n4 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



itself, marking the line of separation by two or more 

 rows of some distinct colour; such as pure white, 

 clear yellow, or black. This enables one to compare 

 the varieties at a glance and form a better estimate 

 of their qualities than would be possible in a mixed 

 bed. 



During hot, dry weather the Pansy bed should be 

 watered twice a day at night and at noon. Water- 

 ing the garden in the middle of the day may seem a 

 reckless innovation to many, especially to the profes- 

 sional gardener, but years of experience have taught 

 me the value of giving a plant water when it most 

 needs it and that is when it is parched with heat. 

 Of course all plants will not stand water under a hot 

 sun, but Pansies are not injured by it in any way. 

 Pansies do not send their roots as deeply into the 

 ground as most plants, but make many surface roots 

 (hence we place the fertilisers well below the surface 

 to induce a deeper growth), which even a temporary 

 drying out of the top-soil will injure. A good soaking 

 of the soil at night will last until ten or eleven o'clock 

 the next day, according to exposure, and if another 

 good wetting is then given with water fresh from the 

 hydrant or well it will remain cool and moist through- 

 out the twenty-four hours. The rapid evaporation 

 caused by the hot sun will create a moist atmosphere 

 around the plants, producing much finer flowers than 

 would be possible in the dry air resulting from with- 

 holding water until night. Always plant Pansies in 



