OCTOBER 209 



flowering disappear, and in their place I see plants 

 whose flowers, instead of being pale mauve or clear 

 yellow, are of a dusky purple. No herb can sur- 

 pass this one for perpetuating its kind. To exter- 

 minate it requires much patience, for it seeds itself 

 in every nook and cranny, and throws a long tap 

 root down into the depths which clings so fast that 

 a prong will hardly dislodge it. 



A family that hates root disturbance is that of 

 the hellebores, or Christmas and Lenten roses. 

 Seldom it is that these beautiful winter flowers are 

 seen growing to perfection. To get them well 

 established is the first necessity, and to give them 

 relief from summer sun and drought is the second. 

 It is not good to move these clumps at all, but if for 

 any reason moving must be done, then moving and 

 dividing may be accomplished together in the 

 height of summer when the plants are in full 

 vigour. A fresh growth will heal the wounds of 

 separation if it is done at that time. A glass frame 

 will be wanted in winter if the flowers are to be 

 protected from the frost and rain that would dis- 

 colour them. The frame will help also to lengthen 

 the flower stalks, and thus make them more useful 

 for cutting. 



Nothing is easier to grow well in our borders than 

 the Spanish iris, and by all the rules of common 

 sense they should flourish as well in the long grass 

 of the wild garden as elsewhere. Garden manuals 

 assert that they delight in a dry, light soil, and 

 practical gardeners who write to the horticultural 

 journals are fond of affirming that they also enjoy 

 the company of long grass. I have not found it so. 

 p 



