THE RESERVE GARDEN 57 



varieties may be planted in the reserve garden to yield 

 a supply of bloom for the house. 



Lilies, — In Cottage Gardens — and in no others is it 

 seen so fine — a patch of the Madonna Lily (Z. candiduni) 

 may be grown expressly for cutting. To rob the borders 

 of the exquisite spikes is almost a sacrilege, and a dozen 

 or so of bulbs planted in the reserve garden will give 

 plenty of flowers. Any good loamy soil suits it, and 

 once established it should on no account be lifted. 



Perennials for Cut Bloom 



Carnations and Pinks, — These are so floriferous that 

 large quantities of bloom may be cut from plants in the 

 garden proper, without materially lessening their deco- 

 rative value. Still, few things are better suited to the 

 reserve border, where they may be grown in small pre- 

 pared beds, yielding plentiful cuttings of sweetly-scented 

 flowers for the house. A deep, rich loam suits them, 

 and on light, sandy soils the addition of cow manure will 

 be of assistance. In the case of Carnations, yearly 

 renewal of the beds is advisable, strong layers being 

 planted eight inches apart in September. Frequent 

 watering and the application of a mulch of loamy soil 

 and well-decayed manure are incentives to free and con- 

 tinuous blooming. For house decoration, it will be 

 sufficient to grow a selection of self-coloured varieties, 

 not forgetting the old Crimson Clove, sweetest and best 

 of all for the Cottage Garden. Practically the same 

 cultural methods apply to the hardy border Pinks. 

 Plant strong pipings in August, mulch the beds in 

 winter, and top dress with thoroughly-decayed manure 

 during the following spring. Mrs Sinkins is still one 

 of the best. Pinks and Carnations do particularly well 

 in gardens near the sea. 



Aquilegias. — True cottagers' plants, the Columbines 



