S82 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



PROPAGATING HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Herbaceous plants may now be propagated by being divided 

 at the roots ; indeed, at this time, this is necessary, to a cer- 

 tain extent, to all of these plants. If they be left undivided, 

 or not otherwise reduced in size, they will transgress the bounds 

 prescribed for iIkmh, and some rapid growing sorts will over- 

 run some of those that are of less rapid growth. Plants of 

 this description, like all other plants, exhaust the soil upon 

 which they grow, and in time, the spot where the plant was 

 oriijinally planted, will cease to support it. As they decay in 

 the centre, they will extend themselves in circumference, and 

 become unsightly, and will not produce their flowers so fine, 

 nor yet in such abundance, as if frequently transplanted. In 

 dig^nng and dressing the flower borders, this should be at- 

 tended to ; and, as the operation proceeds, the plants shoula 

 be reduced to a moderate size, and the j)arts taken ofl', planted 

 out either in the reserve garden, or to fill up any vacancies in 

 the borders, or to extend them if desired. Where they may 

 not be wanted for any of these purposes, they should be 

 ])lanted out in the woods in favorable situations, so as to be 

 seen from the walks or drives ; and when established there, 

 cannot fail to produce a pleasing eflfect, which is produced at 

 a trifling expense. 



PLANTING DAHLIAS. 



towards the middle of the month, dahlia roots may be 

 planted in the flower garden borders, where they are to remain 

 to perfect their flowers. As the varieties, and consequently 

 the colours of these plants are now numerous, some taste is 

 necessary in the arrangement of them at planting, so that a 

 pleasing harmony of colours may be produced. Some culti- 

 vators plant them in rows by the side of walks or borders, and 

 this is probably the best method when a collection is i)lante(l 

 for the purpose of proving the varieties ; and it will have ar» 

 interesting eflect when in l)loom, provided the colours fbflow 

 each other in tasteful gradation. But to produce a general 

 effect, they should either be planted promiscuously tlirough 



