i88i.] WALL-BORDERS. 257 



into 10-inch pots, the smaller clumps by that time being suitable for 

 6-inch pots. There is no necessity to lift the whole in the autumn, 

 but batches may be taken up at any time, provided the ground is not 

 frozen, which, of course, can be prevented with the help of litter. 

 The clumps when lifted may be freely disrooted, and when potted 

 may be forced at once. 



Lily of the Valley. — Of these, again, I much prefer home-grown 

 clumps or single crown to those imported, and, where possible, shall 

 grow my own accordingly. The east border, well manured, is the most 

 favourable site, but I have seen good crowns taken from a north 

 border. The time for dividing the clumps is past ; this being best 

 done before growth commences. If, during the winter, I had an old 

 bed to break up, the crowns would be separated, the plumpest that 

 gave promise of flowering being either potted or packed closely in 

 shallow boxes, forcing them as required. The remainder would either 

 be planted rather thinly and irregularly in beds 4 or 5 feet wide, with 

 1-foot paths between to admit of hand-weeding, or, as many prefer, 

 especially if the preference is given to single crowns, in lines 9 inches 

 apart and 1 inch asunder in the rows. Many of these would flower 

 the next season, but it is advisable to simply mulch with rotten 

 manure, and allow them to remain for another year. These Lilies are 

 surface-rooting, and should therefore be planted shallowly and be 

 hand -weeded. Whenever a breadth is lifted, another should be 

 planted with the small crowns separated from the flowering ones. 

 For the earliest supply of bloom, both in the case of Lily of the 

 Valley and Hoteia, it is a good practice to retain a few in pots of the 

 strongest and least forced, watering these frequently with liquid 

 manure, plunging them in a warm border, and encouraging to root 

 through. These will mature early, and be most suitable for early 

 forcing. 



Callas (Richardia aethiopica). — Although I am no great lover of 

 these, they will still be largely grown here, both for conservatory 

 decoration and also for cutting purposes. Few plants give better 

 returns for liberal treatment, seeing that strong specimens in gentle 

 heat continue to produce their flower-spathes from January to May. 

 Early in June the whole of the stock will be planted on a west border 

 — first, however, dividing those requiring it — single growths being 

 preferable. Being a moisture - loving plant, the border selected is 

 deeply dug and freely manured, which, under these conditions, is 

 made somewhat retentive. The strongest pieces are disposed 18 

 inches apart, in rows 24 inches asunder, and the smaller ones closer in 

 proportion. They will be watered during the prevalence of dry 

 weather, and be lifted with good balls of earth attached in September, 

 and kept rather close and shaded till established. Where fruit-bushes 

 on sheltered borders are not crowded, Callas are sometimes planted 

 among them with good results. 



