USEFUL HINTS 625 



write out clearly on paper what is required, and order in good time, that is, several weeks 

 before sowing, as it is so useful to have the seeds at hand when wanted. Do not order 

 more than sufficient, as too liberal a quantity tends to encourage thick sowing. Potatoes 

 may not be sent out in hard weather, but seeds may be got in at anytime. Be careful to 

 keep them dry. 



Shelters. A very useful hint was given by the late Mr. G. F. Wilson of Wey bridge 

 in the Garden, when he wrote that: " Part of the garden at Oakwood, Wisley, before 

 some Poplars grew up, was much exposed to high winds, and for some plants we wanted 

 shade, so the question of shelter Irom wind and sun had to be considered." After 

 describing some methods which were scarcely satisfactory, Mr. Wilson says: "We 

 at last arrived at a shelter which, we think, practically answers every purpose, and 

 is easily portable. We have a great many of these sort in use and have thoroughly 

 proved them. The iron hurdle is five barred ; it stands 3 feet 6 inches out of the 

 ground, and is 6 feet wide; 3-feet common laths are tied by tarred string to the 

 nurdles. two sets, one above the other, overlapping about 9 inches. This gives stability 

 ana a height of shelter of 5 feet 3 inches, which is enough for most purposes. One cross 

 piece is put above the hurdle to stiffen the laths. The laths do not touch each other, so 

 air passes through them. The whole shelter, iron, laths, and twine is well painted over 

 with varnish." 



Sowing Seeds in Concrete Walls. A rough concrete wall is naturally not the best 

 place for sowing seeds in. As much loamy soil as possible must be got into the crevices, 

 and it would be well to mix the seed and soil and work them into together. Autumn is a 

 good time for this work, so that the young plants would be getting a good hold in making 

 that slow but strong winter growth that seems so good a preparation for vigour in the 

 coming year. The following would be advisable : 



Alyssum saxatile 



,, serpyllifolium 

 Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), asarina 



and majus, vars. 

 Arabis alpina 

 Armeria vulgaris (Thrift) 

 Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian) 

 Dianthus cagsius (Rock Pink) 



,, deltoides 

 Draba aizoides 

 Iberis sempervirens 

 ,, corresefolia 



Iberis gibraltarica 

 Sedum Aizoon 



,, anglicum 



, , glaucum 

 Tunica Saxifraga 

 Aubrietia graeca 

 Campanula rotundifolia 

 Cerastium tomentosum 

 Corydalis aurea 

 Saponaria calabrica 

 Wallflower 



Spraying. There is considerable difference between syringing and spraying plants. 

 Syringing cleanses and refreshes the foliage, and the instrument used is a large force 

 squirt. This drives the water either in one stream from a nozzle, or breaks it up into many 

 tiny streams through a broad perforated nozzle called a rose ; the smaller and more nume- 

 rous these holes the finer the tiny streams. When it is desired to refresh foliage, the 

 latter nozzle should be used to allow the water to fall on the plants like gentle rain. When 

 plants are dirty and need washing, then the other nozzle must be used, and the water 

 driven on to them with great force. Spraying means the casting of moisture on to plants 

 like dew, and is advised when, because of mildew or insect attacks, it is needful to suffuse 

 the leaves with some liquid remedy of a chemical nature. A proper spraying syringe, 

 such as the Abol, with its curved nozzle, sends the liquid over the plants practically like 

 vapour, and it does not run off them. 



Tying Up. It is impossible to garden long without realising that much tying up is 

 needful. Thus, Cos Lettuces may be all the better if loosely tied round to help them to form 

 hearts ; broad-leaved Endives tied up to cause them to blanch ; Celery just before it is 

 earthed, loosely tied up to enable the earthing to be neatly done ; Carnations ; all tall 

 growing flowers ; Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, and many similar things, with climbers, to 

 sticks or tree stems, or trellises, &c., and especially of plants of various descriptions in 

 pots in the greenhouse. Neat sticks or stakes or bamboo rods are admirable for these, 

 but the best tying material is soft, tough raffia grass, which in a dry prepared state may 

 be purchased cheaply from seedsmen. This should not be used wastefully, but with 

 care, and when tied leave the ends short and neat. In many cases worsted or wool or 

 twine may be used, and sometimes coarse, soft tar cord. But for all soft wooded plants 

 the raffia is much the best. 



Winter Protection for Outdoor Flowers. It is well worthwhile to provide suitable 

 shelters for the few outdoor flowers that we have in midwinter. Of these one of the most 

 important is the Yellow Jasmine, so usually grown against walls, palings, or sheds. 

 Either the rot-proof Willesden canvas or a stout quality of the same scrim are excellent 

 materials for protective coverings. It is easy to have a sheet of this for each section of 



2 R 



