and refuse to thrive2 they become nipped in the bud1 as at the touch of frost4 ,everyone has experienced the meaning of shelter when out in a cold nor'-easter2 how it bites one1 making the blood stand still with its fury6 then1 all at once1 we round the corner1 and hey presto6 all is changed2 the air is quite caressing1 and the blood tingles to our very finger-tips from the sudden reaction4 ,with due regard to shelter1 then1 climates can be manufactured without glass4 ,in extensive grounds1 these wind-breaks are made by planting lines of trees1 but in smaller spaces it may be done differently4 ,the construction of light fences1 not over five feet in height1 run up inside the compound1 accomplish a good deal1 as may be seen by any visitor to the nurseries of ,messrs4 ,barr1 at ,long ,ditton2 they are not ugly if well clothed1 and make an effectual break in a much shorter time than would be the case if fruit-trees were planted1 though there is nothing prettier than a row of apple or pear trees1 grown espalier fashion1 if time is no object4 ,many things will nestle beneath them1 and flower beautifully for months together1 for1 though these fruit-trees are deciduous1 the force of the wind is considerably lessened by them1 on the same principle that fishing-nets are such a protection from frost to wall-climbers2 and this again may be compared to the veils which ladies use to protect their skin4 ,though of wide mesh1 the fishing-nets will keep off five or six degrees of frost1 and in certain cases are better than a closer protection1 like tiffany1 which sometimes coddles the trees too much4 ,a few words on the respective qualities of youth and age may not be amiss4 ,amateurs are so often disappointed in their garden purchases1 because they will not allow the plants sufficient time to demonstrate their capabilities4 ,catalogues are much to blame in this respect2 an enticing description of a shrub is given1 and the confiding amateur orders it1 believing that in a year or two it will fulfil its character4 ,how can he be expected to know that that particular variety never bears any flowers worth speaking of till it is at least seven years old6 ,in the long run1 ,i think nurserymen will find it pay to tell the whole truth regarding each plant they send out1 not merely in a negative way either4 ,if an alpine1 for example1 like linnea borealis1 is extremely difficult to grow and flower in this country1 it is only fair to say so2 to place it amongst a lot of easily-cultivated plants without a word of warning is not straightforward dealing1 moreover is apt to make people disgusted with the whole thing4 ,some plants bloom much the best when in their first youth2 this is the case with many of the soft-wooded plants1 which soon give signs of exhaustion1 especially in a light soil4 ,when it is noticed that the outside flowering stems produce finer blossoms than those from the centre1 it is generally a sign that division is required1 and that the soil wants enriching4 ,,the ,,calendar4 ,that there is a time for everything in gardening is almost a truism2 the calendar is considered one of the most important parts of a technical book on this subject4 ,it is advisable for an amateur gardener to have a note-book1 in which he jots down what he has to do several weeks or months in advance2 so often some fault easily remedied is left over from year to year1 because perhaps it is only observed in the summer1 and cannot be mended till winter4 ,recently1 the calendar has not been given quite so much prominence2 gardeners find out more and more that the weather is not governed by it1 and that though one year it may be best to sow a certain seed at the beginning of ,february1 another season may be so cold that it will have to go in at least a fortnight later4 ,nevertheless1 taken roughly1 this diary of events1 as the dictionary calls it1 holds good for most years1 and it is wise to stick to it as far as possible4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,the ,profitable ,portion ,fruit--,the best kinds for a small garden--,avoidance of size minus flavour--,vegetables--,herbs4 ,if a small garden has room for any fruit-trees1 apples are the most useful kind to grow2 they can be so trained as to take up little room2 for instance1 in espalier fashion1 down each side of a sunny walk4 ,these apple-hedges are a lovely sight in spring and also in the autumn1 when the ruddy fruit is waiting to drop into the outstretched hand4 ,though names can easily be given1 it is generally a good plan to make enquiries in the neighbourhood as to the best varieties to grow1 for so much depends on soil and position4 ,colloquial names are often given1 which require identifying with existing varieties2 this can be done by sending up a specimen of the fruit to the manager of a correspondence column in some reliable gardening magazine4 ,these gentlemen are generally able to give the desired information1 and no charge is made4 ,a surer method still is to send the fruit which it is desired to identify to some well-known nurseries1 such as those of ,messrs4 ,rivers at ,sawbridgeworth1 ,hertfordshire2 they have acres upon acres of splendid fruit-trees of every kind1 and my readers cannot do better than purchase all they require from them4 ,having such wide experience1 they can recommend varieties suitable for all kinds of soil and all sorts of positions4 ,for small gardens1 apple-trees grafted on the paradise stock are much to be recommended1 as they are compact in habit1 taking up but little room and begin bearing almost at once4 ,messrs4 ,rivers guarantee their trees on this stock to continue in full-bearing for many years4 ,plant pears1 and you plant for your heirs is the old saying1 but this is all changed now that the quince stock is used so much4 ,cordon pears on wire fencing bear first-rate crops1 and are particularly good for small gardens2 the diagonal cordon is perhaps the best4 ,cooking pears can be grown on north walls1 but it is not advisable to try dessert varieties on such a cold aspect4 ,,stone ,,fruit4 ,to grow stone fruit successfully1 the soil must contain a fair quantity of lime2 moreover the trees1 especially if trained against walls1 must be kept well-watered at the stoning period4 ,after the fruit has been picked1 less moisture is required4 ,standard plants are very profitable1 as crops of currants and gooseberries can be grown beneath them2 this double system of cropping the ground being a great advantage where space is a consideration4 ,plums require little pruning1 and are also not so liable to attacks of birds as other fruit4 ,when ordering1 do not get too many trees of one variety1 a good selection will give a long succession of fruit2 this applies to all kinds of fruit-trees4 ,currants are a very manageable fruit1 as they do well in almost any position2 heavy crops can be secured from bushes planted on north borders1 the black currant thriving though it only gets a minimum of sunshine2 gooseberries are not exacting either1 and will give a good return for a small amount of labour4 ,both may be propagated by cuttings1 and are very reasonable in price1 only costing about four shillings a dozen4 ,messrs4 ,rivers' stock of maiden peach-trees and nectarines is unsurpassed1 and many of the best kinds obtainable have been raised by them1 and are of worldwide fame4 ,regarding that oft-debated question of protecting the blossom in spring1 they do not advise anything in the nature of bracken to be used1 this often doing more harm than good4 ,if possible1 a glass coping should be placed along the top of the wall1 from which tiffany can depend on cold nights2 unless this be done1 it is best to leave them alone4 ,fine crops are often obtained in the south and west of ,england without any protection whatever1 the good seasons amply compensating for the bad4 ,it occasionally happens that the amateur has an advantage over the market grower4 ,this is particularly the case where one wants to curtail the depredations of birds2 it pays to protect a few yards of fruit1 but where it is a case of several acres1 the trees have to take their chance4 ,cherries have to be watched very carefully in this respect2 it is very desirable to keep the ,morello cherries hanging long1 as they then become sweeter and make good tarts4 ,these trees do very well on north walls4 ,,want ,,of ,,flavour4 ,one great fault noticeable in fruit-growing of recent years is that everything is sacrificed to size and appearance1 flavour being at a discount2 the shows have had a great deal to do with this2 in the old days1 when they were fewer in number1 the test of a fruit was its taste4 ,strawberries in particular have deteriorated in this way1 the huge kinds now seen often being absolutely devoid of the luscious flavour generally associated with them4 ,of course we have better keeping varieties1 and they can be obtained much later than was once the case4 ,if the culture of the perpetual varieties is extended strawberries will be in season many weeks longer1 and this will be extremely good news for invalids1 who find it as a rule one of the easiest fruits to digest4 ,the cultivation of strawberries is fairly easy1 but their wants must be regularly attended to4 ,once in three years the old plants must be taken up1 and new ones 7the runners issuing from the old7 planted instead2 in the summer a good mulching of strawy manure should be placed between the rows1 as this helps to keep the fruit clean1 besides enriching the soil4 ,plants which are expected to bear a good crop of fruit must have all their runners cut off as fast as they appear1 as it exhausts the plants much to bear both4 ,strawberries are partial to rather a light soil1 but nearly all other fruit-trees revel in a mixture of loam and clay1 with a little sand to keep it open4 ,this soil does not suffer so much from drought1 and1 being firmer1 the larger trees can send their roots down and get a far better hold of the ground than is possible in shingly1 poor soils4 ,,ornamental ,,and ,,useful4 ,vegetables take up a good deal of room in a garden if they are wanted all the year round1 but a few things can be easily grown4 ,scarlet runner beans1 being ornamental as well as useful1 are some of the best vegetables to grow1 as they can be made to form a convenient screen for a rubbish heap4 ,these can be brought up from seed sown early in ,april1 and1 when a foot high1 require sticks2 these come rather expensive if new ones are used every summer1 but with care they will last two and even three seasons1 though latterly they become very brittle4 ,on the rubbish heap1 marrows can be grown with the greatest facility1 as they revel in the rich warmth there found4 ,they should be bought when a few inches high1 and planted out at the end of ,may1 as they are only half hardy4 ,when the flower at the end drops off they are ready to cut2 if allowed to get much larger they lose all their flavour4 ,a few1 however1 should be allowed to become quite ripe1 as they can be used in the autumn for making apple-tart1 two parts apple to one part marrow1 and they also make a good jam when spiced with ginger1 etc4 ,,relations ,,of ,,the ,,sunflowers4 ,jerusalem artichokes will flourish on a north border1 and come in very nicely during ,november2 they are planted in exactly the same manner as potatoes1 that is1 by means of pieces containing two or three eyes1 which should go in about ,february4 ,like potatoes1 too1 they can be stored2 though so tall1 they do not require any sticks2 these artichokes present much the same appearance as the ordinary cottager's sun-flower 7indeed1 the botanical name is identical1 helianthus71 having thick1 hollow stems1 covered with long1 pointed1 hairy leaves4 ,potatoes are rather kittle-kattle for amateurs1 but where the soil is light they should certainly be tried1 especially where there is room for a rotation of crops1 as successive planting should not be made in the same place4 ,beware of giving rank manure to them1 a sure precursor of disease2 artificial manures1 such as guano are far more suitable4 ,no trees must be allowed near them1 but a sunny open piece of ground be given up to them4 ,march is the month to plant and the rows should be from fifteen inches to two feet apart4 ,carrots and turnips also prefer a light soil and sunny situation4 ,seeds of both should be sown in ,march1 when the soil is in a friable condition1 several times subsequently2 the seeds must be well thinned out1 and the space between the rows constantly turned by the hoe2 the latter operation is particularly needful in heavy land1 as it not only destroys weeds1 but prevents the soil from caking3 the rows should be about a foot apart4 ,before the turnips are ready1 the young green tops make a vegetable by no means to be despised4 ,herbs1 such as mint1 parsley1 mustard and cress1 should be grown in every garden1 as they take up but little space and are so much dearer to buy4 ,mint is perennial1 and will come up year after year1 giving no trouble whatever2 it spreads rapidly and will grow anywhere4 ,to start a bed1 roots can be bought from some market-gardener1 or cuttings can be struck from the bunches bought in the shops4 ,parsley is a biennial1 though generally grown as an annual1 because the leaves from young plants are much the best2 the seeds should be sown two or three times a year1 beginning about ,february1 in a sheltered nook2 this herb likes plenty of sun2 even the curliest varieties degenerate if placed in a damp shady situation4 ,it prefers light soil1 and gives a better winter supply than where the soil is heavy4 ,flower-heads must be cut off regularly to keep the plants in good condition1 though just a few of the best kinds may be allowed to perfect their seed1 which should be sown as soon as ripe4 ,mustard and cress should also be sown several times during the summer2 the cress must be sown three or four days before the mustard1 to obtain them ready for cutting at the same time2 both must be cut almost directly they appear1 as1 if allowed to grow tall1 they become tough1 and their flavour is lost2 these seeds require no thinning out1 the exception that proves the rule4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,annuals and ,biennials ,how to grow annuals--,some good kinds--,some good biennials4 ,many amateurs look upon annuals as rubbishy things to grow1 and only suitable for the children's gardens1 but that is because they have generally failed to grow them properly4 ,with the improved kinds now in cultivation1 it is possible to make the portion of the flower-garden devoted to them a thing of beauty if not a joy for ever4 ,as it is more satisfactory to bring them up from the beginning1 ,i have described in ,chapter ,,xvi4 a method generally successful4 ,seed-sowing out-of-doors being rather precarious1 ,i have found it advisable to sow all the smaller seeds either in a green-house or frame1 however hardy the annual be4 ,this not only saves endless trouble in the way of protecting the seed from birds1 etc41 but is advantageous in that one has an earlier display of bloom1 owing to the growth being quicker under glass4 ,below is a table of the choicest kinds3-- ,,annuals4 ,,name4 ,,length4 ,,colour4 ,bartonia aurea #a to #a-a_/b ft4 ,golden yellow4 ,celosia plumosa #a-a_/b ft4 ,red and yellow4 7,somewhat after the style of ,prince's feather2 tender47 ,coreopsis 7or ,calliopsis7 #b ft4 ,yellow and red4 ,eschscholtzia #a ft4 ,bright yellow4 7,very pretty grey-green foliage2 select47 ,gaillardia #a-a_/b ft4 ,yellow and red4 7,the blanket flower2 good for cutting47 ,godetia #i ins4 ,red to white4 7,cup-shaped2 showy47 ,mesembryanthemum #a_/b to #a ft4 ,ice plant4 7,grown for its foliage1 which glistens beautifully2 must have sun47 ,ionopsidium acaule #b to #c ins4 ,pale mauve4 7,miniature plants for filling up crevices in rockwork47 ,linum coccineum #a ft4 ,new scarlet variety4 ,lupinus arboreus1 ,snow-queen #c to #d ft4 ,pure white4 7,a very stately plant2 new47 ,nemophila grandiflora #a_/b ft4 ,beautiful blue and white4 7,remind one of the eyes of a child47 ,phlox drummondi #a ft4 ,all shades of red to white 7,half-hardy2 must be massed47 ,shirley poppy #a ft4 ,all shades of pink4 7,very graceful and free2 light soil47 ,portulaca #a_/b ft4 ,mixed colours4 7,the most effective of all annuals2 half-hardy2 must have plenty of sun and a light soil47 ,salpiglossis #a-a_/b ft4 ,all shades4 7,very fragile flowers1 veined and marked in exquisite fashion2 must be massed47 ,silene pendula compacta #a_/b ft4 ,bright pink4 7,flowers shaped somewhat like a ,maltese cross47 ,stocks1 double1 ten-week #a ft4 ,various4 7,when thinning1 only keep the weakest seedlings1 as those are the double ones47 ,,biennials4 ,these1 if sown one spring1 will not flower the following summer1 but do so the year after4 ,,name4 ,,length4 ,,colour4 ,fox-gloves #c to #d ft4 ,white and coloured 7,white1 most picturesque2 all do well in shade2 unless seed is required1 cut out main stem1 when side shoots will flower47 ,lunaria biennis #a-a_/b to #b ft4 ,the old honesty4 7,much prized for its silvery seed-pods47 ,polyanthus #a_/b ft4 ,mixed colours4 7,admirable for shady places2 water well47 ,japanese pinks #a ft4 ,deepest crimson to white4 7,fringed petals2 a whole bed of this is lovely47 ,sweet ,williams #a ft4 ,mixed shades4 7,auricula type1 the best2 there is a novelty1 blackish-maroon in shade1 which should be placed amongst some of the crimson varieties47 ,snap-dragons #b ft4 ,varied4 7,flower from ,june to ,november2 eschew reds of a mauve hue47 ,wallflower1 ,ruby ,gem #b ft4 ,reddish violet4 ,the seeds of all these1 true to name and ripe for germination1 may be obtained from ,messrs4 ,barr1 ,long ,ditton1 ,surrey1 who sell sixpenny packets of all these kinds2 small quantities of the well-known sorts only costing threepence4 ,this is a great advantage to owners of small gardens1 as one does not wish to give #as4 #f;d4 or #bs4 #f;d4 for perhaps two thousand seeds of one variety1 when only two or three dozen are required4 ,penny packets of seeds may be had from the ,one and ,all ,company at most greengrocer's1 and are really wonderful value for the money4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,window ,boxes ,how to make them--,relation of box to residence they are intended to adorn--,suitable soil--,window plants for different aspects4 ,where gardens are small1 one seems to need window boxes more than where there is land and to spare4 ,they add to the number of one's flowers1 and1 if carefully looked after1 decidedly improve the appearance of a house4 ,that is a large ,if though1 for unkempt boxes only make it look untidy4 ,,flowers ,,first1 ,,box ,,second4 ,though the tiled sort obtain a good deal of patronage1 nothing really looks much better than boxes covered with virgin cork1 if constantly renewed1 for it acts as a foil to the flowers1 whereas patterned tiles are rather apt to take one's attention away from them4 ,in summer1 certainly1 they have the advantage of preserving the earth in a moist condition1 and in smoky towns they help to give a bright1 clean look to the houses so decorated4 ,old-fashioned houses1 however1 should always have their window boxes made in the virgin cork style1 as they accord better with their surroundings4 ,when strong wooden boxes have been procured1 it is quite easy to tack on the cork one's self1 provided one has a sharp knife and a good supply of long nails1 and it is most fascinating work2 it is advisable to wear gloves during the process1 as the hands may become rough otherwise4 ,seven pounds of the cork may be had for a shilling of any seedsman1 and three lots will do two boxes of the average size4 ,the soil should be fairly light1 like that used for potting1 but before the boxes are filled1 several holes1 bored with a red-hot poker1 should be made in the bottom1 and a thin layer of crocks spread over them2 do not quite fill the box with soil1 but leave an inch or two free to allow of watering1 and even more if a layer of moss or cocoa-nut fibre is used to cover the surface of the soil2 this is certainly an improvement till the plants get large enough to cover it themselves4 ,only artificial manures must be used to fertilize the roots1 and even those must not be given too often1 but only in the hot weather1 when growth is quick1 as they are stimulating to a great degree4 ,constant renewals are necessary1 if the boxes are to look gay all the year round2 even the best gardeners acknowledge this4 ,if continuous bloomers are chosen1 however1 the cost is considerably modified4 ,perhaps the winter shrubs are the most expensive item2 yet they are often chosen without much regard to cheerfulness2 indeed1 the favourite kinds present a most funereal appearance4 ,aspect has always a good deal to do with the selection of plants1 but in the case of windows facing north and east1 it is the cold winds more than the absence of sun which restricts the choice4 ,shelter is a great factor in their well-being4 ,,showy ,,in ,,winter4 ,in a cosy box with a western exposure1 and protected on the north1 the golden-tipped retinosporas make a pretty show during the cold months of the year1 and form a welcome change from the prevailing dark green tones4 ,cotoneasters1 pernettyas1 and the variegated euonymus are also very suitable4 ,the polypody ferns1 being evergreen1 look very well too1 and will thrive facing all four points of the compass4 ,in the spring1 dwarf wall-flowers1 interspersed with different kinds of bulbs1 make the boxes look bright1 and the new pyrus maulei is also very pretty at this season4 ,the perennial candytuft1 too1 is a splendid flower for late spring1 particularly iberis correafolia1 which has a neat habit1 and bears quantities of snow-white flowers2 it likes sun1 and not too much moisture4 ,the yellow jasmine1 which is so pretty in winter1 looks extremely well when allowed to droop over the edges of a box1 as it flowers in quite a young state4 ,the mossy saxifrages are suitable for the edges of the box1 and are always ornamental2 their charming white flowers1 supported on red stalks1 appear about ,may4 ,such bulbs as the ,duc ,van ,thol tulips are very bright1 and mix well with the shrubs2 they should be put in some time in ,october4 ,crocuses look well1 too1 but should not be placed in the same box as the tulips1 or too gaudy an appearance will result4 ,a thick planting along the front of the box of the ,starch hyacinth--muscari--is uncommon1 and an exceedingly nice thing to have1 as the moment the window is open fragrant whiffs1 resembling new-mown hay1 pour into the room1 especially on a sunny morning4 ,when these bulbs have to make way for the summer flowers1 it is advisable to plant them out in the garden and use another lot next year1 as the constant transplantation somewhat weakens them4 ,of course1 one could leave them in the box during the summer1 if it were not for the unsightly decaying leaves1 which must on no account be cut off4 ,about the middle of ,may for the ,south of ,england1 and a fortnight later for the ,north1 is the time to furnish the boxes for the summer4 ,if the window is small1 low-growing plants and trailers should prevail4 ,,for ,,cold ,,aspects4 ,some good flowers for north and east aspects are fuschias1 calceolarias1 begonias1 and the lovely white campanula isophylla2 the latter thrives best in such conditions1 bearing finer flowers for a much greater length of time than where the sun scorches it4 ,these plants accord well with stucco1 which serves to show up their whiteness more than anything4 ,marguerites1 yellow and white1 also thrive in the cooler windows of a house1 and are not so exigent in the matter of watering when so placed4 ,when selecting begonias for boxes it is well to choose the single varieties with moderate-sized blossoms2 the big flabby ones soon become spoilt by rain1 and are not produced so freely1 nor is their habit of growth so good4 ,for hot situations the double geraniums are splendid1 but they should not be mixed with lobelias1 as they look infinitely better when grouped by themselves1 the shades ranging from dark crimson to the palest salmon-pink4 ,,pretty ,,trailers4 ,the quick-growing tradescantia with its many-jointed stems and glossy bright green leaves1 softens the somewhat formal appearance of the geraniums1 and will cover all the bare soil in a marvellously short space of time1 and droop over the edges in long streamers2 it is quite distinct from the tall tradescantias mentioned in a former chapter1 and is the easiest thing in the world to propagate1 as any little bits saved over from a bouquet will make roots in a bowl of water1 or they can be struck in the ordinary way in a pot under glass4 ,the variegated tradescantia is a very choice trailer1 but a little more tender than the other1 and requires a sunny position1 while the plain green variety will do anywhere outside in the summer1 even growing well under trees4 ,for autumn there are the hardy chrysanthemums1 and if dwarf varieties with fibrous roots are chosen1 a very good show can be made with these till the middle or end of ,november4 ,the protection afforded them by the house keeps them in good condition longer than when they are in the open1 especially when a thin veiling1 such as tiffany1 is afforded them on cold nights4 ,even newspapers will keep out several degrees of frost1 and form a very cheap method of protection4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,table ,decoration and ,flowers in ,season ,graceful arrangement--,how to manage thick-skinned stems--,colour-schemes--,bad colours for artificial light--,preserving and resuscitating--,table of flowers in season4 ,the fashion of decorating tables to the extent now done is of comparatively recent date4 ,when the duties were taken off the importation of foreign flowers1 they became so much lower in price that the great middle-class could afford to buy some even in mid-winter4 ,in the ,british ,isles themselves1 too1 the carriage of flowers is much cheaper and more expeditious1 though there is plenty of room for improvement still in that respect4 ,the manner of arranging them has much altered1 for1 instead of cramming a clumsy vase to its utmost limits with a dozen different flowers of as many shades1 only one1 two1 or at most three1 kinds are now used1 and these are set out in as graceful and airy a manner as possible4 ,plain glass vases1 as a rule1 show the blossoms off best1 though pale green or ruby occasionally looks very well4 ,the water need not be changed every day in all cases2 it depends on the flower2 wall-flowers1 for instance1 turn the water putrid very soon1 while it keeps fresh much longer where roses are concerned4 ,the vases should1 however1 be filled up once a day1 as the stems suck up moisture rapidly4 ,hard-wooded flower stalks should receive special attention1 or they will droop directly4 ,,stem-,,splitting4 ,lilac1 when cut and placed in water will absorb no more moisture than a lead pencil1 unless the stems are split up2 this can be done either with a hammer or a knife or both4 ,as many leaves as possible should be left on the stems1 for when under water they largely help to make the blossoms last well2 it is only where the stalks are nearly leafless that the splitting and peeling is necessary4 ,maidenhair fern may be made to last much longer if the end of the black1 wiry stem is hammered for about an inch up4 ,it must not be forgotten that cutting from a plant strengthens it1 and induces it to continue sending up flower-stalks4 ,people often seem chary of cutting their roses with any length of stem1 ,i suppose because it has leaves and shoots all the way up1 but this is an error2 they should be cut with about eight or ten inches of stalk2 pansies and violas also look much more natural when a portion of the shoot is cut along with each blossom4 ,,by ,,parcel ,,post4 ,on hot summer days1 when flowers are to be sent by post1 they should be picked early in the morning1 several hours before they are to be sent off1 and placed in bowls of water2 then1 if they are packed close together in tin1 wood1 or even card-board boxes they will arrive quite fresh at their destination1 where otherwise they would be hopelessly faded4 ,when a box of flowers is received1 the contents should be put in luke-warm water in a dim light for an hour or so2 they can then be re-arranged in the vases they are intended to occupy4 ,,blue--,a ,,daylight ,,colour4 ,some colours respond to artificial light much better than others4 ,most shades of blue are not suitable for decorating dinner tables1 because they turn almost brown1 or at best a dull mauve4 ,in choosing violets1 therefore1 for evening wear1 it will be found that the blossoms which have thin1 rather washed-out petals of the lightest purple will look best1 the full blue not being nearly so effective4 ,for luncheon1 an arrangement of purple clematis in vases on the palest pink ground is lovely1 but does not look quite so well by gas-light1 though here again if the least velvety flowers are chosen for evening1 a good effect can be obtained4 ,yellow is a splendid evening colour1 but must be bright1 or it will look merely cream4 ,a dining-room panelled in light oak1 adorned with yellow marguerites alone1 is very pleasing to the eye4 ,in the spring1 laburnum makes a novel dressing for a dining-table2 care1 however1 must be exercised with this flower1 as the pods are poisonous4 ,blue also looks well with brown in the day-time2 larkspurs1 forget-me-nots1 plumbago1 campanulas1 nemophilla1 etc41 all look very well4 ,we know how artistic blue porcelain is on oak shelves1 and1 if the flowers have a white eye or are veined with white1 the effect is somewhat the same4 ,scarlet is a good gas or electric light colour1 but it must be used judiciously1 and as a rule only be mixed with white1 just as the ladies at a regimental ball are generally only allowed to robe themselves in this pure shade4 ,,simplicity4 ,now-a-days the decorations are rarely made so high that one cannot see the other side of the table4 ,though this arrangement might occasionally be useful in hiding the face of an enemy1 on the whole it was found inconvenient2 accordingly they have climbed down2 the bazaar-stall fashion is also disappearing1 and flat table-centres are used instead1 or none at all4 ,simplicity is the great cry now1 and though of course it may be costly1 a charming effect is obtained with fewer flowers than was formerly considered correct1 and is moreover easily imitated by an artistic eye in less expensive blossoms4 ,some of the flowers to be had in each respective season are enumerated on p4 #hf4 ,it will be noticed that where plenty of out-door blossoms are to be had1 the hot-house varieties are omitted4 ,,table ,,of ,,natural ,,and ,,forced ,,flowers ,,for ,,each ,,month4 ,,january4 ,natural4 ,christmas rose4 ,yellow jasmine4 ,forced4 ,carnations4 ,eucharis4 ,gardenias4 ,poinsettias4 ,tuberoses4 ,late chrysanthemums4 ,roman hyacinths4 ,odontoglossum 7orchid74 ,tulips4 ,violet1 single and double4 ,narcissus4 ,,february4 ,natural4 ,christmas roses4 ,yellow jasmine4 ,daphne4 ,snowdrops4 ,forced4 ,white lilac4 ,carnation4 ,hyacinths4 ,tulips4 ,geraniums4 ,marguerites4 ,cattleya 7orchid74 ,camellias4 ,roses4 ,dicentra4 ,narcissus4 ,,march4 ,natural4 ,violets4 ,early narcissus4 ,almond blossom4 ,cowslips4 ,polyanthus4 ,forced4 ,freesias4 ,lily of the valley4 ,arums4 ,narcissus4 ,mauve lilac4 ,anemones4 ,lilium ,harrisii4 longiflorum4 ,roses4 ,azaleas4 ,,april4 ,natural4 ,daffodils4 ,wallflowers4 ,forget-me-not4 ,tulips4 ,alyssum4 ,anemones4 ,doronicums4 ,forced4 ,sweet peas4 ,roses4 ,carnations4 ,arums4 ,lilies of the valley4 ,alliums4 ,acacia4 ,epacris4 ,,may4 ,natural4 ,laburnum4 ,poet's eye narcissus4 ,doronicums4 ,trollius4 ,iris4 ,parrot tulips4 ,lilies of the valley4 ,syringa4 ,lilac4 ,ranunculus4 ,forced4 ,arums4 ,ixias4 ,gladiolus 7scarlet and white74 ,,june4 ,natural4 ,sweet peas4 ,roses4 ,pinks4 ,pyrethrums 7single74 ,larkspurs4 ,canterbury bells4 ,penstemons4 ,lilies4 ,columbines4 ,flag iris and other iris4 ,,july4 ,natural4 ,clematis4 ,montbretias4 ,st4 ,john's wort4 ,campanulas4 ,poppies 7to be picked in the bud74 ,carnations4 ,cornflowers4 ,indian pinks4 ,erigeron 7like an early ,michaelmas daisy74 ,gladiolus4 ,,august4 ,natural4 ,clematis4 ,coreopsis4 ,gaillardias4 ,snapdragons4 ,sunflowers4 ,gladiolus4 ,dahlias4 ,roses4 ,carnations4 ,,september4 ,natural4 ,michaelmas daisies4 ,pinks4 ,chrysanthemums4 ,lilies4 ,sunflowers4 ,japanese anemones4 ,roses4 ,forced4 ,tuberoses4 ,cattleyas4 ,eucharis4 ,gardenias4 ,,october4 ,natural4 ,michaelmas daisies4 ,chrysanthemums4 ,physalis 7or ,cape gooseberry74 ,violets4 ,single ,marigolds4 ,forced4 ,salvias4 ,marguerites4 ,tuberoses4 ,eucharis4 ,odontoglossum4 ,cattleya4 ,bouvardia4 ,roses4 ,carnations4 ,,november4 ,natural4 ,michaelmas daisies4 ,chrysanthemums4 ,the gladwin iris 7berries74 ,violets4 ,forced4 ,eucharis4 ,geraniums4 ,marguerites4 ,salvias4 ,carnations4 ,chrysanthemums4 ,odontoglossum4 ,cattleya4 ,bouvardia4 ,camellias4 ,,december4 ,natural4 ,yellow jasmine4 ,christmas roses4 ,forced4 ,salvias4 ,cypripediums4 ,violets4 ,poinsettias4 ,geraniums4 ,chrysanthemums4 ,lilies of the valley4 ,roman hyacinths4 ,coelogyne 7orchid74 ,narcissus in variety4 ,the cost of a flower is always in proportion to its blooming time4 ,if lilies of the valley are wanted in ,august1 they must be paid for heavily1 as retarded bulbs 7those which have been kept in ice7 are used to produce them4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,the ,propagation of ,plants ,by dividing--,by cuttings--,by seeds--,by layers4 ,propagation may be affected in various ways1 of which division is perhaps the easiest4 ,it must be done very carefully1 or decay will set in4 ,some plants lend themselves to this form of propagation very readily2 in others1 the root stock is single and obviously resents division1 wherefore it is better to try another plan4 ,the ,michaelmas daisies are good instances of the first kind2 their roots are fibrous1 and soon take to the new soil2 it is tap-rooted plants which dislike division so much4 ,,careful ,,division4 ,it is advisable to divide most plants in the growing season1 which is from spring to early autumn2 if it is done in the winter months1 each piece frequently remains quite inert and eventually rots4 ,the plant should be taken up1 with a fork by preference1 and then pulled carefully apart with the hand4 ,the smallest fragment of the old white anemone will grow1 but few plants will stand quite so much division4 ,each piece should be well watered as it is planted1 and if the sun is hot some shade improvised4 ,such things as delphiniums1 phloxes1 campanulas1 and quick-growing subjects in general1 should not be left too long without being divided1 or the flowers will dwindle1 and the plants become straggling in habit4 ,a good many plants which might be propagated by division of the roots are propagated instead by cuttings1 as the flowers come finer in every way1 and of course this method suits many plants which cannot be divided4 ,chrysanthemums present few difficulties2 though the ultimate growth of this ,japanese plant entails a vast amount of labour 7if prizes are the object in view71 yet cuttings from them are the easiest things possible to strike1 even easier than a geranium1 as there is no damping off4 ,cuttings are generally struck under glass1 this method being the surest1 even with hardy plants4 ,the shoots selected should be well ripened1 and the cut made squarely below a joint and be taken with a heel if possible1 that is1 with a piece of the old wood attached4 ,all but the topmost leaves should be pinched off1 and then the cuttings must be inserted round the sides of the pot1 and the soil well pressed down1--the best cuttings in the world cannot make roots unless this be attended to4 ,after that a good watering should be given them1 and the pots set in a shady place till they have emitted roots1 which may be known by the fact of their beginning to make new leaves4 ,some cuttings root better when the cut is allowed to form a callus1 which in warm weather only takes a few hours4 ,rose cuttings root very well out of doors on a north border1 and trees produced in this manner are often very satisfactory1 but they take a long while to come to a flowering stage1 somewhat trying the patience of ardent amateurs4 ,one can gradually get quite a nice collection of interesting plants1 by striking all the likely shoots in the different bunches of flowers received from friends1 but it is generally best to identify them as soon as possible1 so as to give each the right treatment4 ,propagation by seed is quite a fascinating employment1 and is a successful method1 if pains are taken2 though so many amateurs seem to fail4 ,i have found it the safest plan1 with all except the largest seeds1 to bring them up under glass4 ,even the hardiest can be treated in this way1 and one feels so much more sure of the result4 ,for one thing1 birds cannot get at them1 therefore there is no need to make a network of black cotton to keep them off2 neither can the cat meddle with them1 and we all know pussy is a very bad gardener4 ,the pans specially sold for the purpose are the best1 but pots will do very well4 ,fill them with fine moist soil1 and press firmly down2 then scatter the seed thinly on the top1 and only cover with a slight layer of soil1 afterwards placing in a dark corner4 ,where the seed is very small1 do not cover with any mould at all1 but1 as an extra protection1 place a piece of cardboard over the top of the pot1 so that they shall not be blown away4 ,seeds like a still atmosphere1 moisture1 warmth1 and darkness4 ,seeds and seedlings must not be watered in the ordinary way1 but the pan containing them should be placed in a saucer of water1 when enough moisture will be drawn up by capillary attraction4 ,thinning is extremely necessary2 every plant must be given room to attain its full dimensions2 where this is not done1 the result is most unsatisfactory4 ,as regards the time for sowing1 of course1 spring is the most usual1 but in the case of annuals it will often be found a good plan to sow a few in autumn1 as1 by pursuing this method1 nice stocky little plants are ready for the garden quite early in the season1 and give flowers long before spring-sown seed could possibly do so4 ,propagation by layering is very useful1 as cuttings of some plants will not strike readily4 ,strong shoots are denuded of their leaves for a few inches1 and their stems slit up and pressed into the ground by means of a peg2 when firmly rooted1 they can be detached from the parent plant by means of a penknife4 ,carnations are generally reproduced in this way1 as it is the surest method of all4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,the ,management of ,room ,plants ,best kinds for roughing it--,importance of cleanliness--,the proper way of watering them4 ,the majority of ,english women like to see their rooms1 and specially their drawing-rooms1 adorned with growing plants4 ,nevertheless1 a great many do not cultivate them successfully1 so a few hints will not be amiss4 ,constant attention is needed to keep plants in perfect health1 and this is exactly what is so often denied them4 ,a lady buys two or three ferns that take her fancy1 and feels for a while quite interested in their welfare2 but1 after a week or so1 she leaves them to take care of themselves1 which means to dwindle1 and ultimately die4 ,many shillings1 therefore1 are constantly being spent in renewing plants which1 with proper care1 should last for years4 ,all room plants must be looked after daily1 a few minutes every morning being far better than an hour once a week1 which is all they receive in some homes4 ,i will treat first of palms1 which1 though such slow-growing subjects1 seem the favourite of all for home decoration1 owing to their grace of form and good lasting properties4 ,if you observe the roots of most palms1 you will see that1 attached in an odd way to the rising stem is a sort of bulb1 not unlike a pigmy potato4 ,this excrescence1 which should only be covered by a thin layer of soil1 stores up nutriment for the plant's use1 in much the same way as a hyacinth or daffodil does4 ,this accounts in a great measure for its power in enduring dryness of the soil without flagging1 which property1 however1 should not be abused4 ,palms should be watered as regularly1 though not so often1 as more sappy plants4 ,,the ,,correct ,,way ,,to ,,water4 ,numbers of people do not know how to give water in the correct way1 whereby the florist prospers6 ,the golden rule is never to water a plant until it requires it1 and then to do it thoroughly4 ,it is fatal merely to moisten the top of the soil1 and to leave the deeper roots dry4 ,first give a sharp tap to the pot2 if it rings1 water is required2 if1 on the contrary1 a dull sound is given out1 the soil is wet enough4 ,lifting a pot is a sure test too1 as one's hand soon becomes accustomed to the difference in weight of a moist and dry pot2 the former1 of course1 being so much heavier4 ,always see that the water runs through the hole at the bottom of the pot1 then you may be sure that each particle of soil is wet1 and not till then4 ,if you possibly can1 it is best to use water of a corresponding temperature to that of the room they are in2 this is most important with delicate plants4 ,large1 shiny1 horizontal-leaved plants require a weekly sponging to remove the inevitable dust which settles on them4 ,gloves should be worn while this is being done1 as contact with the skin turns the edges of the leaves yellow2 also gloves1 of course1 help to keep the hands soft and white4 ,plants with large leaves should never be watered overhead1 unless immediately wiped dry1 as each drop allowed to stand on the leaf turns yellow1 rots1 and finally quite spoils the leaf1 so that it has to be removed4 ,palms will stand gas fairly well1 but not so well as aspidistras4 ,,the ,,best ,,plants ,,for ,,dark ,,corners4 ,an aspidistra 7please note spelling7 is the best plant there is for roughing it4 ,the long1 thick1 dark leaves seem to stand draughts1 gas1 dark corners1 poor soil1 and general neglect almost with impunity4 ,but here again watering overhead is fatal1 as regards the appearance of these plants4 ,the leaves should be washed once a week1 but ,i will just say here that where one is in a hurry1 and cannot wait to get a sponge and water1 a good polish with a duster is not at all a bad substitute4 ,there are disputes occasionally as to whether aspidistras ever flower4 ,of course1 it is an undoubted fact that they do1 and ,i can give a decided affirmative to any who may question it4 ,my plants flower regularly every spring1 but1 as these blooms are a dull1 greenish-purple in colour1 and only sit1 as it were1 on the top of the soil1 they are naturally overlooked4 ,the modesty of the violet is nowhere when compared with the aspidistra6 ,aralias are good room plants1 for they have a bold and handsome form1 and glossy1 bright green foliage1 very like that of a fig4 ,they do not stand gas well1 however1 but1 as so many houses are lighted by electricity1 this is less of a drawback than was formerly the case4 ,if not regularly watered1 too1 they have a habit of dropping their leaves2 otherwise they are of easy culture4 ,as they grow taller1 the lower leaves1 even on a healthy plant1 generally drop off4 ,,leggy ,,plants4 ,it is a good way1 when these and kindred plants become leggy1 to improve their appearance by cutting off the old root1 and making them root higher up the stem4 ,where the plant is valuable1 it is best to be sure of new roots before throwing away the old1 but1 as a rule1 aralias have so many joints that they may easily be induced to strike by just pressing the stem firmly into the soil1 then putting the pot in some dark place1 and keeping the soil rather dry1 though the foliage must be kept moist4 ,to be quite sure of success1 however1 it is best to treat them in the following manner3--,choose a handful of soil with a little loam in it1 and1 wetting the stem slightly1 press the soil round two or three of the joints1 and bind closely with some raffia or bass1 being very careful to keep the soil always moist1 or the plant will fail to make roots4 ,some people enclose this part of the stem in two halves of a small flower-pot1 which is a good plan1 if the stem will bear the weight1 as it preserves a more even temperature4 ,the hare's-foot fern--,davallia canariensis--with its beautiful blue-green fronds1 much divided and elegantly arched1 makes the loveliest room plant imaginable1 and1 though fairly common1 is not often seen in a good state of health4 ,i have found that1 on first buying a pot of this fern1 the leaves almost invariably turn rusty and drop off1 so that1 as the new fronds sometimes do not appear for some while1 an amateur might really be pardoned for imagining the plant dead4 ,this is not so2 the hare's-foot merely resents the change of atmosphere 7it has probably been in a moist green-house71 and1 like most of us1 takes time to settle down4 ,once it has acclimatised itself1 there is no better plant to be had for the purpose4 ,it is so essentially decorative that no one can fail to admire it4 ,firm potting is important in growing the davallia1 and it does not seem so partial to water as most of the fern tribe4 ,it will also stand gas pretty well1 if not shut up for the night in an atmosphere charged with it1 and this is the case with many room plants2 they strongly object to being left to spend the night in the impure air1 though a few hours each evening will not do them much harm4 ,the plan of taking them out at bed-time also prevents so much dust accumulating on their leaves1 an inevitable drawback where a room is thoroughly swept and dusted4 ,always endeavour to keep your plants well balanced4 ,in a room1 it is impossible to do this1 without constantly turning the pots round1 so that all parts may get the light4 ,in summer1 this has to be attended to nearly every day1 but in winter less often1 as the sun is1 of course1 much less powerful4 ,as regards re-potting1 great care must be exercised1 or more harm than good will result4 ,palms will grow for years in quite small pots1 and do not thrive if over-potted4 ,on the other hand1 some plants require it annually1 but1 seldom or often1 unless for some special reason1 re-potting should always be done in the spring4 ,from the beginning of ,february until the end of ,may1 a plant may safely be shifted on1 as it is called1 because all these months comprise the growing season1 when fresh roots are emitted and new leaves being produced almost daily4 ,see that the pot is perfectly clean and dry1 and the soil in a friable condition2 it should be composed of peat1 loam and sand in equal parts2 a little leaf mould1 where it is for a fern proper1 will be beneficial4 ,a potting soil ready prepared may be had for about a shilling a peck from any seedsman1 which saves time and trouble in mixing4 ,be sure to put clean crocks in at the bottom1 or the soil will become sour4 ,shake the pot every now and again as you fill it up1 to ensure no crevices being left2 loose potting has caused the death of many a fine plant4 ,when the pot is full1 press the mould down1 leaving from half an inch to an inch 7according to the size7 bare of soil to the rim of the pot1 to allow of watering4 ,it is well to put a layer1 about half an inch thick1 of cocoa-nut fibre on the top of the soil1 as this looks neat1 and serves to show off the foliage to the best advantage4 ,enough of the fibre to cover several dozen pots may be had for threepence4 ,guano is good1 if supplied to the plants during the warmer months of the year4 ,the proportions of guano to water can always be seen on the label pasted on the outside of the tin4 ,it is well to remember that guano should never be given to a plant when the soil is dry1 but always just after it has been watered4 ,saucers or jardinieres should be emptied as a rule an hour after the plants have been watered1 though where ferns seem to flourish most when allowed to stand in water1 it is well to continue the practice4 ,in very hot weather1 this is undoubtedly of benefit to many plants1 but in the winter the soil of all pot plants should err on the dry side1 cold and damp together often proving fatal4 ,,good ,,for ,,two-,,thirds ,,of ,,the ,,year4 ,there are some first-rate plants which refuse to look well for the coldest part of the year 7unless one is possessed of an hot-house71 but which are really capital for brightening our rooms for at least eight months in the twelve4 ,of these1 the asparagus fern is perhaps the most useful4 ,it is a lovely and graceful plant1 which bears cutting1 and it lasts so long1 both in and out of water4 ,being1 however1 in reality a stove plant1 amateurs who have no warmed green-house must not expect to keep it in thoroughly good health during the winter1 but so soon as the spring appears1 new green stems will shoot up in all directions1 and the old fronds will soon be replaced by bright green feathery plumes of infinite grace4 ,pteris wimsetti is a charming room plant4 ,young eucalyptus plants are also very pretty for decorating a room1 and are supposed to be good as a disinfectant4 ,their habit of growth is uncommon1 and very charming to watch1 as they quickly reach to an effective size1 and make large handsome plants to set in the corners of reception rooms4 ,it is best to bring them up by seed1 which should be sown in ,february or ,march4 ,spring is the best time to buy room-plants4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,various ,hints ,artificial manures--,labelling--,cutting off dead flowers--,buying plants--,tidiness in the garden1 etc4 ,with far the larger half of our population the question of cost comes into everything4 ,there are so many claims on our purses1 that the money spent on recreations can only be a small part2 moreover1 is always liable to be drawn on at any moment4 ,somehow1 the money laid out on a garden always seems to be grudged1 especially when it is for such things as manure1 so that if that item can be reduced1 so much the better4 ,a ,,wrinkle4 ,one good way of buying it1 is to get the boys who sweep the roads to bring the contents of their cart to your garden instead of taking it away4 ,quite a lot can be purchased for sixpence or so1 and the mixture is even more beneficial to some plants than the loads bought from the contractor4 ,when the neat little heaps are swept up at the roadside1 anyone may take it away4 ,householders can employ their own errand-boys to do so1 no charge being made whatever4 ,guano and artificial manures in general are very stimulating1 and must only be given to plants in bud1 or at all events full-growth4 ,sickly plants or those at rest must never have it4 ,soapsuds form a mild stimulant for rose-trees in summer1 but these things do not come in place of the manure with which the soil must be dressed in autumn2 they are only additions4 ,,labelling4 ,there has been much controversy over the labelling of plants2 it must be done very delicately1 or the appearance of the garden is spoilt2 the word label usually presupposes a name to be written thereon1 but1 in reality1 just a mark to show where a plant is1 often seems all that is necessary1 and this is very important indeed with plants which die right down every winter4 ,the most unobtrusive tallies must be used1 and they should be of zinc1 or they will inevitably get lost4 ,the wooden ones are all right in the greenhouse1 but no good at all outside4 ,for rose-trees1 names are required1 and the acme labels are much the best ever invented for these1 and have now been in use by all rosarians for years2 they can be had at ,cant's ,rose ,nurseries1 ,colchester1 for about #as4 #c;d4 a dozen1 post paid4 ,if we would keep plants in good health1 all dead flowers must be cut off regularly2 this is specially important in the case of sweet peas1 pansies1 and other free-flowering plants1 which become poor1 and soon leave off blossoming altogether1 if allowed to form seed-pods4 ,it is a good plan to go round every morning with a basket and scissors1 and snip off all faded blooms1 as1 when several days elapse1 the work becomes long and irksome4 ,as regards buying plants1 this comes somewhat expensive1 until a little knowledge and experience has been gained4 ,after a while1 the different plants are known by sight1 and one is able to see directly whether a flower or shrub is well grown and of good colour4 ,then1 instead of ordering everything at the large nurseries1 one can often pick up1 in one's wanderings1 very good things at small cost4 ,until that is the case1 it is wiser to order from some reliable firm who is sure to send out everything true to name4 ,people who go in for gardening1 should always be ready to learn2 there are so many points which cannot be acquired all at once4 ,one can often gain a wrinkle if one keeps one's eyes open1 as the saying is4 ,constant visits should be made to ,kew1 ,hampton ,court1 or any other well-kept public garden1 if at all within reach4 ,a stroll round a neighbour's garden1 too1 will often give one new ideas1 and the interchange of opinions does a deal of good4 ,a magazine keeps up one's interest wonderfully1 and there are many specially published for amateurs4 ,one must not be surprised that the advice often seems contradictory4 ,the right way of growing a plant is the way that succeeds1 and experience shows how varied may be the means by which success is attained4 ,i should like here to warn my readers that before launching out into any great expense1 they first come to a full understanding as to what they will or will not be able to take away4 ,greenhouses can be put up as tenants' fixtures1 but a very slight difference in the manner of placing them may result in a good deal of unpleasantness with the landlord1 and it is the same with rose-trees1 and other shrubs and plants4 ,where a shrub has attained to goodly proportions1 it is really the best way to let it remain1 even though the associations connected with it may be pleasant1 as transplanting would probably mean death1 in which case neither party would have gained anything4 ,of course1 in the nature of things1 a lover of gardening is loth to move at all1 a rolling stone is not at all in his line4 ,tidiness is most important in a small garden1 especially in the winter time2 plants may be allowed to get rampant in summer1 but in the cold weather1 this wildness tends to make it look miserable4 ,one sometimes sees the brown1 mildewed stalks of sunflowers and other tall plants1 left on right into ,december1 even in a front garden1 and it gives such a deserted look to the place1 that one longs to have at them there and then with a knife4 ,it is the same way with autumn leaves2 in woods they look beautiful1 as they flutter down and make a rich1 rustling carpet for our feet1 but1 somehow1 in the garden the beauty seems gone1 and it is generally the best plan to sweep them away as soon as possible into some corner1 where they can be left to turn into leaf mould4 ,of course there is a certain beautiful freedom which is very desirable in a garden1 and which no one could call untidiness4 ,what looks lovelier1 for instance1 than the jasmine1 with its long sprays hanging down over the window1 or the break made in a straight-edged path by some luxurious patch of thrift or forget-me-not8 these are only fascinating irregularities6 ,winter need not be a time for idleness2 it must be spent in getting ready for the spring4 ,tools should be overhauled thoroughly1 and new supplies of sticks and labels prepared4 ,plans1 too1 should be made for filling each different bed1 so that when the warm days arrive1 and one scarcely knows what to be at first1 everything may be in train4 ,the faculty of looking ahead must needs be used1 if we wish to succeed4 ,i often think that living in anticipation constitutes a great part of the charm of gardening4 ,when sowing the seed1 have we not bright visions of the time when that self-same seed will bear most exquisite blossoms8 ,when pruning our rose trees1 dreams of what they will become lend added interest to our occupations1 and1 indeed1 this quality of imagination turns arduous work into a veritable labour of love1 so that its devotees always aver it is the most delightful recreation in the world4 ,,january4 ,average ,temperature #cg4 ,in frosty weather wheel manure on to ground4 ,see that every plant which is not quite hardy is well protected from frost4 ,shake off any snow which may be lying on the branches of fir trees1 etc4 ,in mild weather digging may be done4 ,if it has not already been done cut back all deciduous trees1 such as chestnuts1 limes and sycamores4 ,prune all except the tender fruit trees1 cutting back weak shoots hard1 and strong ones little4 ,sow early peas on a warm border4 ,do not transplant this month4 ,start covering rhubarb with pots or boxes for forcing1 and surround them with manure4 ,paths may be relaid with gravel4 ,the erection of arches1 trellis work1 or any alteration of this sort may be attended to4 ,keep all plants under glass clear of decaying leaves and anything likely to cause mouldiness4 ,raise temperature of greenhouses as the days become lighter4 ,,february4 ,average ,temperature #ci4 ,begin sowing hardy annuals outside in a sheltered position4 ,refrain from pruning rose-trees1 or they will suffer later on4 ,new lawns can be made now1 though ,autumn is the best time4 ,see that all trees are securely staked and shoots of wall climbers well nailed in before the winds of ,march come4 ,prune remaining fruit trees4 ,seeds of broad beans1 peas1 carrots1 onions1 beetroot1 parsley1 lettuce1 etc41 can now be sown1 though the largest sowing should be made next month4 ,plants under glass must have more air and more water as they begin to grow quickly4 ,ventilate carefully and close all the houses before sunset4 ,give manure to fruit trees4 ,look over fuchsias1 dahlias1 etc42 cut back and place in gentle warmth4 ,,march4 ,average ,temperature #da4 ,hardy perennials may be planted4 ,prune hardy rose trees4 ,sow the bulk of flowering annuals4 ,cut back ivy during last week4 ,free the lawn of plantains and sow grass-seed on bare patches4 ,renew or fill up box edgings4 ,hoe beds and borders frequently to keep down weeds4 ,rose trees may be planted1 though ,autumn is the best time4 ,see that bedding plants in frames have plenty of water4 ,clear out all dead plants and give a general tidy-up to the greenhouse4 ,give plenty of air from top-lights to glasshouses4 ,plant out ,jerusalem artichokes4 ,sow seeds of vegetables of all kinds4 ,pick up gravel paths1 and give another layer if necessary4 ,protect anything newly planted from rough winds4 ,mulch bush fruit trees4 ,,april4 ,average ,temperature #df4 ,make last sowing of annuals and thin out those appearing above ground4 ,fill up gaps in the flower border4 ,plant out dahlias4 ,prune tea-roses during first week4 ,if rather dry weather ensues keep rockery and all ,spring-flowering plants well-watered4 ,beds must be prepared for the tender plants put out next month by turning the soil well over and thus pulverizing it4 ,protect tender fruit trees from late frosts4 ,sow seeds of vegetables for succession4 ,if the weather is hot1 shading can be put on greenhouses4 ,bedding plants must be gradually hardened off by giving plenty of air4 ,mow and roll lawn frequently4 ,plant out potato tubers4 ,edgings can be planted or filled up4 ,,may4 ,average ,temperature #ec4 ,keep a sharp look-out for insects4 ,commence bedding out this month and continue all through1 reserving tender things such as coleus till the last4 ,hoe well between annuals and keep them well watered4 ,carefully train the various climbers or they will grow into an inextricable mass4 ,fill vases and baskets4 ,clip evergreen hedges as this makes them break out at the bottom4 ,put some strawy manure between the rows of strawberries and keep well watered4 ,sow vegetable seeds for succession4 ,plant out gourds1 marrows1 etc4 ,if the weather is hot keep everything well watered4 ,transplant violets to their cool ,summer quarters4 ,syringe frequently under glass4 ,,june4 ,average ,temperature #ei4 ,if the garden is not altogether dependent on bedding plants it ought to be looking its freshest and best4 ,see that everything has enough water4 ,continue to thin out flowering annuals as they increase in size4 ,carefully stake larkspurs1 carnations1 etc4 ,if the leaves of ,spring bulbs have turned quite yellow1 cut them off1 but not before4 ,give copious supplies of water to all wall plants as a slight shower of rain scarcely touches them4 ,give occasional doses of manure to rose trees1 and pick off all faded flowers4 ,water rockeries4 ,stake runner beans4 ,sow late broccoli4 ,sow more lettuce4 ,water peaches1 apricots1 etc41 copiously4 ,mulch all fruit trees4 ,protect cherries from birds4 ,draw earth up round potatoes4 ,water marrows well and often with liquid manure4 ,early this month plant out tomatoes on a south or west wall4 ,keep greenhouses well ventilated both day and night4 ,harden off azaleas before being set outside next month4 ,most plants under glass will want watering twice a day or they must stand in a saucer of water4 ,,july4 ,average ,temperature #fb4 ,look out for rose suckers and cut them off4 ,syringe rose trees4 ,mulch those going out of flower to induce them to make fresh buds4 ,keep faded flowers picked off4 ,commence propagating carnations4 ,take note of gaps in the flower beds and fill up from the nursery garden4 ,place azaleas1 heaths1 etc41 outside in a shady place to rest awhile4 ,pansies which are blooming well on cool borders should have weak solutions of guano water afforded them4 ,cut down faded spikes of larkspur and mulch and water well4 ,this month bedding plants are valuable as ,july is not a good month for herbaceous perennials4 ,stake the later runner beans4 ,plant out celery4 ,sow more turnip seed4 ,syringe both wall fruit and standards4 ,make new plantations of strawberries4 ,water lawn every day if possible4 ,thin out the superfluous wood of fig trees and shorten gross shoots on all fruit trees4 ,keep everything well watered under glass4 ,give air all night to greenhouses4 ,tie up climbers to roof neatly and frequently syringe4 ,damp down several times daily4 ,,august4 ,average ,temperature #fa4 ,take pansy cuttings4 ,stake dahlias1 phloxes1 etc4 ,keep soil from caking by constant hoeing4 ,take cuttings of geraniums1 fuchsias1 etc41 and strike them out of doors4 ,give copious supplies of water to rose trees and syringe foliage often4 ,cuttings of rose trees may be inserted now on a cool border4 ,rockeries must be constantly watered4 ,disentangle shoots of climbing plants and tie back artistically4 ,water lawn daily and do not cut too low4 ,cuttings of most plants may be taken now and inserted in a shady border with every chance of success4 ,cut down old raspberry canes to make way for the new4 ,protect fruit from wasps and other insects4 ,pinch off the tops of runner beans4 ,earth up celery and put out more young plants4 ,remove leaves which obstruct light on wall-peaches1 apricots1 etc4 ,syringe frequently4 ,give air day and night to greenhouses4 ,give constant supplies of liquid manure to chrysanthemums4 ,cut back climbing plants on the roof4 ,,september4 ,average ,temperature #eg4 ,begin planting spring bulbs4 ,continue to take cuttings of bedding plants1 but insert in frames now4 ,leave off giving outside plants stimulants4 ,sow hardy annuals to flower next ,spring4 ,plant out rooted layers of carnations4 ,thin dahlia shoots and give plenty of water4 ,remove rose suckers4 ,pluck apples and pears as soon as ripe1 and put on dry shelves to keep4 ,the fruit should not touch4 ,prepare ground for new plantations4 ,on hot days fruit trees can still be syringed to keep down insects4 ,plant out cabbages1 sprouts1 etc41 from the seed bed4 ,earth up celery4 ,dig up and store potatoes4 ,towards the middle of the month remove greenhouse shading4 ,thin out climbers on roof again4 ,save for chrysanthemums guano is little needed now4 ,tender plants outside should be housed at the end of the month4 ,pot up freesias4 ,damp down less often and reduce the amount of air supplied4 ,ferns which were not repotted in the ,spring can be done now4 ,,october4 ,average ,temperature #ej4 ,plant ,spring bulbs and the madonna lily4 ,take up all bedding plants and house carefully4 ,fill the beds with polyanthus1 wallflower1 forget-me-not and other early flowers4 ,this is a good month for planting most things4 ,begin putting in shrubs4 ,thin out annuals sown last month4 ,cut back climbing plants4 ,keep hardy chrysanthemums well staked4 ,alterations can now proceed4 ,continue to pick pears and apples1 and go over them daily to pick out mouldy ones4 ,commence planting fruit trees4 ,raspberry plantations should now be made4 ,mulch strawberry beds after forking lightly between the rows4 ,sow early peas in sheltered situations4 ,store potatoes1 carrots1 parsnips1 etc4 ,give liquid manure to chrysanthemums under glass4 ,ventilate carefully and do not damp down4 ,bring ,september planted bulbs to the light as soon as they appear above ground4 ,,november4 ,average ,temperature #dc4 ,plant rose trees4 ,mulch every rose tree in the garden4 ,continue planting hardy perennials4 ,cut down all dead stalks of dahlias1 sunflowers1 phloxes1 etc4 ,finish planting bulbs4 ,roll lawn frequently4 ,new ones can now be made4 ,continually tidy up the garden4 ,finish planting shrubs4 ,protect fig-trees by mulching and cut back some of the over-luxuriant shoots4 ,plant fruit trees of all kinds4 ,trench ground not in use that the rain and frost may sweeten it4 ,prune currants and gooseberries4 ,hoe frequently between rows of cauliflower and cabbage4 ,celery must be earthed up higher4 ,any alterations that may be in hand should be completed this month4 ,see that oil-lamp and other heating apparatus is in good order4 ,look over cuttings of geraniums1 etc41 and remove all decayed leaves1 which should be burnt4 ,ventilate all glass houses much less1 especially during fogs4 ,,december4 ,average ,temperature #ci4 ,give a final glance to tender plants to see that they are well protected4 ,cut down faded stalks of hardy chrysanthemums4 ,place hand-lights over ,christmas roses4 ,this is a good time for writing new labels1 preparing stakes1 and making plans for the following summer4 ,roll gravel walks1 and if mossy sprinkle with salt4 ,planting of fruit trees may continue if the weather be mild4 ,thin out gross wood to allow the air to circulate4 ,wheel manure on to the ground in frosty weather4 ,prepare vegetable seeds for sowing1 by separating them from the husk1 drying1 labelling and sorting them4 ,earth up greens of all kinds with the hoe4 ,in glasshouses avoid too much moisture at this dead season of the year4 ,only ventilate in mild1 calm weather4 ,keep everything scrupulously clean4 ,give as much light as possible to growing things4 ,plants at rest should be kept dark4 ,,index ,aspect1 ,influence of1 on plants1 #fg ,conservatory1 the-- ,cactus plants for1 #bf ,hanging plants in1 #bf ,how to stage1 #be ,plants suitable for hanging baskets1 #bf ,enemies of the garden-- ,earwigs1 to get rid of1 #de ,mice1 to get rid of1 #de ,slugs1 to get rid of1 #dd ,wireworms1 to get rid of1 #de ,flowers-- ,annuals1 #gf ,biennials1 #gh ,colours for day and evening use1 #hd ,natural and forced procurable each month1 #hf ,to pack for post1 #hd ,fruit1 want of flavour in1 #gb ,gardens1 small-- ,be original in planting1 #ag ,beds and bedding1 hints for1 #ad ,border soil for1 #af ,breaking up the straight appearance of1 #aa ,description of a small and lovely garden1 #ag ,duty of making experiments in1 #ag ,eye for colour needed in1 #ae ,fruit for1 #gj ,general arrangement of1 #i ,how not to plant1 #ab ,lawns1 to keep in order1 #ac ,little things that tell in1 #ab ,making the most of land1 #ae ,ornamental and useful1 #gc ,paths of1 to keep in order1 #ad ,stone fruit for1 #ga ,the ,dell at ,chertsey1 #ah ,to begin well1 #i ,walks1 the1 #aj ,gardening ,hints-- ,art of buying plants1 the1 #ih ,cut off dead flowers1 #ih ,labelling1 #ig ,manures1 #ig ,tidiness1 #ii ,glossary of terms used by ,gardeners1 #g ,greenhouses-- ,advantages of1 over conservatories1 #bg ,artificial heat for1 #bg ,climbers in1 #bf ,houseleeks1 #ed ,storing plants in1 #bh ,the joys of1 #aj ,to manage1 #bf ,lopping one's neighbour's trees4 ,a vexed question1 #aa ,monthly ,hints for ,gardeners-- ,january1 #aja ,february1 #ajb ,march1 #ajc ,april1 #ajd ,may1 #aje ,june1 #ajf ,july1 #ajg ,august1 #ajh ,september1 #aji ,october1 #aaj ,november1 #aaa ,december1 #aab ,planting1 the art of1 #ff ,plants that are neglected but handsome-- ,asters1 #bj ,campanulas1 #ba ,cape ,gooseberry1 #bc ,christmas roses1 #bb ,columbines1 #bj ,coreopsis grandiflora1 #ba ,delphiniums 7larkspurs71 #ba ,erigerons1 #bb ,funkias1 #bb ,heuchera sanguinea1 #bb ,jacob's ladder1 #bc ,lobelia fulgens1 #bb ,lychnis ,chalcedonica1 #bb ,penstemons1 #bb ,pink flowered anemone japonica1 #bj ,potentillas1 #bc ,saxifrages1 #bc ,tradescantias ,trollius1 #bd ,violas1 #bd ,propagation of plants4 ,by careful division1 #hh ,by layering1 #ij ,by cuttings1 #hi ,by seed1 #hi ,room ,plants-- ,when to buy1 #if ,correct way of watering1 #ib ,for dark corners1 #ib ,good for two-thirds of the year1 #if ,hare's-foot ferns1 #id ,to keep them well balanced1 #id ,leggy plants and what to do for1 #ic ,management of1 #ia ,palms1 #ia ,rockery1 ,the-- ,apennine gems for1 #dh ,bulbs for1 #ef ,hints for the construction of1 #dg ,rock roses1 #ej ,suitable plants for1 #dh ,roses-- ,bush roses of ,h4,p4 type1 #ch ,climbers for cool walls1 #cg ,dwarf teas1 #da ,good climbers for warm walls1 #cf ,hedges of1 #da ,pillar1 #dj ,pruning1 #ch1 #dc ,tea1 #ce ,time to plant1 #dc ,shelter for plants1 #fg ,shrubs-- ,ceanothus1 ,the delicate1 #fd ,good all round1 #fb ,lilacs grafted1 #fd ,st4 ,john's ,wort1 #ei ,winter shrubbery1 #fd ,summer-houses-- ,fragrant odours for1 #cc ,how to cover1 #cb ,position of1 #cd ,table1 ,decoration-- ,hints on1 #hc ,maidenhair1 ,to make it last1 #hd ,simplicity in1 #he ,stem-splitting1 #hc ,time for everything in gardening1 ,a #fi ,tool-sheds1 ,well stocked1 #bi ,trees-- ,bank under1 #fj ,good plants for growing beneath1 #eh ,vegetables for small gardens1 #gc ,window ,boxes-- ,flowers for cold aspects1 #ha ,flowers for warm aspects1 #hb ,how to make1 #gi ,pretty trailers for1 #hb ,showy flowers for winter1 #hj ,sidenote3 ,garden ,seeds and ,bulbs ,,amateur ,,gardeners and others should apply for our ,,catalogue before ordering elsewhere4 ,a4 ,c4 ,,taylor1 ,ltd41 ,seedsmen and ,bulb ,importers1 #bh1 ,,electric ,,avenue1 ,,brixton1 ,,london1 ,s4,w4 ,the ,choicest ,,bulbs ,,and ,,seeds at moderate prices4 ,catalogues gratis 7issued in ,january and ,august74 ,sidenote3 ,fencing ,,bayliss4 ,,jones ,,bayliss ,,wolverhampton4 ,,london ,,show ,,rooms3-- #aci-ada ,,cannon ,,st ,e4,c4 ,,catalogues ,,free ,,makers ,,of ,,all ,,kinds ,,of ,,iron ,,wire ,,fencing1 ,,railing1 ,,etc4 ,g,a,l,vd4 ,,wire ,,netting4 ,averages #bj per cent4 ,cheaper than ,ordinary4 ,lists free4 ,,iron ,,barrows4 ,,gates4 ,low ,prices4 ,,tree ,,guards4 ,,iron ,,and ,,wire ,,espalier1 c4 ,,amusing ,,and ,,useful ,,books ,,the ,,confessions ,,of ,a ,,poacher ,by ,j4 ,,connell4 ,with ,illustrations by ,f4 ,t4 ,,dadd4 ,crown #hvo4 ,price #cs4 #f;d4 ,these confessions are unique as being the actual experiences of a living poacher4 ,the book is interesting as well as amusing1 and one cannot but admire the ingenious though illegitimate means of gaining a subsistence4 ,,the ,,new ,,master ,by ,,arnold ,,golsworthy1 ,author of ,hands in the ,darkness4 ,cr4 #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #cs4 #f;d4 ,with ,illustrations by ,,tom ,,browne4 ,second ,edition4 ,mr4 ,,golsworthy is possessed of a keen sense of humour1 and he relates the trials of a new master in a boys' school with such drollery1 that the result is a story full of ludicrous situations1 and brimming with fun from cover to cover4 ,,domestic ,,ditties ,with ,words and ,music by ,a4 ,s4 ,,scott-,,gatty1 and profusely ,illustrated by ,a4 ,t4 ,s4 ,,scott-,,gatty4 ,crown #dto4 ,price #cs4 #f;d4 ,in the press4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,lord ,,kitchener ,by ,,horace ,g4 ,,groser1 ,author of ,the ,life of ,lord ,roberts1 c4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #bs4 #f;d4 ,ready shortly4 ,,how ,,to ,,take ,,and ,,fake ,,photographs ,by ,,clive ,,holland4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #as4 ,ready4 ,some of the ,chapters contained are on ,cameras--,plates and ,films--,the ,selection of ,subjects--,exposure and ,development--,intensification-- ,reduction--,retouching--,spotting1 c4--,printing ,processes--,mounts-- ,final ,hints4 ,,small ,,gardens1 ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,the ,,most ,,of ,,them ,by ,,violet ,,biddle4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #as4 ,ready4 ,this is essentially a book for amateurs1 written from an amateur's point of view2 the directions are clear and lucid1 with a due regard to the pocket and want of experience of the would-be horticulturist4 ,,tips ,,for ,,housekeepers ,including an illustrated section on the folding of ,serviettes4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #as4 ,in the press4 ,this should prove a very useful book to all housekeepers4 ,the tips it contains are really valuable1 and are grouped under the different branches of domestic work4 ,,heads1 ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,read ,,them ,a ,popular ,guide to ,phrenology in ,everyday ,life4 ,by ,,stackpool ,e4 ,o',,dell4 ,fully ,illustrated4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #as4 ,in the press4 ,the author has made this the study of his life1 and is therefore an authority on the subject4 ,technical terms have been avoided as much as possible so as to render the book intelligible to all4 ,wooings and ,weddings in ,many ,climes ,by ,louise ,jordan ,miln ,author of ,when ,we ,were ,strolling ,players in the ,east1 c4 ,with #dh ,full-page ,illustrations4 ,demy #hvo4 ,price #afs4 ,fascinating text4444 ,fascinating pictures4--,pall ,mall ,gazette4 ,a most attractive and sumptuously got-up volume1 brightly written1 and enriched with numerous photographs4444 ,a charming gift-book4--,daily ,news4 ,full of charm as of information1 and is plentifully and beautifully illustrated from photographs4--,scotsman4 ,should prove as popular with the single as with the wedded1 written with such sympathy1 humour1 and with such a sense of the goodness and joy of life that the veriest sceptic of wedded bliss must acknowledge the unfailing charm of her discourse4--,lady's ,pictorial4 ,a beautiful volume and an interesting work4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,the ,north ,american ,indians of ,to-day ,by ,george ,bird ,grinnell1 ,ph4,d4 ,author of ,pawnee ,hero ,stories and ,folk ,tales1 c4 ,illustrated with #ee ,full-page ,portraits of ,living ,indians4 ,demy #dto1 bound in art canvas4 ,price ,l#a1 #as4 net4 ,we cannot be sufficiently grateful to ,mr4 ,grinnell for having decided to publish his book4444 ,a real contribution to ethnography4 ,as to the actual life of the ,red ,man of to-day1 we must refer our readers to the volume itself4--,daily ,chronicle4 #acth ,thousand ,the ,private ,life of ,queen ,victoria ,by ,one of ,her ,majesty's ,servants ,with numerous ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #bs4 #f;d4 post free4 ,it gives a charming sketch of ,her ,majesty as the mistress of her own household and as the head of her large family4--,pall ,mall ,gazette4 ,fun on the ,billiard ,table ,a ,collection of #ge ,amusing ,tricks and ,games1 with ,photographs and ,diagrams ,by ,stancliffe ,crown #hvo ,post free1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,trick ,,with ,,matchboxes ,get two outside covers of any sort of the ordinary matchboxes1 large size4 ,place them on the billiard table with a ball on each4 ,put a third ball in a line with a pocket and the two other balls as in diagram4 ,illustration ,play a hard shot with the ball on the table into the pocket through the matchboxes1 which should fly off the table1 and the two balls will occupy the places where the matchboxes stood4 ,the above is an example of one of the seventy-five tricks contained in the book4 ,to say that no billiard-room should be without this joyous and ingenious little volume is nothing3 there is no player1 amateur or professional1 who would not get his moneysworth out of it4--,sportsman4 ,,third ,,large ,,edition ,besieged with ,baden-,powell ,a ,complete ,record of the ,siege of ,mafeking ,by ,j4 ,emerson ,neilly ,special ,war ,correspondent of the ,pall ,mall ,gazette in ,mafeking ,crown #hvo ,price #as4 net2 post free1 #as4 #c;d4 ,mr4 ,neilly tells admirably the thrilling story of the siege4--,scotsman4 ,as a realistic picture of how things actually happen1 no less than as a worthy record of one of the most splendid incidents of our history1 ',besieged with ,b4-,p4' is a notable work4--,pall ,mall ,gazette4 ,illustration ,towards ,pretoria ,by ,julian ,ralph ,a ,record of the ,war to the ,capture of ,bloemfontein ,bound in ,real ,khaki and ,scarlet ,price #fs4 ,brisk and graphic4--,scotsman4 ,distinctly one of the war books to be read4--,literature4 ,cannot fail to be popular4--,echo4 ,mr4 ,ralph as a descriptive writer is amongst the first of the day4--,sheffield ,independent4 ,c4 ,arthur ,pearson1 ,henrietta ,street1 ,w4,c4 ,sidenote3 ,lawn ,mowers4 ,,ransomes' ,,lawn ,,mowers4 ,,the ,,best ,,in ,,the ,,world4 ,improvements possessed by no other ,maker's ,machines3-- ,new ,patent ,double ,angle ,cutters4 ,new ,patent ,ribbed ,driving ,rollers4 ,new ,patent ,adjustable ,front ,rollers4 ,illustration ,all ,mowers sent on a ,month's ,trial ,carriage ,paid4 ,,ransomes' ,,patent ,,automaton1 ,,with ,,chain ,,or ,,wheel ,,gearing4 ,the ,patent ,automaton ,lawn ,mowers are without a rival in design1 mechanical construction1 excellence of materials1 workmanship1 finish1 durability1 and lightness of draught4 ,by close and frequent cutting these machines will produce a rich velvety surface4 ,the knives are driven by accurate machine-made gearing1 which works very smoothly and quietly1 and is completely covered to exclude dirt4 ,made in ,nine ,sizes1 #h in4 to #bd in4 wide4 ,,ransomes' ,,anglo-,,paris ,,mowers4 ,,the ,,best ,,light ,,machines4 ,the ,anglo-,paris ,lawn ,mowers are suitable for small ,gardens1 and for ,ladies' and ,amateurs' use2 have perfect adjustment1 and can be used with or without a ,grass ,box4 ,made in ,eight ,sizes1 #f in4 to #bj in4 wide4 ,,ransomes' ,,lion ,,mowers4 ,,the ,,best ,,cheap ,,machines4 ,introduced to meet the demand for a very low-priced ,machine of reliable ,english workmanship4 #i in41 #aa in41 #ac in41 and #ae in4 ,,ransomes' ,,horse ,,pony ,,mowers4 ,,the ,,best ,,large ,,machines4 ,new ,patterns2 ,new ,adjustments2 ,new ,patent ,spring ,handles2 ,double ,angle ,cutters4 ,made in ,six ,sizes1 #bf in4 to #dh in4 wide4 ,,supplied ,,promptly ,,by ,,all ,,ironmongers4 ,,catalogues ,,free ,,on ,,application ,,to ,,ransomes1 ,,sims ,,jefferies1 ,,ltd41 ,,ipswich4 ,sidenote3 ,dobbie's ,guide ,illustration ,,dobbie',s ,,catalogue ,,competitors' ,,guide4--#bbd large quarto pages1 beautifully ,illustrated ,lists of all ,flower and ,vegetable ,seeds1 with most valuable1 cultural notes1 times of sowing1 colours1 heights1 c42 also all the best flowering plants1 including our world-famed ,collections of ,dahlias1 ,pansies1 ,violas1 ,early ,flowering ,chrysanthemums1 ,herbaceous ,plants1 ,pentstemons1 ,pyrethrums1 ,roses1 ,fruit ,trees1 c41 c4 ,indispensable alike to amateur and professional gardeners4 ,copies per ,parcel ,post on receipt of ,sixpence4 ,,dobbie ,,co41 ,,the ,,royal ,,seedsmen1 ,,rothesay4 ,sidenote3 ,alkan ,,alkan cures in ,one ,minute by ,inhalation4 ,the ,effect is ,marvellous4 ,the ,,one ,,minute ,cure ,for ,headache1 ,neuralgia1 ,toothache1 ,neuralgia of the ,ear4 ,this simple and perfectly harmless remedy has cured instantaneously thousands suffering from the above complaints4 ,of all ,chemists and ,stores1 prices #b_/i #d_/f per bottle4 ,sent post paid to any part of the ,united ,kingdom on receipt of price4 ,or of the ,proprietors1 ,b4 ,g4 ,,alkan1 ,general ,depot1 #aej1 ,,strand1 ,,london1 ,w4,c4 ,sidenote3 ,vegetable and ,flower ,seeds ,,shilling',s ,,seeds ,,are ,,the ,,best ,,for ,,amateurs ,,gardeners ,because they produce the finest ,flowers and ,vegetables4 ,,catalogue ,,sent ,,gratis ,,and ,,post ,,free4 ,c4 ,r4 ,,shilling1 ,seedsman1 ,,winchfield1 ,,hants4 ,illustration3 ,ill ,weeds ,grow ,apace4 ,root them out6 ,a ,,present ,,precaution ,,may ,,save ,,you ,,great ,,future ,,trouble4 ,work in the ,garden is ,pleasant ,work1 ,but it is ,hard ,work1 and every invention to lessen labour is an advantage6 ,,with ,,the ,,gnu ,,weeding ,,fork ,illustration ,,flower ,,beds1 c4 may be kept in perfect order with a minimum of ,labour4 ,the ,prongs being very close together it loosens the soil and removes weeds better and quicker than by hand4 ,no ,stooping or ,soiled ,hands4 ,price complete1 with #c;ft4 handle1 #a_/c each4 ,,daisy ,,fork ,illustration ,such unsightly ,,weeds as ,,daisies and ,,plantains can be ,,completely ,,removed from ,,lawns1 ,,tennis ,,courts1 c41 ,,quicker and ,,better than by any other method4 ,having #c prongs1 close together1 and a strong lever1 the ,,entire ,root is removed without exertion or without disturbing the surrounding grass4 ,price complete with #c;ft handle1 #a_/f each4 ,manufactured solely by ,j4 ,,lytle1 #c ,,barton ,,road1 ,,walton1 ,,liverpool4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,passages in italics are indicated by italics4 ,passages in bold are indicated by bold4 ,punctuation has been corrected without note4 ,inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original4