82 THE FLORIST. 



some dwarf-growing plant of a contrasting colour. Many bedding 

 plants should, if possible, be struck the previous autumn. It is not 

 necessary for Verbenas and a few other things, but it is certainly best 

 for Geraniums, Senecios, Petunias, Cupheas, AnagaUis, Lantanas, kc, 

 as the plants are woody and begin blooming earlier, and do not generally 

 ■produce such exuberant growth. We have seen beds of spring-struck 

 scarlet Geraniums and other plants, about London, growing vigorously 

 in the autumn, with a very scanty display of flowers. In wintering 

 bedding stuff, the plants should be kept dry and well aired, and in the 

 case of variegated Geraniums, for instance, a little gentle warmth for 

 three or four weeks now, will materially assist them in producing good 

 foliage, before hardening off for planting out. 



The mixed system of planting seems to be dying out, and the riband 

 system more generally followed. This is the plan adopted so success- 

 fully at the Crystal Palace, Enville, and many eminent gardens ; and 

 in our opinion, it is by far the most eifective. For this purpose, 

 variegated plants, such as Flower of the Day and Golden Chain 

 Geraniums, and the variegated dwarf Koniga, are most useful ; so also 

 is the silvery-leaved Cineraria maritima an excellent plant for riband 

 planting. 



In the November number for 1855, we entered somewhat fully into 

 an explanation of this style of planting, in our report of the celebrated 

 flower-gardens at Enville Hall, the seat of the Earl of Stamford and 

 "Warrington, to which we beg to refer our readers. 



IS YOUR DAHLIA GROUND PREPARED ? 

 This question is superfluous to many of our Dahlia-gi'owing friends, as 

 we know quite weU their ground was trenched in readiness before 

 Christmas last ; at the same time, we know that a great many growers 

 of Dahlias through the midland districts and the north have not done 

 so, and do not see the importance of it. We know, in many cases, that 

 the ground will not be trenched or dug up until planting time, unless 

 our observations urge them to do so. Many, in planting out their 

 Dahlias, think that a hole opened with a trowel or spade on a hard 

 border is sufficient : but it is not. The piece of ground should be 

 trenched and allowed to remain untouched until planting time. No 

 manure or anything need be trenched in. At planting time, which 

 should not be earlier than June, mark out the ground for each plant, 

 and let three or four spits of earth be thrown out, and the same quantity 

 of rotten manure dug in and mixed with the soil. Plant with the hand, 

 and take care that beside the centre stake you have three short stakes 

 at a triangle, about a foot from the plant, as by tying the matting to the 

 centre stake, thence to the plant, and fastening to the shorter stakes, 

 the plant is quite secure from winds. Should any of our readers wish 

 for information, at the proper time, as to watering or the application of 

 manure water, we will gladly give it. As soon as you receive your 

 plants, pot them into a larger size, pot and keep them growing into 

 sturdy healthy plants. By doing this, much time is saved. 



