7 I2 



Gardening for Amateurs 



from the beds, and by either method suit- 

 able specimens are obtained to plant out in 

 the autumn. 



Aubrietia. In order to raise a good 

 stock of Aubrietias grow a few plants for 

 the purpose. They resent removal between 

 the middle of April and the middle of October, 

 and the best time to effect an increased stock 

 is during March, when portions possessing 

 roots can be taken from the plants and 

 planted on the reserve border where they 

 will make tufts 6 inches in diameter to plant 

 in the beds at the end of October. Plants 

 grown in the beds should be lifted carefully 

 and planted at once in a shady position ; they 

 usually turn brown for a time, but will recover 

 with care. Cuttings can also be taken and 

 treated like those of Arabis. 



Daisy. Daisies are easily raised from 

 seed sown in spring, and are also increased by 

 division when the old plants have done 

 flowering. The large-flowered varieties, ought 

 always to be grown. 



Doronicum. Plants of Doronicum are 

 most easily propagated by division in 

 autumn, and they increase in size very 

 quickly. 



Erysimum. Raise from seed sown in the 

 open at the end of May or early in June. 

 The seedlings should be pricked out when 

 large enough, allowing 6 inches apart each 

 way ; they will make sturdy plants to place 

 in the beds by October. 



Forget-me-not. Plants are easily raised 

 from seed sown about the end of May. 

 Prick out the seedlings on good ground, and 

 grow them there until they are required for 

 the beds. Seedlings frequently appear 

 around the old plants, and these can also 

 be made use of. 



Honesty. This should be sown in May 

 in an open position. Do not allow the 

 seedlings to become drawn, but prick them 

 out when large enough to handle, allowing 

 a distance of 8 inches from plant to plant. 



Phlox. Take cuttings as soon as the 

 plants have done flowering ; they root 

 readily on a partially shaded border in light 

 sandy soil, and nice-sized plants are obtained 

 by the following year. 



Polyanthus. Plants of Polyanthus can 

 be divided immediately they have done 

 flowering, and should be planted on a north 



border until required for the beds in autumn, 

 Seeds are sown in early spring, preferably in 

 a cold frame, then the young plants are 

 ready to plant out on a shady border in May. 



Saxifrage. The mossy Saxifragas may 

 be divided in early autumn, when it is 

 necessary to increase the stock. They 

 spread quickly and soon form dense masses 

 of evergreen foliage. 



Tulip. These should be taken up imme- 

 diately they have done flowering and planted 

 on the reserve border. When they have 

 finished growth and the tops have died down 

 take them up and dry them off. To obtain 

 good results it is preferable to grow two sets ; 

 those that flowered in the beds one year are 

 grown in the reserve ground the next, and 

 in this way good bulbs can be had that are 

 sure to give satisfactory results. If the same 

 bulbs are used every year the effect will 

 be rather patchy, but by treating them as 

 recommended strong bulbs can be selected 

 for the purpose. 



Viola. The best plan is to take cuttings 

 in September, and root them in sandy soil 

 in a cold frame. Give plenty of air in mild 

 weather, and avoid keeping them too wet 

 in winter. By this means good plants are 

 obtained to plant out in March. 



Wallflower. The best time to sow 

 seed is at the end of May or early in June, 

 according to the district. Sow in the open 

 garden, and transplant the seedlings when 

 large enough to handle, allowing quite 

 6 inches apart each way. By this means; 

 good plants are obtained by October. 



Other plants that are used chiefly as 

 permanent specimens will not require fre- 

 quent removal, and may be divided from 

 time to time as considered necessary. As a 

 general rule October is found a good time to 

 do this in the case of spring-flowering sub- 

 jects. Bulbs like Narcissi and Crocuses are 

 taken up when the clumps become over- 

 crowded, and this should be done as soon as 

 the foliage has died down. These bulbs, 

 however, often continue to flourish in the 

 same position without being disturbed for a 

 number of years, especially in rich loamy 

 soil. Hyacinths are not so satisfactory, as 

 they frequently deteriorate. On this account 

 the same bulbs can only be used once for 

 spring bedding purposes. 



