16 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



border where the Pansies are to go, incorporating partly-decayed 

 manure, and if the soil can be left rough for rains and frosts to 

 sweeten it, so much the better. Where more than one colour is 

 associated in a bed avoid violent colour contrasts, but secure a pleasing 

 sequence. When planting in spring choose early March, and then the 

 Pansies get established before the hot weather. This does not mean 

 that planting cannot be done in April, or even in May ; but March is 

 the most suitable time. Always dig the soil deeply, and remember that 

 the Pansy is not happy in very heavy ground. 



Plants sent from a distance usually arrive without soil at the roots, 

 and need careful treatment. If they appear shrivelled stand the little 

 packets in flower-pots (leaves, of course, uppermost), and sprinkle them 

 with water, and place in a shady corner for a few hours to recover. Pan- 

 sies dislike hot sunny places. They delight in coolness and shade; 

 important points to remember. During the summer, hoe carefully 

 amongst the plants to break up the surface soil, keep down weeds, and 

 always remove spent flowers. When a plant begins to mature seed its 

 blossoming is at an end ; it cannot bear the double burden. When 

 the weather is very hot, water the plants thoroughly and spray them 

 occasionally in the evening. It is wise also to mulch the tufts in 

 June, using for the purpose leaf -mould and loam in equal parts with 

 a free use of coarse sand or road grit. Well work the material 

 round the collar of each plant. Two or three times during the flowering 

 season it will be wise to give the Pansies a short rest by pinching off 

 all the buds and blossoms, and within a week another display will 

 reward the attentive gardener. Cut out old, coarse, and elongated 

 growths from time to time. This will promote younger shoots. 



Pansies may also be raised from seed, which should be sown out of 

 doors in a shady place in August, pricking the seedlings out to a 

 specially prepared bed in October. The plants will flower during the 

 following spring. The seed may also be sown in gentle heat in the 

 spring, pricking the seedlings off into shallow boxes, and then transfer 

 them to the beds or borders when they attain sufficient size. Re- 

 member only to purchase the best seed, i.e. that raised from the most 

 beautiful varieties. 



Pentstemons. It would be difficult to select a gayer or more 

 interesting group of garden flowers than the Pentstemon. There is 

 something refreshing in their appearance towards the end of summer, 

 when even a weakly plant will attempt a brave show of spikes of 

 bloom, each flower of an open bell-like formation, reminding one of 

 a Foxglove. Remember, however, that the Pentstemon is decidedly 

 tender, a hard winter will kill the plants wholesale ; but that is of small 

 importance, as seedlings may be raised with great ease, indeed, we 

 may quite regard the plant as a biennial i.e. seedlings flower the year 

 after the seed is sown, in contrast to the annual, which flower? the same 

 year. Remember the seasons for seed sowing one in June, in shallow 

 pans, the seedlings to be wintered in a frame, and the other, which is 

 the more convenient when space in the little greenhouse is precious, in 

 January. Sow upon a hot-bed or in a temperature of between 50 deg. 



