SPADEWORK 
49 
to plunge, or plant out, as other plants went 
out of bloom ; and as he felt that he could not 
fulfil the condition laid down by an employer 
who had no knowledge himself of anything 
beyond bedding out, and was only wishing 
to start borders, he preferred not to attempt 
the impossible. 
A good deal can be done with bulbs, annuals, 
and lilies to carry on a succession of bloom, 
but it is far better not to attempt too much. 
Most of us try to get a show of bloom from 
April to September. But how many succeed 
in getting a really good border ?. 
In how many borders are there not large 
blanks, and dying foliage ? How much better 
it would be if one would be content with a 
small spring garden or border elsewhere, and 
keep the herbaceous border in perfect condition 
from July to September. 
Occasionally Hampton Court is cited to 
one as an instance of borders that are perpetu- 
ally in bloom ; but few suspect the continuous 
work of replenishment that is going on, and 
the number of men and glass houses and frames 
required, to achieve the really admirable results 
seen there. You may see one week a long 
border of white campanulas, carpeted with 
Viscaria cerulcea in full beauty. Pass by three 
4 
