330 



Gardening for Amateurs 



and glaucophylla (blush pink) are three of 

 the best. The latter has very handsome 

 foliage. All the varieties named may be 

 propagated by cuttings inserted in sandy 

 soil in spring. Suitable soil consists of 

 equal parts peat and leaf -mould and 2 parts 

 fibrous loam, adding plenty of coarse sand. 

 The bulbs of the tuberous varieties should 

 be placed in boxes of light soil in a heated 

 greenhouse during February or March to start 



Campanula isophylla has blue flowers, and 

 the variety Mayii produces larger blooms 

 of mauve-blue colouring. The flowering 

 season of these Bellflowers is from July to 

 September. C. fragilis is another trailing sort 

 with light-blue flowers. The Campanulas 

 delight in rich, sandy soil made up of fibrous 

 loam, leaf-mould, coarse sand, and a little 

 old, decayed manure. Increase is by divi- 

 sion of the roots after flowering, or cuttings 



A charming Bellflower for baskets (Campanula isophylla alba). 



them into growth, and put in the baskets 

 when the new shoots are 3 or 4 inches 

 long. 



Campanula. Two of the Bellflowers, 

 Campanula isophylla and its white variety, 

 alba, are the most popular plants grown 

 in hanging baskets in cottage windows. It 

 is no uncommon sight in country districts 

 to meet with specimens that are perfect 

 masses of flowers ; they have been grown 

 entirely in a window, and would hold their 

 own with those produced by the professional 

 gardener with the aid of a greenhouse. 



taken at that season form roots freely in a 

 closed frame. 



Gereus flagelliformis. The Rat-tail 

 Cactus is most suitable for the window 

 or greenhouse. The tail-like growths hang 

 over the sides of the basket, and the rosy- 

 red flowers are usually produced freely. In- 

 crease is by cuttings which will root at 

 almost any season. Use light, sandy soil, 

 and mix with it plenty of mortar rubble 

 and soft, broken bricks. Give little water 

 in winter. 



Chlorophytum elatum. This is a popu- 



