i8o JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



Pyrethrums being early-flowering plants, may be 

 divided after they have finished blooming in June. 

 Similarly when Doronicums have finished blooming, the 

 clumps may be lifted and gently pulled or cut to pieces. 



I think myself that it is inadvisable to do this work of 

 division after the plants have flowered during the hot 

 months of the year. But if it is done they must have a 

 great deal of water, and even then a severe check is often 

 given them. 



Anchusa has long tap-roots. This can be lifted when it 

 has finished flowering in June or July, and its tap-roots 

 cut into lengths and planted in sandy soil in a shady reserve 

 border. Good plants may often be obtained in this way. 



Some plants, such as Helianthus rigidus Miss Mellish, 

 possess whitish underground shoots. These shoots can 

 be broken into lengths, and two or three planted with 

 a trowel to form a clump. Bury the points of the shoots 

 4-6 ins. deep in November or March. 



Alstromeria, a perennial not described in Chapter VII, 

 has fleshy roots, and if several small pieces of these are 

 set in the soil 2-3 inches apart and 4-6 ins. deep, they 

 will grow up and form a good clump. 



Finally, be careful to remove broken bits of the roots 

 left on the border after the plants have been divided. 

 If they are not removed they will often grow and give 

 the border a weedy appearance. They should on no 

 account be dug in, but raked off at once and burnt. They 

 are no good for the making of vegetable humus. 



