370 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



of propagating is to take cuttings of half-ripened wood 

 in the Summer and put them in the propagating bench 

 in the greenhouse, and, as soon as rooted, plant them out 

 in the open ground. 



Half Hardv or Tender J'arictics. — These belong to the 

 genus opuloides which is a native of Japan and China. 

 and which has been cultivated there for many centuries. 

 This genus for convenience has been divided into the 

 Japonica, Hortciisia, and Stcllata groups. All the varieties 

 of these groups produce cymes made up of white, pink 

 or bluish flowers, in some varieties a few, and in others 

 all being sterile. The varieties of the Hortcnsia group, 

 whose globose cymes of nearly all sterile flowers are very 

 showy, are most cultivated. Chief of these are Hortcnsia 

 which is said to have been introduced into England by 

 Joseph Banks in 1790, Cxanoclada, whose branches and 

 peduncles are dark purple and otaksa. all bearing pink 

 or bluish flowers, and Thomas Hogg with pure white 

 flowers. In comparatively recent years many beautiful 

 forms mostly of hybrid origin of the Hortcnsia group 

 have been introduced. These hybrids are largely used for 

 forcing into bloom under glass. 



These varieties cannot be used in permanent out-door 

 plantings in a latitude where they will be subjected to a 

 low temperature for, though the ])lants ma\' not be killed, 

 the buds which produce next year's blooms will usuallv be 

 destroyed where they are subjected to more than fifteen 

 to twenty degrees of frost. Bending down the branches, 



and mounding up with earth so as to cover the whole 

 plant, or planting them in very protected positions may 

 enable them to endure the Winter without loss of flower- 

 ing buds. 



Soil, Culture and Propagation. — A mixture of sandy 

 loam, swamp muck, dried cow manure and pure ground 

 bone makes a good comp<ist in which to grow half-hardy 

 Hvdrangeas. They need an abundant supply of water 

 during the Summer and applications of liquid manure are 

 very beneficial. A partly shaded location is most favor- 

 able. Cuttings with one to three pair of eyes taken from 

 the plants in February or March root readily in the green- 

 house propagating bench. 



"The great task of pioneering and bringing the land 

 under the plow has, for the most part, been accom- 

 plished. The people of this nation are no longer con- 

 tent with the attainment of the three primary necessi- 

 ties — food, clothing and shelter. They demand in ad- 

 dition that the food shall be the product of many 

 climes ; that the clothing shall befit their station and 

 work : and that the shelter shall not only provide 

 liodily Comforts l)Ut that it shall be surrounded by 

 trees and shrubs, not alone for the shade and protec- 

 tion they oflfer, but for the pleasure they aflford as 

 they express life's great drama in the passing of the 

 seasons." — (Sec. of A<;riculturc Meredith in The Ameri- 

 can Rose Annual.) 



Distinctive Gardens 



BERTHA BERBERT-HAMMOND 



IN gardens there is no valid excuse for monotony, tor 

 nowhere else is there greater opportunity for the 

 fullest expression of one's individualit\'. 

 There are numerous varieties of gardens both in the 

 formal and natural styles of gardening. There are Italian, 

 Shakespearian and tropical gardens ; sunken, hanging 

 and rock gardens : rose, tulip and iris gardens ; water, 

 wild and window gardens ; besides many other sorts of 

 gardens. The choice, indeed, is so wide that it is limited 

 only by the length of the purse. The whim of the indi- 

 vidual can be readily gratified, eliminating eft'ectually 

 the tiresome uniformity sometimes encountered. Surely 

 in gardens there need be no wearisome sameness if the 

 garden maker is a nature lover and will give free rein 

 to his imagination. A garden reflects in subtle ways the 

 character of the gardener. On the other hand, the 

 garden greatly influences for good, the character of the 

 one who works in it. The refining influence of constant 

 association with growing things is markedly discernable 

 in the individual. Being close to Nature improves him 

 physically, mentally and morally, and imparts a pleasing 

 poise. Not even an Atheist could work daily in a garden 

 without a keen appreciation of the miracles in growth of 

 seed and plant, and a realization of the existence of a 

 supreme power. As expressed by Gene Stratton Porter, 

 "Nature can be trusted to work her miracle in the heart 

 of any man whose daily ta.sk keeps him alone among 

 her sights, sounds and silences." 



In recent years, formal gardens, carpet bedding, 

 geometrical designs and other stiflf, conventional stvles 

 of gardening (excepting possibly in public parks and on 

 large estates) have been less popular, the trend being 

 toward the so-called "natural" style of planting. With 

 many well-informed gardeners, the change in" style of 

 gardening has been quite radical. Where the expanse 

 of lawn was once cut up into various geometricallv 



shaped beds, filled with plants of uniform size, we now 

 see a restful plot of velvety sward, with flower borders 

 and shrubbery along its edges and the outlines of the 

 buildings, forming a sort of framework or setting to the 

 landscape picture. Many of these informal borders, 

 es])ecially with amateurs, have acquired much additional 

 interest according to the personality of the garden maker. 

 'Jne literary friend has an "author's corner," where bloom 

 plants obtained from the old-time gardens of a group of 

 well-known New England writers ; another dotes on a 

 "poets' row," a third takes great pride in her "historic'' 

 garden, a fourth lives in a "memory garden,'' containing 

 plants such as were grown in the gardens of her child- 

 hood. Then there are "friendship gardens," and many 

 others of a similar character. The several ideas incor- 

 porated in these gardens of sentiment may be worked out 

 in other directions in endless ways, varying according to 

 the associations or inclinations of the owner, and assuring 

 interesting, unique gardens. A garden with the intimate, 

 personal touch becomes glorified and exerts an influence 

 and charm that is indescribable. It becomes "a school of 

 peace," a blessed refuge from the cares and worries that 

 beset — 



"Aly garden paths that turn ami wind 

 And lead me far from daily grind 

 Of tasks not wholly to my mind. 



Are paths of peace. 

 When cares upon me weigh and press 

 I flee from worry, care and stress. 

 And gain a season's sweet redress 



Along these paths. 

 They lead me out to life and light. 

 -Afar from fear's most deadening blight : 

 They lead me up the spirits' height : 

 My garden paths. 



— Edith Porter Kimball. 



