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this considerably lengthens their season and makes the garden 

 gay early in February, when other flowers are scarce ; if a 

 spell of cold weather intervenes a few boughs of evergreens 

 may be placed around them. With a little care in this way 

 they will last a long time in good condition. Tulips and 

 Narcissus may also be treated in a similar way. 



Gentiana acaulls. I hear more complaints of failure 

 with this plant than of any other mentioned in these pages. 

 Its requirements are however very few, viz., planting in a 

 good garden soil and firmly, as soon as flowering is over ; a 

 good treading all over in the spring as soon as severe frost 

 has gone ; and to remain undisturbed for some years after it 

 gets established. Everyone admires it and all can grow it if 

 the above simple requirements are given. As an edging to 

 borders it is not easily surpassed, and to see a piece several 

 yards in length and nine inches wide, full of its beautiful blue 

 flowers will compensate anyone for a little care in its cultiva- 

 tion. It thrives in full sunshine if the soil is deep and it gets a 

 fair supply of moisture, and will also grow in partial shade. 



Helleborus niger and its varieties (Christmas Rose). 

 Those who have plants of this in a flourishing state should 

 never remove them as they will grow for a lifetime in one 

 place, but if disturbed it is one of the most difficult plants to 

 establish again. It succeeds best in a deep rich soil, and a 

 warm sheltered position that is shaded from the midday sun ; 

 its flowers are always purest if the plants are covered with a 

 frame or handlight when in flower, but they must have 

 plenty of air on favourable occasions or the plants will be 

 weakened. All the varieties are worth growing, but the 



