BIENNIALS 37 



make good edgings to beds of wallflowers. In very dry 

 autumns it may be necessary to water once or twice after 

 planting. This method is the most frequently adopted 

 and is applicable to all true biennials. 



But the Alyssum and Arabis are perennial, and with these 

 a better method is to propagate from cuttings. Prepare 

 two beds by digging deeply and adding some sand if the 

 soil is heavy. The first bed should be in full sun, and both 

 got ready in June or July. It will be found that it is not 

 possible to get cuttings from Alyssum till July, so Arabis 

 cuttings should be in first. Put in cuttings 3 to 4 ins. long, 

 put them 4-6 ins. apart each way, peg them firmly in, 

 and give a good watering. It is useless to attempt to strike 

 any but new season's shoots. The old " wood " will take 

 months before any sign of roots are thrown out, and then 

 the plants will be weak. The cuttings should be left 

 unshaded in the full sun and watered as needed. They 

 will soon strike, and nice plants will be ready to put into 

 the borders in October. 



Alyssum is not quite so easy. A rough frame must be 

 rigged up over the second bed, which should not be made 

 in a very sunny spot. The cuttings, new growth 3-4 ins. 

 long, should be pegged in as soon as plenty can be got, and 

 watered at once. The frame must be kept shaded, and 

 little air given for several weeks ; then the cuttings will 

 strike. After a time remove the frame and treat as for 

 Arabis. 



Too much stress cannot be laid on the great value of 

 firm planting when the plants of biennials are finally bedded 

 out for the winter. Moreover, early planting is essential. 

 It is, perhaps, heart-breaking to have to disturb borders 

 which are looking as bright as ever, in order to fill them with 

 wallflowers and such plants, but it is very necessary. The 

 work should be completed by the end of the third week" in 

 October, for by that time the weather may break at any 

 moment, and break for good. Wallflowers do not, of course, 

 object to being planted out during pouring rain, indeed 

 they enjoy it, for they never look]back]or feel their removal 



