110 VILLA GAEDENING part I 



originated was introduced towards the end of the first quarter of 

 the present century, yet most of our present beautiful varieties are 

 quite modern ; and though tliey are slowly making their way over 

 the country, yet they are still lacking in many good gardens, and 

 are altogether absent from cottage gardens. They require no 

 special treatment, and are not particular as to soil or situation, and 

 they are among the few plants which do not deteriorate by re- 

 maining several years in one position. They are specially valuable 

 for cutting, and those who cut freely may impart a successional 

 character to the plants, as it induces a new growth to spring up 

 which will flower later. They are very showy in a mass, their 

 flowers being large and bright coloured. A plant so hardy and 

 easy to propagate as the Pyrethrum, and one that moves with 

 so much certainty when treated as a hardy plant, shoidd blossom 

 freely the first year after planting, if planted in autumn or early 

 in spring ; but many of the little bits that were sent out a few 

 years ago took a couple of years to become established, and 

 many died ; and in their young state especially, if not robust, the 

 slugs and snails settle themselves round the collar of the plants, 

 and unobserved eat off" the young growths as they spring from 

 the crown. Little plants are often lost in this way, as the Py- 

 rethrums do not seem to possess the power of pushing latent 

 buds in the same way as many other plants when their first breaks 

 have been eaten off" and destroyed. I find the best way to keep 

 the slugs at a distance is to put a ring of sifted ashes round the 

 plants in autumn or early in winter, and keep them there till the 

 shoots are above grovmd in spring. 



Propagation. — Pyrethrums are easily propagated by division 

 of the crowns in autumn or spring. I prefer the latter season, 

 lifting the roots carefully up just as the young shoots are pushing, 

 as then we can see better where to cut ; and I prefer also a sharp 

 knife to do the work Avith, as a clean-cut wound is better than one 

 with rough, jagged edges. If a large stock is required, the crowns 

 may be divided into as many pieces as there are eyes or buds, and 

 some time will be gained by potting the little plants and just giv- 

 ing these a start by placing them in heat for a time till growth 

 has proceeded a little, and new roots are formed. It is a common 

 practice, when dividing the crowns in autumn, to place them in 

 pots and keep in a cold pit or frame till spring ; but when the 

 propagating is left till the spring, the little plants may, if desired, 

 be planted out at once. The propagation really belongs to the 

 work of the reserve garden ; planting the young pieces for a year 

 in a nursery bed, where more attention can be given them than is 

 possible in a border among strong-blooming subjects, is a decided 



