nitOAT) IlKf.L-yi.OlFER. 127 



scattered them in uortliei'Q eliiuesj she has provided tliem 

 with shelter, in the shape of hills and woods and waters — 

 these three being the principal agents in the modiiication 

 of climates. Put these plants on an open plain, exposed 

 to " a' the airts," and they will Ije blown away, no man 

 knoweth whither; put them in a sheltered nook, and they 

 will remain to give gladness to all who behold them in 

 their flowery prime. 



On the cold clay land it has been our privilege to delve 

 and decorate, the two plants we have for present purposes 

 linked toijether have oiven us some tritlino' trouble. The 

 jjretty AsliUjc Japoiiica, which is perfectly hardy south of 

 London, may come into the same category. Indeed, we 

 might make a long catalogue of first-class hardy plants 

 that are unequal to the trials of spring weather in the 

 neighbiiurhood of London, and that pass into the categdry 

 of tender plants north of the Trent. There is a way out of 

 every difKeul-ty. Tn respect of these plants, pot-culture 

 makes all the difference, for the plants so managed have 

 frame and greenhouse shelter so long as the fitful frosts 

 and wayward winds of spring might make havoc of their 

 tender growth ; and they are as worthy of pot-culture as 

 any jilants known to us. 



The broad bell-flower is propagated by seeds and by 

 cuttings of the roots. The seeds ripen well on pot-plants, 

 but on ])lants in the open border often do not ripen, by reason 

 of their later flowering. When seeds are obtainable — and 

 we have never failed to obtain plenty from pot-plants — it is 

 easy enough to raise a stock of seedlings ; and it is well to 

 nurse them in a frame until they are (juite strong before 

 planting them out. When division of the roots is resorted 

 to, a little extra skill is recrnired, as the roots are brittle; 



