70 GARDENING DIFFICULTIES SOLVED 



the above may be grown except Cotoneaster angustifolia, whilst in 

 addition Pernettya mucronata and Arbutus Unedo for a large grow- 

 ing shrub may be included. 



Making a Window Box 



Q. I am anxious to make a few window boxes. Can you tell me 

 how to proceed 1 Ellen, S. Wales. 



A. Window boxes may be made in a variety of designs and with 

 many different materials. Small branches of unpeeled Larch are 

 very useful and effective for covering the fronts of boxes. They can 

 be arranged in diamond or star patterns, or simply nailed on vertically, 

 with the ends rounded. Virgin cork can be used in the same way, 

 sawing it carefully when working out designs with it, and breaking 

 it up roughly when making a box with a simple rustic covering. 

 More elaborate and fanciful boxes are made by using hearth or 

 paving tiles, and enclosing them within a border of wooden mould- 

 ing or wrought iron-work. Be sure to make holes for drainage in 

 the bottom of the box, and put a strip of wood at each end of the 

 box to keep the latter from contact with the window sill. 



Should Gladiolus Bulbs be Lifted? 



Q. Is it wise or necessary to lift Gladiolus bulbs every autumn 

 and store them during winter ? W. M. t Stafford. 



A. Only a few Gladioli, principally natives of Europe and Asia 

 Minor, are quite hardy in the greater portion of the British Isles. 

 The others are best treated as half hardy subjects, that is, the bulbs 

 should be lifted in the autumn when the leaves become yellow 

 throughout. Store them in a cool place where the frost cannot 

 reach them until late March or early April, when they should be 

 planted out. 



Carnations and Dahlias for Exhibition 



Q. I should be glad of a selection of first class varieties of Carn- 

 ations and Dahlias that have figured prominently at recent shows. 

 Carnation, Lanes. 



A. The following Carnations and Picotees are selected from the 

 best stands shown at recent exhibitions : Carnations Sir Galahad 

 and Mrs. Eric Hambro, white ; Seagull, blush ; Daffodil, yellow ; 

 Carmania, pink ; Bonnie Dundee, scarlet ; W. H. Parton, deep 

 crimson ; Cantor, purple. Picotees Miss Evelyn Cartwright, light 

 red edge ; Lady Douglas Galton and Togo, yellow ground ; Amy 



