2 32 THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



delightfully cool and attractive retreat. In the foreground may be permanently planted 

 such hardy ornamental plants as yuccas, gunnera, acanthus, bambusas, melianthuses, 

 and grasses in variety. The hardier palms, notably chameerops and coryphas, will 

 also stand uninjured through a gale. If kept well supplied with water, the plunged 

 plants will, in some instances, be improved by their temporary change of quarters, but 

 they must be housed before rough, cold weather sets in. 



Nothing ought to be in a dry state at the roots when transplanted or bedded out, 

 and if the ground is found to be dry, hard, and lumpy when the time has arrived for 

 tilling the beds, give it a good soaking of water a few hours prior to planting — this 

 greatly facilitating operations, the work being also better done. After planting avoid 

 overwatering. Nightly watering chills the ground in spring by the consequent evapora- 

 tion under bright morning sun and tender roots are injured. The difficulty of keeping 

 the plants fresh if the weather is hot and dry during the first few weeks after 

 planting can, to a certain extent, be obviated by affording temporary shade to those 

 requiring it by means of a few branches of trees fixed over them during the hottest 

 part of the day. When water is applied let it be in sufficient quantities to thoroughly 

 moisten the ground. Surface hoeings will tend to conserve this, and rapid loss of 

 moisture will also be prevented by a timely mulch of either leaf soil, fine peat, decayed 

 manure in a finely divided state, or cocoanut fibre refuse. Moisture-loving plants, 

 including begonias, verbenas, violas, and calceolarias, ought to be planted early in well- 

 enriched, deeply-worked soil, and if the surface of the ground is mulched, they will thrive 

 and flower freely in the hottest of seasons. The least crowded beds give the greatest 

 satisfaction after the first few weeks. When water is needed during hot weather in 

 summer it is best given copiously in the evening. 



VASES, SILL, AND BALCONY DECOEATION. 



Vases can be disposed in positions that could not be otherwise brightened by 

 flowers, and in any case they relieve the monotony and give variety to the garden. 

 Works of art or statuary are not now under consideration — their uses having already 

 been treated upon — but plain, serviceable terra-cotta (duly made to appear like stone), 

 and stone vases. Anything of a fantastic nature ought to be avoided, and too many vases 

 are equally objectionable ; but whether they are few or many, the same rules as to 

 filling holds good. A few small plants are lost in an average-sized vase, and appear 

 ridiculous in a large one (see Fig. 114). Not only ought the plants used to be 



