July High Summer 



blossom. Many of the modern Roses are practically per- 

 petual flowering, if care is taken to encourage the growth 

 of fresh shoots. Numerous stems arise from the base of 

 climbing Roses at this season, and it is often necessary to 

 remove some of the weakest ; the majority should be tied 

 to the supports, for they will hi due course supplant 

 those now in bloom. 



Saving Seeds. The practice of saving seeds from 

 home-grown plants is particularly interesting, and it has 

 an advantage. The seeds are fresh, and are almost certain 

 to germinate. Practically all seeds deteriorate by being 

 kept, though some to such a slight extent that a storage 

 of a few months makes very little if any difference to 

 their germinating power. In raising certain hardy plants, 

 such, for example, as Anemone, Primula, Saxifrage, 

 Gentian and others," it is important to sow the seeds 

 as soon as they are ripe ; otherwise germination may 

 prove to be a long process. It is not uncommon for seeds 

 of such flowers to lie dormant for a year or more after 

 being sown. If the seeds are gathered now, dried, and 

 sown at once, they are likely to sprout far more quickly. 

 The flowers of many early rock plants are now over, and 

 careful search will reveal the presence of numerous seed 

 pods. When they commence to burst it may be known 

 that the seed is ready to gather. After a few days on a 

 sunny shelf in the greenhouse it should be sown in pots 

 or pans of sandy soil in a cool and shady frame. Such 

 plants as Mossy and Silvery Saxifrage, Viola gracilis, 

 Poppies, Aubrietia, Alyssum, Saponaria, blue and yellow 

 Flax, Pinks, Primulas and many others are well worth 

 raising from home-saved seed ; an excellent lot of plants 

 will be available for permanent planting next spring. It 

 is as well to keep the seedlings in a frame thoughout the 

 winter. 



The Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) is one of the 

 most charming old-world flowers, and no garden ought 

 to be without it. The bulbs are often on sale in autumn, 

 Q 241 



