238 
ON THE CULTURE OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
The situation in which they are placed is an area of about thirty or forty feet 
square, which is formed by being' nearly surrounded by the greenhouses and con- 
servatory from which the plants are taken. In the centre of this area is a walk 
paved with stone, which runs to another part of the nursery, and there is another 
walk across the centre in an opposite direction. The whole of the surface of the 
ground (excepting- these walks) is covered with a good layer of coal ashes ; these 
not only prevent the worms from rising and getting into the pots, and the bottoms 
of the pots from being clogged up with soil so as to prevent proper drainage, but 
make an excellent surface to walk upon. We have however seen a system practised 
for keeping down worms, and ensuring a dry, firm, and even surface, to place plants 
of this description on, which it may be well here to detail. On the piece of ground 
selected for the purpose, a quantity of stiff clay is placed of about three inches in 
thickness, which is beaten or trodden down as firmly as possible ; on this is placed 
another layer of clay to the thickness of about two inches more, which is likewise 
beaten down very firm ; after being left a few days to settle, a slight layer of 
common mortar is placed over the whole, taking care to keep the surface level ; 
this, when dry, will make a surface almost as hard and level as stone, although, 
where this latter article can be procured readily and cheap, it is much more effectual 
and durable ; but the method just detailed is particularly beneficial where the 
situation is low and consequently wet. But to return to our former position ; a dry 
surface being ensured by coal ashes, so as to prevent the intrusion of worms, and 
form good walks, from the central walks before named other ones are made to 
diverge, in such a manner that each bed or cluster of plants is entirely surrounded 
by a walk, so as to afford facilities for watering. Between the central walk and the 
houses, the plants are arranged in beds of various size and shape according to taste, 
the smallest plants being placed nearest the walk, and the others arranged so as to 
rise higher and higher, till, finally, the largest plants occupy the space nearest the 
houses, thus forming a regular and gradual slope. To describe or enumerate the 
various species of which these beds are composed would be impossible ; suffice it, 
for a general outline, to say that the beds nearest the centre are composed in some 
instances of small Alpine plants, many of which being in flower have a very 
pretty appearance, and two large slate orange tubs are placed in an inverted 
position, one on each side of the central walk (at regular distances from each other 
and the houses), on the tops of which are placed Alpine and other small plants in 
flower, which give the whole a more diversified and less formal appearance, and are 
intended as substitutes for vases ; which, it is needless to observe, would look far 
better. The remaining beds near the centre are filled up with young plants of the 
various species of Erica, Epacris, &c, and the others with plants of a larger size, 
always placing the tallest plants in the centre of the bed ; by putting a few plants 
of Petunias, Lobelias, or any other plants that may be in flower, in each bed, the 
whole is made to present a very lively and interesting appearance. As the beds 
approach the houses, large plants, such as Rhododendrons, Acacias, and other plants 
that attain a large size, are used, and, divided as it is into almost numberless small 
beds, and intersected with walks, the whole has the appearance of a curious and 
