1879.] THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 3G5 



ently until the bedding-plants are over. Carpet-bedding will prove 

 pretty much a failure this season. Even in the south up to the middle 

 of July no growth had been made on Altemantheras and Coleus; on 

 cold bottoms there have many of them dwindled away, requiring to 

 be replaced if a satisfactory display is to be secured. Mostly for 

 want of time, it will be impossible to do this. Growers of Mentha 

 gibraltarica, instead of cutting over the plants, will find it do better 

 to pull out pieces entirely, pressing the remainder level. Pyrethrum, 

 Iresine Lindenii, Coleus Verschaffeltii, and plants of a like nature, 

 require to be pinched over at least once every ten days?, allowing just 

 the right space for the different lines, &c, and nothing more. Carpet- 

 bedding, in any or all of its forms, owes its success as a system quite 

 as much to high keeping as to beauty of plants or design : where it 

 is impossible to keep the beds in order, no carpeting should be at- 

 tempted. Autumn-flowering plants, such as Dahlias and Asters, will 

 now be approaching to some state of beauty. Although not gen- 

 erally practised, the Dahlias do best kept thinned slightly out, and 

 all old blooms as they become passee taken off. Asters require tying 

 to stakes, and when too thickly planted for full development of the 

 plants, a sufficient number pulled up to give more room. All flowers 

 past their best require immediate removal from the plants. When 

 well grown, Asters are grand autumn-blooming plants. Lines of 

 dwarf Helichrysums are very pretty if kept in good condition by 

 keeping all plants of a height. Phloxes, Delphiniums, double Pyre- 

 thrums, &c, if cut over directly the early bloom is past, as a rule 

 bloom again the same season, though it is doubtful if they will do so 

 this year. Antirrhinums raised from seed this past spring will now 

 be getting to a flowering size. These are a beautiful class of plants 

 as improved, as they now are. In order to keep the strain as fine as 

 possible, the worst varieties ought to be destroyed as soon as they are 

 seen to be worthless, and the best only allowed to carry seed. Sow- 

 ings of these, of the beautiful varieties of Campanula calycanthema, of 

 Sweet- Williams, Pansies, and other things requiring autumn sowing, 

 should be made during this month. The ground should be well en- 

 riched, but made firm in order to have the young plants stubbly and 

 hardy. Flower-gardens in box should have the edgings cut now, 

 but not hard in. Shrubs, if not already looked over, require looking 

 to, — at least cutting back the strongest growths, if close pruning is 

 objected to. It is especially necessary at this season not to neglect 

 grass-cutting amongst beds. No matter how effectively the flowers 

 may be arranged and managed, unless the setting of grass is kept in 

 like condition the entire good effect will be marred. The same re- 

 mark applies to walk-edgings and the walks themselves. R. P. B. 



