1869.] SEASONABLE HINTS FOE AMATEURS. AUGUST. 181 



Virgilia lutea belongs to the same class of colour, and is of great beauty, but 

 only during the autumn months. It is not so dazzling as the Sambucus, — more 

 delicate, not so fiery, nevertheless equally attractive. The slow habit of growth 

 unfits it for a mixed shrubbery ; it is best adapted to stand as a single specimen r 

 or in groups in an open and rather warm situation. 



Liquidambar styraciflua is of a stronger habit than the Virgilia, and will 

 thrive in a more exposed place ; still, it cannot be called robust. The leaves 

 during autumn become of a bronze colour, and are exceedingly pretty. 



Populus argentea holds a place among our timber trees, but is so very 

 accommodating that it may easily be kept as dwarf as an ordinary shrub by the free 

 use of the knife. Its very silvery foliage makes it a valuable acquisition, either 

 in the park or pleasure-ground, but it comes out with greater effect when planted 

 in a mixture of green. This plant, I feel certain, only requires to be better 

 known to be appreciated to the extent it deserves. It is readily increased by 

 layers or cuttings ; even pieces of the root will produce plants. 



Acer Negundo variegatum cannot be too highly esteemed. It would be 

 difficult to speak too strongly in its praise, for its white leaves blotched with 

 green produce an agreeable and a charming contrast. Its natural disposition is 

 to spread on the ground when young and to form itself into a round-headed bush, 

 but by keeping the side branches cut back for a few years, and training up a 

 central leader, it will take the form of a handsome tree. 



Of this class there are many more plants to accept, and their number is yearly 

 increasing, so eventually it may be hoped that greater attention will be given to 

 the arrangement of colour in our parks and pleasure-grounds. 



Torttoorth. Alexander Cramb. 



SEASONABLE HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— AUGUST. 



J- -A HILST the bedding plants are now in all their beauty, the amateur should 

 LQSl/ carefully look over his garden, and see how he may alter and improve 

 it another season. To keep up the interest in it, the arrangement should 

 be varied as much as possible every year, otherwise it becomes mono- 

 tonous. The propagation of bedding plants for next season should be commenced 

 at once ; most kinds strike freely at this season without bottom-heat, and plants 

 thus propagated are much more easily kept over the winter than cuttings struck 

 late in bottom-heat. Pans or shallow boxes are in general most convenient, as 

 they can be moved about at pleasure ; they should be well drained, and be filled 

 with any light soil having plenty of white or river sand mixed with it. The 

 cuttings should be inserted in these boxes, but care should be taken not to plant 

 them too thickly, — no two cuttings should touch. Pans or boxes containing 

 cuttings of Verbenas, Petunias, Pentstemons, &c, should be j)ut into a cold 

 frame ; the lights should be kept on for a few days after they are first put in, 

 and they should be kept shaded, if the weather be sunny, to prevent the cuttings 



