ON PHLOXES 291 



after flowering. The shoots should be inserted in boxes 

 of light sandy soil, and kept in a frame until they start 

 growing. 



Soil. Phloxes will thrive in the ordinary soil of most 

 gardens if it is not very stiff, but they do not like cold, 

 adhesive, undrained clay. In growing them on heavy 

 land I found it important to drain the ground with pipes 

 so as to prevent moisture lying near the surface in wet 

 winters, and to add sand and leaf mould to the stations 

 when planting, in order to increase the friability of the 

 soil. I am of opinion that they favour light soil, for 

 pieces planted in light land a foot above chalk made 

 magnificent clumps in eighteen months, far excelling 

 those which I had previously had on clay. It is true that 

 the second summer was wet, and therefore in their 

 favour. Although they do not relish stagnant moisture 

 in the soil while at rest in winter, they love water in 

 summer, and grow the faster the more they have of it. 

 One must get a good deal of growth in Phloxes to get 

 much bloom, as the flowers are borne on the top of the 

 stems, and one must have strong shoots before one can 

 have large panicles. This, of course, points to the ad- 

 visability of watering them in dry weather. Liquid 

 manure is also beneficial. They will thrive in light, 

 loamy soils. When the borders are dug in winter a 

 dressing of decayed manure should be worked in around 

 the plants, 



Phloxes for Beds and Borders. Phloxes are among 

 the finest of plants for both beds and borders. Owners 

 of large gardens who like to plant a bed entirely with 

 Phloxes have only to supply good soil and adequate 

 moisture to see the bed become one of the greatest 

 successes of the garden. Early and late varieties may 

 be planted in the same bed if desired, and there will 



