214 
ON THE UTILITY OF RESERVE GARDENS. 
their removal to the free atmosphere of the conservatory, and a variety of purposes too 
numerous to particularise. 
If such an arrangement is adopted, a strong portable stage or platform should he made 
for elevating the larger quantities of dwarf plants requisite for flower-garden purposes, 
pretty near to the glass w T hen in their winter quarters, as by this means every structure 
occupied in this way in the winter season would he rendered available for a variety of 
purposes on the removal of the stage in summer. 
If roses and a variety of forced plants are requisite in great numbers, and the forcing 
of them is to be accomplished in the reserve department, an appropriate forcing-house or 
heated pits must of course be erected for the purpose, and in spring and summer such 
structures would he just the thing for growing fine specimens of half-stove plants, as 
Achimenes, Gesnerias, Gloxinias, &c., and the more ornamental tender and half hardy 
annuals, as Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranthus, Thunhergias, &c., for decorating 
the greenhouses, &c., in summer. In the absence of a regular propagating house, should 
such be deemed unnecessary, the common hot-bed or frame will generally suffice for all the 
propagating required in spring ; as Pelargoniums, Verbenas, and the general stock of flower- 
garden plants may be propagated wholesale in the open border, or, which would perhaps 
be preferable, on the surface of exhausted hot-beds in the summer time. 
Slight hot-beds will also be required for raising half-hardy annuals and a variety of 
purposes besides, and it is a good plan to excavate, well drain, and pave with bricks or 
pebbles, the space apportioned for them. 
The wall-borders of the reserve-garden will be found useful for a multitude of purposes, 
not the least important of which will be the adaptability of the north border for turning 
out and plunging a variety of plants suitable for forcing and winter decoration. 
For this purpose the border should be divided into parallel beds of convenient width by 
narrow walks or alleys, similar to the other compartments of the garden ; and the portion 
intended for plunging pot-plants in, should be excavated and filled up with coal-ashes, saw- 
dust or sand as a plunging medium ; and that for planting in, if the soil is not suitable, 
should likewise be excavated and refilled with good turfy loam and sandy peat, but by no 
means manure of any kind, as too rich a compost would defeat the object in view, which is 
robust, sturdy growth of the plants intended for winter flowering and forcing. 
A considerable portion of the west border should also be excavated and surfaced with 
sand or coal-ashes, as a cool receptacle for “ hardening off ” quantities of Salvias, Gera- 
niums, Verbenas, &c., forming the new flower-garden stock for the ensuing year. The 
remainder of the west border may be devoted to evergreens in pots or tubs required for the 
planting of (what would otherwise be naked) parterres and flower-gardens on the lawn, and 
which should also be plunged in coal-ashes or poor sandy soil. The east border, or 
any portion of it unoccupied by plant structures, as well as other compartments of the 
garden may be advantageously occupied with herbaceous perennials, annuals and biennials, 
pinks, carnations, roses, violets, lily of the valley, lavender, &c., &c., and a variety of plants 
for supplying “cut flowers,” and thus obviate the infliction of robbery, which for nosegays 
is too often practised on the flower-garden proper. 
Entire rows of sweet peas should be sown and staked like other peas, for the sake of 
their cut flowers, and mignonette should be sown in abundance. Choice pansies, holly- 
hocks, and hardy annuals intended for transplantation to the flower-garden in the earliest 
spring, should each receive a good share of room and attention in the reserve-garden, as 
their utility in due season is well known and appreciated. 
The garden wall will be found particularly useful for supporting a reserve of hardy 
climbers ; and various plants ultimately intended for covering the conservative or ornamental 
wall, may in their younger and more feeble stages of growth, be trained out in a neat 
symmetrical manner. 
As much of the reserve department as can be spared, should be appropriated to 
standard roses, a newly budded collection of which should always be in readiness to supply 
the frequent deficiency that is ever occurring in the rosary or flower-garden, where they are 
extensively employed. 
