48 VILLA GARDENING paut i 



which comes so early in spring. Some of the many beautiful forms 

 of Violas, if frequently top-dressed with soil and manure, and the 

 young shoots afterwards pegged down into it, would be exceedingly 

 bright. The chief work and attention required will be of a light 

 character, such as regulating the growth, cutting off dead flowers 

 and seeds, which any lady might do who really cares for flowei-s. 

 The positions for the Roses will require special preparatory treat- 

 ment, and, if needed in dry weather, should have liquid manure 

 given them. In the case of any choice single plant a Seakale 

 pot or a large drain pipe may be sunk in the ground, filled with 

 good soil, and the plant carefully planted therein. In this way the 

 roots of strong-growing plants will be kept out. This idea may 

 be worked to any extent in summer decoration. If at any time a 

 little more colom- was needed in any jiarticular spot, Fuchsias or 

 Geraniums may be dropped in among a group of plants whose beauty 

 had departed, and when the need for their presence passed away 

 they could be removed. This plan of gardening is calculated to 

 give an immense amount of pleasure at a comparatively small cost ; 

 for it is the incessant annual drain upon the purse which to the 

 person of limited income seems so heavy. 



CHAPTER VIII 



Arranging the Spring Garden. — Many of the most beauti- 

 ful spring flowers do not seem to associate well with formal beds 

 in a formal garden. One of the best arrangements of spring 

 flowers I know of is at Belvoir Castle. In their grouping Mr. 

 Ingram has been very happy in taking advantage of the positions 

 Nature hfis there so lavishly placed at his disposal — a magnificent 

 extent of surface, embracing every aspect at varying elevations, 

 wood-crowned hill and shelving sunny banks, with open glades 

 sheltered from the fierce currents which in March devastate the 

 tender foliage and budding flowers. In such positions groups and 

 borders of all the tints of spring can be formed in the most 

 effective manner both for contrast and for harmony. The bright 

 early flowers of the year, the Aconites, can have a sheltered 

 shelving bank (what a sight a broad mass is when in blossom !) 

 I know several places where they are largely grown, and which in 

 January are one of the sights of the neighbourhood. And all this 

 gorgeous beauty can be enjoyed for a small expense. AU we want 

 is a dry bank, not too densly overgrown. Dibble the bidbs in 

 thickly, and leave them for ever undisturbed. The various fonus 



