194 
THE FLORIST AND POxMOLOGIST. 
are equally interesting and ornamental when raised to a higher position than 
the mounds where they are most generally grown, and where their peculiarities 
are not seen. Along with these I have now several varieties of Runner 
Beans, some white, and others scarlet, and some of various colours; also 
Nasturtiums, which are generally grown for the seed to be used in pickling, and 
the flowers to mix with salad. I think most people will agree that there are 
few climbing flowers in use in the garden more beautiful than these Runners; 
but we might also add more ornament even than these to the kitchen garden. 
A few years ago I prepared a border on each side of a kitchen-garden 
walk, and arched the walk over all the length with a wooden trellis, planting 
both sides with the different varieties of Gourds. This, when covered, and the 
fruit hanging down, had a pretty effect; but with this, as with all other arched 
walks I have ever seen, whether covered with these or other plants, as Pears, 
Roses, &c., they have had a gloomy unpleasant effect, except for a short time when 
the sun was shining; it also blocks everything out, and at all times the best 
part is exposed to the light outside. To remedy this I have of late put from 
2 to 3 feet widths every 10 feet, putting in one walk Gourds, and another 
Scarlet Runners, or these alternately, as we have them this season. The rods 
are put 8 inches from the edge on each side, and properly fastened on the top, 
to form the arch, with braces all over. Iron would be much better. A 
small space of ground is taken out at planting, and the space filled with 
heating material, but I found good rotten manure quite sufficient. Then the 
ordinary garden crops are brought close up. There is a great advantage in 
this for watering, and the Beans are easily gathered at all times, even by 
ladies. This adds greatly to the interest of the garden, and occupies no useful 
ground. 
Cliveden. {To be continued.') J. Fleming. 
CHRONICLES OF A TOWN GARDEN.—No. VIII. 
The “ Chronicles” of the past month may be briefly summed up in the 
one word “ watering.” The task of the month has been to keep things alive 
during the prevalence of the unwonted drought. Growth has been a para¬ 
doxical standstill process. It has struck me that some of my plants have 
succumbed to the heat to that degree as to have become too indolent to give 
forth leaves and flowers. A mighty diapason of desire has gone out every¬ 
where for rain ; and yet we all still look for the welcome rain-clouds to over¬ 
hang “ all the thirsty land,” and shower forth its life-sustaining benediction. 
My Gladiolus slowly put forth their flowers. Madame de Yatry was the 
first to unveil herself to me. It is a lovely white ground flower, with yellowish 
tinge and carmine stripes. It is a capital variety for exhibition, the flowers 
forming a prominent face on the spike, not arranged feather-like, as some of 
the varieties are. The next to appear was Madame Victor Verdier, a pleasing 
shade of rosy piuk, with carmine marking. I fancy this variety sometimes 
gets confounded with Madame Eugenie Yerdier, a brilliant crimson, with 
yellow centre. So far only these two are yet in flower. I have watered very 
freely at the roots, occasionally using some weak guano water. The plants 
have grown vigorously, and in some cases I am getting two or three spikes 
from a bulb. The greatest interest centres on some seedlings from France, not 
one of which have I yet seen in bloom. I think one of the most exquisite 
pleasures of gardening consists of watching, with daily increasing interest, the 
opening of seedling flowers, especially when the cultivator himself has also 
