130 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



IMay, 



Incessant hammering of every shovelful of 

 earth will do more good than all the watering 

 could ever do. If the earth be hammered as 

 properly as it ought to be, there is no room for 

 the earth to be carried tighter by water. If the 

 earth be as tightly hammered in as it ought to 

 be, there will be no occasion for staking. If a 

 tree lean or sink after planting, it shows it was 

 not properly planted. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



THE ADORNMENT OF SMALL YARDS. 



BY MISS A. G. 



A narrow border of gay flowers has a very 

 pretty effect when set next to an open fence, 

 especially if bordered with grass or a grass plat. 

 Stiff looking plants, such as box, should not be 

 used for borders, those of brick or tile are pref- 

 erable, and even these ought to be nearly cov- 

 ered with low-growing plants, such as Sweet 

 Alyssum, Forget-me-nots (Myosotis), Oxalis, Pan- 

 sies, Peristrophe variegata, Silene, Stone crop, 

 Candytuft; or when set in the grass, Echeveria, 

 Bamboo variegata, Houseleek ; and if shaded 

 somewhat, Tradescantia. Love-entangled makes 

 a lovely border the second summer after plant- 

 ing White or pink fairy-lilies (Zephyranthus) 

 might be added to this list. 



Beds bordered with Bamboo variegata, to 

 which are added first, Echeveria, then Sedum, 

 then other varieties of these, finishing with an 

 Aloe, or Drcsena in the centre, if a circle or star 

 has the effect of mosaic work, and needs very 

 little attention during the season. Points may 

 be put in solid with House-leek or Echeveria 

 The common hardy Opuntia vulgaris has a dis- 

 tinguished appearance, if given a circular bed to 

 itself, and like the mosaic beds, requires little or 

 no care during the summer. 



For shade, or half-shade, there are no plants 

 so fine as ferns, our native kinds among the 

 best, because hardy and, with care, permanent. 

 The tall growing kinds fill up corners, or form 

 pretty contrasts to flowering begonias, which 

 bloom well in shade or part shade. Or these 

 mixed with the varieties of tradescantia form a 

 lovely bed. We know of one unsightly corner 

 formed by a wall and fence that was transformed 

 into beauty by means of hanging baskets on the 

 wall, tall-growing begonias set on bricks in the 

 corner, then other begonias and leaf plants I 



An old tin bucket filled with drooping ferns and 

 tradescantia formed a centre-piece, around 

 which were'grouped Rex and summer-blooming 

 begonias, interspersed with Tradescantia and 

 low-growing ferns. Peristrophe variegata would 

 make a fine border for such a bed, as would also 

 Sedum coerulea. Among many other plants for 

 shade may be mentioned the tropical plants 

 maranta zebrina, and other varieties, climbing 

 and exotic ferns, the lovely Campsidium filici- 

 fulia, the PauUinia — Caladiums, formerly thought 

 to be shade-loving plants only, are found to do 

 as well in full sun if properly watered. 



For half shade is the splendid scarlet Lobelia, 

 which in a side yard, partially damp, we saw 

 run into variegations from the original deep 

 scarlet up to rose pink, and even white, all being 

 remarkably beautiful. Add to these the blue 

 and white Browallia, Pansies, Fuschias, Coleus, 

 Gloxinias, Forget me-nots, &c. The latter should 

 be separated in the early spring or it will die 

 out. It should also, to ensure a second bloom, 

 be cut down after the first blossoming. It may 

 again be separated in August if desirable. 



For sunny situations the flowers are too nu- 

 merous but for slight mentioning; with this 

 reservation — that all large-growing plants, such 

 as peonies, large iris, or flags, the tall-growing 

 garden lilies, or plants which form large groups, 

 should be avoided for small yards as they dimin- 

 ish the apparent space, while small-growing 

 plants reverse this. Among other pretty plants 

 we put in a plea for Phlox Drummondii, and the 

 petunia. The former may be made a blaze of 

 beauty by the use, daily, of dish-water as a 

 stimulant, and will so continue for most of the 

 summer. The petunia is so faithful *' under 

 adverse circumstances," and has been so much 

 improved by German florists, that it rivals the 

 most refined beauties of the garden. Those who 

 have never seen a pure white petunia blotched 

 and lined with rose and carmine, and its petals 

 delicately fringed are unaware of its marvelous 

 possibilities. 



Pretty devices to hold and set off the beauty 

 of plants are numerous, among them are iron 

 brackets to fasten to a wall or fence, for holding 

 pots of flowers, long hooks to hold hanging- 

 baskets. Pots to hang to the fence or wall, wire 

 frames for suspending pots to the wall, small 

 shelves for a few pots. Baskets of wire to hold 

 moss and earth, which may be stood or hung 

 about, not to mention costly vases, jardinieres 

 and ornamental pots or jars. Care should be 



