134 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUI^E. 



so as to have the bed alike throughout, from the top of the centre 

 pole to the ground line outside. When standing on a lawn, or, as 

 in my case, on gravel, the effect is much better when the pyramid 

 consists of scarlet and green throughout, with an outside band of 

 another colour. But every one to his taste ; all that I am desirous 

 of now is to offer some practical remarks on the larger part of the 

 work. 



All through the season the plants will want occasional attention, 

 and the principal aim should be to train the growth inwards as much 

 as possible, so as to produce a true cone as seen from all points. 

 The knife must be used without fear to cut away any growth that 

 threatens to spoil the contour ; and as fat shoots are sure to rise 

 from the bottom, thin away mere weedy or weak growths, to make a 

 little room for these strong shoots, as, if they can be ripened, they 

 make splendid rods for the next season. If the soil of the place is 

 poor, it will be advisable to manure the plot where the plants are 

 grown the first three or more years, and also the mound on which 

 the pyramid is made. In an open, sunny position, these strong- 

 growing geraniums flower quite as profusely on manured as on 

 unmanured ground, but with this advantage, that they make very 

 strong shoots ; and such we require for this purpose. The matter of 

 chief importance, when manure is used, is getting the growth of the- 

 year well ripened, and nothing favours that operation more than full 

 exposure to a strong light after they are potted and placed under 

 shelter. 



It may be as well to inform any who might wish to make a 

 pyramid instanter, by purchasing plants, that it is a rare occurrence 

 to fiud plants fit for the purpose at any nursery. The sorts may be 

 easily obtained, but tall plants are seldom to be found. At this- 

 time last year I was anxious to get rid of a stock of tall old plants 

 that were in the way, and I advertised for a purchaser, but had not 

 one application ; so I burnt them. They were from seven to ten 

 years old, and were fit for pyramids twelve feet high. Thus, we may 

 consider tall geraniums not saleable, if you have them, and not 

 obtainable, if you want them — a paradox not worth any great- 

 amount of thought. Shikley Hibbeed. 



THE PHLOX. 



;HE lovely flowers of herbaceous phloxes are distinct 

 from those of all other plants of similar habit in their 

 exquisite symmetry of form and delicacy of colouring. 

 They are for the most part very hardy, though judicious 

 cultivators do not leave their collections entirely to the 

 mercy of the weather all winter. We do not see phloxes as often 

 as we should; amateurs are so crazy about geraniums and verbenas, 

 which many of them cannot manage in a way to be thoroughly 

 satisfactory, that their minds are drawn away from such a subject as 

 the phlox, which is hardy, requires very little attention, and never fails 



