146 YARD AND GARDEN 



diuarily well prepared for it must be borne in 

 mind that the plants are not annuals and 

 that they are to remain undisturbed where 

 they are set for three or four seasons. The 

 most of them, moreover, are gross feeders and 

 require more plant food than the annuals. All 

 the beds should be worked to a depth of two 

 feet, though in some instances eighteen inches 

 is sufficient. It is safer, however, to cultivate 

 the soil to the greater depth — in by far the 

 majority of instances this is required. In a 

 word, every effort should be made by the gar- 

 dener to provide ample depth for the growth 

 of the roots, as it is only from vigorous root 

 growth that the perennials can reach a state of 

 perfection. The depth also is necessary to in- 

 sure the plant against drought. 



Underground drainage should be carefully 

 looked to, especially in the borders where it is 

 not intended to give the plants much attention 

 until they have attained sufficient growth to 

 demand lifting and dividing. Also it must be 

 remembered that unless the drainage is good, 

 plants will be in danger in winter when the 

 frost penetrates to a sufficient depth to reach 

 any water which may I'emain about their roots. 

 In spading up the bed the sub-soil should be 



