t32 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDENDfa. 



entered by a flight of steps, an excellent oppoi-tunity 

 is afforded for a flower-vase on either one or both, 

 the top and bottom piers, whilst climbers can be 

 trained up the side wall from one pier to the other. 

 Provision should also be made by preparation with 

 gopd soil (and drainage, if necessary, when lower 

 than the surrounding ground) for suitable climbing 

 plants to be trained up the walls of the house, 

 which will always have a good effect when so 

 covered ; still more so if a balcony should be running 

 through any part of the second storey. If the front 

 door be somewhat projecting beyond the usual 

 building line, or bow windows have to be dealt with, 

 very pi-etty effects can be made by entwining 

 climbers around the columns of the former, and by 

 using those of evergi-een character for training up 

 the chief supports of the latter. Ha^'ing regard to 

 any possible injury, which will hardly be avoided 

 when recourse is had to secui-ing the climbing plants 

 with nails and shreds, we would advise either a wire 

 trellis for fixing against the walls, or some permanent 

 studs to be driven in equi-distant from each other, to 

 which the climbers, and other plants that require 

 support, may be tied with ease. This recommenda- 

 tion will hold equally good for any space at disposal 

 on the boundary walls of the property. The use of 

 naUs and shreds may answer very well when done 

 by experienced hands, but far too many of each are 

 invariably used by those who are not practised in 

 their application. By omitting to di-aw out those 

 nails that have become useless, the walls will even- 

 tually be rendered unsightly when deciduous climbers 

 are denuded of their leaves. "Where any quantity of 

 old- naUs are thus found in walls, it is desirable that 

 they should be withdrawri ; this can bc'done far more 

 easily by first giving the nail a rap as if it were 

 intended to drive it fui-ther home. It wiU thus be 

 released from any con-osion that has adhered to it 

 ■ hy long continuance in the wall, and afterwards be 

 drawn out in a far cleaner manner. When recourse 

 IS had to nails and shreds, be careful to allow a good 

 space around the branch (when applying the shi-ed 

 to it) for future growth ; or, in plain words, do not 

 draw 'the shred tightly together and drive the nail 

 close up to the branch. When tjang mediums are 

 used for securing the shoots against wire trellises or 

 stiids, small tar -yam is the best material with 

 which to perform the operaltion. Be careful also 

 in the application of this means of suppoi^;, to 

 allow plenty of room for the future increase in 

 the size of the branches. Good tar- string will 

 last for several seasons; in its use, therefore, it is 

 vei7 essential that the advice we have just given 

 he always borne in mind, or eventually the string 

 WiU cut into the branch as the latter increases in 

 fflze. 



The Back G-arden. — In resuming our remar&s 

 on the arrangement of the garden, after the foregoing 

 necessary adrice for securing the climbing plants, 

 we will pass on to the garden plot situated on the 

 other side, or back, of the house. In very many 

 cases this, too, will be of most limited area— oftei- 

 times only a square plot, when the backs of two 

 rows of houses abut against each other. There will, 

 perhaps, be room enough for a piece to be laid down 

 in grass in the centre ; when this plan is followed, 

 we should not advise any space to be occupied with 

 paths, but utilise all the remainder for shrubs and 

 border flowers. If paths are allowed for, so much 

 of the room will be taken up with these and the 

 lawn plot that but little space will be available for 

 anything else. If of fairly good width, a flower-bed 

 can be allowed for in the centre ; or, in lieu thereof, 

 a few choice shrubs, or a Weeping Ash, which will 

 afford a pleasing shade during the summer after 

 a few years' growth. Limes are often planted in 

 small g'ardens, but they are not to be recommended 

 where the surrounding property is covered with 

 houses, as .their foliage has a peculiar propensity for 

 retaining any deposit of dust or blacks, even after a 

 heavy rain. No doubt this is further accelerated by 

 the insects that frequent them, these leaving behind 

 a glutinous matter to which anything wiU readily 

 adhere. Ti-ees with smooth leaves of a glossy shining 

 surface will keep the cleanest, and the Planes are 

 much better in this respect than the Limes. 



In these gardens, of very limited extent, there 

 will not be room for many shrubs ; the idea, there- 

 fore,' of endeavouring to obtain "seclusion" by the 

 aid of such will not be possible of attainment. In 

 endeavouring to attain to this end, the greater part 

 of the ground would have to be occupied, leaving 

 but littlS room for anything else. Attention should, 

 therefore, be directed to'seouring such subjects as will 

 give the best return in a small way. We would 

 prefer to plant the tallest shrubs at the bottom of the 

 grounds when another garden joins up to it; this 

 will also give the best effect from the house. With 

 a small lawn, and no paths allowed for, there would, 

 however, be in many cases room enough at least for 

 some few shrubs of moderate size on each side and 

 near the division walls. We would not on any 

 account plant up too closely to these walls in the 

 case of any shrubs that may be chosen, but allow 

 sufficient room for climbers throughout the entire 

 length on either side. By planting the Irish Ivies 

 or Virginian Creepers against these walls, and 

 extending them beybnd the top of the wall by the 

 aid of ornamental trellis-work, a fairly good screen 

 will be obtained which will not occupy any valuable 

 space. When such a Screen is not deemed necessary, 

 wo would rather advise the walls to bo covered with 



