i88i.] THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 255 



bushes have been mostly all cut down, besides many other shrubs 

 more or less damaged. The spaces these have left bare have been 

 thickly planted up with free-flowering and showy herbaceous plants 

 and hardy florist-flowers. One large group of shrubs has had the 

 ground entirely dotted over with Phloxes; another has Sweet- Williams, 

 dotted with Foxgloves. One large space is planted thickly with 

 double Pyrethrums, dotted with Verbascum nigrum. The double red 

 Campion is dotted with the same plant ; London Pride with Canterbury 

 Bells; Doronicums with Aconituras, and other groups in the same style. 

 We have left room for Dahlias, Sun-flowers, and other things to be 

 planted this month. In the case of bulbs to flower on grass, we have 

 tried a plan which is hoped will be successful with these. Dotting 

 plants singly, or in groups of five or six, has always been a failure here. 

 This year we have lifted the turf over as much space as wanted to 

 make a group of Hyacinths, Tulips, or Narcissus, then dug and pre- 

 pared the ground, planted out the occupants of the several groups, and 

 then relaid the turf amongst them. There is nothing to compare with 

 spring flowers on grass for simple quiet beauty — some plants lending 

 themselves to it without any trouble, though others are more difficult 

 to get to flower yearly, and to thrive. Whilst writing this, there is a 

 "garden on the grass" close by, of some 15 to 20 acres in extent, the 

 greater portion of which is covered with Primroses in every possible 

 shade of colour, from white to maroon. They are absolutely count- 

 less in number. When they first were planted no one seems to know ; 

 but the first few flowers have multiplied by seedlings to an enor- 

 mous extent, and at the present day the result is one which only 

 nature could give. I have been induced to note these matters 

 whilst fresh in my mind, as many others may have it in their power 

 to do a little to beautify odd corners at this season ; but as a first 

 step to make a successful end, I would strongly advise the lifting 

 of turf, and cultivating the ground underneath before planting either 

 bulbs or other hardy spring-flowering plants which are herbaceous in 

 their habit of growth. 



This is the month when herbaceous borders are at their best, and 

 when work multiplies rapidly in keeping them tidy and attractive. 

 Plants requiring stakes must have them without delay, as a thunder- 

 storm may, without warning, do damage impossible to repair, where 

 strong growing plants are unsecured. I think I have before pointed 

 out how many plants may be efficiently supported without employing 

 stakes the entire height of the various plants ; but one important 

 point in this plan is to have the plants staked before they have 

 become "straggly." Lines of Gladioli or Asters are quite securely 

 supported by placing a stout stake two feet out of the ground about 

 every third yard, to which a strong string is attached ; the spikes or 

 flower-stems are tied by a single tie each to the string. I do not 

 think as much is made out of Dahlias as might be, as they will now 



