Chapter VII: Part II: The Practice of Horticulture (5)

_Linum._--Flax. _L. alpinum_, 6 in., large, dark blue; _L.
narbonnense_, 1(1/2) ft., large, blue; _L. perenne_, 1(1/2) ft.,
cobalt blue; and _L. arboreum (flavum)_, 1 ft., yellow, are all
pretty. The last is liable to suffer from damp during winter, and some
spare plants should be wintered in a frame. It is really shrubby in
character.

_Lithospermum._--_L. prostratum_, 3 in., is a trailing evergreen herb,
with narrow hairy leaves, and paniculate brilliant blue flowers in May
and June. Well adapted for rockwork or banks of sandy soil.

_Lupinus._--Showy erect-growing plants with papilionaceous flowers,
thriving in good deep garden soil. _L. polyphyllus_, 3 ft., forms
noble tufts of palmate leaves, and long spikes of bluish-purple or
white flowers in June and July; _L. arboreus_ is subshrubby, and has
yellow flowers.

_Lychnis._--Brilliant erect-growing caryophyllaceous plants, thriving
best in beds of peat earth or of deep sandy loam. _L. chalcedonica_, 3
ft., has dense heads of bright scarlet flowers, both single and
double, in June and July; _L. fulgens_, 1 ft., vermilion; _L.
Haageana_, 1(1/2) ft., scarlet; and _L. grandiflora_, 1 to 2 ft., with
clusters of scarlet, crimson, pink and white flowers. All
large-flowered and showy, but require a little protection in winter.

_Lysimachia._--The best known is the Creeping Jenny, _L. Nummularia_,
much used for trailing over rockeries and window boxes, with bright
yellow flowers. The variety _aurea_ with golden leaves is also
popular. Other species that grow from 2 to 3 ft. high, and are good
border plants, are _L. clethroides_, with white spikes of flowers; _L.
vulgaris_, _L. thyrsiflora_, _L. ciliata_, _L. verticillata_ and _L.
punctata_, all yellow.

_Malva._--_M. moschata_, 2 ft., with a profusion of pale pink or white
flowers, and musky deeply cut leaves, though a British plant, is worth
introducing to the flower borders when the soil is light and free.

_Meconopsis._--The Welsh poppy, _M. cambrica_, 1 to 2 ft. high,
yellow, and _M. Wallichi_, from the Himalayas, 4 to 6 ft. high with
pale blue flowers, are the best known perennials of the genus. The
last-named, however, is best raised from seeds every year, and treated
like the biennial kinds.

_Mertensia._--_M. virginica_, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., azure blue, shows
flowers in drooping panicles in May and June. It does best in shady
peat borders.

_Mimulus._--Monkey-flower. Free-blooming, showy scrophulariaceous
plants, thriving best in moist situations. _M. cardinalis_, 2 to 3
ft., has scarlet flowers, with the limb segments reflexed; _M. luteus_
and its many garden forms, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., are variously coloured and
often richly spotted; and _M. cupreus_, 8 to 10 in., is bright
coppery-red. _M. moschatus_ is the Musk-plant, of which the variety
_Harrisoni_ is a greatly improved form, with much larger yellow
flowers.

_Monarda._--Handsome labiate plants, flowering towards autumn, and
preferring a cool soil and partially shaded situation. _M. didyma_, 2
ft., scarlet or white; M. fistulosa, 3 ft., purple; and _M. purpurea_,
2 ft., deep purple, are good border flowers.

_Muscari._--Pretty dwarf spring-flowering bulbs. _M. botryoides_
(Grape Hyacinth), 6 in., blue or white, is the handsomest; _M.
moschatum_ (Musk Hyacinth), 10 in., has peculiar livid greenish-yellow
flowers and a strong musky odour; _M. monstrosum_ (Feather Hyacinth)
bears sterile flowers broken up into a feather-like mass. Good garden
soil.

_Myosotidium nobile._--A remarkable plant, 1(1/2) to 2 ft. high, with
large blue forget-me-not-like flowers. Requires gritty peat soil and
cool situations, but must be protected from frost in winter.

_Myosotis._--Forget-me-not. Lovely boraginaceous plants. M.
dissitiflora, 6 to 8 in., with large, handsome and abundant sky-blue
flowers, is the best and earliest, flowering from February onwards; it
does well in light cool soils, preferring peaty ones, and should be
renewed annually from seeds or cuttings. _M. rupicola_, 2 to 3 in.,
intense blue, is a fine rock plant, preferring shady situations and
gritty soil; _M. sylvatica_, 1 ft., blue, pink or white, used for
spring bedding, should be sown annually in August.

_Narcissus._--See NARCISSUS.

_Nepeta._--_N. Mussinii_, 1 ft., is a compactly spreading
greyish-leaved labiate, with lavender-blue flowers, and is sometimes
used for bedding or for marginal lines in large compound beds.

_Nierembergia._--_N. rivularis_, 4 in., from La Plata, has slender,
creeping, rooting stems, bearing stalked ovate leaves, and large
funnel-shaped white flowers, with a remarkably long slender tube;
especially adapted for rockwork, requiring moist sandy loam.

_Nymphaea._--See WATER-LILY.

_Oenothera._--The genus of the Evening Primrose, consisting of showy
species, all of which grow and blossom freely in rich deep soils. _Oe.
missouriensis (macrocarpa)_, 6 to 12 in., has stout trailing branches,
lance-shaped leaves and large yellow blossoms; _Oe. taraxacifolia_, 6
to 12 in., has a stout crown from which the trailing branches spring
out, and these bear very large white flowers, changing to delicate
rose; this perishes in cold soils, and should therefore be raised from
seed annually. Of erect habit are _Oe. speciosa_, 1 to 2 ft., with
large white flowers; _Oe. fruticosa_, 2 to 3 ft., with abundant yellow
flowers; and _Oe. serotina_, 2 ft., also bright yellow.

_Omphalodes._--Elegant dwarf boraginaceous plants. _O. verna_, 4 to 6
in., a creeping, shade-loving plant, has bright blue flowers in the
very early spring; _O. Luciliae_, 6 in., has much larger lilac-blue
flowers, and is an exquisite rock plant for warm, sheltered spots.
Light sandy soil.

_Onosma._--_O. taurica_, 6 to 8 in., is a charming boraginaceous plant
from the Caucasus, producing hispid leaves and cymose heads of
drooping, tubular, yellow flowers. It is of evergreen habit, and
requires a warm position on the rockwork and well-drained sandy soil;
or a duplicate should be sheltered during winter in a cold, dry frame.

_Ornithogalum._--The Star of Bethlehem. _O. arabicum_ can only be
grown in the warmest parts of the kingdom, and then requires
protection in winter. Other species, all bulbous, are _O. nutans_, _O.
pyramidale_, _O. pyrenaicum_, and the common Star of Bethlehem, _O.
umbellatum_; all are easily grown, and have white flowers.

_Ostrowskya magnifica._--A magnificent bellflower from Bokhara, 4 to 5
ft. high, and white flowers tinted and veined with lilac, 3 to 5 in.
across. Requires rich, gritty loam of good depth, as it produces
tuberous roots 1 to 2 ft. long.

_Ourisia._--Handsome scrophulariaceous plants, from Chile, thriving in
moist, well-drained peaty soil, and in moderate shade. _O. coccinea_,
1 ft., has erect racemes of pendent crimson flowers.

_Papaver._--The Poppy. Very showy plants, often of strong growth, and
of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. _P. orientale_, 3 ft., has
crimson-scarlet flowers, 6 in. across, and the variety _bracteatum_
closely resembles it, but has leafy bracts just beneath the blossom.
_P. alpinum_, 6 in., white with yellow centre; _P. nudicaule_, 1 ft.,
yellow, scented, and _P. pilosum_, 1 to 2 ft., deep orange, are
ornamental smaller kinds.

_Pentstemon._--The popular garden varieties have sprung from _P.
Hartwegii_ and _P. Cobaea_. Other distinct kinds are _P.
campanulatus_, 1(1/2) ft., pale rose, of bushy habit; _P. humilis_, 9
in., bright blue; _P. speciosus_, _cyananthus_ and _Jaffrayanus_, 2 to
3 ft., all bright blue; _P. barbatus_, 3 to 4 ft., scarlet, in long
terminal panicles; _P. Murrayanus_, 6 ft., with scarlet flowers and
connate leaves; and _P. Palmeri_, 3 to 4 ft., with large, wide-tubed,
rose-coloured flowers.

_Petasites._--_P. fragrans_, the Winter Heliotrope, though of weedy
habit, with ample cordate coltsfoot-like leaves, yields in January and
February its abundant spikes, about 1 ft. high, of greyish flowers
scented like heliotrope; it should have a corner to itself.

_Phlomis._--Bold and showy labiates, growing in ordinary soil. _P.
Russelliana (lunariaefolia)_, 4 ft., yellow, and _P. tuberosa_, 3 ft.,
purplish-rose, both with downy hoary leaves, come in well in broad
flower borders.

_Phygelius._--_P. capensis_ from South Africa is hardy south of the
Thames and in favoured localities. Flowers tubular scarlet, on
branching stems, 2 to 3 ft. high. Requires light, rich soil.

_Physalis._--_P. Alkekengi_ from South Europe has long been known in
gardens for its bright orange-red globular calyxes. It has been
surpassed by the much larger and finer _P. Francheti_ from Japan; the
brilliant calyxes are often 3 in. in diameter in autumn. Grows in any
garden soil.

_Physostegia._--Tall, autumn-blooming labiates, of easy growth in
ordinary garden soils. _P. imbricata_, 5 to 6 ft., has pale purple
flowers in closely imbricated spikes.

_Phytolacca._--Ornamental strong-growing perennials requiring much
space. _P. acinosa_, from the Himalayas, 3 to 4 ft., with whitish
flowers in erect spikes. _P. decandra_, the North American Poke Weed
or Red Ink plant, grows 5 to 10 ft. high, has fleshy poisonous roots,
erect purple stems and white flowers. _P. icosandra_, from Mexico, 2
to 3 ft., pinky white. The foliage in all cases is handsome. Ordinary
garden soil.

_Platycodon._--_P. grandiflorum_, 6 to 24 in. high, is a fine Chinese
perennial with flattish, bell-shaped flowers, 2 to 3 in. across, and
purple in colour. The variety _Mariesi_ (or _pumilum_) is dwarf, with
larger, deeper-coloured flowers. Requires rich sandy loam.

_Podophyllum._--Ornamental herbs with large lobed leaves. _P. Emodi_,
6 to 12 in. high, from the Himalayas, has large white or pale-rose
flowers, and in autumn bright red, hen's-egg-like fruits. _P.
peltatum_, the North American mandrake, has large umbrella-like leaves
and white flowers; _P. pleianthum_, from China, purple. They all
require moist, peaty soil in warm, sheltered nooks.

_Polemonium._--Pretty border flowers. _P. coeruleum_ (Jacob's Ladder),
2 ft., has elegant pinnate leaves, and long panicles of blue rotate
flowers. The variety called variegatum has very elegantly marked
leaves, and is sometimes used as a margin or otherwise in bedding
arrangements. Good garden soil.

_Polygonatum._--Elegant liliaceous plants, with rhizomatous stems. _P.
multiflorum_ (Solomon's Seal), 2 to 3 ft., with arching stems, and
drooping white flowers from the leaf axils, is a handsome border
plant, doing especially well in partial shade amongst shrubs, and also
well adapted for pot culture for early forcing. Good garden soil.

_Polygonum._--A large family, varying much in character, often weedy,
but of easy culture in ordinary soil. _P. vacciniifolium_, 6 to 10
in., is a pretty prostrate subshrubby species, with handsome rose-pink
flowers, suitable for rockwork, and prefers boggy soil; _P. affine
(Brunonis)_, 1 ft., deep rose, is a showy border plant, flowering in
the late summer; _P. cuspidatum_, 8 to 10 ft., is a grand object for
planting where a screen is desired, as it suckers abundantly, and its
tall spotted stems and handsome cordate leaves have quite a noble
appearance. Other fine species are _P. baldschuanium_, a climber, _P.
sphaerostachyum_, _P. lanigerum_, _P. polystachyum_ and _P.
sachalinense_, all bold and handsome.

_Potentilla._--The double varieties are fine garden plants obtained
from _P. argyrophylla atrosanguinea_ and _P. nepalensis_. The colours
include golden-yellow, red, orange-yellow, crimson, maroon and
intermediate shades. They all flourish in rich sandy soil.

_Primula._--Beautiful and popular spring flowers, of which many forms
are highly esteemed in most gardens. _P. vulgaris_, 6 in., affords
numerous handsome single- and double-flowered varieties, with
various-coloured flowers for the spring flower-beds and borders.
Besides this, _P. Sieboldii (cortusoides amoena)_, 1 ft., originally
deep rose with white eye, but now including many varieties of colour,
such as white, pink, lilac and purple; _P. japonica_, 1 to 2 ft.,
crimson-rose; _P. denticulata_, 1 ft., bright bluish-lilac, with its
allies _P. erosa_ and _P. purpurea_, all best grown in a cold frame;
_P. viscosa_, 6 in., purple, and its white variety nivalis, with _P.
pedemontana_ and _P. spectabilis_, 6 in., both purple; and the
charming little Indian _P. rosea_, 3 to 6 in., bright cherry-rose
colour, are but a few of the many beautiful kinds in cultivation.

_Pulmonaria._--Handsome dwarf, boraginaceous plants, requiring good
deep garden soil. _P. officinalis_, 1 ft., has prettily mottled leaves
and blue flowers; _P. sibirica_ is similar in character, but has
broader leaves more distinctly mottled with white.

_Pyrethrum._--Composite plants of various character, but of easy
culture. _P. Parthenium eximium_, 2 ft., is a handsome double white
form of ornamental character for the mixed border; _P. uliginosum_, 5
to 6 ft., has fine large, white, radiate flowers in October; _P.
Tchihatchewii_, a close-growing, dense evergreen, creeping species,
with long-stalked, white flower-heads, is adapted for covering slopes
in lieu of turf, and for rockwork.

_Ramondia._--_R. pyrenaica_, 3 to 6 in., is a pretty dwarf plant,
requiring a warm position on the rockwork and a moist, peaty soil more
or less gritty; it has rosettes of ovate spreading root-leaves, and
large purple, yellow-centred, rotate flowers, solitary, or two to
three together, on naked stalks.

_Ranunculus._--The florists' ranunculus is a cultivated form of _R.
asiaticus_ (see RANUNCULUS). _R. amplexicaulis_, 1 ft., white; _R.
aconitifolius_, 1 to 2 ft., white, with its double variety _R.
aconitifolius flore-pleno_ (Fair Maids of France); and _R. acris
flore-pleno_ (Bachelor's Buttons), 2 ft., golden yellow, are pretty.
Of dwarfer interesting plants there are _R. alpestris_, 4 in., white;
_R. gramineus_, 6 to 10 in., yellow; _R. parnassifolius_, 6 in.,
white; and _R. rutaefolius_, 4 to 6 in., white with orange centre.

_Rodgersia._--Handsome herbs of the saxifrage family. _R. podophylla_
with large bronzy-green leaves cut into 5 large lobes, and tall
branching spikes 3 to 4 ft. high--the whole plant resembling one of
the large meadow sweets. _R. aesculifolia_, yellowish-white; _R.
Henrici_, deep purple; _R. pinnata_, fleshy pink; and _R.
sambucifolia_, white, are recently introduced species from China. They
require rich sandy peat and warm sheltered spots.

_Romneya._--_R. Coulteri_, a fine Californian plant, with large white
flowers on shoots often as high as 7 ft.; _R. trichocalyx_ is similar.
Both require very warm, sunny spots and rich, sandy soil, and should
not be disturbed often.

_Rudbeckia._--Bold-habited composite plants, well suited for shrubbery
borders, and thriving in light loamy soil. The flower-heads have a
dark-coloured elevated disk. _R. Drummondii_, 2 to 3 ft., with the
ray-florets reflexed, yellow at the tip and purplish-brown towards the
base; _R. fulgida_, 2 ft. golden-yellow with dark chocolate disk, the
flower-heads 2 to 3 in. across; and _R. speciosa_, 2 to 3 ft.,
orange-yellow with blackish-purple disk, the flower-heads 3 to 4 in.
across, are showy plants.

_Sagittaria._--Graceful water or marsh plants with hastate leaves, and
tuberous, running and fibrous roots. _S. japonica plena_; _S.
lancifolia_, _S. macrophylla_ and _S. sagittifolia_, are among the
best kinds, all with white flowers.

_Salvia._--The Sage, a large genus of labiates, often very handsome,
but sometimes too tender for English winters. _S. Sclarea_, 5 to 6
ft., is a very striking plant little more than a biennial, with
branched panicles of bluish flowers issuing from rosy-coloured bracts;
_S. patens_, 2 ft., which is intense azure, has tuberous roots, and
may be taken up, stored away and replanted in spring like a dahlia.
_S. pratensis_, 2 ft., blue, a showy native species, is quite hardy;
the variety lupinoides has the centre of the lower lip white.

_Saxifraga._--A very large genus of rock and border plants of easy
culture. The Megasea group, to which _S. ligulata_, _S. cordifolia_
and _S. crassifolia_ belong, are early-flowering kinds of great
beauty, with fleshy leaves and large cymose clusters of flowers of
various shades of rose, red and purple. Another very distinct group
with silvery foliage--the crustaceous group--contains some of our
choicest Alpines. Of these _S. caesia_, _S. calyciflora_, _S.
Cotyledon_ are among the best known. Some of the species look more
like lichens than flowering plants. The green moss-like saxifrages are
also a very distinct group, with dense tufted leaves which appear
greener in winter than in summer. The flowers are borne on erect
branching stems and are chiefly white in colour. _Saxifraga umbrosa_
(London Pride) and _S. Geum_ belong to still another group, and are
valuable alike on border and rockery. _S. peltata_ is unique owing to
its large peltate leaves, often 1 ft. to 18 in. across, with stalks 1
to 2 ft. long. Flowers in April, white or pinkish. Likes plenty of
water and a moist peaty soil or marshy place. _S. sarmentosa_, the
well-known "mother of thousands," is often grown as a pot plant in
cottagers' windows.

_Scilla._--Beautiful dwarf bulbous plants, thriving in well-worked
sandy loam, or sandy peat. _S. bifolia_, 3 in., and _S. sibirica_, 4
in., both intense blue, are among the most charming of early spring
flowers; _S. patula_, 6 to 8 in., and _S. campanulata_, 1 ft., with
tubular greyish-blue flowers, freely produced, are fine border plants,
as is the later-blooming _S. peruviana_, 6 to 8 in., dark blue or
white.

_Sedum._--Pretty succulent plants of easy growth, and mostly suitable
for rockwork. They are numerous, varied in the colour of both leaves
and foliage, and mostly of compact tufted growth. _S. spectabile_, 1
to 1(1/2) ft., pink, in great cymose heads, is a fine plant for the
borders, and worthy also of pot-culture for greenhouse decoration.
Mention may also be made of the common _S. acre_ (Stonecrop), 3 in.,
yellow, and its variety with yellow-tipped leaves.

_Sempervivum._--House-Leek. Neat-growing, succulent plants, forming
rosettes of fleshy leaves close to the ground, and rapidly increasing
by runner-like offsets; they are well adapted for rockwork, and do
best in sandy soil. The flowers are stellate, cymose, on stems rising
from the heart of the leafy rosettes. _S. arachnoideum_, purplish, _S.
arenarium_, yellow, _S. globiferum_ and _S. Laggeri_, rose, grow when
in flower 3 to 6 in. high; _S. calcareum_, rose colour, and _S.
Boutignianum_, pale rose, both have glaucous leaves tipped with
purple; _S. Heuffelii_, yellow, with deep chocolate leaves, and _S.
Wulfeni_, sulphur-yellow, are from 8 to 12 in. high.

_Senecio._--A large genus with comparatively few good garden plants.
Large and coarse-growing kinds like _S. Doria_, _S. macrophyllus_ and
_S. sarracenicus_ are good for rough places; all yellow-flowered. _S.
pulcher_ is a charming plant, 2 to 3 ft. high, with rosy-purple
flower-heads, having a bright orange centre. It likes a warm corner
and moist soil. _S. clivorum_, from China, has large roundish leaves
and orange-yellow flowers. It flourishes near water and in damp
places.

_Shortia._--_S. galacifolia_, a beautiful tufted plant 2 to 3 in.
high, with roundish crenate leaves, on long stalks, and white
funnel-shaped flowers in March and April. _S. uniflora_ from Japan is
closely related. The leaves of both assume rich purple-red tints in
autumn. Warm sunny situations and rich sandy loam and peat are
required.

_Silene._--Pretty caryophyllaceous plants, preferring sandy loam, and
well adapted for rockwork. _S. alpestris_, 6 in., white, and _S.
quadridentata_, 4 in., white, are beautiful tufted plants for rockwork
or the front parts of borders; _S. maritima flore-pleno_, 6 in.,
white, _S. Elizabethae_, 4 in., bright rose, and _S. Schafta_, 6 in.,
purplish-rose, are also good kinds.

_Sisyrinchium._--Pretty dwarf iridaceous plants, thriving in peaty
soil. _S. grandiflorum_, 10 in., deep purple or white, blooms about
April, and is a fine plant for pot-culture in cold frames.

_Sparaxis._--Graceful bulbous plants from South Africa. _S.
grandiflora_, with deep violet-purple, and _S. tricolor_, with rich
orange-red, flowers are best known. _S. pulcherrima_, a lovely
species, 3 to 6 ft. high, with drooping blood-red blossoms, is now
referred to the genus _Dierama_. A warm, light, but rich soil in
sheltered spots required.

_Spiraea._--Vigorous growing plants of great beauty, preferring good,
deep, rather moist soil; the flowers small but very abundant, in large
corymbose or spicate panicles. _S. Aruncus_, 4 ft., white; _S.
astilbioides_, 2 ft., white; _S. Filipendula_, 1(1/2) ft., and _S.
Ulmaria_, 3 ft., both white; _S. palmata_, 2 ft., rosy-crimson; and
_S. venusta_, 3 ft., carmine rose, are some of the best.

_Statice._--Pretty plants with broad, radical leaves, and a
much-branched inflorescence of numerous small flowers. _S. latifolia_,
2 ft., greyish-blue; _S. tatarica_, 1 ft., lavender-pink; _S.
speciosa_, 1(1/2) ft., rose colour; and _S. eximia_, 1(1/2) ft.,
rosy-lilac--are good border plants. _S. bellidifolia_, 9 in.,
lavender; _S. emarginata_, 6 in., purple; _S. globulariaefolia_, 9
in., white; and _S. nana_, 4 in.--are good sorts for the rockery.

_Stenactis._--_S. speciosa_, 1 to 2 ft., is a showy composite, of easy
culture in good garden soil; it produces large corymbs of
flower-heads, with numerous narrow blue ray-florets surrounding the
yellow disk. Now more generally known as Erigeron.

_Stipa._--_S. pennata_ (Feather Grass), 1(1/2) ft., is a very
graceful-habited grass, with stiff slender erect leaves, and long
feathery awns to the seeds.

_Stokesia._--_S. cyanea_, 2 ft., is a grand, autumn-flowering,
composite plant, with blue flower-heads, 4 in. across. Sandy loam and
warm situation.

_Symphytum._--Rather coarse-growing but showy boraginaceous plants,
succeeding in ordinary soil. _S. caucasicum_, 2 ft., with blue flowers
changing to red, is one of the finer kinds for early summer blooming.

_Thalictrum._--Free-growing but rather weedy ranunculaceous plants, in
many cases having elegantly cut foliage. _T. aquilegifolium_, 2 ft.,
purplish from the conspicuous stamens, the leaves glaucous, is a good
border plant; and _T. minus_ has foliage somewhat resembling that of
the Maidenhair fern. Ordinary garden soil.

_Tiarella._--_T. cordifolia_, the foam flower, is very ornamental in
border or rockery. Leaves heart-shaped lobed and toothed; flowers
white starry; ordinary garden soil.

_Tigridia._--Lovely bulbous plants called tiger flowers, useful in the
warmest parts of the kingdom for the border in rich but gritty soil.
_T. Pavonia_, the peacock tiger flower, from Mexico, grows 1 to 2 ft.
high, with plaited sword-like leaves, and large flowers about 6 in.
across, having zones of violet and yellow blotched with purple and
tipped with scarlet. There are many varieties, all charming.

_Trillium._--_T. grandiflorum_, the wood-lily of North America, is the
finest. It has large white flowers and grows freely in peaty soil in
shady borders. There are several other species, some with purplish
flowers.

_Tritonia._--A genus of South African plants with fibrous-coated corms
or solid bulbs, often known as montbretas. _T. crocata_, 2 ft.,
orange-yellow, _T. crocosmiaeflora_, 2 to 2(1/2) ft., orange-scarlet,
and _T. Pottsi_, 3 to 4 ft., bright yellow, are the best-known
varieties, of which there are many subsidiary ones, some being very
large and free in flowering. A rich, gritty soil, and warm, sunny
situations are best for these plants.

_Triteleia._--Charming spring-flowering bulbs, thriving in any good
sandy soil. _T. Murrayana_, 8 in., lavender-blue, and _T. uniflora_,
6 in., white, are both pretty plants of the easiest culture, either
for borders or rockeries.

_Tritoma._--Splendid stoutish-growing plants of noble aspect,
familiarly known as the Poker plant, from their erect, rigid spikes of
flame-coloured flowers; sometimes called Kniphofia. _T. Uvaria_, 3 to
4 ft., bright orange-red, passing to yellow in the lower flowers, is a
fine autumnal decorative plant. They should be protected from frosts
by a covering of ashes over the crown during winter.

_Trollius._--Showy ranunculaceous plants, of free growth, flowering
about May and June. _T. europaeus_, 18 in., lemon globular; _T.
asiaticus_, 2 ft., deep yellow; and _T. napellifolius_, 2 to 2(1/2) ft.,
golden yellow, are all fine showy kinds. Rich and rather moist soil.

_Tulipa._--Splendid dwarfish bulbs, thriving in deep, sandy,
well-enriched garden soil, and increased by offsets. They bloom during
the spring and early summer months. _T. Gesneriana_, the parent of the
florists' tulip, 12 to 18 in., crimson and other colours; _T.
Eichleri_, 1 ft., crimson with dark spot; _T. Greigi_, 1 ft., orange
with dark spot edged with yellow, and having dark spotted leaves; _T.
oculus solis_, 1 ft., scarlet with black centre; and _T. sylvestris_,
12 to 18 in., bright yellow, are showy kinds.

_Veratrum._--Distinct liliaceous plants with bold ornamental leaves
regularly folded and plaited. _V. album_, 3 to 5 ft., has whitish
blossoms in dense panicles, 1 to 2 ft. long. _V. nigrum_, 2 to 3 ft.,
has blackish-purple flowers, also _V. Maacki_, 2 ft. Rich sandy loam
and peat.

_Verbascum._--Showy border flowers of erect spire-like habit, of the
easiest culture. _V. Chaixii_, 4 to 5 ft., yellow, in large pyramidal
panicles; _V. phoeniceum_, 3 ft., rich purple or white; and _V.
formosum_, 6 ft., golden yellow in dense panicles, are desirable
species.

_Veronica._--The Speedwell family, containing many ornamental members;
all the hardy species are of the easiest cultivation in ordinary
garden soil. The rotate flowers are in close, erect spikes, sometimes
branched. _V. crassifolia_, 2 ft., dark blue; _V. incarnata_, 1(1/2)
ft., flesh-colour; _V. corymbosa_, 1(1/2) ft., pale blue in
corymbosely-arranged racemes; _V. gentianoides_, 2 ft., grey with blue
streaks; _V. spicata_, blue, and its charming white variety _alba_;
and _V. virginica_, 5 ft., white, are distinct.

_Vinca._--Periwinkle. Pretty rock plants, growing freely in ordinary
soil. _V. herbacea_, of creeping habit, with purplish-blue flowers;
_V. minor_, of trailing habit, blue; and _V. major_, 1 to 2 ft. high,
also trailing, are suitable for the rock garden. The last two are
evergreen, and afford varieties which differ in the colour of their
flowers, while some are single and others double.

_Viola._--Violet. Charming dwarf plants, mostly evergreen and of
tufted habit, requiring well-worked rich sandy soil. _V. calcarata_, 6
in., light blue; _V. cornuta_, 6 to 8 in., blue; _V. lutea_, 4 in.,
yellow; _V. altaica_, 6 in., yellow or violet with yellow eye; _V.
palmaensis_, 6 to 8 in., lavender-blue; _V. pedata_, 6 in., pale blue;
and _V. odorata_, the Sweet Violet, in its many single and double
flowered varieties, are all desirable.

_Yucca._--Noble subarborescent liliaceous plants, which should be
grown in every garden. They do well in light, well-drained soils, and
have a close family resemblance, the inflorescence being a panicle of
white, drooping, tulip-shaped flowers, and the foliage rosulate,
sword-shaped and spear-pointed. Of the more shrubby-habited sorts _Y.
gloriosa_, _recurvifolia_ and _Treculeana_ are good and distinct; and
of the dwarfer and more herbaceous sorts _Y. filamentosa_, _flaccida_
and _angustifolia_ are distinct and interesting kinds, the first two
flowering annually.

The taste for cultivation of the class of plants, of which the
foregoing list embraces some of the more prominent members, is on the
increase, and gardens will benefit by its extension.

HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.--Much of the beauty of the pleasure garden
depends upon the proper selection and disposition of ornamental trees
and shrubs. We can only afford space here for lists of some of the
better and more useful and ornamental trees and shrubs, old and new.

The following list, which is not exhaustive, furnishes material from
which a selection may be made to suit various soils and situations.
The shrubs marked * are climbers.

_Hardy Deciduous Trees._

Acer--Maple. Larix--Larch.
Aesculus--Horse-Chestnut. Liriodendron--Tulip-tree.
Ailantus--Tree of Heaven. Magnolia.
Alnus--Alder. Morus--Mulberry.
Amygdalus--Almond. Negundo--Box-Elder.
Betula--Birch. Ostrya--Hop Hornbeam.
Carpinus--Hornbeam. Paulownia.
Carya--Hickory. Planera.
Castanea--Sweet Chestnut. Platanus--Plane.
Catalpa. Populus--Poplar.
Celtis--Nettle Tree. Prunus (Plums, Cherries, &c.).
Cercis--Judas Tree. Ptelea--Hop Tree.
Cotoneaster (some species). Pyrus--Pear, &c.
Crataegus--Thorn. Quercus--Oak.
Davidia. Rhus--Sumach.
Diospyros. Robinia--Locust Tree.
Fagus--Beech. Salix--Willow.
Fraxinus--Ash. Sophora.
Ginkgo--Maidenhair Tree. Taxodium--Deciduous Cypress.
Gleditschia--Honey Locust. Tilia--Lime.
Gymnocladus--Kentucky Coffee Tree. Ulmus--Elm.
Juglans--Walnut. Virgilia.
Kolreuteria. Xanthoceras.
Laburnum.

_Hardy Evergreen Trees._

Abies--Silver Fir. Libocedrus.
Araucaria--Chili Pine. Magnolia grandiflora.
Arbutus--Strawberry Tree. Picea--Spruce Fir.
Biota--Arbor Vitae. Pinus--Pine.
Buxus--Box. Quercus Ilex--Holm-Oak.
Cedrus--Cedar. Retinospora.
Cephalotaxus. Sciadopitys--Umbrella Pine.
Cryptomeria--Japan Cedar. Sequoia (Wellingtonia).
Cupressus--Cypress. Taxus--Yew.
Ilex--Holly. Thuiopsis.
Juniperus--Juniper. Thuya--Arbor Vitae.
Laurus--Bay Laurel. Tsuga.

_Hardy Deciduous Shrubs._

Abelia. Halesia--Snowdrop Tree.
Acer--Maple. Hamamelis--Wych Hazel.
Amelanchier. Hibiscus--Althaea frutex, &c.
Ampelopsis.* Hippophae--Sea Buckthorn.
Amygdalopsis. Hypericum--St John's Wort.
Aralia. Jasminum*--Jasmine.
Aristolochia.* Kerria.
Berberis--Berberry. Lonicera*--Honeysuckle.
Bignonia*--Trumpet Flower. Lycium.*
Buddleia. Magnolia.
Calophaca. Menispermum*--Moonseed.
Calycanthus--Carolina Allspice. Periploca.*
Caragana. Philadelphus--Mock Orange.
Chimonanthus. Rhus--Wig Tree, &c.
Clematis.* Ribes--Flowering Currant.
Colutea--Bladder Senna. Robinia--Rose Acacia, &c.
Cornus--Dogwood. Rosa--Rose.
Cotoneaster (some species). Rubus*--Bramble.
Crataegus--Thorn. Spartium--Spanish Broom.
Cydonia--Japan Quince. Spiraea.
Cytisus--Broom, &c. Staphylaea--Bladder-Nut.
Daphne. Symphoricarpus--Snowberry.
Deutzia. Syringa--Lilac.
Edwardsia. Tamarix--Tamarisk.
Euonymus europaeus--Spindle Tree. Viburnum--Guelder Rose, &c.
Forsythia. Vitis*--Vine.
Fremontia. Weigela.
Genista.

_Hardy Evergreen Shrubs._

Akebia.* Hedera*--Ivy.
Arbutus. Hypericum--St John's Wort.
Aucuba--Japan Laurel. Ilex--Holly.
Azara. Jasminum*--Jasmine.
Bambusa--Bamboo. Kadsura.*
Berberidopsis.* Lardizabala.*
Berberis--Berberry. Laurus--Sweet Bay.
Buddleia. Ligustrum--Privet.
Bupleurum. Lonicera*--Honeysuckle.
Buxus--Box. Osmanthus.
Ceanothus. Pernettya.
Cerasus--Cherry-Laurel, &c. Phillyrea.
Cistus-Sun-Rose. Photinia.
Cotoneaster. Rhamnus Alaternus.
Crataegus Pyracantha--Fire Thorn. Rhododendron--Rose-Bay.
Daphne. Rosa*--Rose.
Desfontainea. Ruscus.
Elaeagnus--Oleaster. Skimmia.
Erica--Heath. Smilax.*
Escallonia. Stauntonia.*
Euonymus. Ulex--Furze.
Fabiana. Viburnum--Laurustinus.
Fatsia (Aralia). Vinca--Periwinkle.
Garrya. Yucca--Adam's Needle.
Griselinia.

BEDDING PLANTS.--This term is chiefly applied to those
summer-flowering plants, such as ivy-leaved and zonal pelargoniums,
petunias, dwarf lobelias, verbenas, &c., which are employed in masses
for filling the beds of a geometrical parterre. Of late years,
however, more attention has been bestowed on arrangements of brilliant
flowering plants with those of fine foliage, and the massing also of
hardy early-blooming plants in parterre fashion has been very greatly
extended. Bedding plants thrive best in a light loam, liberally
manured with thoroughly rotten dung from an old hotbed or thoroughly
decomposed cow droppings and leaf-mould.

_Spring Bedding._--For this description of bedding, hardy plants only
must be used; but even then the choice is tolerably extensive. For
example, there are the Alyssums, of which _A. saxatile_ and _A.
gemonense_ are in cultivation; _Antennaria tomentosa_; the double
white _Arabis albida_; Aubrietias, of which the best sorts are _A.
Campbelliae_ and _A. grandiflora_; the double _Bellis perennis_ or
Daisy; the Wallflowers, including _Cheiranthus Cheiri_ (the Common
Wallflower), _C. alpina_ and _C. Marshallii_; Hepaticas, the principal
of which are the varieties of _H. triloba_, and the blue _H.
angulosa_; Iberis or Candytuft; _Lithospermum fruticosum_; Myosotis or
Forget-me-not, including _M. alpestris_, _M. dissitiflora_, _M.
azorica_ and _M. sylvestris_; Phloxes, like _P. subulata_, with its
varieties _setacea_, _Nelsoni_, _nivalis_; the single-flowered
varieties of the Primrose, _Primula vulgaris_; the Polyanthuses;
_Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_, called Golden Feather; _Sempervivum
calcareum_; the pink-flowered _Silene pendula_; self-coloured
varieties of the Pansy, _V. tricolor_, and of _V. lutea_ and _V.
cornuta_, as well as some recent hybrids. Besides these there are the
various spring-flowering bulbs, such as the varieties of Hyacinthus,
Tulipa, Narcissus, Fritillaria, Muscari or Grape Hyacinth, Crocus,
Scilla, Chionodoxa and Galanthus or Snowdrop.

_Summer Bedding._--There is great variety amongst the plants which are
used for bedding-out in the garden during the summer months, but we
can note only some of the most important of them. Amongst them are the
Ageratums, the old tall-growing sorts of which have been superseded by
dwarfer blue and white flowered varieties; Alternantheras, the
principal of which are _A. amoena_, _amoena spectabilis_, _magnifica_,
_paronychioides major aurea_ and _amabilis_; _Alyssum maritimum
variegatum_; some of the dwarf varieties of _Antirrhinum majus_;
_Arundo Donax variegata_; Begonias; Calceolarias; Cannas; _Centaurea
ragusina_; Clematises, of which the hybrids of the _Jackmanni_ type
are best; _Dahlia variabilis_, and the single-flowered forms of _D.
coccinea_; Echeverias, of which _E. secunda_ and _E. metallica_ are
much employed; Gazanias; Heliotropes; Iresines; Lantanas; Lobelias;
_Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum_; Pelargoniums, of which the
various classes of zonal or bedding varieties are unapproachable for
effect and general utility; Petunias; Phloxes; _Polemonium coeruleum
variegatum_; _Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_, the well-known Golden
Feather, especially useful as an edging to define the outline of beds
upon grass; Tropaeolums, especially some of the varieties of _T.
Lobbianum_; and Verbenas, the offspring of _Tweedieana_,
_chamaedrifolia_ and others. Few bulbs come into the summer flower
gardens, but amongst those which should always be well represented are
the Gladiolus, the Lilium, the Tigridia and the Montbretia.

_Subtropical Bedding._--Foliage and the less common flowering plants
may be used either in masses of one kind, or in groups arranged for
contrast, or as the centres of groups of less imposing or of
dwarfer-flowering subjects; or they may be planted as single specimens
in appropriate open spaces, in recesses, or as distant striking
objects terminating a vista.

_Carpet Bedding_ consists in covering the surface of a bed, or a
series of beds forming a design, with close, low-growing plants, in
which certain figures are brought out by means of plants of a
different habit or having different coloured leaves. Sometimes, in
addition to the carpet or ground colour, individual plants of larger
size and handsome appearance are dotted symmetrically over the beds,
an arrangement which is very telling. Some of the best plants for
carpeting the surface of the beds are: _Antennaria tomentosa_ and
_Leucophytum Browni_, white; _Sedum acre_, _dasyphyllum_, _corsicum_
and _glaucum_, grey; and _Sedum Lydium_, _Mentha Pulegium
gibraltarica_, _Sagina subulata_ and _Herniaria glabra_, green. The
Alternantheras, Amaranthuses, Iresines and _Coleus Verschaffelti_
furnish high and warm colours; while _Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_
yields greenish-yellow: _Thymus citriodorus aureus_, yellowish;
_Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum_, creamy yellow; Centaureas
and others, white; _Lobelia Erinus_, blue; and the succulent
Echeverias and Sempervivums, glaucous rosettes, which last add much to
the general effect. In connexion with the various designs such fine
plants as _Agave americana_, _Dracaena indivisa_ are often used as
centre-pieces.

GREENHOUSE PLANTS.--These are plants requiring the shelter of a glass
house, provided with a moderate degree of heat, of which 45 deg. Fahr.
may be taken as the minimum in winter. The house should be opened for
ventilation in all mild weather in winter, and daily throughout the
rest of the year. The following is a select list of genera of
miscellaneous decorative plants (orchids, palms and ferns excluded;
climbers are denoted by *; bulbous and tuberous plants by +):

Abutilon Coleus Lachenalia+
Acacia Coprosma Lantana
Agapanthus Cordyline Lapageria*
Agathaea Correa Lilium+
Agave Cuphea Lophospermum*
Alonsoa Cyclamen+ Mandevillea*
Aloysia Cyperus Manettia*
Amaryllis+ Cytisus Mutisia*
Ardisia Darwinia (Genetyllis) Myrsiphyllum*
Asparagus Diosma Maurandya*
Aspidistra Dracaena Nerine+
Asystasia (Mackaya) Eccremocarpus* Nerium
Azalea Epacris Pelargonium
Bauera Epiphyllum Petunia
Begonia+ Erica Pimelia
Blandfordia Eriostemon Plumbago*
Bomarea* Erythrina Polianthes+
Boronia Eucalyptus Primula
Bougainvillea* Eupatorium Rhododendron
Bouvardia Eurya Richardia (Calla)+
Brugmansia Ficus Salvia
Calceolaria Fuchsia Sarracenia
Camellia Grevillea Solanum
Campanula Haemanthus+ Sparmannia
Canna Heliotropium Statice
Celosia Hibiscus Strelitzia
Cestrum* Hoya* Streptocarpus
Chorizema* Hydrangea Swainsonia
Chrysanthemum Impatiens Tacsonia*
Cineraria Jasminum* Tecoma
Clianthus Justicia Tradescantia
Clivia Kalosanthes Vallota+
Cobaea*

STOVE PLANTS.--For the successful culture of stove plants two houses
at least, wherein different temperatures can be maintained, should be
devoted to their growth. The minimum temperature during winter should
range at night from about 55 deg. in the cooler to 65 deg. in the
warmer house, and from 65 deg. to 75 deg. by day, allowing a few
degrees further rise by sun heat. In summer the temperature may range
10 deg. higher by artificial heat, night and day, and will often by
sun heat run up to 90 deg. or even 95 deg., beyond which it should be
kept down by ventilation and frequent syringing and damping down of
the pathways. During the growing period the atmosphere must be kept
moist by damping the walls and pathways, and by syringing the plants
according to their needs; when growth is completed less moisture will
be necessary. Watering, which, except during the resting period,
should generally be copious, is best done in the forenoon; while
syringing should be done early in the morning before the sun becomes
too powerful, and late in the afternoon to admit of the foliage drying
moderately before night. The following is a select list of genera of
stove plants (climbers are denoted by *, bulbous and tuberous plants
by +):

Acalypha Cyanophyllum (Miconia) Musa
Achimenes+ Cycas Nelumbium+
Aeschynanthus Dieffenbachia Nepenthes
Allamanda* Dipladenia* Nymphaea+
Alocasia+ Dracaena Oxera*
Amaryllis+ Eranthemum Pancratium+
Anthurium Eucharis+ Pandanus
Aphelandra Euphorbia Passiflora*
Aralia Ficus Pavetta
Ardisia Franciscea Petraea*
Arisaema+ Gardenia Pleroma*
Aristolochia* Gesnera Poinsettia
Ataccia Gloriosa* Rondeletia
Begonia Gloxinia+ Sanchezia
Bertolonia Heliconia+ Schubertia*
Bignonia* Hoffmannia Scutellaria
Bromeliads Ipomaea* Stephanotis
Cactus Ixora Tabernaemontana
Caladium+ Jacobinia Terminalia
Calathea Jasminum* Thunbergia
Centropogon Luculia Torenia
Cissus* Maranta Thyrsacanthus
Clerodendron* Medinilla Tydaea
Crinum+ Meyenia Vinca
Codiaeum (Croton)

ORCHIDS.--For the successful cultivation of a mixed collection of
tropical orchids, it is necessary that two or three houses, in which
different temperatures can be maintained, should be provided. The
greater number of them are epiphytes or plants that grow on others
without absorbing nourishment from them, and heat and moisture afford
all or nearly all the nourishment they require. At one time it was
thought the plants themselves were better for being associated with
such objects as ferns and palms, but they are best grown by
themselves.

The East Indian orchid house takes in those species which are found in
the warm parts of the eastern hemisphere, as well as those from the
hottest parts of the western, and its temperature should range from
about 70 deg. to 80 deg. during the summer or growing season and from
65 deg. to 70 deg. during winter. The Mexican or Brazilian orchid
house accommodates the plants from the warm parts of South America,
and its temperature should range from about 65 deg. to 75 deg. during
summer and from 60 deg. to 65 deg. in winter. A structure called the
cool orchid house is set apart for the accommodation of the many
lovely mountain species from South America and India, such as
_odontoglossums_, _masdevallias_, &c., and in this the more uniform
the temperature can be kept the better, that in summer varying between
60 deg. and 65 deg., and in winter from 45 deg. to 60 deg. A genial
moist atmosphere must be kept up in the hottest houses during the
growing season, with a free circulation of air admitted very
cautiously by well-guarded ventilators. In winter, when the plants are
at rest, little water will be necessary; but in the case of those
plants which have no fleshy pseudobulbs to fall back upon for
sustenance, they must not be suffered to become so dry as to cause the
leaves to shrivel. In the Mexican house the plants will generally be
able to withstand greater drought occasionally, being greatly assisted
by their thick pseudobulbs. In the cool or odontoglossum house a
considerable degree of moisture must be maintained at all times, for
in these the plants keep growing more or less continuously.

For potting or basketing purposes, or for plants requiring
block-culture, the materials used are light fibrous peat, special
leaf-mould, osmunda or polypodium fibre and living sphagnum moss,
which supply free drainage for the copious supply of water required.
Good turfy loam is also used for some, such as _cypripediums_ and
_calanthes_. Indeed the composts now used are varied considerably
according to the particular group of orchids. The water should,
however, be so used as not to run down into the sheathing bases of the
leaves. While in flower, orchids may with advantage be removed to a
drier and cooler situation, and may be utilized in the drawing-room or
boudoir. Of late years not only have many fine hybrids been raised
artificially between various species, but some remarkable bigeneric
hybrids (between what are considered two distinct genera) have also
been produced (indicated in the list below by *). To keep a valuable
collection of orchids in good condition requires the services of an
expert orchid grower.

The following is a select list of genera in cultivation:--

Acineta Cymbidium Peristeria
Ada Cypripedium Pescatorea
Aerides Cyrtopodium Phajus
Angraecum Dendrobium Phaio-calanthe*
Anguloa Diacrium Phalaenopsis
Anoectochilus Disa Pilumna
Ansellia Epidendrum Platyclinis
Arachnanthe Eulophia Pleione
Arpophyllum Eulophiella Pleurothallis
Barkeria Galeandra Polystachya
Batemannia Gongora Promenaea
Bifrenaria Grammatophyllum Renanthera
Brassavola Habenaria Restrepia
Brassia Houlletia Rodriguezia
Brasso-Cattleya* Ionopsis Saccolabium
Broughtonia Ipsea Schomburgkia
Bulbophyllum Laelia Scuticaria
Burlingtonia Laelio-Cattleya* Sobralia
Calanthe Leptotes Sophro-cattleya*
Catasetum Lissochilus Sophronitis
Cattleya Lycaste Spathoglottis
Chysis Masdevallia Stanhopea
Cirrhopetalum Miltonia Thunia
Cochlioda Mormodes Trichopilia
Coelia Odontoglossum Trichosma
Coelogyne Odontioda* Vanda
Comparettia Oncidium Zygo-colax*
Cycnoches Pachystoma Zygopetalum

PALMS.--These form charming table and drawing-room plants when quite
young. When more fully developed, and long before their full growth is
attained, they are among the most decorative plants known for the
conservatory and for subtropical gardening. They are easily
cultivated, but should not be allowed to become dry. The soil should
consist of about 3 parts turfy loam, 1 part leaf mould, 1 part coarse
silver sand, with enough chemical or other manure added to render the
whole moderately rich. The older plants will occasionally require the
roots pruned in order to keep them in as small pots as possible
without being starved. This should be done early in the spring, and
the plants heavily shaded until feeding roots are again produced. It
is of advantage to afford stove culture while the plants are quite
young. A little later most of the genera succeed well under moderately
cool conditions.

The following genera are among those most commonly cultivated:

Acanthophoenix Chamaerops Martinezia
Acanthorhiza Cocos Oreodoxa
Areca Corypha Phoenix
Bactris Geonoma Pritchardia
Brahea Hyophorbe Rhapis
Calamus Kentia Sabal
Caryota Latania Stevensonia
Ceroxylon Livistonia Thrinax
Chamaedorea

FERNS.--These popular plants are usually increased by means of their
spores, the "dust" produced on the back of their fronds. The spores
should be sown in well-drained pots or seed pans on the surface of a
mixture of fibrous sifted peat and small broken crocks or sandstone;
this soil should be firmly pressed and well-watered, and the spores
scattered over it, and at once covered with propagating glasses or
pieces of sheet glass, to prevent water or dry air getting to the
surface. The pots should be placed in pans full of water, which they
will absorb as required. A shady place is desirable, with temperature
of 50 deg. to 55 deg. by night and 65 deg. to 70 deg. by day, or they
may be set on a shelf in an ordinary propagating pit. The spores may
be sown as soon as ripe, and when the young plants can be handled, or
rather can be lifted with the end of a pointed flat stick, they should
be pricked out into well-drained pots or pans filled with similar soil
and should be kept moist and shady. As they become large enough, pot
them singly in 3-in. pots, and when the pots are fairly filled with
roots shift on into larger ones.

The best time for a general repotting of ferns is in spring, just
before growth commences. Those with creeping rhizomes can be
propagated by dividing these into well-rooted portions, and, if a
number of crowns is formed, they can be divided at that season. In
most cases this can be performed with little risk, but the
gleichenias, for example, must only be cut into large portions, as
small divisions of the rhizomes are almost certain to die; in such
cases, however, the points of the rhizomes can be led over and layered
into small pots, several in succession, and allowed to remain
unsevered from the parent plant until they become well-rooted. In
potting the well-established plants, and all those of considerable
size, the soil should be used in a rough turfy state, not sifted but
broken, and one-sixth of broken crocks or charcoal and as much sand as
will insure free percolation should be mixed with it.

The stove ferns require a day temperature of 65 deg. to 75 deg., but
do not thrive in an excessively high or close dry atmosphere. They
require only such shade as will shut out the direct rays of the sun,
and, though abundant moisture must be supplied, the atmosphere should
not be overloaded with it. Ferns should not be allowed to become quite
dry at the root, and the water used should always be at or near the
temperature of the house in which the plants are growing. Some ferns,
as the different kinds of Gymnogramme and Cheilanthes, prefer a drier
atmosphere than others, and the former do not well bear a lower winter
temperature than about 60 deg. by night. Most other stove ferns, if
dormant, will bear a temperature as low as 55 deg. by night and 60
deg. by day from November to February. About the end of the latter
month the whole collection should be turned out of the pots, and
redrained or repotted into larger pots as required. This should take
place before growth has commenced. Towards the end of March the night
temperature may be raised to 60 deg., and the day temperature to 70
deg. or 75 deg., the plants being shaded in bright weather. Such ferns
as Gymnogrammes, which have their surface covered with golden or
silver powder, and certain species of scaly-surfaced Cheilanthes and
Nothochlaena, as they cannot bear to have their fronds wetted, should
never be syringed; but most other ferns may have a moderate sprinkling
occasionally (not necessarily daily), and as the season advances,
sufficient air and light must be admitted to solidify the tissues.

Hardy British ferns belonging to such genera as Asplenium, Nephrodium,
Aspidium, Scolopendrium, have become fairly popular of late years, and
many charming varieties are now used in borders and rockeries. Spores
may be sown as above described, but in a much lower temperature.

The following is a select list of genera:--

Acrostichum Davallia Osmunda
Actiniopteris Dicksonia Onoclea
Adiantum Gleichenia Phlebodium
Alsophila Gymnogramme Platycerium
Aspidium Hymenophyllum Polypodium
Asplenium Lastrea Pteris
Blechnum Lomaria Scolopendrium
Cheilanthes Lygodium Todea
Cibotium Nephrodium Trichomanes
Cyathea Nephrolepis Woodwardia

VI. _Fruits._

_Fruit-Tree Borders._--No pains should be spared, in the preparation of fruit-tree borders, to secure their thorough drainage. In case of adhesive clayey subsoil this can generally be secured by placing over the sloping bottom a good layer of coarse rubbly material, communicating with a drain in front to carry off the water, while earthenware drain tubes may be laid beneath the rubble from 8 to 10 ft. apart, so as to form air drains, and provided with openings both at the side of the walk and also near the base of the wall. Over this rubbly matter, rough turfy soil, grass-side downwards, should be laid, and on this the good prepared soil in which the trees are to be planted.

The borders should consist of 3 parts rich turfy loam, the top spit of a pasture, and 1 part light gritty earth, such as road-grit, with a small portion (one-sixth) of fine brick rubbish. They should not be less than 12 ft. in breadth, and may vary up to 15 or 18 ft., with a fall from the wall of about 1 in. in 3 ft. The border itself should be raised a foot or more above the general level. The bottom of the border as well as that of the drain must be kept lower than the general level of the subsoil, else the soakage will gather in all the little depressions of its surface. Fruit-tree borders should not be at all cropped with culinary vegetables, or very slightly so, as the process of digging destroys the roots of the trees, and drives them from near the surface, where they ought to be.

Shallow planting, whether of wall trees or standards, is generally to be preferred, a covering of a few inches of soil being sufficient for the roots, but a surface of at least equal size to the surface of the hole should be covered with dung or litter so as to restrain evaporation and preserve moisture. In the case of wall trees, a space of 5 or 6 in. is usually left between the stem at the insertion of the roots and the wall, to allow for increase of girth. Young standard trees should be tied to stakes so as to prevent their roots being ruptured by the wind-waving of the stems and to keep them erect. The best time for planting fruit trees in the open air is from the end of September till the end of November in open weather.

In the selection and distribution of fruit trees regard must of course be had to local situation and climate. The best walls having a south or south-east aspect are devoted to the peach, nectarine, apricot, dessert pears, plums and early cherries. Cherries and the generality of plums succeed very well either on an east or a west aspect. Morello cherries, apples and stewing pears succeed well on a north wall. In Scotland the mulberry requires the protection of a wall, and several of the finer apples and pears do not arrive at perfection without this help and a tolerably good aspect. The wall-trees intended to be permanent are called dwarfs, from their branches springing from near the ground. Between these, trees with tall stems, called riders, are planted as temporary occupants of the upper part of the wall. The riders should have been trained in the nursery into good-sized trees, in order that when planted out they may come into bearing as speedily as possible.

_Standard Fruit Trees_ should not be planted, if it can be avoided, in the borders of the kitchen garden, but in the outer slips, where they either may be allowed to attain their full size or may be kept dwarfed. Each sort of fruit should be planted by itself, for the sake of orderly arrangement, and in order to facilitate protection when necessary by a covering of nets. Their produce is often superior in flavour to that of the same kind of fruit grown on walls.

_Orchard-house Trees._--Peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs and dessert plums, cherries, apples and pears are commonly cultivated in the orchard-house. Peaches and nectarines are generally planted out, while the rest are more commonly cultivated in pots. This allows of the hardier pot plants being removed out of doors while those planted out are in need of the room. The pot plants are overhauled in the autumn, the roots pruned, a layer being cut off to allow new soil to be introduced. Surface dressing and feeding by liquid manure should also be afforded these plants while the fruit is swelling. Every effort should be made to complete the growth of peaches and nectarines while the sun is sufficiently strong to ripen them. Tomatoes are frequently employed to fill gaps in the orchard-house. Should it be provided with a central path, requiring shade, Hambro and Sweet-water grapes serve the purpose well, and in favourable seasons afford excellent crops of fruit.

VII. _Vegetables._

Under this head are included those esculents which are largely eaten as "vegetables" or as "salads." The more important are treated under their individual headings (see ARTICHOKE, ASPARAGUS, BEAN, &c. &c.). The culinary herbs used for flavouring and garnishing are for the most part dwarf perennial plants requiring to be grown on a rich soil in an open sunny aspect, or annuals for which a warm sheltered border is the most suitable place; and they may therefore be conveniently grown together in the same compartment--a herb garden. The perennials should be transplanted either every year or every second year. For winter use the tops of the most useful kinds of herbs should be cut when in flower or full leaf and quite dry, and spread out in an airy but shady place so as to part slowly with the moisture they contain and at the same time retain their aromatic properties. When quite dry they should be put into dry wide-mouthed bottles and kept closely corked. In this way such herbs as basil, marjoram, mint, sage, savory, thyme, balm, chamomile, horehound, hyssop and rue, as well as parsley, may be had throughout the season with almost the full flavour of the fresh herb.

_Intensive Cultivation._--This name has been applied to the method of forcing early vegetables and salads during the winter and spring months in the market gardens in the neighbourhood of Paris. The system is now popularly known in England as "French gardening." Although a few assert that it is an old English one that has been discarded in favour of superior methods, there seems to be little or no evidence in support of this contention. The system itself has been practised for about 300 years in the "marais" gardens round Paris. At one time these gardens were in the centre of the city itself, but owing to modern improvements they have been gradually pushed out beyond the city boundaries farther and farther. Most of these gardens are small--not more than a couple of acres in extent, and the rent paid by the _maraicher_, or market gardener, is very high--as much as L30 to L40 per acre.

The French _maraicher_ does not use hot-water apparatus for forcing his plants into early growth. He relies mainly upon the best stable manure, a few shallow frames about 4(1/2) ft. wide covered with lights, and a number of large bell glasses or "cloches." The work is carried on from October till the end of March and April, after which, with the exception of melons, the cultures are carried on in the open air.

The chief crops grown for early supplies, or "primeurs" as they are called, are special varieties of cos and cabbage lettuces, short carrots, radishes, turnips, cauliflowers, endives, spinach, onions, corn salad and celery. To these is added a very important crop of melons, a special large-fruited variety known as the Prescott Canteloup being the most favoured.

It is astonishing how much produce is taken off one of these small intensive gardens during the year, and especially during the worst months when prices usually run fairly high. The fact that rents are so heavy around Paris is in itself an indication of the money that is realized by the growers not only in the Paris markets, but also in Covent Garden.

During the winter season narrow beds are made up of manure, either quite fresh or mixed with old manure, according to the amount of heat required. These beds are covered with a few inches of the fine old mould obtained from the decayed manure of previous years. In the early stages seeds of carrots and radishes are sown simultaneously on the same beds, and over them young lettuces that have been raised in advance are planted. In this way three crops are actually on the same beds at the same time. Owing, however, to the difference in their vegetative growth, they mature one after the other instead of simultaneously. Thus with the genial warmth and moisture of the hotbeds, all crops grow rapidly, but the radishes mature first, then the lettuces are taken off in due course, thus leaving the beds to finish up with the carrots by themselves. Later on in the season, perhaps small cauliflowers will be planted along the margins of the beds where the carrots are growing, and will be developing into larger plants requiring more space by the time all the carrots have been picked and marketed. So on throughout the year with other crops, this system of intercropping or overlapping of one crop with another is carried out in a most ingenious manner, not only under glass lights, but also in the open air. Spinach, corn salad, radishes and carrots are the favourite crops for sowing between others such as lettuces and cauliflowers.