68 



JOOBNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



until the usual summer bedding again began. Thus, in the two 

 somewhat famous cases quoted, neither was really of the form 

 which it is desired to create. Since those days, in not a few 

 good gardens there has been seen considerable development. 

 Conifers, green and variegated shrubs in large variety, early 

 spring-blooming plants in exceeding abundance, and bulbs, 

 cheap and good, also in abundance, have been used in combina- 

 tion with admirable results ; and if putting upon the garden 

 staff some additional labour, as well as of expense, on the main- 

 tenance account, yet have both extra labour and cost been amply 

 repaid, and some most beautiful effects produced. It is this 

 description of bedding which so truly merits the appellation of 

 winter and spring garden decoration. 



I am not oblivious of the fact that some few years since the 

 able secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society read in this 

 hall a paper entitled " A Method of Winter Gardening," and 

 whilst based very much on the same lines as my own paper, yet 

 he specially advised the growing of conifers and shrubs in pots 

 for the purpose, plunging them where needed in the beds during the 

 winter. To his methods I take no exception. What anyone has found 

 to be in his case good practice, he should boldly advocate, and 

 the Rev. Mr. Wilks does not lack courage. I can have no doubt 

 but that the vicarage garden at Shirley is both in winter and 

 spring fully as beautiful and as interesting as that paper, 

 January 14, 1890, indicated. But I take grave exception to his 

 lugubrious description of annually transplanted evergreen shrubs 

 which, he said, moved twice a year, soon put on a thin draggle- 

 tailed appearance, resembling broken-down beggars, &c. Well, 

 were that mine or general experience, I should not advocate the 

 use of these shrubs as I now do. I have not seen these appalling 

 results following from half-yearly transplantings, neither do I 

 think such is the usual experience of nurserymen. That a few 

 yearly may become too large, or perhaps thin of foliage, is 

 possible ; but so cheap are these things that a few dozens pur- 

 chased yearly, costs little, and always serves to keep a good stock 

 of useful stuff in hand. The nursery set apart for this particular 

 department of garden work should be on a north aspect, and the 

 soil deeply worked and well pulverised. Conifers and shrubs, 

 frequently lifted and planted, create clusters of fibrous roots, 

 which soon attach themselves to the soil, yet do not create 



