178 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



whichever it may be, place a thickness of twelve inches of brick- 

 heads or large stones, as these are the best conductors of heat, aud 

 then fill up with rich, fine, open soil. The brick-heads or stones 

 will not only afford a ready means of escape for all unappropriated 

 water, and thus render the ground drier and warmer, but will con- 

 tribute a degree of warmth to the soil above by conduction from the 

 surrounding earth. Some might suppose that this drainage beneath 

 would necessitate watering in dry weather ; but, from my own 

 experience on a small scale last year, I did not find it so. But I 

 found out another plan which is better than watering, and that is, 

 frequent top-dressings of rich compost. "We all know the roots of 

 these plants are near the surface, which is another proof that they 

 delight to ramify in the warmest soil. Now, to encourage these 

 roots to the warm soil of the surface, and to keep them constantly 

 supplied with rich surface-dressings, should be the constant aim of 

 the gardener. I am satisfied that by this course of procedure, in 

 favourable seasons and positions, we should have these plants in 

 their beauty much earlier in the year than we now generally see 

 them. 



I do not think the Amaranthus melancholicus would be benefited 

 by the plan above recommended, as it is in some positions a very 

 unsatisfactory subject to deal with. The best way to do it well is to 

 obtain good plants in single pots, and not put them out until the 

 first week in June. When they are well established, follow up the 

 plan of surface-dressing as just recommended, and give repeated 

 doses of weak manure-water to the weakest plants, leaving the 

 stronger-growing ones to take care of themselves. By following 

 this plan, I have frequently had some magnificent lines in our ribbon- 

 borders. 



I have succeeded to a fair degree with the Altern anther as on a 

 warm south border, in a rich fine soil specially prepared, but I do 

 not recommend them to those who cannot afford time and patience 

 in their cultivation. The only way I have found them to answer 

 ray expectations was to get large well-established plants in 32-sized 

 pots, and plunge them in their pots, about midsummer, in the open 

 border for an edging. 



All the Golden-leaved Pelargoniums, or Geraniums, are delicate 

 plants, and the best amongst them all is Golden Chain. They all 

 like a rich open soil, but a cold soil and stagnant water about them 

 is their ruin in many gardens. 



The Japanese Maize is an elegant and useful variegated plant, 

 either for centres of beds or to be associated with subtropical plants ; 

 or, indeed, it is a nice feature in the mixed border, as its habit is 

 graceful as well as refined. 



The Ricinus, or <{ Castor-oil plant," is one of those subjects very 

 imperfectly done in the majority of cases. People with limited con- 

 venience sow this plant generally in the beginning of March, when 

 the middle of April is soon enough, where there is not much room 

 to grow it. To have it in perfection, the plant must be kept always 

 growing from the time the first seed-leaves show themselves ; for if 

 once they are allowed to get starved for the want of root-room in 



