112 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



April, 



twice daily during bright weather if grown in 

 light airy houses, but if in partial shade the 

 syringing is not necessary, but they must have 

 abundance of water at the roots. 



In the blooming stage the atmosphere of the 

 house must be kept di-y, airy and warm ; the air 

 of an ordinary conservatory will now suit 

 them well. Dampness at this time is the great- 

 est danger. If this can be kept away the 

 baskets should continue in great beauty for 

 months. It is often difficult to see even a leaf 

 for the great abundance of the flowers. As to 

 varieties, we may remark that shy, weak-grow- 

 ing ones are of no use at all for basket planting. 



Achimenes may be grown in various ways, 

 and when weU grown are always interesting. 

 We have seen very fine specimens in pans. We 

 plant them freely on a rockery among Ferns, 

 and also on carpets of SelagineUa; where they 

 have a very pleasing and refreshing appear- 

 ance; but the method of gi-owlng them in sus- 

 pended baskets seems to be superior to any 

 other; indeed, we question if there is another 

 plant to be found which will for the siunmer 

 months, surpass the Achimenes in beauty and 

 interest, when they are well grown in this way. 



We should perhaps say to beginners, that suc- 

 cess in managing this plant wiU be in propor- 

 tion to the care and intelligence exercised in 

 handling the tender plants at planting time, 

 and placing them in a position without unne- 

 cessary damage to the roots or soft stems, and 

 to timely attention to details of culture given. 



THE COMPLETE GARDEN. 



IV. 



BY A WELL KNOWN HORTICULTURIST. 

 THE FRUIT SECTION OF THE GARDEN. 



Directly towai'ds the south from the Walnut 

 tree, which was reached after crossing the rUl, 

 is seen a path along the slope which extends 

 from the orchard level to the water's edge. At 

 a point some forty feet from the Walnut tree 

 it is observed that this path divides itself into 

 two branches, one leading down towards the 

 water's edge, and the other taking higher 

 ground, and meeting again in the Nut Grove. 

 In the near vicinity of this walk and its 

 branches are various ornamental, and some 

 wild, plants. The Nut Grove consists of seven 

 trees: Pecan and Shag-bark Hickory, Butter- 

 nut and various Walnuts. To the rear, or 

 north, of the lai-ge Walnut first reached, is met 

 a small circular turning place which forms the 

 termination of the North Walk or cart di'ive. 

 You will observe that this drive runs beside the 

 heavy North Screen which forms such a con- 

 spicuous featm'e of the garden, extending as it 

 does the entire width of the place. This screen 

 is composed of a double row of Evergreens, 

 broadening out in several places in the line. Its 

 ample height (some sixteen feet) and density is 

 such as to afford almost a perfect barrier against 

 north winds sweeping across the Fruit Garden 

 and other parts of the place. It is difficult to 

 estimate its value in contributing warmth and 

 beauty to this portion of the garden, being in 

 the highest degree both useful and ornamental. 



Following the rear drive we observe to the 

 right, extending nearly across the place, a 

 small plantation of standard and dwarf Apple 

 trees ; nine of the former and one hundred and 

 twenty-seven of the latter, giving together a 

 good assortment of summer, autumn and winter 

 varieties. These Apple trees were located at 

 the extreme rear part of the Fruit Garden, to 

 provide for its enlargement by some future 

 purcha.se of one or more acres to the north. At 

 a point in the North Walk about three foui'ths 

 distant across the garden and starting from the 

 termination Circle, we reach the main garden 

 walk with its terminal object of a large floral 

 vase, and a seat at its rear. This is an important 

 walk in more respects than one. In a certain 

 sense it is a direct continuation throughout the 

 length of the entire grounds, from south to 

 north, of the front entrance walk from the 

 Copyright, 1887, by Popular Gardening PubllBhing Co. 



street. In addition to being spanned by a Grape 

 Arbor, and hemmed in on both sides by fruit 

 trees, plots of Strawberries and vegetables, it 

 has on either side a well divided border five feet 

 in width and nearly two hmidred feet long. 

 These two borders give the walk a special charm 

 for me, as they are devoted to a nursing space 

 for raising yoimg plants, testing new varieties, 

 making experiments and similar uses for pleas- 

 ure and profit. Here, also, as in other parts of 

 our garden, some space is set aside for the 

 ehildien, in which full sway is given them to 

 plant and cultivate as they desire. 



To the south of the rows of Apple trees, and 

 extending across the garden, are two rows of 

 Standard Peai' trees, vrith Dwarf Pears placed 

 at intermediate points. We here locate eighteen 

 of the former and thirty of the latter ; enough 

 to provide for a splendid family supply of this 

 favorite and luscious fruit. Next there is found 

 a row of fifteen Cherry, and beyond, another 

 one of twelve Plum and three Apricot trees. 

 Still further along we see a last south row of 

 fruit trees consisting of twelve Peach and three 

 Nectarine trees. The Grape Arbor, a little 

 further ahead, is conspicuous as the place where 

 two hnes of Grape trellise, aflording a walk 

 between them, cross the garden at right 

 angles with the main walk. Covered with 

 bearing Grape-vines and having several 

 seats within, we find it a place of de- 

 light to all who love the sight of a care- 

 fully managed and well-kept vegetable and 

 fruit garden. Between the line of Grapes and 

 the Peach and Nectarine trees is seen a space 

 consisting of six plots which are planted to 

 small fruits, commencing with Gooseberries at 

 the east, then with two plots of Strawberries, 

 one of Raspberries, and a smaller one each of 

 Currants and Blackberries. To the east of the 

 latter, and of the lines of Grape trellise, are 

 located a dozen Quince trees. On the south side 

 of the Grape trellises, and extending to the 

 ornamental hedge, is met the four plots which 

 constitute the Vegetable Garden. As this part 

 requires a liberal use of manure, it was located 

 conveniently near the manure and compost 

 shed, which is located in the rear of the bam 

 and the poultry and pig quarters. This necessary 

 garden adjunct is not seen from the Grape 

 Arbor or the garden in general, being hidden 

 from view by a screen of Evergreens. The east 

 side of the garden is enclosed by a hedge of 

 Honey Locust, inside of which, and along its 

 line, is the cart drive leading from the manure 

 yard and bam to the rear parts of the garden. 



Leaving the Fruit and Vegetable Garden by 

 the main walk passing through the splendid 

 hedge of Norway Spruce, we come into the yard 

 for hot-beds and frames, a little plot, which, by 

 judicious management is, over a long season, 

 made most prolific, of frame, early vegetable 

 and flowering plants, in addition to the grow- 

 ing of liberal supplies of Lettuce and other 

 salads. Cucumbers, Melons, Squashes, etc., 

 during the summer in spent hot-beds, as well 

 as suppljing some of these for earlier use. 

 Protected on the east by the barn and poultiy 

 house, on the west by the Grapery and Potting 

 shed, on the north and south by hedges, and 

 being in close proximity to manure for hot-beds, 

 to the greenhouse and potting shed water sup- 

 ply and to the garden, it proves to be in every 

 way well equipped as a most indispensable feat- 

 ure of the place. From this yard let us enter the 

 Greenhouse department directly from the rear, 

 which is done by way of the most useful, if not 

 strictly ornamental department, the Potting 

 Shed. This place every day in the year shows 

 some degree of activity. We observe here the 

 main floor devoted to such general equip- 

 ments as soO, pots, labels, implements, etc., 

 whilst underneath is the boiler for heating the 

 glass houses, requisite coal space, and overhead 

 of the ground floor, rooms for an attendant, 

 store closets, etc., etc. Three doors, made 

 pai'tially of glass, open from the Potting Shed 

 into glass apartments, two of these into Graper- 

 ies of different degrees of temperature and one 



into the forcing pits; one door also leads out 

 southwardly. Let us pass outside and take a 

 walk around the glass range through the For- 

 mal Garden, entering the glass houses proper 

 by the main entrance. 



The Formal Garden contains a display of the 

 extremely formal characteristies in gardening, 

 in contrast to the more natural style which 

 prevails generally throughout the ornamental 

 grounds. For the sake of variety, I confess to 

 a liking for a touch of this kind of gardening 

 in its appropriate place. Here between the 

 greenhouses and the hedge, enclosing the vege- 

 table gai'den, is what I call an appropriate 

 place for some of this gardening. The numer- 

 ous geometrical lines pertaining to the green- 

 house, as well as to the hedge, admit by way of 

 harmony a display of similar lines in flower 

 beds, clipped trees, etc. , with pleasing results. 

 The effect would be shocking were my entire 

 four acres so laid out, but the slight touch of 

 it here leaves a pleasant impression. 



The main features of this garden are, first 

 the continuous sUghtly elevated terrace or area 

 upon which the glass range is located. This is 

 defined on the south and west sides by a low 

 slope, averaging about one foot high above the 

 common level. To the rear of the glasshouses, 

 are two slightly raised ten-aces of tm'f, sur- 

 mounted by small Arbor Vitss, Dwarf Spruce 

 and Juniper trees kept pruned to conical and 

 spherical forms, besides some flower and plant 

 beds laid out in geometrical style. Other ever- 

 green trees of stronger growth varying in size, 

 but all kept neatly clipped, are located about 

 on the general terrace. Some half dozen or more 

 flower beds of good design are also cut into the 

 sward of this level to combine for handsome 

 effect with the clipped trees and other predom- 

 inating features. The large Norway Spruce 

 hedge with its turrets is noteworthy. It is a 

 little above five feet wide at the base and six 

 feet high in its main parts with the cone-shaped 

 turrets rising two and a half feet higher. By 

 careful pruning it has attained such density in 

 growth that a bird would have diflSculty in 

 planting a nest in it. The small hedge at the 

 east end of this garden is of dwarf Arbor Vitae. 



Coming by way of the Terrace around to the 

 southwest or main entrance to the greenhouses, 

 we first enter the conservatory part, contain- 

 ing Palms and other plants especially attrac- 

 tive in foliage or flowers. This part being 

 somewhat higher accommodates a larger size 

 in plants than the other apartments. Pro- 

 ceeding from this part we may enter the Green- 

 house proper to the north and the Stove or 

 Hot-house to the east, each containing respec- 

 tively the class of plant adapted to the temper- 

 ature maintained. 



Extending from the Greenhouse to the Pot- 

 ing Shed at the north is a Cold Grapery and be- 

 tween this latter structure and the Stove are 

 two forcing pits, each 8 1-2 by 30 feet, in which 

 are brought forward both flowers and vegeta- 

 bles during the inclement season. The south- 

 east apartment of the range constitutes the 

 Warm Grapery, where the vine is forced to pro- 

 duce eai-ly Grapes. 



Leaving this part by an outside doorway we 

 find ourselves to the south of a Japan Quince 

 hedge, which extends from the Grapery to the 

 carriage drive and beyond to near the easterly 

 line. To the front of the hedge near the Grapery 

 is the Spring Garden, devoted largely to the 

 spring-blooming plants. Directly on a line from 

 this spot to the main street entrance we see a 

 Rock Border, which will receive a future de- 

 scription. Following the walk from this part 

 and around the rear of the house, we pass Ferns, 

 shrubs and flowers in beds and on the lawn, 

 reaching at once the veranda from which we 

 stai'ted in our stroll through the garden. 



The Flowering Almond. 



HARLEIGH GILLETTE, HIGHLAND PARK. ILL. 



The Flowering Almond is among the earliest 

 and most beautiful spring flowering shrubs. 

 Its slender shoots in May become completely 



