268 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



good, strong plants ; and in seasons like those of 1893 and 1896 

 the strongest plants have naturally the best chance. 



Touching the planting of hardy things let me advocate the 

 advisability of a very careful selection in the case of all mixed 

 beds. There are some hardy plants that go well together, and 

 that are, in fact, seen to the best advantage when associated with 

 other things ; but there are others, such as megaseas and 

 saxifrages, and campanulas, that are best alone, and one or two 

 beds may be reserved for their especial benefit. Taking the 

 campanulas, for instance, and those members of the family now 

 generally known under the name of Platycodon, we have a very 

 fine variety — especially in the different heights and habits of 

 growth — and, as the flowering season is proportionately varied, 

 we may obtain from beds of this one family alone a very interest- 

 ing and prolonged display. 



In the general planting operations those species that are 

 most useful, and are as a rule represented by many varieties, 

 may be roughly divided in the matter of height into three classes, 

 viz. dwarf, medium, and tall. A short list of the things we find 

 most useful would include antirrhinums, campanulas, carna- 

 tions, delphiniums, helianthus, lobelias, gypsophylla, pinks, 

 pyrethrums, phloxes, pentstemons, poppies, tufted pansies, statice, 

 starworts, veronicas. 



Antirrhinums. — The remarks made above as to the nature of 

 our soil are sufficient to show that the antirrhinum is thoroughly 

 at home, and it is one of the best and most enduring of hardy 

 flowers. I have secured thoroughly good strains in the white, 

 yellow, primrose, scarlet, and crimson shades, and hold fast by 

 these in preference to the fancy flowers. When old plants 

 are left they are cut hard back, and the ground being slightly 

 pricked with a fork a mulching is put on in early winter. A 

 fair batch of cuttings is put in every year, to ensure retention of 

 the stock. The first spike of flower is removed directly the 

 lower blooms show signs of decay, to allow of the more rapid 

 development of side-growths, and sometimes if the plants are a 

 bit weakly the centres are pinched out before flowering. It may 

 be noted here that the prompt removal of all decaying flowers 

 (with their seed pods) is an important point in the culture of all 

 hardy plants, in order to secure a lengthened display. 



Campanulas.— Let me repeat my recommendation that a 



