34 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GLIDE. 



tion at this moment to enter at length into this part of the subject, 

 for we cannot well afford the space it would require. 



The whole of the Spiraeas are perfectly hardy, and nourish 

 vigorously in any good garden soil. To grow them well, the border 

 in which they are planted should have a liberal dressing of rotten 

 manure, and then be dug deeply or trenched. Trenching, however,, 

 is not practicable unless it is intended to dig up the whole of the 

 occupants of the herbaceous ground, and rearrange them. In plant- 

 ing subjects like these we have found it a good plan to open out a 

 hole two or three feet in diameter, and the same in depth, and then 

 mix in a little fresh loam and decayed manure, and place the new 

 plant in the centre, and tread the soil firmly to it. These plants 

 all do best in a moderately moist position, therefore it is necessary, 

 in ordinary soils, that some means are adopted to induce them to 

 root deeply, and thereby be less subject to summer drought than 

 would be the case were the roots near the surface. If possible, 

 they should have a position assigned them where they will be par- 

 tially screened from the sun's rays during the hottest part of the 

 summer. 8. ulmaria and 8. Japonica, in particular, dwell in shady 

 corners where few other plants will thrive at all, and are valuable 

 on that account. 



Propagation is effected by taking up the old stools in the winter, 

 dividing them into moderate-sized pieces, and then replanting them. 

 To insure a strong vigorous growth and fine large heads of flowers, 

 the old stools ought to be taken up every few years and divided, and 

 then replanted with a little manure, and if convenient a fresh place 

 should be found for them. In common w r ith many other choice 

 herbaceous plants, they are ruined through being allowed to remain 

 year after year in the same position without attention. There can 

 be little doubt about the advantage of mulching the roots with a 

 layer of coeoanut-fibre refuse, or |half rotten manure, but so few 

 people will expend that trifle of labour over herbaceous plants that 

 it seems like useless trouble to recommend its being done. 



S. Japonica is one of the best white-flowered hardy plants we 

 have for forcing, and it, moreover, makes a splendid subject for the 

 dinner table, when grown into tolerable shape. How this is to be 

 done can be told in a very few words. In April, cut the old stools 

 up into pieces, and plant them out, in a damp, shady place, in the 

 open ground, in rows a foot apart, and six inches from plant to 

 plant. After they are planted out, the only attention requisite up 

 to October will be to keep them clear of weeds. If the summer 

 bappens to be unusually dry, they must have plenty of water. In 

 October they must be carefully lifted, and placed in a cool, damp 

 corner, until the middle of November, and then potted. The reason 

 for taking them up a month before they are potted, is to stop the 

 growth, aud give them a season of rest before starting them. Between 

 the time of taking them up and potting, it is well to sprinkle a little 

 leaf-mould or cocoanut-fibre refuse over the roots. Use pots as 

 small as the size of the crowns will allow. Generally speaking, 

 what is known as 48's or 32's will be large enough. Pot firmly in 

 any light, rich soil, and keep the crowns just above the surface. 



