1879.] THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



Owing to the exceptionally late and cold season, many gardeners will be 

 unwilling to fill the flower-beds under their charge as early this year as 

 usual. As a matter of fact, most of the subjects planted at the orthodox 

 period would, in most seasons, be all the better of being left out of the 

 ground for a week or two later. The difference in growth and flower- 

 ing qualities displayed by such things as Verbenas, Lobelias, &c, when 

 planted at a time that they are able to rush away into growth at once, 

 instead of hanging on in a semi-torpid condition until the temperature of 

 earth and air gets warmer, is very marked. We have noticed this re- 

 peatedly, and in our own case will so far act on it as to plant nothing 

 except the hardier kinds of bedding-plants before June. Everything 

 up to this date is still under cover ; and though it somewhat dis- 

 arranges one's plans to have houses and pits full of bedding-plants 

 at the middle of May, it would prove more inconvenient and more 

 damaging to turn them out of their shelter before the weather gets 

 warm enough to give them no check. It is somewhat remarkable, 

 considering the long time the present system of flower-gardening has 

 been the fashion, that so little attention is paid to the requirements of 

 the various kinds of plants employed. In the kitchen-garden Cauli- 

 flowers get a very different kind of treatment from Potatoes or Carrots, 

 and the wants of Globe Artichokes or Rhubarb are as different as can be 

 from the requirements of Turnips or of Parsnips — and these varying 

 wants are appreciated and duly acted on by gardeners ; but when the 

 flower-beds are turned over, in many cases the treatment is alike for 

 Geraniums and Verbenas, for Calceolarias or Gazania. It is certain 

 that Verbenas and Calceolarias, Lobelias, Violas, and Iresines will not 

 give satisfaction treated year after year like Geraniums. The quantity 

 of manure that Verbenas and Iresines — Lindeni especially is kept in 

 view — require to keep them growing, and to keep the former flowering in 

 a vigorous state, is very great. Stable manure is very suitable for these. 

 Lobelias and Violas do best manured from the cow-houses. In addition 

 to a liberal dressing dug into the ground, these may all be treated with 

 advantage to a mulching of mushroom-dung mixed with soot. Iresines 

 should not be planted too quickly, — this is such an effective plant when 

 properly managed that it is worth a little extra care in its cultivation. 

 Two to three thousand plants of I. Lindeni are used here every season, 

 and sometimes it is planted in a mixture of half dung and soil, and 

 mulched after planting. Alternantheras will be tried this year — a few 

 thousands — also Coleus Verschaffelti ; but these will not be trusted 

 out till about the end of June at earliest. Both will have a thor- 

 oughly good trial ; but from former experience we much doubt their 

 succeeding satisfactorily. Watering causes a deal of extra employment 

 to flower-gardeners, which might sometimes, at least, be in a great 

 measure dispensed with. If weather and soil are dry when planting 



