10 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



their flower-buds already formed. The latter shrubs 

 fulfil the double office of flowering plants and evergreens. 

 "When their leaves are begrimed with dirt that is plas- 

 tered on them by the wind and rain, it is not altogether 

 a loss of time to spend a few hours in washing them with 

 a sponge and tepid soap and water. Many rhododendrons 

 have the habit of flowering abundantly only every alter- 

 nate season. Therefore the novice will not be dis- 

 couraged at seeing but little bloom the second year, 

 provided they have been planted in a bed of heath-mould. 

 Birthworth, the Blue Passion-flower, Virginian Creeper, 

 the "White and Yellow Jessamines, several species of 

 clematis, and ivy, are perennial creepers that bear the 

 town air well, as does the Everlasting Pea ; annuals are 

 the Scarlet Runner and its variety the Painted Lady, 

 and the common Nasturtium, of sterling value. The 

 Tuberous or Potato Nasturtium, deserves to be more 

 generally known as a tough-constituted town dimber. 

 Hops (when not smitten with the plague of aphides) 

 make elegant festoons for the balcony or verandah. 

 Sweet Williams, raised from seed, in spring, in the 

 country, and brought to town in March, will mostly 

 make a gay bed for one season at least. The same 

 of Canterbury bells, several Campanulas, Lychnises, 

 Phloxes, and Paeonies. Sunflowers, white and yellow 

 mallows, ten-week stocks, the Virginian stock, the 

 Clarkias, the Antirrhinums, tall double Poppies, the 

 double Marigold, the (Enotheras, or Evening Primroses, 

 the Candytufts, Sweet Peas, and several Lupines^ are 

 acceptable annuals. Where there is room, the Lime is a 

 good town tree, leafing early in spring, and perfuming 

 the air with its blossoms in August, besides attracting 

 the hum of bees ; it also bears lopping, clipping, and 

 training well. The Elder remains of moderate size, and 

 its bunches of flowers are admirable. The various species 

 of crabs, pears, and apples even thrive the better for the 

 overdose of carbon which the atmosphere of towns con- 

 tains. Dwarf Apple and Pyramidal Pear Trees, such as 

 may be bought in Prance for tenpence each, might be 



