MAY. 
101 
we should have crops more generally, gum and other diseases less prevalent, as 
they would ripen more perfectly, and then be more able to resist severe frost 
and other vicissitudes. 
Dalmeny Park. Wm, Melville. 
HOUSE DECORATION.—No. III. 
There is no part of house decoration that has a more pleasing effect, or 
tends so much to finish the decoration of a room in the summer months, as a 
good plant in the fireplace. There is also this advantage: that it frequently 
leads to grow and train many plants for this purpose we would otherwise not 
have attempted; and, if they are not wanted, they are equally effective for 
the conservatory. I have always found it the custom, with rare exceptions, in 
most places where this sort of decoration is wanted, that a great quantity of 
plants are built up one above another, with the flowers facing outwards. This 
requires many plants to fill up neatly and well; and it was mostly from these 
reasons that we began at first to try training plants on purpose. Of these 
there are a great variety, such as Allamanda, Clematis, Cissus, Cobcea variegata, 
Petunias, Tropseolum, and Thunbergia. The Petunias and Thunbergias are 
much the best. Last season many of the large double varieties were most 
beautiful, and are easily kept blooming regularly by pinching and tying down; 
but none of the varieties come up to Mrs. Fergusson or Mrs. Sherbrook and 
that class for striking effect and free-blooming. Thunbergias are very beau¬ 
tiful also; but to keep them in health they must be in good rich compost, 
with large pots, and a liberal supply at all times of manure water. 
As we progressed it was found that common Scarlet Geraniums were far 
superior to any of the above; they are more effective, and keep longer in 
perfection, under the circumstances. They are also very much easier grown, 
and sooner brought round again if they happen to have been left in rather long. 
For most of the different shaped spaces we have a wire trellis made on 
purpose; but this is not necessary, as we find a simple wooden trellis quite as 
useful. The sized pot generally used is known with us as a 24; and suppose 
we were going to fill this with Trentham Rose Geranium, three good plants 
would be selected, one 
in the centre, and one on 
each side. These must 
be potted in a row, as 
near to what we must 
term the back of the pot 
as possible. In the front 
of this row, all round 
the rim, are potted some 
white or pink Ivy-leaved 
Geraniums. If Christine 
Geranium be chosen, we 
use Verbenas, such as 
Lord Raglan, or any 
strong - growing appro¬ 
priate colours for a con¬ 
trast. A few shoots 
of these straggling up 
among the other are no disadvantage; but we cannot say a mixture of the 
centre plants ever proved very telling. The Ivy-leaved Geraniums and 
Verbenas fall down and completely cover the pot. If the place admits it 
