64 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



half-a-dozen for either season. The way to make sure of -winninw with such plants 

 is to grow at least three times as many sorts as you will want, that when the day 

 comes for exhibiting, you may select those which are most showy and most fresh, 

 for seasons and circumstances influence them so much that it would never do to be 

 confined in your selection of plants at the last moment. The following are first- 

 class subjects for exhibition : — Achillea millefolia rosea, Anemone Japonica and 

 varieties, Campanula carpatica, Chrysocoma linosyris, Delphinium formosum and 

 varieties ; Dianthus Heddewigi, laciniatus, and varieties ; Epilobium hirsutum 

 variegatura ; Geranium sanguineum, Lobelia fulgens and varieties (as this is not 

 quite hardy, a question might arise about disqualifying, but most judges would con- 

 sider it legitimate), Platycodon grandlflorum, Polemonium ceruleum variegatum, 

 Pyrethrura, various ; Spirea filipendiila pleno. Antirrhinums, Pentstemons, and 

 the dwarf varieties of Phlox are eminently suitable. 



Saxifkagas. —S. W. — A collection of saxlfragas would be thrown away on a 

 shady bank consisting chiefly of clay. They require a sandy soil ; if inclining to 

 peat it will suit many of them well. But the most important point is fuU exposure 

 to sunshine. 



Ivies in a Balcony. — N. M. — As it is not convenient to renew the soil of 

 Ivies grown in boxes in balconies, it would be well to sprinkle the surface of the 

 soil with the prepared manure known as " Standen's Gardener's Friend," which is 

 sold by Messrs. Barr and Sugden. It is the best of all the prepared manures, very 

 cleanly and inoffensive, not attended with danger if used in excess, and is best 

 used dry, which is also the best way of applying it. After remaining three years 

 in the boxes, it would be advisable to untie the stems carefully, and gather them up 

 in loose bunches ; then take the roots out of the boxes, shake off all the soil, and 

 replant them in a mixture of four parts good loam, one part small broken bricks, 

 and one part thoroughly decayed manure. They should be planted firm, and the 

 soil well pressed down in the boxes, and after the operation is completed, the stems 

 may be (rained out again as before. By such treatment a healthy, vigorous, beau- 

 tiful growth will be produced : the leaves will be larger, richer in colour, and very 

 glossy. The months of February and March would be the best time for replanting. 



i)uhUn. — We never before heard of " Procktei-'s Lamp Stove and Radiating 

 Fire-Balis." Can any of our readers furnish information respecting their suit- 

 ability for heating plant-houses ? 



Small Bedders. — Tyro. — For edgings of small beds in a small geometric garden 

 you require the neatest and prettiest plants that can be obtained. The arranging of 

 the colours j'ou will, of course, determine for yourself, according to the style in 

 which the beds are planted, but any or .all of the following subjects may be useful, 

 because of their neat habit and decisive character •. — Cerastium tomentosnm, silvery ; 

 may be kept to a close thin line, if needful, by occasional clipping. Variegated 

 alyssum, commonly catalogued as Koniga varlpyata, is very neat for a sharp grey 

 ed"-e, and may be kept very close by nipping. JSieremhergia gracilis, white flowers 

 very neat and pretty. Oeranium Bandy, very neat and slow-growing, will make a 

 beautiful grey edge. Geranium Baron Sugel, neat horse-shoe leaves and scarlet 

 flowers, very dwarf and compact. Geranium variegated Little David, very dwarf, 

 leaves white-edged, scarlet flowers. Geranium, the Bride, leaves edged white, 

 flowers white, very small growth. A few annuals might also be useful, such as 

 Portulacca Blensoni, Fenzlia dianthiflora, and Saponaria calahrica. The last- 

 named will give myriads of its pretty pink flowers all the summer, if sown in 

 March, where it is to remain. 



Ferns. — K. W. — In the Garden Oracle for 18G6 you will find lists of ferns 

 for all purposes, comprising about 500 species and varieties, with notes on culti- 

 vation, and a short essay on "Fern Growing made Easy." The Oracle also con- 

 tains descriptions of all new plants, florists' flowers, etc., etc. 



AcHiMEXES TO EXCHANGE. — I wish to inform your numerous readers that I 

 have a few dozens of Achimenes Chiritii I should be glad to exchange for Achi- 

 menes Amhroise Verschaffelt, Longiflara major, and Longiflora alba. — John Red- 

 shaw, Bourne, Lincolnshire. 



M. L. M. — The trees are not at all likely to stop up a drain which is more than 

 s?x feet deep (six feet beneath the surface we suppose you mean), and two or three 

 yards away from them. But the objectic^n raised is not wholly fanciful, for trees do 

 send their roots great distances sometimes, in order to enjoy the moisture of a 

 drain, and in due time make another job for draining engineers. 



