586 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



might be in themselves. I am not sure that in the long run there is not some advantage in 

 being unable to grow many things, as the best effects are always attained by simple means. 



Roses are forbidden in a town garden, except the invaluable Rosa rugosa and its 

 varieties, but the new and extra vigorous R. Wichuriana, which is not well known as yet, 

 seems to promise great things. Its corymbs of sweet white little flowers in August and 

 September are most delightful, and its glossy neat foliage an ornament to any garden. 

 Conifers, too, are quite useless, and so is any evergreen that looks sooty and black, 

 like soma varieties of the Holly. 



On the other hand, Carnations and Pink's thrive extremely well, so broad masses 

 of them adorn this walk, and a bed of seedlings in the reserve plot affords a long succession. 

 Yuccas, Tritomas, Lilies, and tall composites form a stately background to the usual semi- 

 hardy bedding plants and annuals, and Sweet Peas, Mignonette, and Sweet Geraniums 

 afford, with Coreopsis and various composites, plenty of bloom for cutting, even though 

 their fragrance may not equal that of those grown in country air. Irises of all sorts, and 

 especially Gladioli, are as happy as possible, and Dahlias are bright and useful till the sun 

 gets hidden behind the tall houses near and causes an early collapse in autumn. 



The walls of a town garden are always a trouble. In this instance they were so 

 dismally sooty and black that the only thing to do was to whitewash them all, and a precious 

 business it was to obtain anything like a clean surface. But no sooner was it done than 

 the way in which the plants responded to the increased light and lessened dry baking heat in 

 the summer was wonderful, and proved it was the right thing. Trifles can make or mar, and 

 I am inclined to think- this trifle made a great deal of the success in this town garden. 



There is one decided advantage in a town garden, and that is the greater freedom 

 from frost, so that many shrubs will live there that would perish in frostier situations. 

 So the walls where the sun lingered longest were planted with Choisyas, Laurustinus, 

 Jasmines, variegated Euonvmus, Escallonias, and many another flowering shrub and climber, 

 including Clematis in variety, and they are all doing well and looking as they should 

 do — ornamental. 



The plague of caterpillars so common in town gardens in the early autumn does not 

 affect any of these. On the shady sides the simple plan of planting tall oval-leaved Privet, 

 and sowing climbing Nasturtiums to climb over and between, was of course adopted, and 

 Aucubas, Aralia Sieboldii, Megaseas, and Funkias formed handsome masses of solid foliage, 

 and in two vears this garden has become as full of interest and beauty as it was desolate 

 and barren before, and a wonder to those whose knowledge was not equal to their love. 



I This excellent article and plan are reprinted from the Garden, as we thought readers 

 of the Century Book of Gardening would value the practical information given by 

 Mr. Woodall.] 



In laying out a new garden, thoroughness, at the start especially, should be the watchword. 

 It is folly to merely scratch the soil, as without a depth of good ground plant life is never 

 vigorous. In the garden one desires everything as far as possible to be vigorous, displaying 

 rude health, which alone means an abundance of flowers or fruit. Money and labour spent 

 upon the foundation bring their reward, and gardening under these conditions is pleasurable, 

 and not hedged round with disappointments, the outcome of poor soil and careless or half- 

 hearted culture. If the soil of the garden is poor, cart in other material to bring it into good 

 tilth and acceptable to the crops. Never attempt too much. It is better to grow one plant 

 well than a dozm badly; and study the plants purchased, one requiring more moisture than 

 another, and some seeking shade rather than the light of day. Commence at first with plants 

 of strong constitution, not the delicate alpine or fastidious border flower which requires much 

 coaxing. These matters can be left until the garden is in working order, and one may try 

 experiments w,th those flowers desired for their beauty or interesting associations, 



