26 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



true lover of the garden should be the attainment of the 

 fullest perfection of vigorous health in each plant grown, and 

 for this reason the border should be well made and thought- 

 fully planted. To secure the best results 



The Soil must be deep, rich, and well drained. In shallow 

 soil the roots of the plants are parched in hot summers, in 

 poor soil stunted growth proclaims lack of vigour, and where 

 stagnant moisture lies about the roots in the winter those 

 plants that do not perish lose vitality. To construct a mixed 

 border close to a hedge is courting disaster, for the hungry 

 roots of the Laurel, Privet, Yew, or Thorn, of which it is com- 

 posed, soon appropriate with their all-pervading fibres the 

 sustenance provided for the herbaceous plants, and thus effec- 

 tually prevent them from attaining their rightful proportions. 

 The most suitable soil for the border is sound, fibrous loam ; 

 but this is, in some localities, difficult to obtain, in which case 

 the best must be made of what is nearer at hand. Both heavy 

 and light soil can be so modified by additions as to render 

 each capable of growing well the bulk of the plants requisite 

 for the mixed border. Thus heavy soil may be lightened by a 

 liberal addition of road-grit, old mortar-rubbish, burnt earth, 

 wood ashes, and coarse sand, which will tend to render it 

 porous, while light soil can be given greater sustaining qualities 

 by an admixture of leaf -mould, decayed vegetable refuse, 

 well-pulverised clay, and a small proportion of peat. The 

 border cannot well be too deep. Three feet is none too deep 

 for many of the stronger-growing herbaceous plants, which 

 send their roots downwards to a great distance. At all events, 

 a depth of two feet should, if possible, be secured. The 

 early autumn is the best time for making the mixed border, 

 as it is then ready for the reception of the plants during the 

 month of October. After seeing that adequate drainage is 

 provided where the soil at the bottom of the bed is of a 

 retentive nature, the border should be filled in with the pre- 

 pared soil, the lower half being plentifully dressed with fresh 

 manure, farm-yard manure being used in light soils and stable 

 manure in heavy. The upper half of the border should also 

 be given a liberal addition of manure, but this, with which the 

 roots will first come into contact, should be well-rotted and 

 not fresh as advocated for the lower half. With herbaceous 

 plants a good start is more than half the battle, and when 

 placed in such a border they will grow vigorously from the 

 first and attain their fullest development, a result that is not 

 to be anticipated where they are planted in borders not richly 

 stored with food. During the winter a mulch, or covering of 

 some light material that is not liable to become sodden or 



