50 VILLA GAEDENING part i 



the variety they jaelded were gathered up, make a most gay and 

 interesting garden, and I have only glanced at the real wealth 

 which the spring offers. The Pansies or Violas are a host in 

 themselves. It is rather difficult to tell where the Pansy ends 

 and the Violet begins, but one can hardly go astray in planting a 

 good selection of both. These, too, are adapted for filling formal 

 beds in the parterre, where such exist, their propagation is so easy 

 and inexpensive ; cuttings root freely in a shady border at almost 

 any season of the year, and the roots can be divided in spring or 

 autumn. Seeds also are produced freely, and soon genninate in 

 moist sandy soil. I have seen a border planted with Pansies, and 

 they are always in flower. They scatter their seeds, and young 

 plants spring up in great numbers. Rather a moist situation 

 suits Pansies best, tliough, if the land is deeply cultivated and 

 plenty of manure buried for the roots to find when the hot 

 weather comes, Pansies will grow anywhere. Top-dressings or 

 mulchings are of great value, and if the long straggling shoots are 

 pegged down, new roots are formed and the plants are rejuvenated 

 in appearance. 



The white, pink, and scarlet Daisies are indispensable for 

 spring, and some of the newer varieties have large flowers on 

 long stalks, which may be gathered for the room. In small 

 glasses, mixed with suitable foliage, they have a pleasing eff"ect, 

 and for filling beds in association with other low-growing plants 

 Daisies have but few rivals. A large stock may soon be ob- 

 tained by division of the roots ; the tiniest off'set will break 

 away with a bit of root attached and quickly make an inde- 

 pendent flowering plant. Division may take place either in spring 

 or autumn. 



Annuals sowti in August and transplanted in October or 

 November wiU do much to brighten the garden in spring. INIany 

 of the annuals usually sown in spring will succeed better if sown 

 in August ; indeed, August is the natural month for seed sowing. 

 It is then they ripen and fall to the ground. None of the plants 

 raised in spring have the vigour and hardihood of those raised in 

 autumn. Sow thinly on rather sandy land, and in transplanting 

 leave plenty of space between, according to the species or variety. 

 Then in spring, besides the soft tints of opening blossoms and the 

 delicate green of expanding leafage, there are many coloured 

 foHaged plants adapted for the spring garden whose colours for 

 the first month or two of spring, before the sun gains its full 

 power, possess a piu-ity and brightness which are unknown later 

 in the season. The variegated Arabis, the Golden-leaved Thyme, 

 the Golden Lamiiun, the Golden Balm, and other plants with 



