TIMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR. 



Fu 



Lii.v oi- rnK Vallks and Native Fern. 



An average width of six or seven feet gives 

 room for a nice display of plants ranging in 

 size from quite dwarf plants, to those five 

 or six feet in height. The size of the border, 

 either in width or length must be determined 

 by the number and size of the plants it 

 is to contain, as well as the space that 

 these will requre when they have fully devel- 

 oped their growth. Most of the dwarf shrubs 

 mentioned would require to be about three 

 feet away from any other permanent plants. 

 The perennial plants and lilies should have 

 about two feet clear of space from other 

 plants of a like nature. The annuals and 

 gladiolus bulbs and any other plants consid- 

 ered desirable, could be placed between 

 these, so as not to crowd or over grow them. 

 (In mentioning gladiolus on page 65 of 

 January number the word " perennial " was 

 inadvertently inserted.) 



The most desirable kind of soil to succeed 

 best with almost all kinds of garden flowers, 

 is without doubt soil of a rich loamy nature. 

 The latter kind however is not by any means 

 really necessary, as many shrubs and per- 

 ennials succeed splendidly in heavier soil. 

 It is very essential that the border should be 

 well drained, as there is nothing more detri- 

 mental to herbaceous perennials or shrubs 

 than badly drained ground. 



The border should have a good coating of 

 well rotted stable or cow manure, and be dug 

 thoroughly and deep. This should be done 

 the previous fall, or quite early in the spring 

 if possible. Every vestige of roots of per- 

 ennial grass and weeds should be carefully 

 picked out when digging, especially twitch 

 or spear grass, as this latter is very trouble- 

 some in herbaceous borders if not kept 

 under control. The best time for planting 



