CHAPTER XI 



THIRD WEEK IN MARCH 



THE winter, let us hope, is over and gone, and we may 

 now turn to our flower borders with the intention of 

 filling up gaps and rearranging the plants where neces- 

 sary. October, however, is the best time for the thorough 

 digging and manuring of the soil, which becomes necessary 

 at intervals of about four years (or less in light soil which 

 quickly becomes exhausted), and a portion of the herbaceous 

 garden is then taken in hand yearly. But for the rest, a top 

 dressing of well-decayed manure at this time of year will be 

 enough, and there is no doubt that many perennials resent 

 the disturbance of their roots, doing better the second year 

 after they have been taken up, divided, and replanted, than 

 the first. Already there are many bright bulbs in bloom ; 

 daffodils are golden in the sunshine, and the later purple and 

 white crocuses contrast delightfully with them ; hyacinths in 

 crimson, pink, and white are opening their bells, and the 

 blue and silver of the chionodoxa (glory of thje snow) is 

 conspicuous amongst them, whilst tulips in many rich tints 

 are showing colour, and will expand before the end of the 

 month. 



The strong growths of Madonna lilies, fresh from their 

 winter rest, are pushing up at the back of the border, and 

 the crimson foliage of the paeonies is almost as valuable now 

 as their blossoms will be in May. It is because of these 

 tender young growths, which make their start almost before 

 the winter is past, that we must not attempt too much in 

 the herbaceous border in spring, but only confine ourselves 

 to careful measures. 



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