HERB 



HERB 



1463 



dictamnus and papaver, may be propagated by root 

 cuttings. The exotic species of gardens and many of the 

 more readily grown natives can be obtained in wholesale 

 quantities from nurserymen. A few exotics and a very 

 large number of attractive native species can be pro- 

 cured in wholesale quantities from collectors of native 

 plants, many of whom also offer nursery-grown plants 

 of the best natives and of a few exotics. The attractive 

 native plants in any region can be transplanted with 

 little difficulty if they are collected with a good sod of 

 earth about the roots. WARREN H. MANNING. 



The culture of herbaceous perennials. 



A good number of the herbaceous perennials grown in 

 gardens are exceedingly easy of cultivation, thriving 

 well in any moderately rich soil of suitable physical 

 condition, and enduring winter cold and changeable- 

 ness and summer heat and drought. There are, however, 

 other species that do not grow well in the American 

 climate, except in more moderate seasons or when 

 placed where the climate is locally modified. Whether 

 the plants one desires to grow be easy or difficult of 

 culture, one should aim first of all for a luxuriant growth, 

 for any time or labor saved by poorly preparing the soil, 

 or any money saved by the use of weak or stunted 

 plants will be regretted later. Unless it is intended to 

 imitate the effect of certain barrens in nature, a garden 

 without luxuriance is lacking in essential quality. 



The preparation of ground for planting consists, in 

 the order of importance: in making the soil by openness 

 and fineness suitable for root-penetration to a depth of 

 18 inches to 2 feet; in providing underground drainage 

 at a depth of at least 2^ feet; in making the soil suf- 

 ficently fertile; and in making the surface soil not liable 

 to "baking." 



Depth and physical condition of soil are very impor- 

 tant, and should be one's first care. If the season is 

 short and work must be rushed, it is better to omit the 

 manuring and to devote all one's energy to securing a 

 deep feeding-area for the roots and a fine physical con- 

 dition of the soil. In the hardy border the roots are 

 able to penetrate far more deeply into the soil than they 

 do usually in a wild state or in ordinary field culture. 

 This vigor of root-growth reaching to good depth, as 

 compared with that of equal vigor but nearer the sur- 

 face, gives not only greater endurance of drought but 

 aids the plant to endure changeableness of weather, and 



Earticularly contributes to hardiness. Many plants are 

 ardy only if protected until the roots are thoroughly 



established. This is more often noticed with trees and 

 strong-rooted plants that are able to penetrate deeply 

 into the subsoil, but the same applies to herbaceous 

 plants, except that it is usually necessary to loosen the 

 subsoil to ensure penetration by their finer roots to a 

 satisfactory extent. It is not necessary to make the sub- 

 soil equal in richness to the upper part, but it should 

 preferably be mixed with a portion of the surface soil. 



1817. A good effect with a species of Rheum. 



1818. A mixed herbaceous border. 



The fine roots are the feeding roots and the surfaces 

 of the soil-particles are their feeding-ground, so that in 

 making the soil-particles smaller the feeding-surface is 

 vastly increased, thus allowing for more roots and 

 closer planting. A fine physical condition can usually 

 be obtained by turning the soil over a few times. No 

 soil should be turned or handled when too moist to 

 crumble, as the clay in the soil is quick to become pud- 

 dled, and therefore impervious to feeding-roots. 



Underground drainage is necessary, since most 

 plants cannot grow in soil filled with stagnant water. 

 When the natural subsoil drainage is not sufficient, 

 artificial means should be used. Unless the drainage is 

 good, many plants will be injured in the rainier seasons 

 or killed in winter. Plants that are not firmly established 

 are often easily killed by excess of moisture about the 

 roots during their dormant season; for example, many 

 bog-plants otherwise perfectly hardy will winterkill 

 if planted late in the fall. A further fact showing the 

 effect of water on dormant roots is that many plants if 

 cut down low enough in the fall to allow water, as from 

 melting snow, to reach the root through the hollow 

 stems, will often be entirely rotted by spring. Thus, 

 when it is necessary to destroy goldenrod, the dry- 

 stems may be mown in late autumn with a sharp scythe. 

 The vulnerability of the root to water coming through 

 the stem may be easily seen by comparing in the spring 

 roots of corn, the stalks of which were cut at different 

 heights the previous fall. 



In the hardy border, no large amount of coarse or 

 highly fermentable material should be used. The 

 enrichment of the land should, if possible, be made 

 while preparing the border, and any fertilizers used 

 should be well mixed with the soil. Even if a liberal 

 quantity of stable manure is available, it is well to 

 use some potash or phosphoric acid in connection 

 with it. A light top-dressing of manure given in 

 the fall will keep up the fertility, correct the soil 

 % in various ways, and afford a slight winter protec- 

 tion, which is appreciated by even the hardiest 

 plants. Over-richness as well as poverty of soil 

 tend to make plants in general less hardy, but usu- 

 ally a great abundance of plant-food should be 

 given, especially for the hardier species with vigor- 

 ous constitutions and long season of growth. 

 Many plants having a season of rest in late sum- 

 mer do best in land not overly rich, especially if 

 the position is moist. 



A loose and open surface soil prevents baking after 



