INTRODUCTION. XXXV 



ticable may be useful to those of small experience in 

 such matters, when placed in circumstances calling on 

 them to make alterations after growth is more or less 

 active, in which the destruction or preservation of useful 

 subjects is involved. 



The summer management of mixed borders does not 

 involve many details. The vigorous-growing species, 

 such as Delphiniums, Lupins, Pentstemons, autumnal 

 Phloxes, and all of like luxuriant habit, are improved in 

 the first bloom by having a moderate proportion of their 

 stems thinned out early in the season ; and there is often 

 a second bloom induced thereby, not very considerable, 

 perhaps, but it may be very opportune and welcome 

 nevertheless. In any case, the flowering improves and is 

 prolonged by thinning judiciously. Timous attention 

 must be given to staking and training, else the usual 

 consequences, in the form of tossed and tumbled plants, 

 a general appearance of untidiness, with brief and 

 worthless blooming, will ensue. The habit of the plant 

 should be taken into account carefully when the sup- 

 ports are being appUed to it, and, as far as circum- 

 stances will admit, its peculiarities should not be inter- 

 fered with, except in the direction of improvement. 

 The ordinary tight lumping up of all subjects to one 

 stake in the same ungainly fashion, so often observed in 

 mixed borders, is very objectionable ; the only ground 

 on which it can be excused in any case is, that the labour 

 exceeds the capability of the force so much that any 

 better or more tasteful practice cannot be attempted. 

 But surely a little curtailment of extent, coupled with a 

 little mechanical contrivance, would help to eke out the 

 deficiency in two ways, and bring about a more pleasing 



c 



