3io 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Rats, voles, and mice are very destructive in some gardens, the 

 first-named more particularly where waterside planting is adopted. 



Having dealt incidentally, at any rate, with the uses, cultiva- 

 tion, and pests of bulbs and tubers, there now remains the 

 enumeration of those genera, species, and varieties which ought 

 to be represented in our gardens. The task, though a somewhat 

 invidious one, is by no means impossible. Perhaps it will be 

 well to state that plants for forcing will not be dealt with here, as 

 a special chapter is reserved for their consideration later on in 

 the work. For room-decoration and window-boxes many of the 

 plants under notice are amongst the best ; while an additional 

 list will be found in the "Appendix." A separate chapter has, 

 however, been set apart for the treatment of these subjects. 



Agapanthus (African Lily). — A genus of stately liliaceous 

 plants from South Africa, which are sufficiently hardy to with- 

 stand English winters, at any rate in the South and West, with 

 a slight protection of straw or other light material during severe 

 weather. The tubular, bell-shaped flowers are of various 

 shades of blue or white, and are produced in large umbels. 

 A deep, well-drained, light rich soil, enriched with well-decayed 

 manure, suits them best. They may be used for the open 

 border; or in large tubs to be disposed along the terraces 

 and walks, or for planting by the sides of ornamental water, 

 their noble appearance, deep green foliage, and striking flowers 

 giving a most effective appearance. Plenty of water should be 

 given in summer, and this supplemented by liquid manure when 

 the flowers are forming. Increased by division in spring. The 

 best kinds are the time-honoured A. umbellatus, A. u. Mooreanus, 



and A. u. maximus. 

 The tuberous roots 

 may be lifted and 

 stored much after the 

 manner of Dahlias 

 and Cannas. There 

 are both deciduous 

 and evergreen kinds. 



Allium. — Pretty 

 and decorative bulbs 

 belonging to the Onion 

 family, and inheriting 

 the evil smell charac- 

 teristic thereof. They 

 are easily cultivated, 

 and will thrive almost 

 anywhere. For naturalising they are excellent, but they impart 

 bright colour to and furnish flowers in the borders in early 

 summer. They are increased by offsets in autumn, or by seed 



Fig. 185.— Allium Moly. 



