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Gardening for Amateurs 



Button's distinct new Sunflower, yellow and chestnut red 



represented by Dwarf Duchess of Albany, 

 white ; Lady Albemarle, dwarf, crimson ; 

 Afterglow, scarlet-crimson ; and Dwarf Pink ; 

 Taller in growth are Double Rose ; Double 



nothing prettier than a bed 

 of Spanish or English Iris 

 mixed with Gypsophila 

 elegans. Sow the seeds during 

 March, April and May outside, 

 preferably where the plants 

 are to flower. There are rose- 

 and white-flowered sorts, and 

 a large-flowered white variety 

 named grandiflora ; the height 

 of the plants is 1 foot to 

 15 inches. G. muralis, a 

 dwarf kind, 6 to 9 inches 

 high, has rose-coloured flowers, 

 and is suitable for the rock 

 garden and edgings. 



Grasses. As a contrast 

 or foil to brilliantly coloured 

 flowers a few groups of orna- 

 mental grasses are worth grow- 

 ing. They are also of much 

 value for arranging with cut 

 flowers for table decoration, 

 and cutting, either fresh or 

 dried, for use in winter. For 

 the last-named purpose it is 

 worth while setting apart a 

 small plot for their cultiva- 

 tion. Seeds may be sown 

 where the plants are to 

 flower, or on a spare border, 

 and when large enough trans- 

 ferred, several plants together 

 in small tufts, with a trowel. 

 The end of March and early 

 April is the best time to sow 

 the seeds. The spikes must 

 be cut and dried when in 

 flower, not left until the seeds mature, 

 otherwise much of their beauty is lost. 

 A selection of the best annual grasses 

 should include the Cloud or Spear Grass 



Crimson ; Tall Duchess of Albany, white ; and (Agrostis nebulosa and A. pulchella), the 

 The Bride, white with crimson base. Godetias Quaking Grass (Briza maxima and B. gracilis), 



transplant readily ; in March they may be 

 sown under glass, or in April on the reserve 

 border or where the plants are to flower. 



Gypsophila elegans (Chalk Plant). 

 This is perhaps best known because of its 

 value for cutting to arrange with Sweet Peas 



the Love Grass (Eragrostis elegans), the 

 Squirrel-tail Grass (Hordeum jubatum), 

 the Hare's-tail or Turk's-head Grass (Lagurus 

 ovatus), Lamarckia aurea, and the Bristly 

 Foxtail Grass (Setaria macrochaeta). 



Helianthus (Annual Sunflower). The 



and other flowers ; the elegant slender plants, giant Sunflower, with its immense head of 

 however, are also valuable as a groundwork rich yellow florets and black centre, is one 

 for highly coloured flowers. There can be of the most distinct and remarkable hardy 



