Gardening for Amateurs 



163 



A charming display of Lupins. 



years undisturbed indicates that thorough 

 preparation of the soil before planting is 

 most important. Trench 2 feet deep, and 

 incorporate plenty ot manure and leaf -mould, 

 particularly if the soil is poor. When ex- 

 ceptionally poor ground has to be dealt 

 with some of the worst soil should be re- 

 moved, and a quantity of chopped turf 

 introduced. It may seem rather costly at 

 the time, but the trouble will be more than 

 repaid in years- to come by a wealth of 

 blossom during May, June, and July. The 

 herbaceous Paeonies may be planted in the 



full sun or shade, but avoid positions where 

 the soil is dry and poor, under or near big 

 trees, for instance. Even in such a case 

 watering, mulching, and feeding with liquid 

 manure could be tried, but the tree roots 

 would take most of the nourishment. . A 

 good average distance apart to plant Paeony 

 roots is 2 feet. In prominent positions, 

 when a number of plants are growing 

 together in a bed, it is advisable to plant an 

 autumn-flowering plant between the Paeonies. 

 Suitable sorts are Liliums tigrinum and 

 speciosum. Gladiolus and Hyacinthus. 



The Tree Lupin. 



