AN EFFECTIVE BANK 103 



rooting medium is essential, and a dressing of good leaf mould forked 

 in is very helpful. Occasional applications of weak manure water 

 while in bloom will be advantageous. Fuchsias are quite at home in 

 a shady position, and a well-grown standard Fuchsia, planted in con- 

 junction with dwarfer-growing subjects, is attractive. White Mar- 

 guerites do well planted out of pots in May, and under favourable 

 conditions will Hovver till the frost comes. The same remarks apply 

 to the so-called 



Blue Marguerite or Agathea, although it is a native of the 

 Cape. Other plants that may be grown with a degree of success 

 include Pansies, Violas, Phlox Drummondi, shrubby Calceolarias, 

 Marigolds, and Nasturtiums or Tropaeolums. Thus it will be seen 

 that there is no reason why beds on the north side of the house 

 should be less attractive than others ; at the same time much credit 

 attaches to the amateur who obtains a display under the above- 

 mentioned Conditions. 



Do not sow a carpet until all the plants of the bed have been put 

 in ; then do it as carefully as pos-ible, disturbing only the surface 

 soil. 



Bear in mind that no plant can thrive without ample space ; tall 

 Godetias, for example, need a foot of space each, and Violas 

 should be 9 inches apart. 



Finish one bed thoroughly before starting another ; if the plants 

 are insufficient, you can then take more. It is often necessary in 

 gardening to rob Peter to pay Paul. The robbed bed may then be 

 finished off with a few judicious savings. 



If a plant, such as a Geranium, has one rather bare, shabby side, 

 turn that to the south, and it will quickly improve. A plant that 

 leans to one side should, for similar reasons, be placed leaning to the 

 north, then south warmth will stand it up again. 



An edging made of Pyrethrum aureum will set off many a bed, 

 like a gold frame round a picture. Beds of yellow flowers may be 

 similarly edged by Mossy Saxifrage, variegated Arabis, Sweet 

 Woodruff, Oxalis corniculata, of bronze purple leaf and yellow 

 bloom, Calvary Clover, or Iresine. 



An Effective Sank and Flower Border. The bank shown 

 (p. 104) sloped at a convenient angle, rose to 4 feet high, with a 

 flight of steps intervening about 30 yards long. Upon the terrace 

 ran the border with a gravel path alongside, which was adjacent to 

 the glass houses, and leading to the flower garden. The border was 

 about 4 feet wide, planted as follows: The serpentine curves A A 



