356 



THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



net of Ransoine's imperishable stone, and there are three borders, 

 all of them faced with a handsome moulded curb, also in Ransome's 

 stone. Two of the borders are planted with trees and shrubs, the 

 principal border of the three being as richly furnished as possible 

 with Aucubas, Hollies, Yews, Berbeiis, Box, Japan Privet, and 

 other first-class evergreens. During winter this plantation is still 

 further enriched by plunging amongst the permanent shrubs pot- 

 plants of Cupressus Lawsoniana, pyramid ivies, Irish yews, and 

 other characteristic plants, all of which are removed in spring to 

 better quarters to promote their growth for the season, as the scene 

 of the plunging is very much overshadowed by large trees. Tbr 

 front lines of these borders, and the circular stone bed, consists of 

 cocoanut-fibre refuse two to three feet deep. Ik is in these- front 



A WINTER GBOTTP ON THE PLUNGING SYSTEM. 



lines that the plunging, par excellence, is carried out in the most 

 complete manner, and a display of colour produced at all seasons of 

 the year, the effect of which is greatly heightened by the depth of 

 green and richness of variegated foliage of the background. 



Two remarks are proper at this point. In the first place, well- 

 grown pot-plants, plunged in cocoanut-fibre., have a much brighter, 

 a much more artistic and finished appearance, than plants of the 

 same kinds equally well-grown in the open ground. The beautiful, 

 clear, reddish-brown colour of the fibre refuse, by contrast, brings 

 out every tint of green with peculiar brightness, and affords relief 

 to every kind of flower. There is a peculiar charm about a well- 

 furnished plnnge bed if the material consists of cocoanut-fibre or 





