460 JOUENAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



plants are arranged, with just sufficient room between each plant for the 

 convenience of cutting the grass and for watering. This arrangement is 

 done in quite an informal manner, being seen to advantage either from 

 below or above. In another place a large Yew-tree forms a background 

 for a group of large Fuchsias, and in another spot, near the house, is a 

 group of Scented Geraniums, whilst a collection of Double-flowered 

 Geraniums have as a background a Laurel hedge : these are seen at a 

 distance very distinctly. Solanum jasminoides plunged near trees and 

 shrubs, and afterwards allowed to ramble at will, is very pretty. Cohcea 

 scandens and Mina lohata are also suitable for this purpose. Hydraiujea 

 liortensis is plunged on the bank of a ditch of running water and in other 

 suitable places. Every advantage is taken of any corner or nook, shady 

 and otherwise, for plants quoted as examples, especially Fuchsias. 



During the summer close attention is required for watering and other 

 routine work. Manure water is applied in weak doses (strong doses do 

 more harm than good) ; soot, guano, and farmyard liquid are recom- 

 mended. As the summer advances and the plants become pot-bound, the 

 use of stimulants is more apparent ; then the plants will need looking over 

 twice daily. A light top-dressing of good rich soil will greatly assist the 

 plants at this stage. All things being favourable, the flowering season is 

 prolonged well into the late autumn, frequently until the end of October 

 is in view. 



Two illustrations will suffice to give an idea of the informal rather 

 than the formal style of filling flower beds, whilst variety is also afforded. 



First, a circular bed of, say, 14 feet in diameter: for the centre take 

 Habrotliavinus NeiveUi, from 7 to 8 feet high ; around this centre group 

 Ahutilon 'Canary Bird,' about 5 feet high; next to these the same Habro- 

 thamnus may be repeated ; then Fuchsias (standard or pyramidal) can 

 follow; and towards the edge HahrotJiammis aurantiacus will afford variety 

 and contrast. Any suitable carpeting plant that might suggest itself could 

 be used underneath these taller plants— such as the dwarf semi-tuberous 

 Begonias forming a good marginal edging, or, if a permanent edging be 

 desired, Eiionymus vadicans varieyata is a capital choice. 



Secondly, an oblong bed, say 26 feet by 12 feet ; as a centre to this 

 employ a tall plant of Plumbago capcnsis, 7 to to 8 feet high ; on either 

 side Uabrothamnus Newelli, next to which Solanum jasminoides, and two 

 more of the same Habrothamnus towards the extremities through the 

 centre ; on either side of the centre and 2 feet from it plant Fuchsias 

 (standards) in variety, with stems about 3 feet 6 inches high, eight on each 

 side ; the next row may run quite round the bed, and it may consist of 

 Ivy- leaf Geraniums trained as pyramids, and in various colours ; as a 

 carpeting to these. Verbenas, Violas, and Petunias are suitable ; whilst as a 

 margin the fibrous -rooted Begonia * Fairy Queen ' will do well, or Lobelia 

 spcciosa (blue) would be an alternative. Such a bed as this produced a 

 good effect here, even into the late autumn. 



. Discussion. 



Mr. Hudson, V.^I.H., stated that he had visited the gardens at Sand- 

 hurst Lodge, so well managed by Mr. Townsend, and had been much 



