92 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



character has its proper grace, and the colouring its fullest possible access 

 to the vision. But when geraniums are lifted up — except in ordinary- 

 raised beds, where we see them at a low angle — they lose much of their 

 beauty, Ave see the edges instead of the faces of the leaves and trusses. 

 These and many other points of equal importance need attention, now 

 that the ground is to be laid out in carpet patterns, ribbons, and bold 

 groups. It is a good rule to do too little rather than too much. Many a 

 grand effect that astonishes and delights the spectator when visiting such 

 places as Kew or Sydenham, or the west end parks, would be a waste of 

 plants, and an abortion of taste, if adopted in his own limited garden. A 

 bold acceptance of the complementary colours will always give delight, 

 and in this there is no difficulty, and happily the plants that produce tho 

 most distinct effects are within everybody's reach. "We treated upon this 

 subject somewhat at length in the Floeal World for June, 1858 (Vol. i. 

 p. 121), and we refer the reader to the remarks to be found there as useful 

 in conjunction with the foregoing at this important moment of bedding 

 out. 



The disastrous influence of excessive moisture last season was evinced to 

 a serious extent in the diseased state of the potato crop, on all low-lying, 

 ill-drained, or naturally cold soils. In our notes on potato culture, in the 

 chapters on '' Profitable Gardening," we advised early planting of early 

 sorts, and their removal from the ground before tlie season at Avhich the 

 heavy autumnal rains usually set iu. We repeat that advice, and add to 

 it here that, instead of planting potatoes in large continuous breadths, it 

 will be a much safer plan to plant iu rows far apart, and to crop the spaces 

 between with other esculents. Whether the fungus spreads from the foliage 

 down to the tubers, or from the tubers up to the foliage, is a matter 

 not yet determined ; but it is quite certain that excessive moisture has 

 very much to do with it, and that in dry seasons, on dry soils, the pota- 

 toes generally escape the attacks of the disease. We are glad to notice 

 that the continuance of the disease has not only caused incpiiry and dis- 

 cussion amongst scientific horticulturists, but improved practices among 

 cottagers, allotment holders, and others who lie out of the general circle 

 of inquiring cultivators. Supposing the fungus to extend downwards, 

 it is then evident that if the rows are far apart with trenches between, 

 the haulm can be laid down, so that superfluous water will flow away, and 

 not towards the roots. Supposing the fungus to extend upwards, then 

 the laying down (not removal) of the haulm will admit the sunshine to 

 the collar of the plant, prevent the spread of the fungus throxigh the 

 succulent stems, and materially assist in preventing or checking the 

 spread of the disease. On either supposition, close planting is injurious; 

 planting at intervals preferable, and this separation of the rows may be 

 variously eftected. If the plan of planting broadly is preferred, the rows 

 should be not less than a yard apart ; the sets should be a yard apart in 

 the rows, and should be neither dibbled in nor laid in trenches, but on 

 the level, and earthed over with soil from between the rows. As growth 

 proceeds, more earth may be removed from the alleys to make them 

 deeper, and added to the ridges, and the haulms can then be toppled 

 over to hang down in the trenches to promote dryness of soil about the 

 tubers, and convey away heavy rains from the stems and leaves. Another 



