16 EVERY WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



For planting in masses of coloring, Truffanto Asters, Smith's Prize 

 Balsam, Dianthus florepleno, Linum coccineum, Schizantlms atropur- 

 pureus, Calceolaria and Centranthus macrosiphon make a fine show. 

 Plant a small bed of each. 



A bed of miniature flowers is always charming. Lobelia marmorata, 

 Leptosiphon hybridus, Clintonia azurea grandiflora, Fenzleria diantM- 

 flora and GrammantJies gentianoides are all dwarfs, and planted together 

 with a bordering of Gypsophylla muralis, the effect is lovely ! A bed of 

 Mignonette is indispensable, and it will flourish in the shade, and in 

 damp places, blooming luxuriantly. 



Rockeries. 



There are many plants which thrive much better in a sheltered, rocky 

 situation, and thence has sprung up the fashion for constructing " Rock- 

 eries." Or it happens that some large rocks crop out on a portion of 

 ground which is within view of the house, and it is desirable to orna- 

 ment them. In the latter case, you have only to plant strong growing 

 vines with large foliage, such as the Wild Grape Vine ; the Clematis, or 

 Virgin's Bower, that trails its white, starry blossoms, and its puffy, 

 wooly .seed pods all over the forests of this country. These two vines 

 will render the offending rocks most picturesque. Southern ladies can 

 entwine among them the lovely Yellow Jessamine of their woods, which 

 throws a golden hue over all their forests. The Ampelopsis (or Vir- 

 ginia Creeper), or Five Fingered Ivy, and the Aristolochia (or Dutch- 

 man's Pipe), are also desirable for this purpose ; also the Periplo cagrceca, 

 or Silk Vine of the Southern States. 



One, or all of these vines, will soon render the obnoxious rocks a joy 

 forever ! Artificial Rockeries are usually constructed of stones of various 

 sizes, with the soil firmly embedded betwixt them. They can be made 

 very easily from the clinkers of the coal furnace. If large pieces can 

 be obtained, whitewash some of them to increase their picturesqueness. 

 Boulders, stones from brooks, or hill sides, can all be used advanta- 

 geously. 



Commence with the largest-sized stones, and build it up in an irregu- 

 lar, jagged shape to imitate nature. A Rockery can be made as a 

 receptacle of Mineralogical Specimens, which would increase its value. 



If you send to the woods and brooks for the stones, bring the soil 

 thence, and, if not rich enough, add a little compost, but native Ferns 



