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MANURING AND REPLANTING HARDY FLOWERS. 247 



as they have an opportunity of becoming established before protracted frost sets in. 

 The end of February is a good time also should the season be mild, as difficulty is often 

 experienced with plants placed in the borders during the trying east winds prevailing in 

 March. So much depends on the nature of the climate of each district, that no hard- 

 and-fast rule can be laid down. Planting should be carefully done, the hole being made 

 large enough to permit of the roots being properly spread out, and after the soil has 

 been replaced about the plant it should be made firm by treading or pressing. 



"When properly prepared and planted, the borders or beds may not require much 

 attention for several years. Top-dressings of soil and manure may be added when 

 necessary, or a little artificial manure applied to the plants and borders according to the 

 directions on the packages of those sold in this form. These artificial manures should 

 not be too frequently used, as on some soils they are very exhaustive, and would soon 

 impoverish the border. When this becomes the case lifting and replanting will be 

 found needful, a thorough supply of manure being given, as in the case of the first 

 preparation of the soil. Where it is not desired to lift the whole of the plants, any 

 showing signs of weakness may be raised, the soil about them dug, a little fresh mould 

 with manure added, and the plant again restored to its place. The fine hardy flower 

 borders in the gardens of W. H. Myers, Esq., M.P., Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham, 

 are entirely cleared, trenched, enriched, and replanted by the gardener, Mr. E. Molyneux, 

 every three or four years. Early (not late) autumn, or when signs of growth are 

 apparent in the spring, are favourable for such renovation. 



Some plants which increase by means of underground runners or suckers, require 

 attention to keep them from encroaching upon others, and it is well at times to raise 

 fresh plants from these young growths to occupy the place of the old ones, which are apt 

 to become weakened by age. Others which increase in the ordinary way, but more 

 quickly than the majority, may be divided or diminished in size, but care should be 

 taken that the part retained have, at least, a proportion of the young exterior growths, 

 and should not consist only of those which are enfeebled or worn out. 



Frequent attention in the way of weeding and clearing away withered foliage and 

 flower stems is a great part of the work required to keep the border in order. The 

 foliage of the bulbs should remain until it is yellow before it is cleared away. Staking 

 and tying plants are necessary evils which cannot be avoided, although many flowers 

 look much better when left to grow in a natural way. Unfortunately they become 

 tangled if left to their own will, and strong winds blow down and break some and thus 



