14 AN ISLAND GARDEN 



Over the Foxgloves, Iceland Poppies, Wallflowers t 

 Mullein Pinks, Picotees, and other perennials, I 

 scatter the fine barn manure lightly, over the 

 Hollyhocks more heavily, and about the Rose- 

 bushes I heap it up high, quite two thirds of their 

 whole height, you cannot give them too much, 

 only be careful that enough of their length, that 

 is to say, one third of the highest sprays, are left 

 out in the air, that they may breathe. In the 

 spring this manure must all be carefully dug into 

 the ground round their roots. About Honey- 

 suckles, Clematis, Grapevine, and so forth, I pile it 

 plentifully, mixed with wood ashes, which is espe- 

 cially good for Grapevine and Rosebushes. But 

 the white Lilies, and indeed Lilies generally, do 

 not like to come in contact with the barn manure, 

 so they are protected by leaves and boughs, and 

 the earth near them enriched in the spring, care- 

 fully avoiding the contact which they dislike. 

 When putting the garden in order in the autumn, 

 all the dry Sweet Pea vines, and dead stalks of all 

 kinds, which are pulled up to clear the ground, I 

 heap for shelter over the perennials, being careful 

 to lay small bayberry branches over first, so that 

 I may in no way interfere with a free circulation 

 of air about them. In open spaces where no 

 perennials are growing I scatter the manure 

 thickly, that the ground may be slowly and surely 

 enriched all through the winter and be ready to 

 furnish bountiful nourishment for every green 

 rowing thing through the summer. When the 

 ittle plot is spaded in April, all this is dug in and 

 mixed thoroughly with the soil. 



