TOWN GARDENING 399 



Dutch merchants, thinking the plant was a native of these 

 isles, named it the ' English ' Iris a sad misnomer. 



" General Hints. I think my letter has exceeded all reason- 

 able bounds, but a few general hints that I have found 

 produce good results in town gardening may be given. 

 During warm summer evenings after a hot day, syringe the 

 plants gently. This is very refreshing and helpful. Stir the 

 soil occasionally to prevent ' caking' of the surface. This 

 surface stirring lets in light and air to the roots. When 

 watering do so thoroughly. Never dash the hose upon any- 

 thing and everything. Cut the flowers freely, especially of 

 such things as annuals, which quickly collapse when seed pods 

 are allowed to form, some more so than others. Poppies and 

 Sweet Peas are of brief duration when called upon to bear a 

 double burden. Of course watch for slugs and snails. Never 

 leave refuse about, and in the management of the lawn always 

 keep the grass moderately short. It is a mistake to have a 

 thorough lawn cutting at stated intervals, long grass is dim- 

 cult to cut and the machine suffers. With regard to cats, I 

 wish some one would give me a remedy. I dislike using fire- 

 arms my neighbours would grumble ; but I confess I am 

 inclined to practice the gentle art of ' potting.' 



"Keeping Plants in Winter. When the garden boasts of a 

 greenhouse, it is easy to accommodate the Pelargoniums, 

 Dahlias, Tuberous Begonias, and other tender summer plants 

 during the winter. When the first frost has spoiled their 

 beauty, lift them, and, in the case of Geraniums, pot them 

 up, but Dahlias, after the soil has been removed from the 

 tubers, may be stowed away under the stages. Corms of 

 Tuberous Begonias should be stored in silver sand, and put 

 away in a dry place. Dahlias and Begonias may be stored in 

 a frost proof cellar, and where there is no greenhouse, shake 

 the soil from the roots of Geraniums or even Fuchsias, and 

 hang the plants head downwards from a peg or a beam. Some 

 will die, but many will live, and start away in the spring, when 

 they can be potted. 



" I think I must have exceeded my limit, and, in conclusion, 

 give thi$ advice to town gardeners, that success only comes 

 when the gardener tries to understand the flowers he professes 

 to love. Failures are the result usually of a languid interest 

 in a healthy and fascinating pastime to those who try to 

 learn something themselves of the flower world about them. 

 I have written nothing about fruits and vegetables, but the 

 remarks upon the cultivation of these in other parts of this 

 book apply to the town garden. As a rule, however, there is 

 no space for the culture of either." 



