4 6 



Gardening for Amateurs 



HARDY ORNAMENTAL GRASSES (continued) 



Ivy Under Trees. One of the chief 

 merits of the Ivy is that it will live and thrive 

 where no other plant will grow. Under the 

 dense shade of the Horse-Chestnut, where no 

 gleam of summer sunshine penetrates, it 

 steadily makes its way until every inch of 

 bare earth is covered ; and then, nothing 

 daunted, it mounts the bole of the tree. 

 Wherever there is a bare, ugly space in 

 which no flowers will live, put in a few 

 plants of Ivy, and you will at least 

 have something green and refreshing to 

 look at. 



The Value of Sand. Sand keeps the 

 soil round cuttings compact, yet porous 

 enough for drainage ; it prevents contact 

 of cuttings and tender roots with fermenting 

 material or strong manures in the soil, and 

 it makes a heavy loam much lighter and 

 more friable. Silver or fine grey sand is 

 best for potting cuttings or bulbs ; coarser 

 or mason's sand may be used where the chief 

 aim is to keep the soil porous. Clean road 

 grit may be regarded as a coarse and sharp 

 quality of sand. Red sand contains too 

 much iron for use in potting. 



