^Iks^. 
GARDEN HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 
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that the contrast must be very striking. As a white bed, Mr. B. recommends Campanula carpatica 
alba very strongly, and it is unquestionably an excellent thing ; but we are not quite sure that the 
best variety of the double Matricaria is not equally good, and much more durable — at least, we do not 
wish to see a finer bed than we had last season. The old Campanula carpatica is a splendid plant, 
especially as seen in the gardens of the Duchess of Bedford and Lord Holland, at Kensington, where 
it forms one of the finest blue purple beds that could be desired, and, by removing the old blooms, 
flowers throughout the season. This plant, mixed with a dwarf bronzy Calceolaria, would form as fine 
a shot silk bed as the plant recommended by Mr. Beaton. At any rate, they are worth a trial. The 
system of edging beds of one colour' with its complementary colour is much to be commended, not only 
as enriching the colours by contrast, but also as affording greater variety, and allowing the use of cold 
colours upon grass, where, without contrast, they are comparatively ineffective. Before planting out, if 
the beds are not rich, it will be well with some of the weaker-growing Verbenas to work in a good dress- 
ing of manure or rich compost, for without this and manure-water in dry weather it is impossible to get 
some of the more delicate and free-blooming kinds to bloom throughout the season. Some of the 
Petunias are also improved by the same treatment. The double deep scarlet Nasturtium forms a fine 
bed, but that requires a poor soil, or it runs too much to foliage ; and where the soil is not naturally 
poor, a few barrow-loads of stones or gravel dug into it will do good. Beds or borders that are to 
remain vacant until the planting of the summer plants will be much improved by being forked over, 
especially in the evenings of warm days, as by that means a considerable quantity of heat may be 
worked in, which must be of great benefit to the plants when turned out. Remove bulbs, and other 
spring plants, as fast as they go out of bloom, and take care to harden the plants properly before 
turning out. Meteorologists tell us that we are to have a wet summer, the evidence in favour of such 
an event being as nine to one ; and if such is the case, stimulating composts will not be required. 
Look to herbaceous borders, thin and regulate the young growths, and stake the plants in time. 
Some of the new Phloxes and Antirrhinums are very beautiful, especially in the autumn ; but we are 
Sony to say, our Continental friends have manufactured many varieties which we should gladly have 
been without. Prepare ground for planting out Hollyhocks, Dahlias, and other florists' flowers ; look 
to beds of Pinks and Pansies ; and, if not already done, complete the potting or planting out of Carna- 
tions and Picotces without delay. Tulips are advancing rapidly; therefore guard against storms and 
rough winds by timely covering. Generally, Tulips look well this season, and give promise of a fine 
bloom. Attend to Auriculas and Polyanthuses, as they go out of bloom, and do not forget that 
Ranunculuses require plenty of water and manure to grow them to perfection. 
In the Rose garden much attention will be required, for the " worm i' the bud " will commence its 
ravages almost before the plants commence growth. Plant out the Tea, Bourbon, and other tender 
kinds, recollecting that Rose borders cannot be too rich or too deeply trenched. The old beds of these 
kinds must also be regulated and pegged down ; for, after all, the pegging down system is the most 
effective for bedding purposes. The demand for Roses for bedding this season has been very large 
— indeed, of some of the finer kinds, it has been impossible to get sufficient stock in the nurseries. 
Specimen plants of Conifers, or other hardy shrubs or trees in pots, must now be planted out without 
delay, and recollect that a few extra barrow or cart loads of soil now to each plant will be duly 
compensated for by superior growth within the next four years. No labour is so well expended as in 
giving abundance of good material to good plants at the time of planting. Among new plants, Messrs. 
Veitch's Escallonia macrantha and Berberis Darwinii, figured on a preceding page, promise to become 
two of the finest evergreens in cultivation. Both are plants of remarkably free growth, and both are 
exquisitely beautiful. Messrs. Standish and Noble's list also contains a number of admirable things, 
more especially among the larger shrubs and trees. 
American plants are advancing rapidly towards the blooming state, and most of the finer kinds 
promise to be unusually fine. The two rival exhibitions this season, by the great Bagshot growers at 
Chiswick and the Regent's Park, will afford some of oirr American friends the means of seeing them 
in greater perfection than they can see them in their native wilds. The Rose garden at the Regent's 
Park, if the plants do but succeed, and we think they will, will be a fine feature. 
In the In-door departments the season has arrived when the plants may have more room, as no more 
plants for forcing need be introduced, and many of the more hardy shrubs, and other green- 
house plants may be removed to a sheltered place in the open air. This will afford the means of 
rearranging the entire collection, and care must be taken to allow each plant sufficient space to show 
itself, and to grow without restriction. Hard wooded and soft wooded plants may now be intermixed : 
indeed, the houses will now assume more the appearance of conservatories than what they really are. 
Azaleas coming into bloom must be assisted with manure water, and young stock of the same must be 
