HARDY GARDEN PLANTS. 19 



if well studied and the wants of the plants supplied with intel- 

 ligence. 



To begin at the root of the matter, as it were, one thing has 

 often struck me as being absolutely necessary to success, and 

 that is a good preparation for the purpose intended. If one 

 intends to plant a tree it is generally conceded that the operation 

 should be the event of that tree's history in that garden. 

 Whether it be for beauty or utility, there should be careful 

 preparation of the soil, and even more careful choice of situation, 

 since there is to be no more change once the tree is in place. 

 The making of a border for hardy herbaceous and bulbous plants 

 is likewise a permanent matter, for most of these never succeed 

 so well as when left alone and allowed to get deep foothold in 

 the place assigned to them. Changes of a minor nature there 

 must be in the natural order of things, but these can be made 

 without an undue upheaval, for it will take a j^ear or two for a 

 complete recovery to vigor and profuse bloom. 



To secure the best results a soil of good depth, with a good 

 supply of natural moisture, and free from the influence of large 

 tree roots is the ideal position for the cultivation of these plants, 

 and, given these conditions, there are unlimited possibilities, and 

 a place where flowers can be gathered from April to Xovember. 

 The soil ought to be dug for at least two feet in depth and made 

 rich at starting, for it is well to keep in mind at all times that a 

 border of this kind. should never be dug with spade or fork after 

 being once planted, for, given all the knowledge that pertains to 

 the subject and all possible skill with the implement, it is not 

 possible to dig in among plants of this nature Avithout injuring 

 more or less of them, and this again emphasizes the need of a 

 good preparation beforehand. If it is desired, after the lapse of 

 years, to fertilize to keep up the necessary vitality, it can always 

 be done in the way of top-dressings in autumn, after the advent 

 of cold sufficient to make all dormant for the winter. These top- 

 dressings should consist of well-decayed material that will be 

 easily assimilated by the plants in the spring, and the luxuriance 

 of the returning foliage will cover the whole so that there will 

 be no objectionable appearance in the beds. 



It is not my intention to give a list of plants that are suited 

 to this kind of gardening : these can be had from any good cata- 

 logue, and their habit and time of bloom also ; but it has seemed 



