. THE FLORAL WOULD AM) GAltDEN GUIDE. l $ r -> 



Still the radical distinction remains that these have originated out of 

 varieties that were not variegated, whereas the other class are what 

 they are by virtue of their original constitution, and have been 

 silvery, woolly, dusty, etc., etc., from the beginning of the world. 



As a matter of culture, the distinction is of immense importance. 

 Plants that are naturally of a silvery or golden hue cannot be altered 

 in their character, though they may be spoiled or killed by bad 

 management ; whereas true variegated plants may be changed to 

 their original green colour, and the variegation destroyed by im- 

 proper management. This is a matter that practical gardeners — 

 though they know all about it — do not always bear in mind as they 

 should, and hence in one garden the same variety of variegated plant 

 will be seen 'in greater perfection than in another. With plants 

 naturally of a silvery hue, all that is necessary is to provide them 

 with a soil suited to their constitution ; with variegated plants the 

 soil should generally be a trifle poorer than for the green-leaved types 

 of the variegated varieties. We have proved by experiment that 

 Dandy, one of the loveliest of the minimum variegated geraniums, 

 becomes as green as grass when planted out in a soil heavily 

 manured, and that the same plants, removed into a poor soil, re- 

 covered their variegation, and had the same beautiful effect aa 

 originally. Look at any border containing a row of the common 

 variegated mint, and it will be a great chance if you do not see 

 amongst the plants many strong shoots wholly green, the plant re- 

 verting back to its original condition through being well fed in a 

 rich soil. So with the pretty variegated Arabis ; one of the best of 

 plants for a close edging of yellowish-grey, it will every year pro- 

 duce a few green shoots ; and if those are not removed, they soon 

 take the whole strength of the roots to themselves, and, overpower- 

 ing the variegated shoots, in course of time restore the plant to the 

 condition of the common green-leaved Arabis of the borders. 



The lesson is obvious, that variegated plants should not be too 

 well fed ; and yet it is possible to grow them vigorously without 

 danger. Pure yellow loam with plenty of turf in it is a most 

 nourishing staple for any plant that likes loam, and most variegated 

 plants will thrive in it, and grow to a good size, if specimens are 

 required without a change of character. But a third part of half- 

 rotten dung mixed with the loam would spoil the beauty of at least 

 one half the bist variegated plants we possess, and frequent doses of 

 strong manure water would do the same thing without the dung. 

 Peat, sand, and chalk are all favourable to the preservation of the 

 Bilvery and golden hues of variegated plants ; and beds and borders 

 in which they are to be planted should be liberally diSBBed with 

 tho.-e materials in preference to stimulating manures ; and if they 

 are not obtainable, sifted sweepings of gravel walks, with pounded 

 bricks and oyster-shells, are equally useful, as they afford a certain 

 amount of nourishment without stimulating. Take Parfugium 

 grande, and ^row it as you would a cauliflower, and instead of the 

 leaves being boldly mottled and blotched with gold and amber, they 

 will be almost wholly green. Leave the plant alone till it has con- 

 sumed the gross food given to it, and is beginning to starve, and 



July. 



