26 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



sidered the floor had better be soil covered with a layer of 

 fine gravel, but that is a detail which circumstances must 

 decide. Where the floor is tiled the border should be 

 raised above the floor level and kept in position with up- 

 right tiles or other edging. This serves to prevent water 

 running from the paths into the borders. The soil for the 

 border must be good in quality, and although certain plants 

 require a particular kind of soil, Lapageria and Dipladenia 

 for example must have pure peat generally a mixture of 

 good turfy loam, leaf mould, and coarse sand suits green- 

 house climbers. Peat is not recommended to be mixed 

 with other soils, because in a border it is apt to become 

 sour and cause mischief. 



In most conservatories and greenhouses root accom- 

 modation can be provided under the side stages or at the 

 foot of pillars, where the border should be made as recom- 

 mended. Failing this, boxes or large pots have to be 

 used. For some climbers it is an advantage to have 

 the roots quite under control, and for this reason pot or 

 box is preferable for them. They can be specially fed, or 

 for the purpose of resting or checking growth water can 

 be withheld for a time. These large root receptacles are 

 unfortunately unsightly, still they can be utilised for trailing 

 plants, which serve to hide them. 



When climbers are to be grown in pots standing on the 

 stages in small houses their treatment must be, to some 

 extent at any rate, the same as that given to the occupants 

 of the house generally. They will require training and 

 keeping within bounds, the treatment that is best in such a 

 position being the restricted or short spur system as 

 practised for grape vines. They then flower better, and 

 are less likely to outgrow their space. 



