I873-] BEDDING PLANTS IN WESTERN ISLES. 511 



BEDDING PLANTS IN THE WESTERN ISLES. 



In common with most garden establishments in these days, a portion 

 of the flower-gardening here is represented in summer and autumn 

 on the bedding system, or grouping half-hardy and tender plants in 

 beds and borders. Although by no means either on a modern standard 

 respecting materials, or on an extensive scale, still a few general 

 remarks on the growth and flowering of the plants chiefly employed, 

 may not be inappropriate in a corner of your instructive serial. The 

 site of the garden here was a few years ago one of the worst of quags, 

 on which the subsequent formation of a horticultural establishment 

 seemed most unlikely. Being, however, the only position available in 

 the desired locality, it was ultimately decided upon. Thorough drain- 

 age, diligent cultivation, and liberal manuring, have since wrought 

 wonders, and now the land yields excellent crops of vegetables, par- 

 ticularly Carrots, Onions, Asparagus, Peas. 



But I find I am deviating from my intended notes on bedding plants : 

 and to begin with Geraniums, I am sorry I can report little in their favour 

 as far as my experience with them the last two seasons is concerned — at 

 least, excepting those varieties grown for foliage only. Up to the end of 

 August last, scarcely a flower made its appearance, and the efi'ect of 

 the sprinkling with which we have since been favoured has been largely 

 counterbalanced by rank foliage. Hitherto the plants turned out have 

 been cuttings struck the previous autumn ; but such a system I appre- 

 hend to be unsuitable, as flowerless plants appear to be the invariable 

 result. The method of which I am sanguine of better securing the 

 flowering of the plants, would be to grow them in 6 or 7 inch pots the 

 summer previous to that in which they would be required for bedding 

 out. It might reasonably be expected that such a practice would 

 result in counteracting strong growth, and induce a flowering dis- 

 position. This certainly involves extra labour, watering, &c., which in 

 places where planting is done extensively is a consideration ; but 

 though fewer plants were used, they would be more satisfactory than 

 double the number of comparatively flowerless ones. I am of course 

 referring specially to soils of a very rank character, such as have to be 

 contended with here. My attention was more particularly drawn to 

 this lately, in connection with a few Clematises planted last spring. 

 One of these, a strong plant of Jackmannii, had up to that time been 

 restricted to pot-culture ; but with the view of prolonging its display 

 of blooms, I resolved to have it planted out. It was accordingly 

 planted against the low wall of a plant-house along with some five 

 others, which were young plants in 4J or 5 inch pots. The result is, 

 that with the exception of one strong plant of Rubella which is yield- 



