62 GAEDEN ORNAMENTS 



manure can be used for a foundation with a heavy 

 soil covering. Great care should be taken to make 

 proper planting, for delicate growth near hardy 

 is disastrous, the stronger plants absorbing the 

 strength of the weaker ones and doing permanent 

 harm. Do not flatter yourself that once planted 

 nature will do the rest. This part of the ground 

 demands continual care, for weeds — ^plants' ene- 

 mies — ^will intrude and must be carefuUy removed 

 lest they feed upon the soil, taking away the rich- 

 ness and starving the plants. Water is a necessity, 

 for plants like human beings grow thirsty all the 

 more when exposed to the dry heat of the summer 

 season. For best effects a sprinkler should be 

 used and it should be borne in mind that the plants 

 should be thoroughly soaked and not given merely 

 a surface treatment. The importance of this can- 

 not be over-estimated, or through lack of proper 

 drink the plants will be in no condition to put out 

 their full strength during their season of blossom- 

 ing. Better results will be obtained if each faU 

 before the winter sets in, they should be given a 

 heavy top dressing of grit. There is nothing that 

 plants enjoy as much as this and it provides them 

 with strength during the next year's growth. 



