March 14, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
222 
received in an, imported state, the plants are potted into 
shallow pans or baskets. The compost, consisting wholly of 
peat fibre and sphagnum moss, pressed firmly about them, re¬ 
mains in good condition for many years, providing rain-water 
is used for watering purposes. I find the plants do best sus¬ 
pended from the roof. Although the flowers are of little use 
for decorative purposes, the attractive colour and fragrant per¬ 
fume are always appreciated and admired. H. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
The heavy storms and rain which we have experienced since 
writing my last notes have rendered the ground quite unfit for 
working or seed sowing, and on no account should any attempt 
be made till after a spell of fine weather. Fortunately, a 
drying day or two at this season soon puts matters right, 
especially on light, well-drained soils. Too much importance 
can hardly be attached to getting in the crops when the ground 
can be worked with pleasure; otherwise it will mean failure, 
or practically so. There is yet plenty of time, but it is well 
never to miss a chance after this date of getting in the main 
beds of Parsnips and Onions. Push forward any work which is 
in arrears and can be done now, few of us being so fortunate as 
not to be able to find something or other which has been held 
over. 
Box Edging .—Though not an advocate for this for several 
reasons, oftentimes one has no other choice, but it entails 
a considerable amount of work, and seldom do we see it in per¬ 
fect condition. In addition to this, it is never safe to 1 use the 
now popular “ weed-killer ” ; certainly a true gardener’s friend 
-—indeed, the employer’s also—and it certainly affords a lurk¬ 
ing place for slugs and many other garden pests. However, 
where it is in evidence, it will require replanting every few 
years to keep it trim and in good order, and the best seasons 
for doing so are either early autumn or March; but I prefer 
the latter, for if well and quickly performed it will at once 
start away into active growth, and success is certain. It re¬ 
quires a smart, active workman, with a good eye, who will 
take a thorough interest in what he is doing, for when put 
in slovenly nothing looks worse. It is absolutely necessary on 
straight walks that the lines should be perfectly square before 
commencing the work. The stools should have the old roots 
trimmed well back, using a bill-hook and chopping-block for 
che purpose. This should be done expeditiously, placing it in 
oaskets head upwards, ready for planting. The trench which 
s to receive it should be sufficiently deep not to cripple the 
roots, and place round a little finely-prepared soil to give it 
li start, after which make quite firm. Take off the tops evenly 
with a sharp pair of garden shears, and to give the work a good 
inisk apply a slight dressing of new gravel. Should the 
heather prove dry after planting give one good soaking to 
ettle the soil about the roots. 
' Asparagus, like everything else, is unusually forward this 
ear. Place one more planting in quite cool frames and air 
■eely, which, in case of bad weather, should ensure an un- 
roken supply. Permanent beds ought now to be neatly raked 
own, taking care to leave the crowns well covered, both as a 
reventive against frost as well as drought. On light, poor 
rials apply a thin dressing of common salt. 
Making New Beds. —This should be performed quite ten 
iys earlier than is usually the case. Asparagus always starts 
vav most satisfactorily just as the crowns commence to grow, 
verytliing should be had in readiness before exposing the 
nts, and lose no time in getting them nicely covered, work- 
g the finest of the soil carefully among the roots. More 
ilures are due to this than from any other cause. Everyone 
issessing a garden should cultivate this delicious vegetable, 
id few things give less trouble or are more remunerative. 
A thin crop either of Lettuce or Radishes may be taken from 
e newly planted bed the first year, but not after. The alleys 
ry always he utilised for dwarf-growing Cauliflowers, such as 
triy Forcing or Magnum Bonum, which will often afford the 
cessary protection against frost and cold winds. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. E. Beckett. 
Hardy Herbaceous Plants. 
Seldom do we experience such a long spell of mild weather 
at this season with the absence of cold cutting winds and frosts 
as we are having at the present time, but we shall undoubtedly, 
sooner or later, be subjected to some of the cold weather which 
we look for during this month. The result of the mild spell 
and warm rains is that many of our hardy plants have started 
away into active growth vigorously, and are unusually forward ; 
but we must not suppose by this that all the weather injurious 
to young and tender shoots has passed. These plants, which 
were covered upon the approach of winter with mats, bracken 
or hay-bands, such as Rheums in variety, Gunnera scabra, and 
G. manicata, Gyneriums, etc., should not have the protecting 
material taken from them too hurriedly, or a severe check may 
lesult, and the appearance of fine foliage plants, if allowed to 
become damaged in any way at this season, will be seriously 
marred. I have frequently seen the above-mentioned plants 
injured by removing the covering too soon, the result being 
that the leaves which expand first have a disagreeable brown¬ 
ness all round the edges, which remains till they decay. 
Many herbaceous plants whose shoots are appearing through 
the soil will be rendered much safer from any injurious effects 
of the weather if a dressing of leaf soil or old mushroom-bed 
manure is placed around them. Eremurus and similar subjects 
should have some Spruce boughs placed round them to prevent 
the early leaves from being cut by cold winds or frost, as many 
plants are appearing quite three weeks in advance of the usual 
time. 
Montbretias.—These are some of our most useful plants for 
summer decoration, as they require but little attention and 
supply an enormous quantity of very beautiful cut flowers. To 
see them to the best advantage a border should be devoted 
entirely to their culture, and although the majority are prac¬ 
tically hardy, and will produce fairly good results if left in the 
ground all the winter, by far the best method is to lift the 
bulbs in the autumn when the foliage has died down, and place 
in boxes out of the way of frost. Those which were so treated 
can now be planted out, and if in a border to themselves a 
very good distance will be 1 ft. between the rows, and the 
same from plant to plant. Press the soil firmly about the 
roots, and when the planting is completed give the border a 
good mulching of Mushroom-bed manure or some similar 
material. A fairly rich porous compost suits them well, and 
an open sunny position should, if possible, be chosen. Copious 
supplies of water in hot diy weather will prove veiy beneficial, 
and the soil should be frequently loosened with the hoe. 
Batches which were allowed to remain in the borders or 
shrubberies should receive a good top dressing, but never let 
these clunqis remain for more than two or three years without 
taking them up and thoroughly dividing the conns. 
One of the most desirable varieties for outside planting is 
M. crocosmiaeflora, one of the best and most useful for general 
purposes, exceptionally free, and remaining a long time in 
bloom. The flowers are of medium size and brilliant orange in 
colour. Other grand varieties are M. Feu d’Artifice, yellow, 
edged scarlet; M. Rayon d’Or, a clear yellow; M. Pottsii. 
another veiy free-flowering and useful variety, colour almost 
scarlet; M.‘ rosea, very free and distinct, deep rose-coloured 
flowers, and although not nearly so robust as many others, \ ct. 
well worth inclusion on account of its beautiful colour : M. 
Eldorado-, clear yellow, suitable for the front of the border ; 
M. Eclatant, scarlet with yellow throat : and M. Solfatere, a 
very good ve-llow. This comprises some of the most useful and 
reliable varieties; there are many others very similar. . Two 
veiy fine new varieties are Germania and George Davidson, 
which will prove distinct additions to this useful class of plants. 
Water and Bog Plants.—The decaying leaves and stems 
hich have been allowed to remain on the plants through the 
inter should now be removed so that the young growths of 
yphas, Butomus umbellatus, Cyperus, Juncus. ( a rex, and 
ns Pseud-accrus can start away freely. >ee that the pond- 
