I lo BOOK OF OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS 



dwarf Campanulas, Aubrietias, Arenarias, Silene acaulis, 

 S. alpestre, Linaria alpina, Veronica saxatilis and the 

 like. Let the taller growing plants be mostly towards 

 the back of the border, and the smaller plants mostly 

 near the front, but avoid primness by allowing an occa- 

 sional clump of tall plants (especially those, such as 

 Gladioli and Lilies, which need special care) to break 

 the front margin, and by letting the dwarfer carpeting 

 plants spread towards the back of the border. 



8. Keep in a shed or in a corner of the garden a compost 

 heap composed of two parts sand, one part fibrous loam 

 (such as the top spit of meadow land), one part of two- 

 year-old leaf mould, and one part of two-year-old stable 

 manure. Whenever one is transplanting a herbaceous 

 or other plant, it will be found very helpful to cover the 

 roots with a few inches of this soil. Mixed with an 

 equal quantity of sand it will also be useful to place 

 round bulbs when planting them. 



9. When planting, always dig a hole sufficiently large 

 and deep to contain the roots well spread out. Place 

 the plant in position, cover the roots with a few inches 

 of the compost just named, and give a bucketful of water 

 to settle the earth. Then fill up the hole with ordinary 

 soil, firmly pressing with the foot if necessary, though 

 the liberally watering often does away with the need. 

 In any case the surface should be ruffled up into a state 

 of looseness in order to check evaporation. 



10. Keep a special garden notebook in which to note 

 things which want correcting or developing. If not 

 noted when recognised, they are hkely to be forgotten 

 when the season for making the change comes round. 

 Also note any good plants or good effects which you 

 may see in the gardens of others. 



11. Buy your seeds of the best seedsmen, regardless 

 of price. Buy your plants from the best nurseries, even 

 though they may be listed a Uttle cheaper elsewhere. 



