THE DAT-LILY. 115 



need we stop here, for there is a pink-flowered species 

 called H. Japonica, less robust in growth than the others, 

 but well adapted for a place on a rockery, where its form 

 will contrast well with the tufted plants. And yet one 

 more, which brings us back to the subject of the plate. The 

 common yellow day-lily may be obtained in a variegated 

 form, the variety being catalogued as "striatis." It is 

 not equal to the variegated kwanso, but it is a fine plant,, 

 and worthy of pot-culture to decorate the conservatory 

 while its elegant striped leaves have the freshness of new 

 -growth upon them. 



Shady borders give much trouble, and whatever may 

 be grown in them with some degree of certainty must be 

 made much of. The day-lily is one of the very best of 

 plants for such places, provided it can obtain a fair share 

 of the rainfall of the winter. Deciduous trees permit the 

 herbs at their feet to live by affording access to them of 

 the rain that falls between November and April ; but ever- 

 greens are less merciful and kill everything beneath their 

 shade. The veratrums are noble associates with day-lilies 

 in shady borders, and two very humble but elegant weeds, 

 the Enchanter's nightshade and the dwarf elder, may be 

 allowed to run amongst them. 



The starved appearance of shady borders is often the 

 consequence of starving treatment. In a general planting 

 or renovating, a really radical system should be adopted. 

 All ill-looking shrubs that are in a dying state should be 

 rooted out and cast on the rubbish-heap. The ground 

 should be well dug and liberally manured, care being taken 

 to spare the large roots of the trees from injury. If a few 

 " wigs " of the smaller roots are cut out it will not much 

 matter. The ground being thus prepared, strong well- 



