Round the Year in the Garden 



Canna and others. In the absence of frames the plants 

 may be put against a warm wall, and in case of frost pro- 

 tection can easily be given by means of mats supported by 

 sticks. 



Thinning Herbaceous Perennials. Herbaceous per- 

 ennials are now growing vigorously, and to obtain the 

 best results it is necessary to reduce the number of shoots 

 on each clump ; this applies particularly to such as Del- 

 phinium, Helenium, Erigeron, Aconitum, Phlox and other 

 strong-growing kinds. The plants ought also to be staked 

 in good time, for if the stems are allowed to fall about, 

 they become misshapen and remain so throughout the 

 summer. The simplest plan of staking is to arrange 

 a few stakes around the outside of each clump, and 

 to support the stems with bands of string, each band 

 being 8 inches or so above the other. Stakes should be 

 chosen of such a height that when the plants are in bloom 

 they will be practically hidden. 



Quick-acting Fertilisers may now be applied to 

 border plants and Roses with advantage ; the patent 

 preparations sold by nurserymen are most convenient 

 generally for amateurs. Those who wish to make their 

 own can do so by mixing phosphate of potash with 

 nitrate of soda, in equal parts. One ounce dissolved 

 in 2 gallons of water gives a solution of the correct 

 strength ; this may be applied once a week during May 

 and June ; alternatively, it may be scattered on the soil 

 at the rate of 1 ounce to the square yard and hoed in. 

 The best time to apply these fertilisers is after rain, or 

 after watering has been done ; it is a mistake to use them 

 when the soil is dry. The surface soil is apt to become 

 hard if sunshine follows after the garden has been watered, 

 but this may be obviated if the hoe is applied freely 

 the day following watering. 



Insect Pests increase rapidly in the Rose garden 

 and necessitate repressive measures. One of the most 

 annoying is the leaf-rolling sawfly, because insecticides 



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