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diff --git a/11892-0.txt b/11892-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..88488c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/11892-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8176 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11892 *** + +GARDENING FOR THE MILLION + +_By_ ALFRED PINK + +AUTHOR OF "RECIPES FOR THE MILLION." + + + + +T. FISHER UNWIN + + + +PREFACE. + + +It is with the object of stimulating the cultivation of gardens still +more beautiful than those generally to be met with that the present +volume has been written. It has not been thought necessary to repeat +in each case the times when the seeds of the various flowers and +plants are to be sown. A careful attention to the remarks made +under the headings of "Annuals," "Biennials," "Perennials," and +"Seed-Sowing" will supply all the information needed. That the work +may prove useful to those at least who supervise their own gardens is +the sincere wish of the author. + +DULWICH. + + + +GARDENING FOR THE MILLION + + +A + +Aaron's Rod.--_See_ "Solidago." + +Abelia.--Very ornamental evergreen shrubs, bearing tubular, +funnel-shaped flowers. They succeed in any ordinary soil if the +situation is warm and sheltered, and are readily raised by cuttings. +Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. + +Abies _(Spruce Firs)_.--Among these ornamental conifers mention may be +made of the beautiful Japanese Spruce Ajanensis, which grows freely +in most soils and has dual-coloured leaves--dark green on the upper +surface and silvery white underneath; this makes a grand single +specimen anywhere. The White Spruce (_Abies Alba Glauca_) is a rapid +grower, but while it is small makes a lovely show in the border; it +prefers a moist situation. Of the slow-growing and dwarf varieties +Gregorii is a favourite. The Caerulea, or Blue Spruce, is also very +beautiful. Clanbrasiliana is a good lawn shrub, never exceeding 4 ft. +in height. The Pigmy Spruce (_A. Pygmea_) is the smallest of all firs, +only attaining the height of 1 ft. Any of these may be increased by +cuttings. + +Abronia.--Handsome half-hardy annual trailers. Grow in sandy peat and +multiply by root division. Flowers in April. Height, 4 in. to 6 in. + +Abutilon.--Evergreen greenhouse shrubs of great beauty and easy +cultivation. May be raised from seed, or by cuttings of young shoots +placed in spring or summer in sand under glass, or with a bottom heat. +Cut the old plants back in January, and when new shoots appear re-pot +the plants. Height, 5 ft. to 8 ft. + +Acacia.--Winter and spring flowering greenhouse shrubs with charming +flowers and graceful foliage. May be grown from seed, which should be +soaked in warm water for twenty-four hours, or they may be propagated +by layers, cuttings placed in heat, or suckers. They like a rich sandy +loam soil. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Acæna.--These shrubby plants are herbaceous and mostly hardy, of a +creeping nature, fast growers, and suitable for dry banks or rough +stony places. They flourish best in sandy loam and peat, and may be +increased by cuttings placed under glass. The flowers, which are +green, are produced in May. The height of the various kinds varies +from 3 in. to 2 ft. + +Acantholimon Glumaceum _(Prickly Thrift)_.--This is a frame evergreen +perennial, thriving in any light, rich soil. It can be increased by +dividing the roots. In May it puts forth its rose-coloured flowers. +Height, 3 in. + +Acanthus.--A coarse, yet stately hardy perennial, which has large +ornamental foliage, and flowers in August. It is not particular as to +soil or situation, but free space should be given it. Will grow from +seed sown from March to midsummer, or in August or September in a +sheltered situation. Will also bear dividing. Height, 3 ft. + +Acer (_Maple_).--Very vigorous plants, suitable when young for pots, +and afterwards for the shrubbery. The A. Negundo Variegata has silvery +variegated leaves, which contrast effectively with dark foliage, +Campestre Colchicum Rubrum, with its bright crimson palmate leaves, +is very ornamental, as is also Negundo Californicum Aurem, with its +golden-yellow foliage. The Maple grows best in a sandy loam. It may be +increased by cuttings planted in a shaded situation, or by layers, but +the choice varieties are best raised from seed sown as soon as it is +ripe. + +Achillea Ptarmica (_Sneezewort_).--A pure white hardy perennial which +blooms in August. The dried leaves, powdered, produce sneezing. +Any soil. Best increased by rooted off-sets. Flowers from July to +September. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Achimenes.--Fine plants, suitable for the greenhouse, sitting-room, or +hanging baskets. Plant six tubers in a 5-in. pot, with their growing +ends inclining to the centre and the roots to the edge of the pot, and +cover them an inch deep with a compost of peat, loam, and leaf-mould, +or a light, sandy soil. Keep them well supplied with liquid manure +while in a growing state. Height, 6 in. to 2-1/2 ft. + +Aconite (_Monk's-Hood or Wolf's-Bane_).--Very pretty and very hardy, +and succeeds under the shade of trees; but being very poisonous should +not be grown where there are children. Increased by division or +by seeds. Flowers June to July. Height, 4 ft. (_See also_ "Winter +Aconites.") + +Acorus (_Sweet Flag)._--A hardy bog plant, having an abundance of +light-coloured evergreen foliage. It will grow in any wet soil. +Height, 2 ft. + +Acroclinium.--Daisy-like everlastings. Half-hardy annuals suitable +for cutting during summer, and for winter bouquets. Sow in pots in +February or March, cover lightly with fine soil, plunge the pot in +gentle heat, place a square of glass on the top, and gradually harden +off. Seed may also be sown in the open during May or in autumn for +early flowering. Height, 1 ft. + +Acrophyllum Verticillatum.--A greenhouse evergreen shrub. It will grow +in any soil, and may be increased by cuttings of half-ripened wood. +March is its flowering season. Height, 3 ft. + +Acrotis.--These are mostly hardy herbaceous plants from South Africa. +The soil should consist of two parts loam and one part leaf-mould, and +the situation should be dry and sunny. Seed may be sown early in March +in gentle heat, and the plants grown on in a cold frame till May, when +they may be planted out a foot apart. They will flower at midsummer. +Winter in a warm greenhouse. Height, 2 ft. Some few are of a creeping +nature. + +Actaea Spicata (_Bane Berry_).--A hardy herbaceous perennial which +delights in a shady position, and will even grow under trees. It is +increased by division of the roots, or it may readily be raised from +seed in ordinary soil. May is its flowering month. Height, 3 ft. + +Actinella Grandiflora.--A showy herbaceous plant, bearing large +orange-coloured flowers in July. It is not particular as to soil, and +is increased by dividing the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Actinomeris Squarrosa.--This hardy and ornamental herbaceous plant +bears heads of bright yellow flowers, resembling small sunflowers, +from June to August. It thrives in any loamy soil, and is easily +increased by dividing the root. Height, 4 ft. + +Adam's Needle.--_See_ "Yucca." + +Adenandra Fragrans.--An evergreen shrub suitable for the greenhouse. +It thrives best in a mixture of sandy peat and turfy loam. Cuttings +of the young branches stuck in sand will strike. It flowers in June. +Height, 3 ft. + +Adenophora Lilifolia.--Pretty hardy perennials suitable for the +border. Produce drooping pale blue flowers on branching spikes in +July. Any soil suits them. They may be grown from seed, but will not +allow being divided at the root. Height, 1 ft. + +Adlumia Cirrhosa.--Interesting hardy climbers. Will grow in any soil, +and are readily increased by seeds sown in a damp situation. Require +the support of stakes. Bloom in August. Height, 15 ft. + +Adonis Flos.--Showy crimson summer flowers, requiring only the +simplest treatment of hardy annuals. Sow in March or April in the open +border. Height, 1 ft. + +Adonis Pyrenaica.--A rare but charming Pyrenean perennial species, +with thick ornamental foliage, and producing large golden-yellow +flowers from May to July. It needs no special treatment. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Adonis Vernalis.--A favourite hardy perennial, which grows freely from +seed in any garden soil. It may also be increased by dividing the +roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Æthionema Cordifolium.--This little Alpine plant is a hardy evergreen +that is very suitable for rock-work, as it will grow in any soil. Its +rose-hued flowers are produced in June. It may be propagated by seeds +or cuttings. Height, 3 in. + +Agapanthus (_African Lily_).--This is a noble plant, which succeeds +well in the open if placed in a rich, deep, moist loam in a sunny +situation or in partial shade. In pots it requires a strong loamy soil +with plenty of manure. Throughout the summer the pots should stand +in pans of water. Re-pot in March. Give it plenty of pot room, say a +9-in. pot for each plant. In winter protect from severe frost, and +give but very little water. The flowers are both lovely and showy, +being produced during August in great bunches on stems 3 ft. high. The +plant is nearly hardy. Several growing together in a large tub produce +a fine effect. It is increased by dividing the root while in a dormant +state. + +Ageratum.--Effective half-hardy annual bedding plants, thriving best +in a light, rich soil. Seed should be sown in heat in February or +March. Cuttings root freely under glass. Height, 1-1/2 ft. There is a +dwarf variety suitable for ribbon borders and edgings. Height, 6 in. + +Agricultural Seeds.--Required per statute acre. + +Carrot 5 to 6 lb. Cabbage (to transplant) 1" Cabbage (to drill) 2 to +3" Kohl Rabi (to drill) 2 to 3" Lucerne 16 to 20" Mangold Wurtzel 5 +to 7" Mustard (Broadcast) 10 to 20" Rape or Cole 4 to 6" Rye Grass, +Italian 3 bus. Rye Grass, Perennial 2" Sainfoin 4" Tares, or Vetches +3" Turnip, Swedish 3 lb. Turnip, Common 2 to 3" Trifolium 16 to 20" + +Agrostemma.--A hardy annual that is very pretty when in flower; +suitable for borders. Flourishes in any soil, and is easily raised +from seed sown in spring. Blooms in June and July. There are also +perennial varieties: these are increased by division of the root. +Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Agrostis.--A very elegant and graceful species of Bent-Grass. It is a +hardy annual, and is largely used for bouquets. Sow the seed in March. +Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Ajuga Reptans.--A hardy herbaceous perennial, suitable for the front +of borders. It will grow in any soil, and may be propagated by seeds +or division. May is its flowering season. Height, 6 in. + +Akebia Quinata.--This greenhouse evergreen twining plant delights in a +soil of loam and peat; flowers in March, and is increased by dividing +the roots. Height, 10 ft. + +Alchemilla Alpina (_Lady's Mantle_).--A useful hardy perennial for +rock-work. It will grow in any soil, if not too wet, and may be +increased by seed sown in the spring or early autumn, or by dividing +the roots. It flowers in June. Height, 1 ft. + +Allium Descendens.--A hardy, bulbous perennial. Plant in October or +November in any garden soil, and the flowers will be borne in July. +Height, 1 ft. + +Allium Neapolitanum.--This is popularly known as the "Star." It bears +large heads of pure white flowers, and is suitable for borders, pots, +or forcing in a cool house. Any common soil suits it. It is increased +by off-sets. Being one of our earliest spring flowers, the bulbs +should be planted early in autumn. Height, 1 ft. + +Allspice.--_See_ "Calycanthus" and "Chimonanthus." + +Alonsoa.--A pretty and free-blooming half-hardy annual, which produces +fine spikes of orange-scarlet flowers in June. It is multiplied by +cuttings or seeds. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Aloysia Citriodora.--This favourite lemon-scented verbena should be +grown in rich mould. If grown in the open, it should be trained to a +wall facing south, and in winter the roots need protecting with a heap +of ashes and the branches to be tied up with matting. It is increased +by cuttings planted in sand. August is its flowering season. Height, 3 +ft. + +Alsine Rosani.--This pretty little herbaceous plant, with its cushions +of green growth, makes a very fine display on rock-work or in any +shady position. Ordinary soil suits; it is of easy culture, and +flowers during June and July. Height, 3 in. + +Alstromeria (_Peruvian Lilies_).--These beautiful summer-flowering +hardy perennials produce large heads of lily-like blossoms in great +profusion, which are invaluable for cutting for vase decorations as +the bloom lasts a long time in water. Plant in autumn 6 in. deep in a +well-drained sunny situation, preferably on a south border. Protect +in winter with a covering of leaves or litter. They may be grown from +seed sown as soon as it is ripe in sandy loam. They bloom in July. +Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Alternantheras.--Cuttings of this greenhouse herbaceous plant may be +struck in autumn, though they are usually taken from the old plants in +spring. Insert them singly in 4-1/2-in. pots filled with coarse sand, +loam, and leaf-mould. When rooted, place them near the glass, and keep +the temperature moist and at 60 degrees or 65 degrees, then they will +flower in July. Height, 4 in. to 1 ft. + +Althea--_See_ "Hibiscus." + +Alyssum.--Well adapted for rock-work or the front of flower-beds, +and is best sown in autumn. The annual, or Sweet Alyssum, bears an +abundance of scented white flowers in June, and on to the end of +September. The hardy perennial, Saxatile (commonly called Gold Dust), +bears yellow flowers in spring. Height, 6 in. + +Amaranthus.--The foliage of these half-hardy annual plants are +extremely beautiful, some being carmine, others green and crimson, +some yellow, red, and green. They are very suitable either for bedding +or pot plants. Sow the seed early in spring in gentle heat, and plant +out in May or June in very rich soil. If put into pots, give plenty of +room for the roots and keep well supplied with water. Flower in July +and August. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 6 ft. + +Amaryllis.--These plants bear large drooping bell-shaped lily-like +blossoms. They thrive best in a compost of turfy loam and peat, with +a fair quantity of sand. The pots must in all cases be well drained. +Most of the stove and greenhouse species should be turned out of their +pots in autumn, and laid by in a dry place until spring, when they +should be re-potted and kept liberally supplied with water. A. +Reticulata and A. Striatifolia bloom best, however, when undisturbed. +Discontinue watering when the foliage shows signs of failing, but +avoid shrivelling the leaves. The hardy varieties should be planted +6 in. deep in light, well--drained soil, and allowed to remain +undisturbed for two or three years, when they will probably require +thinning out. They are increased by off-sets from the bulbs. + +The Belladonna (_Belladonna Lily_) should be planted in June in a +sheltered border in rich, well-drained soil. + +Formosissima (_the Scarlet Jacobean Lily_) is a gem for the +greenhouse, and very suitable for forcing, as it will bloom two or +three times in a season. It should be potted in February. + +Lutea (_Sternbergia)_ flowers in autumn. Plant 4 in. deep from October +to December. + +Purpurea (_Vallota Purpurea or Scarborough Lily_) is a very beautiful +free bloomer. October and November or March and April are the most +favourable times for potting, but established plants should be +re-potted in June or July. + +Ambrosia Mexicana.--A hardy annual of the simplest culture. Sow the +seed in spring in any fine garden soil. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +American Plants.--These thrive most in a peat or bog soil, but where +this cannot be obtained a good fertile loam, with a dressing of fresh +cow manure once in two years, may be used; or leaf-mould and soil from +the surface of pasture land, in the proportions of three parts of the +former to one of the latter. The soil should be chopped up and used +in a rough condition. Sickly plants with yellowish foliage may be +restored by applying liquid manure once a week during the month of +July. A light top-dressing of cow manure applied annually, and keeping +the roots free from stagnant water, will preserve the plants in good +health. + +Ammobium.--Pretty hardy perennials which may be very easily raised +from seed on a sandy soil. Flower in June. Height, 2 ft. + +Ampelopsis.--Handsome and rapid climbers, with noble foliage, some +changing to a deep crimson in autumn. The Veitchii clings to the wall +without nailing, and produces a profusion of lovely leaves which +change colour. Any of the varieties may be grown in common garden +soil, and may be increased by layers. + +Anagallis (_Pimpernel_.)--Very pretty. Sow the hardy annuals in the +open early in March; the biennials or half-hardy perennials in pots in +a greenhouse or a frame, and plant out when strong enough. May also be +increased by cuttings planted in ordinary soil under glass. Flower in +July. Height, 6 in. + +Anchusa.--Anchusa Capensis is best raised in a frame and treated as +a greenhouse plant, though in reality it is a hardy perennial. The +annual and biennial kinds succeed well if sown in the open in rich +soil. All are ornamental and open their flowers in June. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. (_See also_ "Bugloss.") + +Andromeda.--An ornamental evergreen shrub, commonly known as the Marsh +Cystus, and thriving in a peat soil with partial shade. May be grown +from seed sown directly it is ripe and only lightly covered with +soil, as the seed rots if too much mould is placed over it. Place the +seedlings in a cold frame and let them have plenty of air. It is +more generally increased by layers in September, which must not be +disturbed for a year. Drought will kill it, so the roots must never be +allowed to get dry. It flowers in April and May. Height, 2 ft. + +Androsace.--Pretty little plants, mostly hardy, but some require the +protection of a frame. They grow best in small pots in a mixture +of turfy loam and peat. Water them very cautiously. They flower at +different seasons, some blooming as early as April, while others do +not put forth flower till August. They can be increased by division as +well as by seed. Height, 6 in. + +Anemones.--These are highly ornamental, producing a brilliant display +of flowers. The scarlets make very effective beds. They are mostly +hardy, and may be grown in any moist, light, rich garden soil, +preferably mixed with a good proportion of silver sand. They should +occupy a sunny and well-drained situation. For early spring flowering +plant from October to December, placing the tubers 2-1/2 or 3 in. deep +and 4 or 5 in. apart, with a trowelful of manure under each plant, but +not touching them. A little sea sand or salt mixed with the soil is a +preventive of mildew. If planted in February and March they will +bloom from April to June. They are increased by seeds, divisions, or +off-sets; the greenhouse varieties from cuttings in light loam under +glass. The tubers will not keep long out of the ground. In growing +from seed choose seeds from single-flowering plants; sow in March +where they are intended to flower 1 in. deep and 9 in. apart; cover +with leaf-mould. Two or three sowings may be made also during the +summer. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft. + +Anemonopsis Macrophylla.--A rather scarce but remarkably handsome +perennial, producing lilac-purple flowers with yellow stamens in July +and August. It will grow in ordinary soil, and may be increased by +division. Height, 2 ft. + +Angelonia Grandiflora Alba.--An elegant and graceful greenhouse plant, +giving forth a delicious aromatic odour. It grows best in a compost +of turfy loam and peat, but thrives in any light, rich soil. Take +cuttings during summer, place them under glass, but give a little air +occasionally. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Annuals.--Plants of this description arrive at maturity, bloom, +produce seed, and die in one season. + +_Hardy_.--The seed should be sown thinly in the open borders +during March, April, or May in fine soil, covering slightly with +well-prepared mould--very small seeds require merely a dusting over +them. When the plants are large enough to handle, thin them out +boldly, to allow them to develop their true character. By this means +strong and sturdy plants are produced and their flowering properties +are enhanced. Many of the hardy annuals may be sown in August and +September for spring flowering, and require little or no protection +from frost. + +_Half-Hardy._--These are best sown in boxes 2 or 3 in. deep during +February and March, and placed on a slight hotbed, or in a greenhouse +at a temperature of about 60 degrees. The box should be nearly +filled with equal parts of good garden soil and coarse silver sand, +thoroughly mixed, and have holes at the bottom for drainage. Scatter +the seeds thinly and evenly over the soil and cover very lightly. Very +small seeds, such as lobelia and musk, should not be covered by earth, +but a sheet of glass over the box is beneficial, as it keeps the +moisture from evaporating too quickly. Should watering become +necessary, care must be taken that the seeds are not washed out. As +soon as the young plants appear, remove the glass and place them near +the light, where gentle ventilation can be given them to prevent long +and straggly growth. Harden off gradually, but do not plant out until +the weather is favourable. Seed may also be sown in a cold frame in +April, or in the open border during May; or the plants may be raised +in the windows of the sitting-room. + +_Tender_.--These must be sown on a hotbed, or in rather stronger heat +than is necessary for half-hardy descriptions. As soon as they are +large enough to be shifted, prick them off into small pots, gradually +potting them on into larger sizes until the flowering size is reached. + +Anomatheca Cruenta.--This produces an abundance of bright red flowers +with a dark blotch and a low growth of grass-like foliage. It is +suitable for either vases, edges, or groups. Plant the bulbs in autumn +in a mixture of loam and peat, and the plants will flower in July. +They require a slight protection from frost. If the seed is set as +soon as it is ripe it produces bulbs which will flower the following +year. Height, 6 in. + +Antennaria.--Hardy perennial plants, requiring a rich, light soil. +They flower in June and July, and may be increased by cuttings or +division. The heights of the various kinds range from 3 in. to 2 ft. + +Anthemis Tinctoria (_Yellow Marguerites_).--These perennials are +almost hardy, needing protection merely in severe weather. They are +readily raised from seed sown in gentle heat early in spring or by +slips during the summer months. Transplant into light soil. As pot +plants they are very effective. June is their flowering period. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Anthericum Liliago (_St. Bernard's Lily_).--One of the finest of hardy +plants, and easy to grow. Planted in deep, free, sandy soil, it will +grow vigorously, and in early summer throw up spikes of snowy-white, +lily-like blossoms from 2 to 3 feet in height. It may be divided every +three or four years, but should not be disturbed oftener. Mulching in +early springtime is advantageous. + +Anthericum Liliastrum _(St. Bruno's Lily_).--This hardy perennial is a +profuse bloomer, throwing up spikes of starry white flowers from May +to July. Treat in the same manner as the foregoing. Height, 2 ft. + +Anthoxanthum Gracila.--Sweet vernal grass. It is graceful and +ornamental, and is used for edgings. Sow in spring, keeping the seed +moist until it germinates. Height, 6 in. + +Anthyllis Montana.--A fine hardy perennial for rock-work. It is of a +procumbent habit, and has a woody nature. A vegetable soil is best +suited for its growth, and its roots should be in contact with large +stones. It may be increased by cuttings taken in spring and planted in +the shade in leaf-mould. It flowers at midsummer. Height, 6 in. + +Antirrhinum (_Snapdragon_).--Handsome hardy perennials; most effective +in beds or borders. They stand remarkably well both drought and +excessive rainfall, and succeed in any common soil. Seeds sown early +in spring produce flowers the same year. For spring bedding, sow in +July; keep the young plants in a cold frame, and plant out in March or +April. Choice sorts may be plentifully increased by cuttings taken in +July or August. Flower from July to September. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 +ft. + +Ants in Gardens.--Contrary to general belief, ants do more good +than harm to a garden; but as they are unsightly on flowers, it is +advisable to tie a little wool round the stems of standard roses and +other things upon which they congregate. They will not crawl over the +wool. A little sulphur sprinkled over a plant will keep them from it; +while wall-fruit, etc., may be kept free from them by surrounding it +with a broad band of chalk. Should they become troublesome on account +of their numbers a strong decoction of elder leaves poured into the +nest will destroy them; or a more expeditious method of getting rid of +them is to put gunpowder in their nests and fire it with a piece of +touch-paper tied on to a long stick. + +Aotus Gracillima.--A charming and graceful evergreen shrub, whose +slender branches are covered with small pea-like flowers in May. It is +most suitable for the greenhouse, and delights in a soil of loamy peat +and sand. Cuttings of half-ripened wood planted under glass will take +root. Height, 3 ft. + +Aphides, or plant-lice, make their presence known by the plant +assuming an unhealthy appearance, the leaves curling up, etc. +Frequently swarms of ants (which feed upon the aphides) are found +beneath the plants attacked. Syringe the plant all over repeatedly +with gas-tar water, or with tobacco or lime-water. The lady-bird is +their natural enemy. + +Apios Tuberosa (_Glycine Apios_).--An American climbing plant which +produces in the autumn bunches of purple flowers of an agreeable +odour. The foliage is light and elegant. The plant is quite hardy. It +enjoys a light soil and a good amount of sunshine. It may be increased +by separating the tubers after the tops have died down, and planting +them while they are fresh. Height, 12 ft. + +Aponogeton.--_See_ "Aquatics." + +Apples.--Apples delight in a moist, cool climate. All apples will not +succeed on the same soil, some preferring clay, while others grow best +in sandy loam or in well-drained peat. For a deep, good soil and a +sheltered situation the standard form grafted on the Crab-apple is +generally considered to be the most profitable. For shallow soils it +is better to graft on to the Paradise stock, as its roots do not run +down so low as the Crab. The ground, whether deep or shallow, should +receive a good mulching in the autumn; that on the deep soil being dug +in at the approach of spring, while that on the shallow soil should +be removed in the spring to allow the ground to be lightly forked and +sweetened, replacing the manure when the dry, hot weather sets in. The +best time to perform the grafting is March, and it should be done +on the whip-handle system, particulars of which will be found under +"Grafting." Young trees may be planted in the autumn, as soon as the +leaves have fallen. Budding is done in August, just in the same manner +as roses. In spring head back to the bud; a vigorous shoot will then +be produced, which can be trained as desired. Apples need very little +pruning, it being merely necessary to remove branches growing in the +wrong direction; but this should be done annually, while the branches +are young--either at the end of July or in winter. If moss makes its +appearance, scrape it off and wash the branches with hot lime. The +following sorts may be specially recommended:--For heavy soils, +Duchess of Oldenburgh, equally suitable for cooking or dessert; +Warner's King, one of the best for mid-season; and King of the +Pippins, a handsome and early dessert apple. For light, warm soils, +Cox's Orange Pippin or Bess Pool. The Devonshire Quarrenden is a +delicious apple, and will grow on any good soil. In orchards standards +should stand 40 ft. apart each way, and dwarfs from 10 ft. to 15 ft. + +Apricots.--Early in November is the most favourable time for planting +Apricots. The soil--good, sound loam for preference--should be dug 3 +ft. deep, and mixed with one-fourth its quantity of rotten leaves and +one-fourth old plaster refuse. Place a substratum of bricks below each +tree and tread the earth very firmly round the roots. They will not +need any manure until they are fruiting, when a little may be applied +in a weak liquid form, but a plentiful supply of water should be given +during spring and summer months. The fan shape is undoubtedly the best +way of training the branches, as it allows a ready means of tucking +small yew branches between them to protect the buds from the cold. +They may be grown on their own roots by planting the stone, but a +quicker way to obtain fruit is to bud them on to vigorous seedling +plum trees. This should be done in August, inserting the bud on +the north or north-west side of the stem and as near the ground as +possible. To obtain prime fruit, thin the fruit-buds out to a distance +of 6 in. one from the other. In the spring any leaf-buds not required +for permanent shoots can be pinched back to three or four leaves +to form spurs. The Apricot is subject to a sort of paralysis, the +branches dying off suddenly. The only remedy for this seems to be to +prevent premature vegetation. The following are good sorts: Moor Park, +Grosse Peche, Royal St. Ambroise, Kaisha, Powell's Late, and Oullin's +Early. In plantations they should stand 20 ft. apart. + +Aquatics.--All aquatics grow best in wicker-baskets filled with earth. +Cover the surface of the earth with hay-bands twisted backwards and +forwards and round the plant, and lace it down with tarred string, so +as to keep the earth and plant from being washed out. The following +make good plants:--White Water Lily (_Nymphaea Alba_) in deep water +with muddy bottom; Yellow Water Lily (_Nuphar Lutea_); and Nuphar +Advena, having yellow and red flowers; Hottonia Palustris, bearing +flesh-coloured flowers, and Alismas, or Water Plantain, with white, +and purple and white flowers. Water Forget-me-nots (_Myosotis +Palustris_) flourish on the edges of ponds or rivers. The Water +Hawthorn (_Aponogetou Distachyon_) does well in a warm, sheltered +position, and may be grown in loam, plunged in a pan of water. +Calla Ethiopica bears pretty white flowers, so also does the +before-mentioned Aponogeton Distachyon. The Flowering Rush (_Butomus +Umbellatus_), produces fine heads of pink flowers. The Water Violet +merely needs to be laid on the surface of the water; the roots float. +For shallow water Menyanthus Trifoliata (Three-leaved Buckbean) and +Typha Latifolia (Broad-leaved Cat's Tail) are suitable. Weeping +Willows grow readily from cuttings of ripened shoots, planted in moist +soil in autumn. Spiraea does well in moist situations, near water. +Aquatics are propagated by seed sown under water: many will allow of +root-division. Tender Aquatics are removed in winter to warm-water +tanks. + +Aquilegia (_Columbine_).--Very ornamental and easily-grown hardy +perennials. Sow seed in March in sandy soil, under glass, and +transplant when strong enough. Common garden soil suits them. The +roots may be divided in spring or autumn. The flowers are produced +from May to July. Height, 2 ft. + +Arabis Alpina (_Rock Cress, or Snow in Summer_).--Pure white hardy +perennial, which is valuable for spring bedding. Not particular to +soil, and easily raised from seed sown from March to June, placed +under a frame, and transplanted in the autumn, or it may be propagated +by slips, but more surely by rootlets taken after the plants have done +flowering. Plant 3 in. apart. Height, 6 in. + +Aralia (_Fatsia Japonica_).--Fine foliage plants, very suitable for a +shady situation in a living-room. They may be raised from seed sown +in autumn in a gentle heat, in well-drained pots of light sandy soil. +Keep the mould moist, and when the plants are large enough to handle, +pot them off singly in thumb pots, using rich, light, sandy soil. Do +not pot too firmly. Keep them moist, but do not over water, especially +in winter, and re-pot as the plants increase in size. Be careful not +to let the sun shine on them at any time, as this would cause the +leaves to lose their fresh colour. + +Aralia Sieboldi (_Fig Palm_).--This shrub is an evergreen, and is +generally given stove culture, though it proves quite hardy in the +open, where its large deep-green leaves acquire a beauty surpassing +those grown indoors. Slips of half-ripened wood taken at a joint in +July may be struck in heat and for the first year grown on in the +greenhouse. The young plants should be hardened off and planted out +in May in a sunny situation. It should be grown in well-drained sandy +loam. Is increased also by off-sets, and blooms (if at all) in July. +Height, 3 ft. + +Aralia Sinensis. _See_ "Dimorphantus." + +Araucaria Imbricata (_The Monkey Puzzle, or Chilian Pine_).--This +strikingly handsome conifer is very suitable for a forecourt or for +a single specimen on grass. Young plants are sometimes grown in the +conservatory and in the borders of shrubberies, as well as in the +centres of beds. It requires a good stiff sandy loam, which must be +well drained, and plenty of room for root action should be allowed. +Young plants are obtained from seed sown in good mellow soil. Water +sparingly, especially during the winter. + +Arbor Vitae. _See_ "Thuya." + +Arbutus (_Strawberry Tree_).--Elegant evergreen shrubs with dark +foliage of great beauty during October and November, when they produce +an abundance of pearly-white flowers, and the fruit of the previous +year is ripe. A. Unedo is particularly charming. They flourish in the +open in sandy loam. The dwarfs are increased by layers, the rest by +seeds or by budding on each other. + +Arctostaphylos.--These evergreen shrubs need the same treatment as +Arbutos. A. Uva-ursi, or Creeping Arbutos, is a pretty prostrate +evergreen, which flowers in May, and is only 3 in. high. + +Arctotis.--A showy and interesting half-hardy annual. Raise the seed +in a frame in March, and transplant in May. It succeeds best in a +mixture of loam and peat. It flowers in June. Height, 1 ft. + +Arctotis Grandis.--A very handsome, half-hardy annual producing large +daisy-like flowers on long wiry stems, the upper part being white and +the base yellow and lilac, while the reverse of the petals are of +a light lilac. The seed should be sown early in spring on a slight +hot-bed, and the plants potted off, when sufficiently strong, using a +rich, light mould. They may be transferred to the border as soon as +all fear of frost is over. Height, 2-1/2 ft. + +Ardisia Japonica.--An evergreen shrub which delights in a mixture of +loam and peat. Cuttings will strike if planted in sand under glass +with a little bottom heat. It flowers in July. Height, 6 ft. + +Arenaria Balearica (_Sand Wort_).--A hardy evergreen trailing plant of +easy culture, provided it is favoured with a sandy soil. Its cushions +of white flowers are produced in July, and it may be increased by seed +or division. Height, 3 in. It is a beautiful plant for moist, shady +rock-work. + +Argemone.--Interesting hardy annuals, succeeding well in any common +garden soil. Are increased by suckers or by seed sown in spring. +Height, 6 in. to 3 ft. + +Aristolochia Sipho (_Dutchman's Pipe_).--This hardy, deciduous climber +grows best in peat and sandy loam with the addition of a little dung. +It may be raised from cuttings placed in sand under glass. Height, 30 +ft. + +Armeria (_Thrift_).--Handsome hardy perennials for rock-work or pots. +They require an open, rich, sandy soil. Bloom June to September. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Arnebia.--Ornamental hardy annuals, closely allied to the Anchusa. +The seeds are sown in the open in spring, and flowers are produced in +July. Height, 2 ft. There is also a dwarf hardy perennial variety (_A. +Echioides_) known as the Prophet's Flower, growing about 1 ft. high, +and flowering early in summer. It needs no special treatment. + +Artemisia Annua.--Pretty hardy annuals, the silvery leaves of the +plant being very effective on rock-work. Sow the seed in spring where +it is to flower. Height, 6 ft. + +Artemisia Arborea. _See_ "Southernwood." + +Artemisia Villarsii.--A hardy perennial whose graceful sprays of +finely-cut silvery foliage are very useful for mixing with cut +flowers. It may be grown from seed on any soil, and the roots bear +dividing; flowers from June to August. Height, 2 ft. + +Artichokes.--The Jerusalem variety will flourish in light sandy soil +where few other things will grow. Plant the tubers in March, 6 in. +deep and 12 in. apart in rows 3 ft. asunder, and raise and store them +in November. The Globe variety is increased by off-sets taken in +March. Set them in deeply manured ground in threes, at least 2 ft. +apart and 4 ft. from row to row. Keep them well watered, and the +ground between them loose. They bear best when two or three years old. + +Arum Lilies.--In warm districts these beautiful plants may be grown +in damp places out of doors, with a south aspect and a background of +shrubs, though, not being thoroughly hardy, it is safer to grow them +in pots. They may be raised from seed in boxes of leaf-mould and sand, +covering them with glass, and keeping them well watered. As soon as +they can be handled, transplant them into small pots, and pot on as +they increase in size. They may also be increased by the small shoots +that form round the base of the corms, using a compost of loam, +leaf-mould, and sand, with a little crushed charcoal. In June +transplant them in the open to ripen their corms, and in August +put them carefully into 6-in. pots filled with the above-mentioned +compost. They need at all times a good amount of moisture, especially +at such times as they are removed from one soil to another. At the +same time, it is necessary to procure good drainage. It is well to +feed them every other day with weak liquid manure. A temperature of 55 +degrees throughout the winter is quite sufficient. When grown in the +open, the bulbs should be placed 3 in. below the soil, with a little +silver sand beneath each, and not be disturbed oftener than once in +four years. Three or four may stand a foot apart. Stake neatly the +flower stems. They flower from September to June. + +Arums.--Remarkably handsome plants with fine foliage and curious +inflorescence more or less enclosed in a hooded spathe, which is +generally richly coloured and marked. They are hardy, easily grown in +any soil (a good sandy one is preferable), and flower in July. Height, +1-1/2 ft. (_See also_ "Calla.") + +Asarum Europaeum.--This curious hardy perennial will grow in almost +any soil, and may be increased by taking off portions of the root +early in autumn, placing them in small pots till the beginning of +spring, then planting them out. It produces its purple flowers in May. +Height, 9 in. + +Asclepias (_Swallow-Wort_).--Showy hardy perennials which require +plenty of room to develop. They may be grown from seed sown in August +or April, or can be increased by division of the root. A very light +soil is needed, and plenty of sunshine. Flowers are produced in July. +Height, 1 ft. to 2-1/2 ft. + +Asparagus.--Sow in March or April, in rich light soil, allowing the +plants to remain in the seed-beds until the following spring; then +transplant into beds thoroughly prepared by trenching the ground 3 ft. +deep, and mixing about a foot thick of well-rotted manure and a good +proportion of broken bones and salt with the soil. The plants should +stand 2 ft. apart. In dry weather water liberally with liquid manure, +and fork in a good supply of manure every autumn. Give protection in +winter. The plants should not be cut for use until they become strong +and throw up fine grass, and cutting should not be continued late in +the season. April is a good time for making new beds. The roots should +be planted as soon as possible after they are lifted, as exposure to +the air is very injurious to them. + +Asparagus Plumosus Nanus is a greenhouse variety, bearing fern-like +foliage. The seeds should be sown in slight heat early in spring. + +Asparagus Sprengeri.--This delightful greenhouse climber is seen to +best advantage when suspended in a hanging basket, but it also makes +an attractive plant when grown on upright sticks, or on trellis-work. +It is useful for cut purposes, lasting a long time in this state, +and is fast taking the place of ferns, its light and elegant foliage +making it a general favourite. It should be grown in rich, light +mould, and may be propagated by seed or division. The roots should not +be kept too wet, especially in cold weather. + +Asperula (_Woodruff_).--A. Azurea Setosa is a pretty, light-blue +hardy annual, which is usually sown in the open in autumn for early +flowering; if sown in the spring it will bloom in June or July. A. +Odorata is a hardy perennial, merely needing ordinary treatment. It is +serviceable for perfuming clothes, etc. Asperulas thrive in a moist +soil, and grow well under the shade of trees. Height, 1 ft. + +Asphalte Paths.--Sift coarse gravel so as to remove the dusty portion, +and mix it with boiling tar in the proportion of 25 gallons to each +load. Spread it evenly, cover the surface with a layer of spar, +shells, or coarse sand, and roll it in before the tar sets. + +Asphodelus.--Bold hardy herbaceous plants; fine for borders; will grow +in common soil, and flower between May and August. Increased by young +plants taken from the roots. Height, 2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft. + +Aspidistra.--This greenhouse herbaceous perennial is a drawing-room +palm, and is interesting from the fact that it produces its flowers +beneath the surface of the soil. It thrives in any fairly good mould, +but to grow it to perfection it should be accommodated with three +parts loam, one part leaf-mould, and one part sand. It will do in any +position, but is best shaded from the midday sun. It may be increased +by suckers, or by dividing the roots in April, May, or June. Supply +the plant freely with water, especially when root-bound. When dusty, +the leaves should be sponged with tepid milk and water--a teacup of +the former to a gallon of the latter. This imparts a gloss to the +leaves. A poor sandy soil is more suitable for the variegated kind, as +this renders the variegation more constant. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Asters.--This splendid class of half-hardy annuals has been vastly +improved by both French and German cultivators. Speaking generally, +the flowers of the French section resemble the chrysanthemum, and +those of the German the paeony. They all delight in a very rich, light +soil, and need plenty of room from the commencement of their growth. +The first sowing may be made in February or March, on a gentle hotbed, +followed by others at about fourteen days' interval. The seeds are +best sown in shallow drills and lightly covered with soil, then +pressed down by a board. Prick out the seedlings 2 in. apart, and +plant them out about the middle of May in a deeply-manured bed. If +plant food be given it must be forked in lightly, as the Aster is very +shallow-rooting, and it should be discontinued when the buds appear. +For exhibition purposes remove the middle bud, mulch the ground with +some good rotten soil from an old turf heap, and occasionally give a +little manure water. + +Astilbe.--Ornamental, hardy herbaceous perennials, with large handsome +foliage, and dense plumes of flowers, requiring a peaty soil for their +successful cultivation. They may be grown from seed sown in July or +August, or may be increased by division. They flower at the end of +July. The varieties vary in height, some growing as tall as 6 ft. + +Astragalus Alpinus.--A hardy perennial bearing bluish-purple flowers. +It will grow in any decent soil, and can be propagated from seed sown +in spring or autumn, or by division. Height, 6 ft. + +Astragalus Hypoglottis.--A hardy deciduous trailing plant, producing +purple flowers in July. Sow the seed early in spring on a moderate +hotbed, and plant out into any garden soil. Height, 3 in. + +Astragalus Lotoides.--This pretty little trailer is of the same height +as A. Hypoglottis, and merely requires the same treatment. It flowers +in August. + +Astrantia.--This herbaceous plant is quite hardy, and will thrive in +any good garden soil, producing its flowers in June and July. Seed may +be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Atragene Austriaca.--Handsome, hardy climbers, which may be grown in +any garden soil. They flower in August, and are increased by layers or +by cuttings under glass. Height, 8 ft. + +Atriplex.--Straggling hardy annuals of very little beauty. Will grow +in any soil if sown in spring, and only require ordinary attention. +Flower in July. Height, 5 ft. + +Aubergine.--_See_ "Egg-Plant." + +Aubrietia.--An early spring-blooming hardy perennial. Very ornamental +either in the garden or on rock-work, the flowers lasting a long time. +An open and dry situation suits it best. May be readily raised from +seed, and increased by dividing the roots or by cuttings under a +glass. Flowers in March and April. Height 6 in. + +Aucuba.--Hardy evergreen shrubs, some having blotched leaves. They +look well standing alone on grass plots, and are indifferent to +soil or position. Cuttings may be struck in any garden soil under a +hand-glass in August, or by layers in April or May. When the male and +female varieties are planted together, the latter produce an abundance +of large red berries, rendering the plant very showy and ornamental. +They bloom in June. Height, 6 ft. + +Auricula.--This is a species of primrose, and is sometimes called +Bear's Ear from the shape of its leaves. It succeeds best in a mixture +of loam and peat, or in four parts rotten loam, two parts rotten cow +dung, and one part silver sand; delights in shade, and will not bear +too much water. It makes an effective border to beds, and is readily +propagated by off-sets taken early in autumn, or in February or March, +by division of roots immediately after flowering, or from seed sown in +March on gentle heat in firmly pressed light, rich soil, covered with +a piece of glass and shaded from the sun till the plants are well up, +when sun and air is needed. When large enough to handle, prick them +out in a cold frame 6 in. apart, and keep them there through the +winter. Take care to press the soil well round the roots of off-sets. +October is a good time for making new borders. The half-hardy kinds +require the protection of a house in winter. Height, 6 in. + +Avena Sterilis.--A very singular hardy-annual ornamental grass, +generally known as Animated Oats. Very useful in a green state for +mixing with cut flowers. Sow in March or early in April. Height, 3 ft. + +Azaleas (_Greenhouse_).--A good soil for these deciduous shrubs is +made by mixing a fair quantity of silver sand with good fibrous peat. +The plants must never be allowed to become too wet nor too dry, and +must be shaded from excessive sunshine. After they have flowered +remove the remains of the blooms, place the plants out of doors in +the sun to ripen the wood, or in a temperature of 60 degrees or +65 degrees, and syringe them freely twice a day. If they require +shifting, it must be done directly the flowers have fallen. Cuttings +taken off close to the plant will root in sand under a glass placed in +heat. A. Indica is a plant of great beauty. Stand it in the open air +in summer, in a partially shaded position. In winter remove it to a +cool part of the greenhouse. The hardy varieties should receive the +same treatment as rhododendrons. Flowers in June. Height, 4 ft. + +Azara Microphylla--This hardy evergreen shrub, with its fan-like +branches and small dark, glossy leaves, is very ornamental and +sweet-scented. It is increased by placing cuttings of ripened wood in +sand under glass with a little heat. Height, 3 ft. + + +B + + +Babianas.--Charming, sweet-scented flowers, suitable for either pot +cultivation or the border. In August or September place five bulbs in +a well-drained 5-in. pot, using rich, light, very sandy soil; cover +them completely, and press the mould down gently. Water very sparingly +until the roots are well formed; indeed, if the soil is moist when the +bulbs are planted, no water will be needed till the new growth appears +above ground. Stand the pots in ashes and cover them with 3 in. of +cocoa-nut fibre. When the flower spikes are formed, give weak liquid +manure twice a week till the flowers open. Keep them in a temperature +of 55 degrees. When the foliage begins to die down gradually, lessen +the amount of moisture given. The bulbs while dormant are best left in +the pots. For cultivation in the open, choose a warm situation, make +the soil light and sandy, adding a good proportion of well-rotted +manure, and plant the bulbs 5 in. deep either in autumn or spring. +Height, 6 in. to 9 in. + +Bahia Lanata.--A hardy herbaceous plant of easy culture from seed sown +in spring or autumn in any garden soil. It produces bright orange +flowers from June to August. Height, 1 ft. + +Bahia Trolliifolia.--This hardy herbaceous perennial will grow in any +kind of soil. It flowers in August, and can be increased by division. +Height, 1 ft. + +Balsams.--The seeds of these tender annuals require to be sown in +early spring in a hot-house or a warm frame having a temperature of 65 +to 75 degrees. When 2 or 3 in. high, or large enough to handle, prick +off singly into small pots, shade them till they are established, and +re-pot as they advance in strength in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, +sand, and old manure. Give them air when the weather is favourable. +The last shift should be into 24-sized pots. Supply them with an +abundance of liquid manure, admit as much air as possible, and syringe +freely. They must never be allowed to get dry. Secure their stems +firmly to sticks. They will flower in the open early in September. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Bambusa.--The dwarf-growing Bamboos Fortunei variegata and +Viridi-striata make graceful edgings to borders or paths. The whole +family like a rich, loamy, damp soil. + +Baneberry.--_See_ "Actæa." + +Baptisia Australis.--This ornamental hardy perennial makes a good +border plant, growing in any loamy soil, and producing its blue +flowers in June and July. It can be multiplied by dividing the root. +Height, 3 ft. + +Barbarea.--_See_ "Rocket." + +Barberries.--Very ornamental hardy shrubs, bearing rich yellow flowers +in spring and attractive fruit in the autumn. Most handsome when +trained to a single stem and the head allowed to expand freely. They +are not particular as to soil, but prefer a rather light one, and +succeed best in a moist, shady situation. Cuttings or layers root +freely in the open. They require very little attention, beyond +occasionally cutting away some of the old branches to make room for +new growth. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Bartonia aurea.--Beautiful hardy annuals, the flowers of which open +at night and effuse a delightful odour. Sow the seed in autumn on a +gentle hotbed; pot off, and protect in a greenhouse during the winter. +Plant them out in the open in May, where they will flower in June. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Bay, Sweet _(Laurus Nobilis_).--This half-hardy evergreen shrub likes +a sheltered position. Protection from severe frosts is requisite, +especially while it is young. It is more suitable as an isolated +specimen plant than for the border. Increased by layers or by cuttings +of the roots. + +Beans, Broad.--A deep, strong loam is most suitable, but good crops +can be obtained from any garden soil. The first sowing should be made +in February or March, and in succession to May. A sowing of Beck's +Green Gem or Dwarf Fan may even be made in November in rows 2 ft. +apart. Other varieties should be planted in rows 3 ft. apart, sowing +the seed 3 in. deep and at intervals of 6 in. When the plants have +done flowering pinch off the tops, to ensure a better crop; and if +the black fly has attacked them, take off the tops low enough down to +remove the pests, and burn them at once. Seville Longpod and Aquadulce +may be recommended for an early crop, and Johnson's Wonderful and +Harlington Windsor for a main one. + +Beans, French.--The soil should be dug over to a depth of at least 12 +in. and liberally enriched with manure. In the open ground the first +sowing may be made about the third week in April, another sowing early +in May, and subsequent sowings for succession every two or three weeks +until the end of July. Plant in rows 2 ft apart, and the seeds 6 to 9 +in. apart in the rows. A sharp look-out ought to be kept for slugs, +which are very partial to French Beans when pushing through the soil. +For forcing, sow in pots under glass from December to March. + +Beans, Runner.--These are not particular as to position or soil, but +the best results are obtained by placing them in a deep rich mould +where they can get a fair amount of sunlight. Sow, from the second +week in May until the first week in July for succession, in rows 6 ft. +apart, thinning the plants out to 1 ft. apart in the rows. Protect +from slugs when the plants are coming through the ground, and support +them with sticks immediately the growth begins to run. Scarlet Runners +may be kept dwarf by pinching off the tops when the plants are about 1 +ft. high, and nipping off the subsequent shoots when 6 in. long. + +Beet.--Land that has been well manured for the previous crop is the +best on which to obtain well-shaped roots of high quality. Sow in +April and May in drills 18 in. apart, and thin out the plants to about +9 in. apart. Take up for use as wanted until November, when the whole +crop should be taken up and stored in dry sand, and in a place where +neither moisture nor frost can reach them. When storing them cut off +the tails and some portion of the crowns, but be careful not to wound +any part of the fleshy root. + +Begonias.--A somewhat succulent genus of conservatory plants. They all +require a very rich loamy soil containing a little sand; and heat, +moisture, and shade are essential to their health. Cuttings 2 or 3 in. +long will root readily in spring or summer. Stand the cuttings in the +shade and do not over-water them; or they may be raised from seed sown +in March in a hot-house or frame having a temperature of 65 degrees. +Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Tuberous Begonias should be planted in small pots placed in heat, +early in spring, and at intervals of a fortnight for succession, using +a compost of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand. Press +the soil rather firmly so as to promote sturdy growth, and only just +cover the top of the tuber. Water moderately till the plants begin to +grow freely. Gradually harden off, and plant out the last week in +May or early in June, or shift into larger pots for conservatory +decoration. Cuttings may be taken in April. The plants may also be +raised from seed sown in February or March in a temperature of 65 +degrees. Before sowing mix the seed with silver sand, then sprinkle it +evenly over a box or pan of moist, fine, light loam and silver sand; +cover with a sheet of glass, and keep shaded. Transplant into small +pots, and pot on from time to time as the plants increase in size. +Plants so treated will flower in June or July. When the leaves of the +old plants turn yellow keep the roots quite dry, afterwards turn them +out of the pots and bury them in cocoa-nut fibre till January, when +they must be re-potted. + +Belladonna Lily.--_See_ "Amaryllis." + +Bellis Perennis.--_See_ "Daisies." + +Benthamia.--An ornamental half-hardy shrub. A profuse bloomer, the +flowers of which are followed by edible strawberry-like fruit. Will +succeed in any good garden against a south wall. Easily raised from +seed or by layers. Flowers in August. Height, 3 ft. + +Berberidopsis Corallina.--Distinct and very pretty evergreen climbing +shrubs, which prove hardy in the south and west, but need protection +in other places. They are not particular as to soil, and may be +increased by cuttings. + +Bergamot _(Monardia Didyma_).--This hardy perennial will grow almost +anywhere, and may be increased by seed or by division of the root. It +flowers in _July_. Height, 4 ft. + +Beta Cicla.--A hardy annual which succeeds in any common soil. Its +dark crimson and yellow flowers are borne in August. Height, 6 ft. It +is used as spinach. In Germany the midrib of the leaf is boiled and +eaten with gravy or melted butter. + +Betonica.--_See_ "Stachys." + +Biennials.--These plants take two years to flower, and then they die +away altogether. The seed of the hardy varieties is sown thinly in +the open border any time between April and June, and the plants +transferred in the autumn to the place where they are intended to +bloom. Seed is also sown in August and September for flowering the +following year. The half-hardy kinds may be sown in May or June. These +require protection during winter, such as is afforded by a cold pit, +frame, or greenhouse, or the covering of a mat or litter. + +Bignonia _(Trumpet Flower_).--This is admirably suitable for a south +wall, but it requires plenty of room. It is propagated by cuttings +placed in sand, or by cuttings of the root. These should be planted +out in the spring, or autumn will do if they are covered with a +hand-glass. + +Biota.--_See_ "Thuya." + +Bird Cherry.--_See_ "Cerasus." + +Blackberries.--To obtain good crops plant in a poor, dry soil on +raised banks facing south. The bushes should be planted 6 ft. apart. + +Bladder Nut.--_See_ "Staphylea." + +Blanket Flower.--_See_ "Gaillardia." + +Bleeding Heart.--_See_ "Dielytra." + +Bocconia Cordata.--Ornamental hardy perennials. They do best on a +loamy soil, and may be increased by suckers taken from established +plants in the summer and placed in rich soil; or by cuttings planted +in sand, in a gentle heat under glass; also by seed sown during the +autumn months. They appear to the greatest advantage when grown as +solitary plants, away from other tall-growing flowers. The variety B. +Frutescens has an exceedingly pretty foliage. August is the month in +which they flower. Height, 6 ft. + +Bog or Marsh Land.--By planting a few of the more distinct species +adapted for such positions, bogs or marshes may be made interesting. +The following plants are suitable:--Arundo Donax, Bambusa Fortunei, +Cypripedium Spectabile, Dondia Epipactis, Drosera Rotundifolia, +Gunnera Scabra, Iris Kaempferi, Iris pseud-Acorus, Juncus Zebrinus, +Myosotis Palustris, Osmunda Regalis, Parnassia Palustris, Pinguicula +Vulgaris, Polygonum Sieboldi, and Sarracenia Purpurea. + +Boltonia Asteroides.--This is a hardy perennial which flowers in +September. The same treatment that is given to Asters is suitable for +this plant. Height, 3 ft. + +Bomarea.--A useful greenhouse climber, the flowers of which are +valuable for cutting, as they last a long time in water. It thrives +best in a mixture of sand, peat, and loam. + +Borago Laxiflora.--This very choice Boragewort is a trailing hardy +biennial. It produces lovely pale pendent flowers from June to +August, will grow in almost any soil, and can be increased by seed or +division. Height, 1 ft. + +Borecole, Kale, or Curled Greens.--Sow towards the end of March or +early in April. Plant out as soon as ready in moderately rich soil in +rows 3 ft. apart, and the plants 2 ft. apart in the rows. If the seed +is sown thickly, the young plants must be pricked off into another bed +until ready for planting, as strong, sturdy plants always produce the +best results. They may succeed peas without any fresh manure. + +Boronias.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. A single plant of B. +Megastigma is sufficient to perfume a good-sized house. B. Drummondi, +Elatior, Heterophylla, and Serrulata are all good plants. The pots +should be filled with sandy peat and be well drained. They are +propagated by cuttings taken at a joint and placed under glass. May is +their flowering month. Height, 2 ft. + +Bougainvillea.--A greenhouse evergreen climber, thriving best in a +loamy soil. It flowers in June, and may be increased by cuttings. +Height, 15 ft. + +Bousingaultia Basselloides.--A rapidly growing climber, beautiful both +in flower and foliage, the former of which is pure white, produced in +July in elegant racemes from 6 in. to 8 in. long. It is nearly hardy; +very suitable for a cool greenhouse. Any garden soil suits it. Height, +6 ft. + +Bouvardias.--Favourite stove plants. They are propagated by pieces of +the thick fleshy roots, about 2 in. long, inserted in light, rich, +sandy soil, and plunged in a bottom-heat. Plant out in May in rich, +light soil, cutting back all the over-vigorous growth, so as to form a +well-balanced plant. At the approach of cold weather they may be taken +up and potted off, using small pots to prevent them damping off. In a +warm greenhouse they will flower all the winter. + +Box Edging.--A deep loam suits the box best. Cuttings should be taken +early in autumn. Dig a trench, and make the bottom firm and even. Set +the young plants thinly and at regular intervals, leaving the tops 1 +in. above the surface. Tread the soil firmly against them. Cover with +1 in. of gravel to prevent them growing too luxuriantly. The end of +June is a good time for clipping. May be transplanted early in spring +or late in autumn. (_See also_ "Buxus.") + +Brachycome (_Swan River Daisy_).--Beautiful little half-hardy annuals +bearing cineraria-like flowers that open well in the border in summer. +If well watered in autumn and removed to the greenhouse they will +continue to bloom during early winter. Sow the seed as for ordinary +half-hardy annuals in rich, light mould, covering them sparingly. +Bloom in May. Height, 6 in. + +Bravoa Geminiflora (_Twin Flower_).--This hardy bulbous plant bears +lovely racemes of coral-coloured flowers in July. A rich loam suits it +best. Height, 1 ft. + +Briza (_Quaking Grass_).--There are several varieties of this +ornamental hardy annual grass. Briza Gracillis is slender, and very +pretty both in a green and dried state. Briza Maxima bears large +and handsome panicles. Each variety should be sown in pots, or on a +sheltered bed out of doors, early in spring. Height, 1 ft. + +Broccoli.--Requires a heavy, deep, rich soil, and liquid manure during +growth. For earliest crop sow thinly in beds early in March, giving a +little protection if necessary. Successional sowings should be made to +the end of June, to produce a constant supply till Cauliflowers are +ready. Transplant, when large enough to handle, about 2 ft. from each +other. Keep the ground free from weeds, and earth the plants up as +they advance in growth. Sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli in May for late +spring supplies. + +Brodiaea Coccinea.--Handsome plants for rock-work or the border. On a +dry, light, sandy soil, with plenty of sunshine, their gorgeous spikes +of brilliant scarlet flowers are very attractive in May. The bulbs may +be planted in November, and left undisturbed. + +Broom.--Hardy shrubs thriving in almost any soil. Cuttings will +strike if planted in sand under glass. (_See also_ "Genista" _and_ +"Spartium.") + +Broussonetia Papyrifera.--A very effective deciduous shrub, with +large, curiously-cut leaves. It likes an open soil, and is propagated +by cuttings. February is its blooming time. Height, 12 ft. + +Browallia.--Very handsome half-hardy annuals; will grow readily from +seed in any garden soil, but prefer a sandy one. They bloom in July. +Height, 2 ft. + +Brussels Sprouts.--For a first crop sow early in March, and in April +for succession. Transplant as soon as ready into deeply-trenched, +well-manured soil, about 2 ft. apart. Hoe well, and keep clear from +weeds. For exhibition and early use sow in a greenhouse, or in a frame +over a gentle hotbed, about the middle of February; prick off into a +cold frame, gradually harden off, and plant out in May. + +Bryanthus Erectus.--A hardy evergreen shrub, which will grow in any +soil if the situation is shady and damp. It thrives without any +sunshine, but will not endure the constant dropping of moisture upon +its leaves from trees. Cuttings strike readily. April is its flowering +time. Height, 1 ft. + +Budding.--Budding consists in raising an eye or bud from one part of +a bush or tree and transplanting it to another part, or to any other +plant of the same species. The process is not only more simple and +rapid than that of grafting, but many leading nurserymen contend that +a better union is effected, without the risk of dead wood being left +at the junction. It may be performed at any time from June to August, +cloudy days being most suitable, as the buds unite better in wet +weather. It is chiefly employed on young trees having a smooth and +tender bark. Of the various systems of budding, that known as the +Shield is probably the most successful. Make a small horizontal cut +in the bark of the stock, and also a vertical one about an inch long, +thus forming an elongated T shape. Next select a branch of the current +year's growth on which there is a well-formed leaf-bud. Pass a sharp +knife 1/2 in. above the bud and the same distance below it, taking +about a third of the wood with the bud. If in the process of detaching +it the interior of the bud is torn away it is useless, and a fresh bud +must be taken. Now hold the bud in the mouth, and with as little delay +as possible raise the bark of the stock with a knife, insert the bud, +and bind it on with raffia. When the bud begins to grow the binding +must be loosened. To prevent the shoots being torn away by the wind a +stake may be tied on to the stock, and the new shoot secured to it by +means of raffia. Fruit trees are sometimes budded close to the soil on +stocks 1-1/2 ft. in height. The buds are rubbed off the stock as soon +as they appear, but the stock is not cut away until the following +spring. + +Buddlea.--Half-hardy, tall, deciduous greenhouse shrubs, delighting in +a loamy soil mixed with peat. They may be grown out of doors during +the summer, but need the protection of a house in winter. + +Bugloss (_Anchusa_).--This showy plant, bearing large blue flowers in +June, may be increased by division of the roots into as many plants as +there are heads, from slips, or from seed sown in the open border in +spring. It is popularly known as Ox-Tongue. + +Bulbocodium Trigynum (_Colchicum Caucasium_).--A miniature hardy +bulbous plant, which produces in February and March erect flowers +about the size of snowdrops. Set the bulbs in sandy loam or +leaf-mould, choosing a sunny situation. The bulbs may be divided every +other year. Height, 2 in. + +Bulbocodium Vernum (_Spring Saffron_).--This bulb produces early in +spring, and preceding the foliage, a mass of rose-purple flowers close +to the ground. It is perfectly hardy, and valuable for edgings +or rock-work. Plant in autumn in light vegetable mould, and in a +sheltered, well-drained position. It will not grow in stiff, clay +soil. The bulbs may be divided every two years, after the tops have +died down. This dwarf plant flowers from January to March. Height, 6 +in. + +Buphthalmum Salicifolium (_Deep Golden-yellow Marguerite_).--Showy +and ornamental hardy perennials. They will grow in any good soil, and +flower from May to September; may be increased by suckers. Height, +1-1/2 ft. + +Burning Bush.--_See_ "Dictamnus" _and_ "Fraxinella." + +Buxus (_Tree Box_).--A useful evergreen shrub which may be grown in +any soil or situation. The B. Japonica Aurea is one of the best golden +plants known for edgings to a walk. The closer it is clipped the +brighter it becomes. Increased by suckers or layers. + + +C + + +Cabbage.--Sow from February to April for an autumn supply, and in July +and August for spring cutting. As soon as the plants have made four or +five leaves, transplant into soil that has been liberally manured and +trenched, or dug deeply, placing them 18 in. or 2 ft. apart, according +to the kind grown. Keep the soil well broken up, and give a liberal +supply of liquid manure while they are in a growing state. An open +and sunny situation is necessary. Among the best varieties for +spring sowing are Heartwell, Early Marrow, Little Pixie, Nonpareil, +Sugarloaf, and Early Dwarf York. For autumn sowing, Ellam's Dwarf +Early Spring, Defiance, and Enfield Market may be recommended. + +Coleworts may be sown in June, July, and August for succession, +placing them about a foot apart, and cutting before they heart. + +Chou de Burghley is of great value for spring sowing, and will be +found very useful during autumn and early in winter. This vegetable +is sometimes called Cabbage Broccoli, on account of the miniature +Broccoli which are formed among its inner leaves towards autumn. + +Couve Tronchuda, known also as Braganza Marrow and Portugal Cabbage, +should be sown in March, April, and May for succession. + +Savoy Cabbage is sown in March or April, and given the same treatment +as other Cabbage. Its flavour is much improved if the plants are +mellowed by frost before being cut for use. + +Red Dutch is used almost solely for pickling. Its cultivation is +precisely the same as the white varieties. + +Cacalia.--Hardy annuals, remarkable for their awkward-looking stems +and discoloured leaves. They grow best in a mixture of sandy loam, +brick rubbish, and decomposed dung, well reduced. They require very +little water while growing, and the pots must be well drained. +Cuttings, laid by for a few days to dry, strike readily. Flower in +June. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Cactus.--A sandy loam with brick rubbish and a little peat or rotten +manure suits them. Echinopsis is a good plant for cool houses or +windows. During the summer it should be syringed over-head with tepid +water, and weak soot water should be given three times a week. It is +propagated by off-sets planted in sand, also by slicing off a portion +from the top of the plant and placing it in light, rich, porous loam. + +Caladiums.--Favourite hothouse foliage plants, generally grown in peat +soil at a temperature of 70 degrees. They require plenty of light +while growing, and to be kept moderately moist at the roots. As the +leaves lose colour less water should be given, and during winter they +must be kept almost dry. When fresh growth begins, shake them out of +their pots and put them into fresh mould. In syringing the plants use +nothing but the purest rainwater, but the less the leaves are wetted +the better for the appearance of the plants. They may be increased by +dividing the root stock into as many pieces as there are crowns. These +should be planted in very rich, sandy soil, an inch or so below the +surface. + +Calamintha Grandiflora.--This hardy herbaceous plant has +sweetly-fragrant foliage, and bears rose-coloured flowers from May +to September. Any loamy soil suits it, and it is easily increased by +suckers. Height, 1 ft. + +Calampelis.--A species of half-hardy climbing plants of great merit. +They are elegant when in flower, and will endure the open air. They +should be trained to a south wall, or over a vase, or up a pillar. +Any light loamy soil suits them, and they are easily increased by +cuttings. Flower in July. Height, 10 ft. (_See also_ "Eccremocarpus.") + +Calandrinia.--Very pretty hardy annuals. They grow well in sunny +places in a mixture of loam and peat, and may be raised from seed sown +in the spring or by cuttings placed under hand-glasses. Bloom in July. +Height, 6 in. to 1 ft. + +Calceolaria.--Many of the varieties are suitable for the greenhouse +only. They may be grown from seed, but as this is so small it should +not be covered; and in watering them it is best to stand the seed-pans +in water so that the moisture ascends, as watering from the top might +wash the seed too deeply into the soil. July and August are the two +best months for sowing. The half-shrubby kinds make fine bedding +plants. They are easily reared from cuttings. These are best taken +in October. Put them in light, sandy mould on a well-drained north +border; press the earth round them, and cover with a hand-glass. In +very frosty weather a mat should be laid over the glass. Pot them off +in spring; give plenty of air, and plant them out at the beginning of +June, or before, if weather permits. + +Calendula (_Marigolds_).--Very showy hardy annuals. They merely +require sowing in the open in autumn for an early display of bloom, +or in spring for a later show, but the autumn sowing gives the more +satisfaction. Flower during June and July. Height, 1 ft. + + +Californian Plants.--Great care should be taken not to allow the sun +to strike on the collar of any of the plants from California, as they +readily succumb if it does so. + + +Calla.--These showy plants, sometimes called Arum, are worth +cultivating. They make handsome pot-plants, bearing fine white flowers +in the spring. May be grown from seeds, or roots may be divided. +They are quickly increased by off-sets from the root in August or +September. Plant the off-sets from the fleshy roots singly in small, +well-drained pots of sandy loam with one-fourth leaf-mould or +well-rotted manure, and keep them in a very warm situation. Water them +well while in growth, scantily after the leaves begin to wither, and +afterwards give only enough moisture to keep them alive. Leave the +plants in the light while the leaves die off, and then place them in a +shed, in complete repose, for a month or so. Re-pot them in October +or November, and give plenty of water. They may stand in saucers of +water, but this must be changed daily. They flower from May to July. +Height, 2 ft. + +Callichroa.--A hardy annual which well deserves a place in the garden +border, both on account of its dwarf and slender habit and also the +colour of its flowers. It is satisfied with any ordinary soil. The +seed is raised on a hotbed in March, or in the open in April, and it +blooms in the autumn. Height, 1 ft. + +Calliopsis.--_See_ "Coreopsis." + +Callirhoe (_Digitata_).--Hardy annuals demanding but little attention. +The seed is sown in the open in March. Height, 1 ft. + +Calochortus Luteus.--This very handsome hardy perennial thrives best +in sandy peat with a little loam. It produces yellow flowers in July, +and is propagated by offsets from the bulbs. Height, 1 ft. + + +Caltha.--Early-flowering, showy perennials, all thriving in a moist or +boggy situation. C. Leptosepala is especially choice, its pure white +flowers resembling a water-lily. They may be increased from seed, or +by division. Height, 1 ft. + +Calthus Palustris Flore-Pleno (_Double Marsh Marigold_).--This hardy +herbaceous perennial is very useful for mixing with cut flowers. It +will grow anywhere, but prefers a clayey soil and a boggy situation, +and may be increased by dividing the roots in spring. A succession of +flowers are borne from April to June. Height, 9 in. + +Calycanthus Floridus (_Allspice_).--This shrub likes an open loamy +soil; flowers in July, and is propagated by layers. Height, 6 ft. + +Calystegia.--A perfectly hardy climbing convolvulus, and a beautiful +plant for covering arbours, etc., growing 20 ft. to 30 ft. in one +season. It thrives in any loamy soil or situation; flowers from May to +September, and may be increased by division of the roots. + + +Camassia Esculenta.--A handsome, hardy, bulbous plant, bearing +clusters of beautiful blue flowers in July. It needs a sandy peat +border under a north wall, and is increased by bulbs or seeds. Plant +the bulbs early in October, 4 in. deep and 5 in. apart. Height, 1-1/3 +ft. + + +Camellias.--The best soil for these beautiful greenhouse evergreens is +a mixture of rough peat, plenty of sand, and a little turfy loam. The +greenhouse should be kept rather close, at a temperature of 55 degrees +to 60 degrees, while the plants are growing; but abundant syringing is +necessary at all times. Induce a vigorous growth of wood, and let this +be well matured by exposure to the sun and free ventilation. Old and +straggling plants may be renovated by cutting them hard back as soon +as they go out of flower, and placing them in a warm house where +a moist atmosphere is maintained. This will induce them to break. +Comparatively little water should be given for some time after they +are cut back. When the state of the roots require the plants to be +re-potted, remove as much of the old soil as possible without injuring +them, and put them into the smallest sized pots into which they can +be got, with fresh soil. This may be done after the last flower has +fallen, or after the buds have fairly commenced to push. The plants +may be placed out of doors at the beginning of June, and returned to +the greenhouse in October. There are several varieties suitable for +growing in the open. These should be provided with a soil, 2 ft. deep, +composed of peat, leaf-mould, and cows' dung. The roots should +always be kept moist and cool, and the plants disturbed as little as +possible. A top dressing of fresh soil may be given each winter, and +the plants protected from frost by binding straw round the stems. + + +Campanula.--A showy genus of plants, mostly hardy perennials, which +need no special treatment. They are readily raised from seed, or +division of roots. The less hardy kinds may be sown on a hotbed or in +the greenhouse, and when large enough potted off. Campanula Mayii is a +grand plant for hanging baskets, and also grows well trained up +sticks in a pyramidal form. A rich, gritty soil suits them all. The +tall-growing varieties make fine pot-plants. Flower in July. Height, 1 +ft. to 5 ft. + +Canary Creeper (_Tropaeolum Canariense_).--This is eminently suitable +for trellis-work or for walls. Its elegant foliage and bright yellow +flowers make it a general favourite. It may be raised from seed on +a hotbed in spring, gradually hardened off, and planted out in May. +Height, 10 ft. + +Candytuft (_Iberis_).--Very pretty hardy annuals. Sow the seed in +autumn in a light, rich soil, or in spring if a less prolonged +flowering season will give satisfaction. Bloom in May or June. Height, +1 ft. + +Canna (_Indian Shot or Hemp_).--For pot-plants on terraces, gravel +walks, and such like places, few things can equal and none surpass +Cannas. They are half-hardy perennials, and may be increased from +seed or by dividing the roots late in autumn, allowing them first to +partially dry. File the tough skin off one end of the seed, and steep +it in hot water for a few hours before it is sown, then stand it in a +hot place till it has germinated. Harden off and plant out, or shift +into larger pots in June, using a rich, light soil. Lift and store the +roots in autumn in the same way as Dahlias. Different kinds flower at +various seasons, so that a succession of bloom may be had throughout +the year. Height, 2 ft. to 10 ft. + +Cannabis Gigantea (_Giant Hemp_).--This half-hardy Hemp is grown for +its ornamental foliage, and is treated as above described. Height, 6 +ft. + +Canterbury Bells.--Showy hardy biennials, which may be raised from +seed sown in the spring. Transplant in the autumn to the border where +they are intended to flower. The seed may also be sown in a sheltered +position in August or September. Flower in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Cape Primroses.--_See_ "Streptocarpus." + +Caprifolium.--_See_ "Honeysuckle." + +Capsicum.--Sow early in March in well-drained pots of rich, light, +free mould; cover the seed with 1/2 in. of soil, and keep it +constantly moist at a temperature of 65 degrees. When strong enough +to handle put two or three plants in a 5-in. pot, and replace them in +warmth. Keep them rather close till established, then shift them into +7-in. pots. When established remove them to a cold frame and harden +off. Plant out at the end of May in a warm situation. Keep them well +supplied with water in dry weather and syringe the leaves. By stopping +the shoots they become nice, bushy shrubs. Flower in July. Height, +1-1/2 ft. + +Cardamine Pratensis (_Cuckoo Flower, or Milkmaid_).--This hardy +perennial thrives in a moist, shady situation. It produces its purple +flowers from May to August, and is easily propagated by seeds or +division. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Cardamine Trifolia.--A hardy herbaceous plant; will grow in any soil, +flowers in May, and is easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Cardoons.--Sow two or three seeds together in clumps 1 ft. apart, in +trenches prepared as for Celery, in April or May. When 6 in. high pull +up the superfluous plants, leaving the strongest one in each case. +When they have attained the height of 1-1/2 ft, tie the leaves lightly +to a stake and earth-up the stem. Keep them well supplied with water, +adding a little guano. They will be ready for use in September. +Another sowing may be made in June for a spring crop. + +Carduus (_Milk Thistle_).--Coarse hardy annuals; somewhat ornamental, +but are hardly more than weeds. They grow freely from seed, and flower +from June to August. Height, 2 ft. to 4 ft. + +Carex Japonica.--This is a graceful and very beautiful variegated +grass, striped green, silver, and gold, and makes a fine decoration +for the table. It will grow in any moderately moist soil, and bears +dividing. Sow in spring. + +Carlina.--Ornamental, thistle-like, hardy perennials, which will grow +in any ordinary soil. Flowers are borne from June to September. Seed +may be sown as soon as it is ripe. Height, 9 in. to 2 ft. + +Carnations.--These are divided into three classes, but they are all +said originally to come from the clove: (1) Flakes, which are striped +with one colour and white; (2) Bizarres, those streaked with two +colours and white; (3) Picotees, which have each petal margined with +colour on a white or yellow ground, or dotted with small spots. For +pot culture, about the end of March put two roots in an 11-in. pot, +filled with light, turfy loam, well drained (too much moisture being +injurious), pressing the earth firmly round the roots. Stand them on +a bed of ashes in a sheltered position, and when the flower-stems +appear, stake and tie up carefully. As the buds swell thin out the +weakly ones. To prevent them bursting unevenly put an india-rubber +ring round the bud, or tie it with raffia. They will flourish in +the open borders even in towns if planted in light loam, and may be +propagated by _layers_ at the end of July or beginning of August. +Choose for this purpose fine outside shoots, not those which have +borne flowers. Cut off all the lower leaves, leaving half a dozen near +the top untouched. Make incisions on the under sides of the layers, +just below the third joint. Peg down, and cover the stems with equal +quantities of leaf-mould and light loam. Do not water them till the +following day. The young plants may be separated and potted off as +soon as they have taken root--say, the end of August. They may also be +increased by _pipings_. Fill the pots nearly to the top with light, +rich mould and fill up with silver sand. Break off the pipings at the +third joint, then in each piping cut a little upward slit, plant them +pretty thickly in the sand, and place the pot on a gentle hotbed, or +on a bed of sifted coal ashes. Put on the sashes, and keep the plants +shaded from the sun till they have taken root, then harden off +gradually, and place each of the young plants separately in a small +pot. Carnations may also be grown from seed sown in spring. When the +seedlings have made six or eight leaves, prick them out into pots +or beds. They will flower the following year. The beds must be well +drained, as stagnant wet is very injurious to them. + +Carnation Margaritae.--May be sown in heat during February or March, +pricked out when strong enough, and planted in the open in May or +June. + +Carpenteria Californica.--The white flowers of this evergreen shrub, +which make their appearance in July, are delicately fragrant. The +plant is most suitable for a cool greenhouse, but does well in the +open, in warm, well-drained situations. When grown in pots the mould +should consist of two parts turfy loam, one part peat, and a little +sharp sand. It may be increased by seeds or by cuttings planted in +sandy soil, with a medium bottom heat. + +Carrots.--To grow them to perfection carrots require a deep, rich, +sandy soil, which has been thoroughly trenched and manured the +previous autumn. For the main crop the seed should be sown in March, +either broadcast or in rows 18 in. apart. A calm day must be chosen +for sowing, as the seed is very light and liable to be blown about. It +has also a tendency to hang together, to obviate which it is generally +rubbed into some light soil or sand previously to being scattered. +Thin out to a distance of from 4 to 7 in., according to the kind +grown. For early use the French Horn may be sown on a hotbed in +January and February. Keep the surface of the ground well open with +the hoe. + +Cassia Corymbosa.--This stove shrub is an evergreen. It should be +grown in a mixture of loam and peat, and may be increased by cuttings +planted in sand under glass in a little heat. It flowers in July. +Height, 3 ft. + +Castor Oil Plants.--_See_ "Ricinus." + +Catananche.--Pretty hardy biennials that will grow in almost any +soil, and may be increased by seed or division. They bloom in August. +Height, 21/2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Catchfly.--_See_ "Silene." + +Cathcartia Villosa.--A beautiful Himalayan poppy, possessing a rich, +soft, hairy foliage and yellow flowers, borne in succession from +June to September. Any light, rich soil suits it, but it requires a +sheltered position. It is propagated by seeds sown in spring. Height, +11/2 ft. + +Cauliflowers.--Sow thinly in pans or shallow boxes early in February +and March on a gentle bottom-heat. Make a larger and the main sowing +in the open ground in March, April, and May for autumn cutting. A +sowing should also be made in August for spring and summer use. These +latter should be pricked into a frame or under a hand-glass during the +winter, and in spring planted out so as to stand 30 in. apart. When +the heads appear break some of the large leaves down over them to +afford protection, and during the whole of their growth pour plenty of +water round the stems in dry weather. They require a thoroughly rich +and well-tilled soil to grow them to perfection. + +Ceanothus.--A genus of handsome and ornamental evergreen shrubs. +They are free-flowering and suitable for the conservatory or outdoor +decoration if placed in warm situations. They flourish best in peat +and loam, and are increased by cuttings planted in sand and subjected +to gentle heat. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft. + +Cedronella.--Ornamental hardy perennials; will grow in any soil, but +require a little protection in the winter. They produce their deep +purple flowers in June. Height, 3 ft. + +Cedrus Deodora.--A beautiful and graceful conifer, its arched branches +being thickly set with long grey-coloured or whitish-green leaves. In +its young stage it makes an exquisite specimen for the lawn. It is +the best of all the Cedars for such a purpose. The usual method of +propagating it is by grafting it on to the common Larch. + +Celery.--Sow in February or early in March on a mild hotbed for the +earliest crop. Prick the seedlings off into shallow boxes as soon as +they are large enough to handle, and keep them rather close and warm +until they are established. Towards the end of March prick them out in +rows in a frame, setting them 6 in. apart each way, and early in +May transfer to rather shallow trenches, protecting them from night +frosts. For main and late crops sow in a cold frame in April and plant +out in June or July, 9 in. apart, in trenches 3 ft. distant from each +other, 9 in. wide, and 18 in. deep, pressing the soil firmly round the +roots. Earthing up should be delayed until the plants are nearly full +grown, and should be done gradually; but let the whole be completed +before the autumn is far advanced. When preparing the trench plenty of +manure should be dug into the soil. Water liberally until earthed up +to ensure crisp, solid hearts, and an occasional application of liquid +manure will benefit the plants. During winter protect from frost with +straw, or other suitable material. + +Celosia (_Feathered Cockscomb_).--Sow the seed in early spring in +a warm frame; prick off singly into small pots, and re-pot as they +advance in strength in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, old manure, +and sand. Their final shift should be into 24-sized pots. Give them +abundance of liquid manure, never allowing them to become dry, and +syringe freely. These half-hardy annuals, rising to the height of 3 +ft. and bearing fine spikes of flowers in July and August, make fine +pot-plants for table decoration. They may be planted in the open, in +June, choosing a warm, sheltered situation and rich, loamy soil. + +Centaurea.--The hardy annual and biennial kinds merely require to be +sown in the open in the autumn. The half-hardy ones must be sown on +a slight hotbed, where they should remain till strong enough to be +planted in the border. Cuttings of the perennials should be inserted +singly in 3-in. pots filled with sandy loam, placed in a shady, cool +frame till established, and then watered very carefully. The different +varieties vary from 6 in. to 2 ft. in height, and flower from June to +August. + +Centauridium Drummondi.--A blue hardy annual which may be sown in the +open in spring. + +Centranthus.--Ornamental hardy annuals. Sow in the open border in +March in any good, well-drained soil. They flower in June. Height, +1-1/2 ft. + +Cephalaria (_Yellow Scabious_).--Strong-growing hardy perennials, +suitable for backs of borders. They succeed in any garden soil, and +are propagated by seed or division of root. Height, 3 ft. to 5-1/2 ft. + +Cephalotaxus (_Podocarpus Koraiana_).--Handsome conifers of the Yew +type. These shrubs are quite hardy, and in favoured localities will +produce berries. They succeed best in a damp, shady spot, and may be +increased by cuttings planted in heavy loam. + +Cerastium Biebersteini.--A hardy trailing perennial which will grow in +any light soil, and may be increased by suckers. It flowers in June. +Height, 6 in. + +Cerasus Padus (_Bird Cherry_).--An ornamental tree; useful in the +shrubbery in its earlier stages, as it will grow in any soil. It may +be increased by seed, budding, or grafting; flowers in April. Height, +35 ft. + +Cerinthe.--Hardy annuals, suitable for any ordinary soil, and needing +merely ordinary treatment. A grand plant for bees. Height, 1 ft. + +Cestrums.--Charming conservatory plants, flowering early in spring. +Cuttings may be taken in autumn, placed in small pots in a light +compost of peat and sand, and given a little bottom-heat. The young +plants may be topped to form bushy ones. Re-pot before the roots have +filled the small pots, using two parts loam, one part peat, and one +part sharp sand. C. Parqui is suitable for the open if planted in a +sheltered position. + +Chamaepeuce.--Half-hardy perennial Thistle plants of little merit. Any +soil suits them, and they may be increased by seed or division. Flower +in June. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Chamaerops (_Chusan Palm_).--Fine greenhouse plants, delighting in a +rich, loamy soil. Height, 10 ft. + +Cheiranthus.--_See_ "Wallflower." + +Chelidonium.--This hardy perennial will flourish in any garden soil; +flowers in May, and may be increased by division. Height, 2 ft. + +Chelone.--Charming hardy herbaceous plants. Succeed well in a mixture +of peat and loam or any rich soil. Increased by division of root, or +by seed treated like other hardy perennials. They are very effective +for the centre of beds, or in groups. Bloom in July. Height, 3 ft. + +Cherries.--A light, rich soil is the one that Cherries succeed in +best, though they will grow in any fairly good dry ground. The +position should be open, but at the same time sheltered, as the +blossoms are liable to be cut off by spring frosts. The planting may +be done at any time during November and the beginning of March, when +the ground is in a workable condition. Cherries are often worked upon +the Mahaleb stock. As they have a tendency to gumming and canker, +the knife should be used as little as possible, but where pruning is +necessary, let it be done in the summer. If gumming occurs, cut away +the diseased parts and apply Stockholm tar to the wounds. Aphides or +black-fly may be destroyed by tobacco dust and syringing well with an +infusion of soft soap. Morello succeeds on a north wall. Bigarreau, +Waterloo, Black Eagle, Black Tartarian, May Duke, White Heart, and +Kentish are all good sorts. Bush trees should stand 10 ft. apart, +standards 30 ft. + +Cherry (_Cornelian_).--_See_ "Cornus Mas." + +Cherry Pie.--_See_ "Heliotrope." + +Chervil.--For summer use sow in March, and for winter requirements in +July and August, in shallow drills 6 or 8 in. apart. Cut for use when +3 or 4 in. high. The tender tops and leaves are used in soups and +stews, to which they impart a warm, aromatic flavour. They likewise +give piquancy to mixed salads. + +Chestnuts.--To raise trees from seed sow the nuts in November, about +2 in. deep. When two years old they may be transplanted to their +permanent site. The only pruning they require is to cut away any +branches which would prevent the tree forming a well-balanced head. + +Chicory.--Sow in May or June in drills of rich soil, and thin out to +6 in. apart. In autumn lift the roots and store them in dry sand. To +force leaves for salads, plant the roots closely together in boxes or +large pots, with the tops only exposed, using ordinary soil; place +in a temperature of 55 degrees, and keep in the dark. Long blanched +leaves will soon appear, ready for use. + +Chilli.--Same treatment as Capsicum. + +Chimonanthus Fragrans (_Japan Allspice_).--This delightfully fragrant +hardy shrub, known as the Winter Flower, produces its blooms in +January before the leaves appear. Should sharp frost set in, +protection ought to be given to the flowers. The plant requires a +fairly good soil, and is most at home when trained against a wall. It +is generally propagated by means of layers. Height, 6 ft. + +Chinese Sacred Narcissus (_Oriental Lily, Joss Flower, or Flower of +the Gods, the Chinese emblem of good luck_).--This is a very beautiful +variety of the Polyanthus Narcissus, and is grown to bloom at the +advent of the Chinese New Year. It is very fragrant and free blooming, +and is generally flowered in an ornamental bowl of water, the bulb +being surrounded with pretty pebbles to keep it well balanced. It may +also be grown in a pot of mould, kept in a dark place for about ten +days, then placed in a sunny position and supplied with water. It +flowers from six to eight weeks after planting. + +Chionanthus Virginica (_Fringe Tree_).--A curious shrub which is best +raised from seed. It succeeds in any soil, and bears white flowers in +July. It will grow to the height of 20 ft. or more. + +Chionodoxa Luciliae (_Glory of the Snow_).--A pretty hardy +spring-flowering bulbous plant. The blossoms, from five to six in +number, are produced on gracefully arched stems, 4 to 8 in. high, and +are nearly 1 in. across, star-like in form, and of a lovely blue tint +on the margin, gradually merging into pure white in the centre. Fine +for growing in clumps. Plant the bulbs in autumn in equal parts of +loam, peat, and sand. It succeeds fairly well in the open, but reaches +perfection in a cold frame, where the flowers will be produced in +March. Height, 6 in. + +Choisya Ternata (_Mexican Orange_).--A pretty evergreen wall plant, +bearing sweet-scented white flowers in July. The bush is round, and +extremely ornamental when grown in the shrubbery. It delights in a +mixture of peat and loam, and is propagated by cuttings placed in sand +under a handglass, or, better still, by layers of the lower branches +in March, detaching them in the autumn. While young it makes a fine +pot-plant. Height, 6 ft. + +Chorozemas.--These Australian plants delight in rich turfy peat mixed +with fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and coarse sand. When freshly potted +they should be given a warm part of the greenhouse and watered +cautiously till they are in full growth, when a little clear liquid +manure may be given twice a week. May be shifted at any time except +from October to Christmas. Propagated by cuttings about 1 or 2 in. +long of half-ripened young wood taken in July or August, and inserted +in sand under a glass. When the pots are full of roots shift the +plants into larger sizes. They bloom nearly all the year round, +especially in the winter and spring. The plants have rather a rambling +habit, and are usually trained over balloon or pyramidal trellises; +but this trouble can be spared by cutting them back freely and +employing a few light sticks to keep them within bounds. + +Christmas Rose.--_See_ "Helleborus." + +Chrysanthemum.--The Chrysanthemum will grow in any good mould, a +naturally good soil being often preferable to an artificial one. Where +the ground is not in good condition a compost may be made of one-half +rich loam and one-fourth each of well-rotted manure and leaf-mould, +with sufficient sand to keep it porous. Cuttings taken in November or +December make the finest exhibition plants. Pot them singly in 2-in. +or 3-in. pots; stand them on coal ashes in a cold frame, and re-pot +them in March or April in 6-in. pots, making the soil moderately firm. +When they attain the height of 6 in. pinch off the extreme point of +the shoot, which will induce the growth of side-shoots. Shift the +plants from time to time into larger pots, until at the end of May +they receive their final shift into 10-in. pots, after which they +must not on any account be stopped. In June they may be placed in a +sheltered and partially shaded part of the open border, standing the +pots on pieces of slate to prevent the ingress of worms. Syringe the +leaves each day and give the roots a liberal supply of liquid manure. +When the flower-buds begin to show colour, discontinue the manure +water. Thin out the flower-buds, leaving two or three only of the +strongest on each stem. At the end of September they must be removed +to a cool greenhouse to flower. Where there is no greenhouse a canvas +structure may be erected to protect them from the cold. Good plants +for the border may be raised from cuttings in March or April. These +should be kept close in a frame until rooted, then gradually hardened +off, and planted in rich soil. Syringing with soot-water twice a week +until the flower-buds appear will darken the leaves and deepen the +colour of the flowers. + +Chrysogonum Virginianum.--A free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant, +best grown in loam and peat. Its deep-golden, star-shaped flowers are +produced from June to September. Cuttings of ripened wood planted in +sand and subjected to moist heat will strike. It may also be increased +by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft. + +Cichorium Intybus.--This is a hardy herbaceous plant producing blue +flowers in July. It will grow in any soil and needs no special +treatment. Seeds may be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 2 ft. + +Cimcifuga.--These hardy herbaceous plants will flourish in any good +garden soil and are easily raised from seed, or they may be increased +by dividing the roots. Various species produce their flowers from May +to September. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Cinerarias.--These grow well in a soil composed of equal parts of rich +loam, leaf-mould, and thoroughly rotted horse-dung, liberally mixed +with sharp sand. They are increased by seed, cuttings, or off-sets. +The seed should be sown as soon as it is ripe and covered with the +lightest layer of the finest soil; or it may be sown during March on a +slight hotbed. Keep the young plants shaded from the sun, and as soon +as they can be handled put them into 3-in. pots. Return them to the +hotbed and keep them shaded till established, then gradually harden +them off, and towards the end of May they may be planted in the open, +choosing a sheltered situation. The first flower-stem should be cut +out close to the bottom, but the side-shoots may either be reduced +or not. At the end of September place them in a cool frame to bloom +during the following month. They require to be well supplied with +manure water. As soon as the plants have done flowering, cut them +down, and keep them well supplied with water, and in March shake them +out of their pots and plant each sucker separately. Other sowings may +be made in April and May. To obtain cuttings, when the plants have +flowered cut them down, and when they have again grown large enough +take the cuttings and plant them in pots filled with the above +compost, putting a layer of silver sand on the top. When the cuttings +have made shoots 3 in. long, pinch off the tops to make the plants +grow bushy. Re-pot when the roots are well grown, but before they get +matted, and give occasionally a little liquid manure. Keep a good +look-out for green fly, and as soon as this nuisance appears fumigate +the plants with tobacco paper. An excess of fumigation is injurious. +Those that have bloomed in pots may be planted in the north border of +the garden in July, where they may shed their seed, from which early +plants will be produced. They may also be increased by off-sets. If +the old plants are cut down and kept well watered they will throw +up suckers, which may be separated and potted off into thumb pots, +transplanting into larger ones when required. They must _always_ be +kept shaded from the sun. A cool frame suits them in summer, and being +nearly hardy, should never be subjected to a forcing temperature, +sufficient heat to keep away frost and damp being all that is +necessary. + +Cinnamon Plant.--This is a stove or greenhouse plant, and requires a +loam and peat soil. Cuttings of the ripe wood strike freely. + +Cissus Orientalis.--Useful climbing plants which delight in a light, +rich soil. They are increased by cuttings planted under glass and kept +in a gentle, moist heat. + +Cistus (_Rock Rose_).--A compost of loam and peat suits these +beautiful evergreen shrubs. They may be increased by layers, ripe +cuttings covered with a hand-glass, or seed. Though the plants are +pretty hardy it is advisable to afford them protection during severe +frosts. June is their flowering month. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft. + +Citrus Japonica.--A greenhouse evergreen tree, requiring a rich loamy +soil. Very little water should be given it while in a growing state. +It is generally budded on an orange or lemon tree and plunged in a +bottom-heat. June is its flowering season. Height, 5 ft. + +Cladanthus.--The annuals may be sown in the open in April to flower in +July. The greenhouse evergreens may be propagated by cuttings under +glass. These produce flowers in June. + +Clarkia.--These hardy annuals make a pretty display in the borders +during summer. Seed ripens plentifully, and merely requires sowing in +the open in March, or in September if protected in winter. The bloom +lasts from June to September. Height, 18 in. + +Claytonia Sibirica.--A hardy herbaceous plant which yields light +yellow flowers in June. It is not particular as to soil, and may be +raised from seed sown either in autumn or spring. It stands division +of the root. Height, 4 ft. + +Clematis (_Virgin's Bower_).--These plants like a dry situation. They +will grow in smoky districts, and may be increased by cuttings of firm +side-shoots under a glass in summer or by layers in September. With +the protection of a greenhouse they come into flower early in spring. +They are the most beautiful of all flowering hardy climbers. The stove +and greenhouse varieties are best planted in loam and peat, though +they will thrive in any light soil. Any good garden soil suits the +hardy kinds. The herbaceous varieties are increased by dividing the +roots early in spring. They bloom at various periods. After they have +ceased to flower, the Jackmanni and Viticella sections should be cut +down to within 9 or 12 in. of the ground. The Patens and Florida +do not require pruning; those of the Lanuginosa should be cut back +moderately, but not too close. A good dressing of leaf-mould and +manure should be dug in about November. Heights vary from 2 ft. to 20 +ft. (_See also_ "Traveller's Joy.") + +Cleome.--The species of this genus are very pretty and free flowering, +some being half-hardy climbers notable for their foliage. They like +a rich, light soil. Cuttings of the stove kinds root freely under a +glass. Some of the annual species require to be sown in a hotbed frame +or in a hot-house, then potted off and placed with tender annuals. The +hardier ones may be sown on a hotbed, and afterwards planted out in a +sheltered position. They flower in May, June, and July. Heights vary +from 6 in. to 8 ft. + +Clethra Alnifolia.--This hardy deciduous shrub bears in September +deliciously scented pure white flowers on the side-shoots of the +previous year's growth. It needs a light soil and a dry, sunny +situation. It may be propagated by cuttings placed under glass in +sandy loam, or by suckers taken when the leaves have fallen, but is +more generally increased by layers. Height, 3 ft. + +Clianthus.--A genus of very elegant, free-flowering, evergreen +greenhouse shrubs. They flourish in the border of the conservatory (or +against a south wall if protected from cold) in an equal mixture of +loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings root freely in the same soil under +glass. Seed sown early in spring produce flowers the first year, in +May. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. + +Clintonia.--Very pretty half-hardy annuals; useful for beds, edging, +pots, or rock-work. They produce an abundance of Lobelia-like flowers +in August. Sow the seed in the open in spring. Height, 6 in. + +Clitoria.--A greenhouse climbing or trailing plant, which thrives in a +mixture of loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings will strike in heat, but it +is more readily grown from seed. + +Clivias (_Caffre Lilies_).--Most beautiful evergreen plants for +the greenhouse. The soil most suitable for them is a compost of +leaf-mould, loam, and sand. Give a liberal supply of water when in +full growth, but from September to February keep them only moderately +moist. Shade from strong sunshine, and keep the temperature at from 60 +to 70 degrees. They will not bear much disturbance. Seed may be sown +in bottom-heat early in spring, or they may be increased by suckers. + +Cobæa Scandens.--This rapid climber is well adapted for the +conservatory, but it will thrive in the open air if the root is +protected during the winter. If planted against a rough wall its +tendrils will catch in the crevices and support it without any +assistance. It requires plenty of room and a rather poor soil, +otherwise it runs to leaf instead of to bloom. The tops of the shoots +should be constantly pinched off, to induce thickness of growth. +Cuttings of firm side-shoots taken in summer will root under glass in +a little moist heat; but it is best raised from seed, sown sideways, +in a hotbed in March. Its blue and purple flowers are produced in +August. Height, 10 ft. to 20 ft. + +Cob Nuts.--_See_ "Filberts." + +Cockscomb.--These tender annuals should be sown on a moderate hotbed +in March or April, in pans of leaf-mould and sand, covering with 1/4 +in. of soil. When a couple of inches high place them in small pots, +replace them on the hotbed, and give shade till they have taken fresh +root. When the weather is favourable let them have a moderate amount +of fresh air. Afterwards shift them into larger pots, and when the +combs are full grown place them in the greenhouse, taking care not to +allow any damp to lodge on them, at the same time supplying them +well with water and all the air possible. Height, 9 in. (_See also_ +"Celosia.") + +Codonopsis.--These hardy perennials are best grown in sandy peat and +loam. They are easily raised from seed or cuttings, and produce their +flowers in July and August. Height, 1 ft. + +Coix Lachryma (_Job's Tears_).--A half-hardy, annual, ornamental grass +bearing clusters of beautiful pearl-like seeds. Sow in a warm spot in +April, barely covering the seed with fine soil, and keep the surface +of the ground moist till germination is ensured. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Colchicum (_Autumn-Flowering Crocus_).--Plant the bulbs in February in +light, loamy soil, placing them 2 in. deep and 3 in. apart. They +are readily increased by off-sets from the bulb. September is their +flowering season. Height, 3 in. (_See also_ "Bulbocodium.") + +Coleus.--Tender perennial shrubs of some merit, requiring the +protection of a greenhouse. Keep the plants root-bound and near the +glass, with a good supply of heat and moisture. They succeed best in +a mixture of loam and peat. Cuttings of shoots 3 in. long planted in +sand, covered with a glass, and plunged in heat 60 to 70 degrees, +will strike. Pot off singly in loam and sand. Bloom in June or July. +Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Colletia.--Ornamental evergreen shrubs. A mixture of peat and loam, +with a sheltered position, is their delight. Cuttings will strike +in sand if covered with glass. They produce their flowers in July. +Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Collinsia.--Most elegant hardy annuals, doing well in any garden soil. +The seed is sown in autumn for early flowering, and in spring for a +later display. Bloom May to August. Height, 1 ft. + +Collomia.--Hardy annuals, possessing little beauty. Treat as +Collinsia. Flower in July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Colt's-foot.--This hardy perennial flowers before the leaves appear. +It grows best in a moist, clayey soil, and may be increased by pieces +of the running root. + +Columbine.--_See_ "Aquilegia." + +Colutea Arborescens (_Bladder Senna_).--A shrub with Acacia-like +leaves and producing yellow Pea-shaped flowers in July, followed with +bladder-shaped seed vessels. It will grow in any soil, and may be +raised either from seed or cuttings taken in autumn. Height, 10 ft. + +Commelina Sellowina (_Blue Spider Wort, or Day Flower_).--A pretty +greenhouse climber, bearing cobalt-blue flowers. It should occupy a +sunny position, and be watered freely from March to September, after +which very little should be given. + +Commelina Tuberosa.--Perfectly hardy plants, bearing in June blue or +white flowers the size of a shilling. The bulbs may be planted in +spring in any garden soil; the plants are increased by off-sets. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Compost Heap.--Get a heap of dead leaves and press and jam them down +as closely as possible. Then take as much manure, in appearance, +as you have dead leaves, and for each cartload have two bushels of +unslaked quicklime and some earth. Now spread upon the ground, in some +out-of-the-way corner, a layer of the dead leaves, upon which sprinkle +a layer of lime, and over that a thin layer of earth. Next lay on a +covering of manure, then a layer of leaves, and one of lime and earth +as before, and proceed in this way till all the materials are used up. +It will be well, however, to give the heap a good watering whenever +you come to the layer of leaves. This slakes the lime and hastens the +decomposition of the vegetable matter. After letting it stand for +about six weeks, begin at the top of the heap and turn it completely +over, so that what was at the bottom will be at the top. Repeat this +operation from time to time at intervals of six or seven weeks, until +it has become perfectly friable and will powder through a garden-fork +like dust. It will then be ready for use. This compost is invigorating +to flowers of all kinds, and is so ready for them to assimilate. + +Comptonia Asplenifolia.--This ornamental deciduous shrub is quite +hardy, but requires a light, sandy loam or peat soil and a shady +situation. It is increased by layers. Blooms in April. Height, 4 ft. + +Cone Flower.--_See_ "Echinacea." + +Conifers.--Conifers (so called because they bear cones in place of +ordinary seed) are mostly of tall growth, yet among the class are many +low--growing evergreens well adapted for the lawn or border. Indeed, +any of the specimens may be utilised in this way, but of course must +be removed from the shrubbery or border before they attain undue +proportions. They are hardy, and, generally speaking, not particular +as to soil or situation. Firs, Pines, Cedars, etc., come under this +heading, and mention is made in other parts of this work of those most +suitable for the amateur's requirements. + +Convallaria Prolificans.--This is one of the most beautiful hardy +perennials known. It has large, deep-green foliage, with erect and +much-branched flower-stems. The flowers are white, internally flushed +rose; are very fragrant, and are produced from May to September. The +plant will grow in any ordinary soil, and may be increased by dividing +the root. Height, 2-1/2 ft. + +Convolvulus (_Morning Glory_).--Showy plants. The tender species are +well adapted for the stove or conservatory, and are best grown in loam +and peat: cuttings strike freely in sand under a glass. The half-hardy +annual kinds should be sown on a gentle hotbed in February, and when +large enough transferred to the open; or they may be sown in the open +in April. Hardy kinds merely require sowing in the open, early in +spring. The stove and greenhouse annuals and biennials require to be +sown in heat, and treated as other stove and greenhouse annuals and +biennials. Flowering season, May to July. Height, 6 in. to 15 ft. + +Coral Plant.--_See_ "Erythrina." + +Corchorus.--_See_ "Kerria." + +Cordyline.--A stove evergreen shrub, which may be grown in any light, +vegetable mould or in peat and loam, and is easily increased by +suckers. It flowers in spring. Height, 3 ft. + +Coreopsis.--Very pretty and long-flowering. They all like a light, +rich, and sandy soil. Cuttings of the stove kinds root freely under +glass. Hardy perennials may be divided at the roots. The annuals may +be sown either in the autumn or in March; they bear transplanting. +Longipes flowers in April; Grandiflora in August. Useful as cut +flowers. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Cornel.--_See_ "Cornus." + +Cornflower.--_See_ "Cyanus." + +Corn Salad (_Lamb's Lettuce_).--Sow in drills--the plants to stand 6 +in. apart--from March till August, in well-drained sandy loam. Autumn +sowings will stand the winter and prove useful in early spring. It +must be gathered young. + +Cornus Canadensis (_Canadian Cornel_).--A pretty herbaceous plant, +suitable for moist parts of rock-work. It is very hardy, likes a light +soil, and produces flowers from June to August. The roots may be +divided in autumn, or in the early part of spring. Height, 8 in. + +Cornus Mas (_Cornelian Cherry_).--This hardy deciduous shrub does +well in common soil if a fair amount of moisture be given. Its yellow +flowers are produced on bare stems from February to April. It may be +increased by seeds, cuttings, or layers, autumn being the time to +propagate. + +Coronilla.--The greenhouse shrubs should be grown in peat and loam. +They are raised by seeds and by cuttings. Most of the hardy perennials +need protection in winter, therefore they are best grown in pots. +These are propagated by seed or division. The annuals need no special +treatment. + +Coronilla Iberica.--A pretty creeping hardy perennial suitable for +rock-work, on which its bright yellow flowers are very attractive +during June and July. It thrives best in a mixture of peat and loam, +and may be increased by seeds or division of the roots. Height, 6 in. + +Correa Cardinalis.--An evergreen greenhouse shrub. Place in equal +parts of sand and loam, and propagate by cuttings, which should have +plenty of room, as they are liable to damp off. July is its flowering +season. Height, 4 ft. C. Magnifica is also a capital plant. + +Cortusa Matthioli.--This ornamental hardy herbaceous plant thrives +best in a mixture of peat and loam. It is advisable to give protection +to the roots in winter. It may be increased by seeds or by division of +the roots. It makes a good pot-plant, and produces flowers in May and +June. Height, 1 ft. + +Corydalis (_Fumitory_).--These low-growing perennials are suitable for +dry positions on rock-work. They are not particular as to soil, and +may be increased by division of roots, while some scatter seed in +abundance. Their flowering period extends over many months. Height, 6 +in. to 1 ft. + +Cosmea Bipinnata.--A very pretty half-hardy annual which flowers in +July. Sow the seed early in spring on a slight hotbed covered with +glass, and transplant to the flower border at the end of May. Height, +2 ft. + +Cosmos.--Pretty plants, the flowers resembling a single Dahlia. They +are mostly hardy, but some need protection. The annuals should +be raised on a hotbed in February and be planted out in May. The +perennials, too, are brought forward in heat. Some flower in June, +others in September. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Cotoneaster.--Evergreen shrubs which will grow in any soil and are +easily increased by layers. C. Hookeriana attains the dimensions of +small trees, and produces a profusion of white flowers and bright +crimson berries. C. Simonsii is largely used as a hedge. Height, 6 ft. +to 8 ft. C. Rupestris is a small-leaved, prostrate perennial species, +bearing white flowers from May to August, followed by red berries. +Height, 3 in. + +Cotyledon Chrysantha (_Umbilicus)._--A choice Alpine succulent which +thrives in a sandy loam, or in well-drained pots of the same soil. It +flowers from May to August, and is multiplied by cuttings, which must +be left to dry for a few days in a sunny place. Flowers are produced +from May to August. Height, 3 in. + +Cowslips.--Well-known hardy perennials. These require the same +treatment as Primulas. Plant in a mixture of loam and peat, and divide +as soon as the bloom has died off. Height, 6 in. + +Cowslips, Cape.--_See_ "Lachenalia." + +Crambe Cordifolia (_Tournefort, or Sea Cabbage_).--This hardy +herbaceous plant is suitable for a wild garden. It likes a good, rich +soil, and is easily increased by seed or division. August is its +flowering period. Height, 3 ft. + +Crane's Bill.--_See_ "Geranium Argentium." + +Crataegus Pyracantha (_Fire Thorn_).--This hardy, ornamental shrub +will grow in any soil. It should be planted early in spring on a south +or south-west wall, and may be increased by seeds, by budding, or by +grafting. The profuse brilliant orange-coloured berries of the C. +Lelandii (Mespilus) ensures it a place on walls and trellises. A sunny +position gives best results. Prune in March. + +Creeping Jenny.--_See_ "Lysimachia Nummularia." + +Crepis (_Hawkweed_).--An interesting hardy annual. It merely requires +sowing in spring, and will grow in any soil. The flowers are produced +in June. Height, 1 ft. + +Cress.--Sow at intervals of a week from March to September in the open +ground, and during the winter months in frames. A shady position is +most suitable. By these frequent sowings, and by often cutting over +such as readily renew a bottom growth, a constant succession of tender +shoots is obtained. + +Crocus.--Among our earliest spring flowers. These will grow in any +garden soil, but prefer rich, sandy earth. Plant in October or +November, 3 in. deep and 2 in. apart. Take the roots up every second +year, and plant the small off-sets in a nursery bed for two years, +when they will be fit for the beds or borders. Protect the bulbs from +mice, as they are very partial to them, especially in winter. + +_Indoor Culture_.--Select strong bulbs of the seedling varieties, and +plant them in succession, commencing early in autumn, in good, rich, +sandy soil. A liberal supply of water is necessary during the blooming +season, but perfect drainage must be secured. They grow well in bowls +filled with wet moss or sand. Height, 6 in. (_See also_ "Colchicum.") + +Crotons.--Fine-foliaged hothouse plants. A mixture of peat and sandy +loam suits their growth, and they require a good amount of light to +properly colour their leaves, with a night temperature of 70 degrees. + +Crowea Saligna.--Charming greenhouse evergreen shrubs, which send +forth their purple flowers in September. They grow best in loam and +peat. Cuttings may be struck in sand under bell-glasses. Height, 3 ft. + +Crown Imperials.--_See_ "Fritillarias." + +Crucianella Stylosa.--A hardy perennial. Sow in August or September in +a sheltered spot to stand the winter. The seed may also be sown from +March to midsummer, and the plants moved in autumn to the place where +they are to bloom. Their delicate pink flowers are produced in July. +Height, 1 ft. + +Cuckoo Flower.--_See_ "Cardamine." + +Cucumbers.--A rich, loamy soil is most suitable for their growth. Sow +frame varieties in a heat of 75 degrees or 85 degrees during February +and March for summer use, and when the plants are of sufficient size +transplant to a well-prepared hotbed. Sow again in September for +winter use. The hardy or ridge cucumbers (which are not suited for +frame or hothouse culture) should be raised in a frame or hot-bed in +April, and planted out about the middle of May in a warm border on +strawed ridges prepared with good stable manure, placing a hand-glass +over each plant until it is well established. + +Cunila Mariana (_Dittany_).--This hardy perennial produces heads of +pretty purple flowers from July to September. It is not particular as +to soil, and can easily be increased by division. Height, 1 ft. + +Cuphea.--Shrubs of a rather pretty description. The stove varieties +require a sandy loam to grow in, and may be propagated by cuttings. +The annuals should be sown on a gentle hotbed, and when strong enough +potted off and kept in the greenhouse; they should not be moved into +the open before the end of May. The perennial species if sown early +make good bedding plants the first year; they need protection in the +winter. + +Currants.--_Black._--A rich, deep soil and a moist situation, together +with partial shade, are most suitable for their growth. They succeed +better as bushes than as espaliers or trained to walls. Cuttings of +the previous year's growth are taken in autumn and planted firmly 1 +ft. by 6 in. apart. In two years shift every alternate plant so as to +allow room for expansion, and plant out finally to a distance of 5 ft. +In pruning the bushes, remember that the fruit is borne on the young +wood, therefore only sufficient should be cut away to allow of +the admission of air and sunshine and the further growth of young +branches. A portion of the old wood should be removed each year. Mulch +the roots, and keep the plants supplied with water in dry seasons. +Baldwin's Black, Ogden's Black, Black Naples, Lee's Prolific, James' +Prolific, and Old Black are among the best. + +_Red and White._--An open, sunny position is needed. The soil that +suits them best is a deeply-manured, stiff loam. They are readily +raised from cuttings--which should be as long and strong as +possible--taken in autumn. Cut away all the eyes except the three +uppermost ones, and plant firmly in rows 1 ft. by 6 in. apart. +Transplant at the end of the second year to a distance of 5 ft. apart. +While the plants are young cut out all the top centre branches, +cutting always to an outgrowing bud, so as to give a cylindrical form +to the bush. In further pruning leave the leading shoots untouched, +but shorten all others to 4 in. or 6 in., and cut out all old, mossy +wood. Towards the end of June is a good time for cutting the young +wood away. The fruit is produced on spurs. In the autumn of each year +carefully dig in a good dressing of half-rotted manure, in such a +manner as not to injure the roots. Among the leading red varieties are +the following:--Champagne, Cherry, Chiswick Red, Houghton Castle, Raby +Castle, and Red Dutch. Of the white fruit the White Dutch and the +Cut-leaved White are the leaders. In plantations they should stand +from 4 ft. to 6 ft. apart. + +Currants, Flowering.--_See_ "Ribes." + +Cyanthus Lobatus--A small, but very beautiful procumbent perennial, +well adapted to fill moist places on rock-work if the situation is +open and sunny. A mixture of vegetable mould and sand suits it, and it +is best increased by cuttings placed in moist peat. It flowers in the +autumn, the flower-stems being from 6 in. to 1 ft. in length. + +Cyanus(_Cornflower_).--Very pretty and free-blooming hardy annuals. +Sow the seed in the open in autumn for an early display of flowers, +or in March for a later one. Thin out to 2 ft. apart. Bloom in July. +Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Cyclamen.--Charming winter and spring blooming bulbous greenhouse +plants, which thrive in a mixture of sandy loam and vegetable mould. +They require a moist atmosphere and a uniform temperature not lower +than 50 degrees. They may be increased by seed sown in slight heat as +soon as it is ripe. Plant the bulbs in October, also in February and +March, placing them so that the crown is level with the top of the +pots. One full-sized bulb is sufficient for a 6-in. pot, which must be +provided with good drainage and placed on a layer of coal ashes that +is kept constantly moist. Water moderately till growth begins, then +increase the supply. Give a little liquid manure, in a weak state, if +a large quantity of flower-buds appear. When the blooming season is +over, plunge the pots in a shady, well-drained border, and when the +leaves start afresh turn the plants carefully out of the pots, so +as not to injure their roots, and re-pot in fresh soil. C. Persicum +flowers in February, and C. Neapolitanum in April. C. Europeum is a +hard variety, thriving in any situation. It produces sweetly-scented +flowers throughout July and August. It does best when planted under +trees, or in partial shade on rock-work, in well-drained, good loamy +or peaty soil mixed with a fair proportion of brick rubble. Plant the +corms in September 3 in. apart, and 1-1/2 in. deep. Height, 6 in. to 9 +in. + +Cydonia (_Pyrus_).--These hardy plants are well adapted for +trellis-work, but are more effective when grown as bushes, and flower +more freely than when trained to the wall, the bloom often lasting to +the winter. They will grow in any soil, and are increased by suckers. +Height, 4 ft. and upwards. + +Cyperius Alternifolius.--A stove grass which will grow in any soil, +but requires a plentiful supply of water. It is increased by dividing +the roots. Height, 2 ft. + +Cypress (_Cupressus_).--Among these useful conifers C. Lawsoniana has +no superior as a single specimen for the decoration of the lawn. Of +free growth and perfectly hardy, it succeeds in almost any soil or +situation. C. Fraserii is also hardy, of erect habit, and of a rich +glaucous hue. When it attains a good size it is very ornamental. The +beautiful silver variegated variety Argenteo Variegata deserves a +place in every shrubbery. Nana Alba Maculata is a dwarf globular +plant, the slender branches of which are tipped with white, giving it +the appearance of being partly covered with snow. Pygmea is a compact +dwarf-growing variety suitable for the centre of small beds and for +rock-work. Japan Cypresses are elegant little shrubs, one of the +finest being Retinospora Ericoides, whose peculiar violet-red leaves +contrast charmingly with light green plants. Any of the above may be +increased by cuttings. They succeed best in a rich, deep loam, and are +improved by thinning out the branches where too thick, and pinching +out the stronger shoots where too thin, so as to encourage new growth. + +Cypripedium (_Hardy Ladies' Slipper Orchid_).--This plant is of +the simplest culture and is well adapted for pots, ferneries, or +rock-work. It is most at home in a well-drained yet moist peaty soil, +and kept in a frame or on a shady border, where it will bloom in June. +Protect from frost and heavy rains, but never allow the roots to get +dry. Height, 1 ft. + +Cytisus.--Elegant hardy shrubs with finely-cut leaves and terminal +racemes of Pea-shaped flowers in July. They will grow in any soil, and +are readily raised from seed or layers. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. + + +D + + +Daffodils.--These will grow in any good, cool, moist, well-drained +garden soil if sand be put round their roots, but thrive best in a +moderately rich loam. They may remain in the ground for years, for +large bulbs produce the finest flowers. When the flowering is over the +leaves must be allowed to die down, not cut off. Plant from September +to December. The top of the bulb should be about 3 in. below the +surface, according to its size; 10 in. apart is a good distance. +Daffodils are also suitable for pot culture. Plant three to six bulbs, +according to size, in a 4-in. or 5-in. pot, using a compost of two +parts fibrous loam, one part leaf-mould, and one part sand. Place the +pots on a bed of ashes, and cover with 4 in. of cocoa-nut fibre. As +soon as top growth has commenced, remove the plants indoors, and +give plenty of light and air to prevent them being drawn. Daffodils +likewise make a good display when planted on a lawn. + +Dahlias.--These attractive plants require a deep, friable soil, not +over rich. They may be grown from seed sown on a hotbed in March and +lightly covered with fine mould. As soon as they are up give all the +air which can with safety be given. When the seedlings are large +enough pot them off singly in the smallest-sized pots or round the +edges of 6-in. ones. Plant them out at the end of May, 1 ft. apart; +they will flower at the end of August. Any that turn out very good had +better be propagated by cuttings from the young tops, to save the kind +in case the roots should die. When flowering is over take up the young +bulbs and treat them as directed afterwards for old tubers. + +Another way to propagate them is to place the old tubers in soil over +a hotbed early in March. When the shoots are a couple of inches high +the tubers may be taken up and divided with a sharp knife. Pot off +separately. Water them occasionally with liquid manure, made from +guano and powdered charcoal, well mixed with rain water, and plant +them out early in May. Give them plenty of room, and tie the branches +securely to stakes firmly fixed in the soil. When they have become +good bushy plants put a layer of half-rotted manure round each plant. +As soon as frost turns their foliage brown take them up, cut off the +roots, leaving about 6 in. of stem attached, and plunge them into a +box of sand, chaff, or ashes, and preserve them from damp, frost, and +heat during the winter. + +Daisies (_Bellis Perennis_).--These pretty, little hardy perennials +are very useful as edgings. To grow them to perfection the ground +should be highly manured, and the roots divided every year, planting +them out 6 in. apart in a cool, shady situation. October is a suitable +time for transplanting. They flower continuously from February to +July. Height, 6 in. + +Dandelions.--Dandelions on lawns, etc., may be killed by cutting them +down as low as possible, and putting a little gas-tar or a pinch of +salt on the wound. Or they may be dug up and blanched for mixing with +salad. In this case plant six roots in an 8-in. pot, and place an +inverted flower-pot over the whole, in order to exclude the light; the +plants are sometimes blanched in the open by covering them with old +tan or fine ashes. The flowers must be kept picked off, for they soon +run to seed, and if unattended to become troublesome. + +Daphne.--Beautiful shrubs, mostly evergreens, bearing elegant flowers +followed by bright-red poisonous berries. D. Mezereum is the most +common variety, and is very suitable for the front of shrubberies. The +Chinese variety D. Odorata is too tender for outdoors, but makes a +fine ornament for the greenhouse. The dwarf kinds, bearing fragrant +pink flowers, are rather tender, but are very useful for rockeries +occupying sheltered positions. They all need a peaty soil, and may +be increased by grafting on to the common Spurge Laurel. Different +varieties flower at various periods, from February to October. Height, +9 in. to 6 ft, but the majority are from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high. + +Datura.--Ornamental half-hardy annuals. The seeds of all the species +must be sown on a hotbed early in spring. When the plants are strong +enough transplant them in the border, where they will bloom more +freely than in pots. The seeds of D. Ceratocaula will sometimes remain +several years in the ground before they germinate. They flower in +July. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Day Flower.--_See_ "Commelina." + +Day Lily.--_See_ "Hemerocallis." + +Delphinium (_Larkspur_).--The gorgeous spikes of flowers produced by +these plants render them invaluable for the border. They like a deep +soil, highly enriched. The perennials may be divided at the root in +autumn, care being taken not to injure the young fleshy sprouts. The +annuals are readily raised from seed. The quickest way to grow the +perennial varieties from seed is to sow in a frame with a slight +bottom-heat, at any time from March to August; but sowings made in the +open from April to June will succeed. Keep the ground moist, and shade +from the sun till the plants are up, then transplant to nursery beds +for the summer, afterwards transferring them to their final quarters. +Flower in June and July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 6 ft. + +Dentaria Digitata (_Toothwort_).--This tuberous hardy perennial grows +well in old leaf-mould, and is very suitable for the base portion of +rock-work, where it can obtain both shade from the midday sun and +moisture. It is readily increased by cutting the roots into pieces +about 1-1/2 in. long, and replanting them where they are intended to +bloom, putting 1 in. or so of sand round them. They flower in May. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Desfontania Spinosa.--A fine, evergreen wall shrub with holly-like +leaves, and long, pendulous scarlet and orange flowers in June. It +grows best in a compost of loam, peat, and sand, with a south or west +aspect. It is propagated by cuttings under glass. Height, 10 ft. + +Desmodium Canadense.--This is a fine border hardy perennial, producing +long racemes of rosy-purple flowers in June or July. It prefers a soil +of sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by seed or by cuttings +planted in sand and subjected to heat. Height, 4 ft. + +Desmodium Pendulaeflorum.--A hardy evergreen shrub, flowering in July. +It thrives in sandy loam and peat. Cuttings planted in sand with a +little bottom-heat and under glass will strike. Height, 6 ft. + +Deutzia.--A beautiful conservatory shrub, bearing in spring a large +quantity of flowers resembling the snowdrop. A peaty soil suits it. It +is pretty hardy. Height, 3 ft. + +Devil-in-a-Bush.--_See_ "Nigella." + +Dianthus.--Very beautiful and fragrant flowers. The genus embraces +Carnations, Pinks, Picotees, and Sweet Williams. The soil most +suitable for them is a light, loamy one, mixed with a little rotten +dung and sand. It is well to confine the rarer kind to pots, so as +the better to protect them in winter. They are propagated by layers, +cuttings, or division of roots. If the cuttings are taken about the +middle of June, and placed under glass on a gentle hotbed, they will +be ready in about three weeks to plant out in the open. The annuals +and biennials merely require sowing where they are intended to bloom. +Flower in July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Dictamnus (_Burning Bush_).--_See_ "Fraxinella." + +Dielytra Spectabilis (_Venus's Car, Bleeding Heart, or Lyre +Flower_).--One of the most elegant hardy perennials for forcing +for table decorations, or cutting for vases. The graceful, pendent +branches are laden with beautiful red or purple heart-shaped flowers; +these, combined with the delicate green of the foliage, give them a +conspicuous place among plants. Out of doors in summer, among shrubs +or herbaceous plants, they are exceedingly attractive. Let them be +planted in tufty groups in a warm, sheltered border of rich, light +soil. They may be increased by division of the root, as in the Dahlia, +or by cuttings. Height, 3 ft. + +Digitalis (_Foxglove_).--Very showy, hardy, perennial border plants. +They will grow in any garden soil, and are readily raised from seed, +which, if sown in the autumn, will produce flowers the following June +and July. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Digitata.--_See_ "Callirhoe." + +Dimorphantus _(Aralia Sinensis_).--The Dimorphantus Mandschuricus is +one of the noblest of deciduous shrubs, the foliage being very large +and much divided. Any soil is suitable for its growth, and it may be +propagated by cuttings of ripe wood, taken at a joint and planted on a +shaded site. It produces its flowers at midsummer. Height, 4 ft. to 6 +ft. + +Dimorphotheca Ecklonis.--This plant is not perhaps quite hardy, still +it may be grown out of doors in a sheltered, sunny situation. It +grows well in sandy loam and leaf-mould, and requires a good deal +of moisture in the summer months, though from autumn till spring it +should be kept on the dry side. During winter it is safest to afford +it protection. It is generally raised from cuttings late in summer, +which are kept through the winter in small pots in the greenhouse. + +Diphylleia Cymosa.--A very pretty bog plant which blooms from June to +August. Plant in rich, light soil, and give plenty of water. It is +propagated by division. Height, 9 in. + +Diplacus Glutinosus _(Hard-wooded Mimulus_).--This elegant greenhouse +shrub is an evergreen which delights in a rich, sandy loam. It flowers +in June, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 3 ft. + +Diplopappus.--Dwarf-growing evergreen shrubs of pretty habit. The +golden stems and leaves of D. Chrysophylla render that variety +specially attractive. A sandy loam is most suitable for their growth. +They require the warmest situation the garden affords, and to be +protected during the winter. Cuttings strike readily. They flower in +August. Height, 2 ft. + +Disbudding--The object of Disbudding is to prevent the growth of +branches which, from their position, would be useless to the tree, and +would consequently have to be cut away later on. The process is both +simple and expeditious. The trees are gone over once a week during the +spring, and the useless buds are rubbed off with the thumb, taking off +first those which are most unfavourably situated. The work should be +done gradually, so as not to give any check to the tree. + +The term is also applied to the pinching out of flower-buds, such as +those of the Chrysanthemum, so as to give more room and strength to +the remaining blooms. + +Disemma.--Splendid evergreen climbers, suitable either for the +greenhouse or in a sheltered position out of doors. Plant in rich, +loamy soil mixed with peat, and, if grown in the open, give protection +to the roots during the winter. They flower in July, and may be +increased by cuttings planted in sand under glass. Height, 20 ft. to +30 ft. + +Dittany.--_See_ "Cunila." + +Docks, to Kill.--Cut the weeds down to the ground, and run a skewer +dipped in vitriol through the roots. + +Dodecatheon.--A hardy perennial, which is very ornamental when in +flower. It grows best in a loamy soil, and is easily increased by +dividing the roots. Blooms in May. Height, 1 ft. + +Dog's-Tooth Violets.--_See_ "Violets." + +Dolichos Lablab.--Half-hardy annuals. The seed should be sown in +spring in pots placed in heat, and kept in the hothouse till May, when +the plants may be set out in a sheltered position, placing sticks for +them to run up, in the like manner to Beans. Flower in July. Height, 6 +ft. + +Dondia Epipactis.--A very pretty and extremely hardy little perennial, +suitable for either pot culture or rock-work. It thrives in peat or +leaf-mould, and likes a moist position. Strong clumps may be divided +in February, but it is rather shy at being moved. It flowers in May. +Height, 6 in. + +Doronicum (_Leopards Bane_).--An ornamental hardy perennial. It will +grow in any garden soil, and may be propagated from seed sown either +in the autumn or spring, or by dividing the root. It produces its +flowers in May. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Draba.--Pretty dwarf Alpine plants which bloom during April and May; +very suitable for rock-work. They flourish in a compost of loam and +peat, and may be propagated by seed or division. Height, 1-1/2 in. to +3 in. + +Dracaena Indivisa.--A stove evergreen shrub much valued for its +foliage and as a table plant. It requires a light, loamy soil and +plenty of light. Cuttings stuck in tan or peat and sand, and provided +with strong heat, will strike. It flowers in June. Height, 3 ft. + +Dracocephalum (_Dragon's Head_).--Ornamental plants, mostly bearing +lilac or blue flowers. Many of the half-hardy kinds are grown in pots, +so that they may the more readily be removed to the greenhouse in +winter. The perennials are propagated by dividing the roots. The +annuals are increased from seed sown in March or early in April. They +like a rich, light soil, and come into bloom in June and July. Height, +1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Dracophyllum.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs of an ornamental character. +The pots should be filled with an equal mixture of sand and peat. They +are propagated by planting the young shoots in sand, covering them +with a hand-glass, and plunging them in heat. They flower in June. +Height, 2 ft. + +Dragon's Head.--_See_ "Dracocephalum." + +Dryas Octopetala (_Mountain Avens_).--A prostrate, creeping perennial +which bears white Anemone-like flowers from July to September. It +thrives in peat, and is increased by seeds, cuttings, or division. +Not being quite hardy, protection should be afforded during winter. +Height, 6 in. + +Dutchman's Pipe--_See_ "Aristolochia." + + +E + + +Earwigs, to Trap.--An inverted flower-pot, containing a little dry +moss or hay, placed on a stick, forms a good trap for these pests. +They will also congregate in any hollow stems of plants that may be +laid about. They may be destroyed by shaking them into boiling water. + +Eccremocarpus (_Calampelis_).--These climbing half-hardy perennials +will grow in any garden soil, a light, loamy one being preferable. +Sow the seed in autumn on a slight hotbed, pot off, and winter in a +greenhouse. The plants will be ready to turn out on a warm south wall +in April or May. Cut them down in the autumn, and cover the roots with +dry leaves: they will shoot up again in the spring. The foliage +is dark and Clematis-like; the flowers are borne in clusters, are +tube-shaped, and bright orange-scarlet in colour. They are increased +by cuttings. + +Echeveria.--Choice greenhouse evergreen shrubs. They grow best in a +sandy loam, with a little peat, mixed with pulverised brick rubbish. +Water must be given cautiously. Young plants may be taken off the +parent in October and pressed firmly, but without bruising them, in +light, rich soil. Cuttings should be left for a few days to dry before +planting. They flower in autumn. In winter keep them in a cold frame, +and as dry as possible. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Echinacea Purpurea (_Purple Cone Flower_).--A stately hardy perennial, +very pretty when in flower, but hardly suitable for cutting purposes. +It likes a rich, light, loam soil and plenty of sunshine. The roots +may be divided in spring, after growth has fairly started. It blooms +during September and October. Height, 2-1/2 ft. + +Echinops (_Globe Thistle_).--Coarse perennial plants, of stiff growth. +Any soil suits them, and they may be increased by dividing the roots. +They bloom in July. Height, 4 ft. + +Echium Creticum.--A scarlet-flowering hardy annual which should be +grown wherever bees are kept. Sow in spring in any garden soil. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Edelweiss.--_See_ "Gnaphalium." + +Edraianthus Dalmaticus.--A charming little herbaceous perennial which +proves quite hardy in our climate, and well deserves a place in the +rockery. Plant in deep, rich loam, and cover the surface of the crown +with 1/2 in. of coarse sand. It may be propagated from off-sets, taken +with as much root as possible as soon as flowering ceases. Winter the +young plants in a cold frame, and do not give them too much water, or +they will rot. They will bloom in July and August. Height, 4 in. + +Egg-Plant (_Aubergine_).--The fruit of the egg-plant is edible. The +seed is sown in March or April in pots of well-drained, light, rich +soil, and placed in a cucumber frame or on a hotbed with a temperature +of 75 degrees. When the plants are fairly up they are potted off +separately, and when they have started into growth the points are +pinched out, so as to induce a bushy habit. It is necessary to keep +the roots well supplied with water. When the fruit is set, the growth +is stopped at the first joint beyond it. They are mostly treated as +greenhouse pot-plants, but may be grown in the open if planted on a +south border, in ridges like those made for cucumbers, and covered +with hand-glasses till established. The Aubergine is a tender annual. +Height, 2 ft. + +Eggs of Insects, to Destroy.--Into 3 gallons of water stir 1/4 peck +of lime, 1/2 lb. of sulphur, and 1/2 lb. of tobacco. When settled, +syringe the trees and walls with the clear liquid. More water may be +added afterwards. + +Eichhornia Crassipes Major.--A pretty and curious plant which may be +grown in bowls of water like the Chinese Lily. The stalks are bladders +about the size of a greengage, which enable the plant to float. The +flowers are soft lilac-rose in colour, and sparkle as if polished, +each one being about 2 in. in diameter. A little soil at the bottom of +the bowl is beneficial. It will flourish out of doors in summer. + +Elder.--_See_ "Sambucus." + +Eleagnus.--Effective variegated shrubs which prove perfectly hardy +in the south of England. They grow in any ordinary soil, and are +increased by cuttings. Height, 10 ft. + +Elsholtzia Cristata.--Hardy annuals of great value where there are +bees, the flowers being very sweet. Sow in the open in spring. Height, +1 ft. + +Empetrum.--Small hardy evergreen shrubs requiring an elevated and +exposed position, and a dry, barren soil. They flower in May, and are +propagated by layers. Height, 1 ft. + +Endive.--Sow at intervals from May till the end of August, but the +principal sowing, to stand the winter, should be made the first week +in August, giving the plants the protection of a frame. When the early +sown ones are 2 in. high transplant them to a rich nursery bed. When 4 +in. high lift them carefully, with the soil round the roots, and place +them in drills about 3 in. deep and 1 ft. apart each way. Water well +immediately after planting, and keep the soil moist. + +Epacris.--Pretty Heath-like shrubs. They like a sandy peat soil, and +plenty of moisture. The pots in which they grow should be provided +with ample drainage and stood in a larger-sized pot, with wet moss +between the two. As soon they have done blooming cut them back freely, +and when the fresh shoots are 2 or 3 in. long, pot them off, placing +them in a close, cool pit for three or four weeks. Gradually harden +off, then place them in a sunny situation out of doors, and remove +them to the conservatory in October. They only need sufficient heat to +keep out the frost. Cuttings of the young wood placed in sand with a +little bottom-heat will strike. + +Epigaea Repens (_Creeping Laurel_).--This creeper is hardy and +evergreen, and its flowers possess a delicious fragrance. It may be +grown in loam and sandy peat or in leaf-mould with a little sand +added, in a well-sheltered and moist situation; and may be propagated +by layers, in the same manner as Carnations. It flowers in April. +Height, 6 in. + +Epilobium Angustifolium.--An ornamental herbaceous plant which may be +grown in any common soil from seed sown in autumn, or may be increased +by division of the roots. It puts forth its flowers in July. Height, 4 +ft. + +Epimedium.--An elegant hardy perennial, suitable for shaded borders +or rock-work. The best soil for it is sandy peat. It flowers between +April and June, and is increased by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft. + +Eragrostis Elegans (_Love Grass_).--One of the best of our hardy, +annual, ornamental grasses. Sown in March, it will reach perfection in +August or September. Height, 1 ft. + +Eranthis Hyemalis.--_See_ "Winter Aconite." + +Eremurus Robustus.--This hardy perennial bears tall, handsome spikes +of sweetly-scented, peach-coloured flowers in May. It will grow in +any ordinary soil, and is easily propagated by young plants from the +roots. Height, I ft. + +Ericas (_Heaths_).--It is useless to attempt to grow these beautiful +shrubs unless proper soil is provided. The free-growing kinds thrive +best in good black peat and require large pots. The dwarf and +hard-wooded kinds must be provided with sandy peat, and the pots +thoroughly well drained. They need less water than the free-growing +kinds. They all want a good deal of air, and must not be crowded too +closely together. Protect from frost and damp. Cuttings off the tender +tops of the shoots planted in sand under glass will strike. The +cuttings of the stronger-growing kinds should be somewhat longer. As +soon as rooted, pot off singly, place in a close frame, and harden off +by degrees. The hardy sorts grow in a sandy peat, and may be increased +by layers or by cuttings. They bloom at various times. Height, 6 in. +to 4 ft. (_See_ "Heaths, Greenhouse.") + +Erigeron.--Very handsome hardy perennials, producing a copious display +of bloom. They will grow in any soil, and may be increased by division +or by seed sown between March and July, or in August or September. +They flower at the end of July. Height, 1 ft. + +Erinus.--The hardy perennial kinds bloom in March, the greenhouse +varieties in May. The latter are very pretty. They all like a sandy +soil, and may be increased by seed or by division. Height, 6 in. to 9 +in. + +Eriogonum.--These pretty, hardy, herbaceous plants bloom in June. They +grow best in a compost of loam and peat, and are easily raised from +seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Eriostemon.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Grow in sandy peat with a +little loam added. Cuttings will strike in sand. They flower in May +and June. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Erodium.--An extensive genus of very beautiful plants, mostly hardy. +They will grow in any soil, and merely require ordinary treatment. The +bloom is produced in June or July. Height, 4 in. to 1 ft. + +Eryngium.--A very ornamental and beautiful kind of Thistle. They are +mostly quite hardy, and will grow in any garden soil, though they +thrive best in a light, sandy one. The greenhouse and frame varieties +should be grown in pots, so that they can be easily housed in winter. +They are readily increased by seed or division, and produce their +flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. to 4 ft. + +Erysimum.--Flowers of little merit. The herbaceous kinds thrive in +common soil, but do best in a mixture of loam and peat. They may be +increased by cuttings placed under glass. The annuals and biennials +merely need sowing in the open during autumn. They bloom in June and +July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Erythrina Crista Galli (_Coral Plant_).--A showy, summer-blooming +greenhouse plant. Place it in turfy loam enriched with old manure. It +may be transferred to the garden in the summer, and when the wood is +ripe cut it back and keep it dry till spring. Cuttings taken at a +joint, with the leaves left on, may be struck in sand. + +Erythronium Dens-Canis _(Dog's Tooth Violets_).--_See_ "Violets." + +Escallonia.--Handsome, half-hardy, evergreen shrubs, possessing rich +glaucous leaves and bunches of tubular flowers. A peat and sandy loam +soil suits them best. They may be planted against, and trained to, a +south wall, but need protection from frost. The laterals may be cut +back fairly close in March to encourage new growth. They may be +propagated by layering in the autumn, or by suckers taken in the +spring. Height, 3 ft. + +Eschscholtzia.--Pretty hardy annuals, especially during August, when +they are in flower. Any rich soil suits them. Easily raised from seed +sown on a gentle hotbed in spring, and afterwards transplanted to the +border. They flower longest if sown in autumn, but the young plants +need protection through the winter. Height, 1 ft. + +Eucalyptus Citriodora.--A useful window or greenhouse plant, with +small, oblong, bright green leaves, furnished with appendages that +emit an odour resembling the Lemon-scented Verbena. It is of easy +cultivation, growing freely from seed sown in slight heat. Height, 4 +ft. + +Eucalyptus Globulus.--A greenhouse everlasting tree, commonly known as +Blue Gum. It delights in a mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Cuttings, +which should not be too ripe, root in sand under glass. It may be +grown from seed sown, in a temperature of 65 degrees, from February to +April. It flowers in June. + +Eucharidium.--Pretty little hardy annuals, nearly allied to the +Clarkia. The seed may be sown in autumn for early flowering, or in +spring for blooming in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Eucomis Punctata.--A fine, autumn-blooming plant, bearing long spikes +of fragrant creamy-white flowers and curiously-spotted stems. It may +be grown in any rich soil. Height, 2 ft. + +Eucryphia Pinnatifida.--A dwarf evergreen shrub with flowers +resembling a white St. John's Wort. It grows best in a compost of loam +and peat, and is propagated by cuttings planted in sand, and subjected +to heat. + +Eugenia Ugni.--An evergreen shrub which produces white flowers in May, +succeeded by round, edible berries. It should be grown in loam and +peat. Ripened cuttings may be struck in sand under glass. Height, 4 +ft. + +Eulalia Japonica.--A hardy perennial Giant Grass. It is very handsome +as single specimens on lawns, or used in groups on the margins of +shrubberies. The flower panicles in their first stage have erect +branches, but as the flowers open these curl over gracefully, +resembling a Prince of Wales feather. Height, 6 ft. + +Euonymus Radicans Variegata.--A hardy evergreen shrub which, given a +sunny situation, will grow in any soil, though a rich, sandy one is +preferable. It may be increased by layers, by seed, by cuttings of +ripe wood taken early in autumn and planted in the shade, or by +dividing strong roots. May is its time to flower. Height, 6 ft. Other +varieties of the Euonymus, or Spindle Tree, are equally hardy, and +easy to propagate. + +Eupatorium Odoratum.--A greenhouse shrub which bears sweet-scented +white flowers in August, continuing in bloom for a long while. It may +be planted out at the end of May, but must be lifted before the frost +comes. When flowering ceases, give less water and prune hard back. It +grows well in peat and loam, and is increased by seed or by cuttings +of the young shoots in spring in bottom-heat. Pinch back freely until +the end of July, leaving all growth after that period. Height, 2-1/2 +ft. + +Euphorbia.--An elegant class of plants. The stove and greenhouse +varieties are generally succulent, and require but little water, while +the hardy kinds need plenty of moisture. Any rich, light soil suits +them, but for the tender, succulent plants it should be mixed with +brick rubbish. Best grown from seed, though the roots may be divided. +Height, 2 ft. + +Eurya Latifolia Variegata.--A fine, variegated, large-leaved +evergreen, very suitable for covering a low wall, or for conservatory +decoration. It delights in a compost of loam and peat, and is +propagated by cuttings planted in a sandy soil on gentle heat. Height, +2 ft. + +Eurybia.--Very pretty flowering shrubs for walls, borders, or +rockeries. They require a light, rich soil, and may be increased by +seeds sown early in spring on a gentle hotbed. Height, 2 ft. + +Eutaxia Myrtifolia.--Pretty evergreen shrubs, suitable for the +greenhouse. They thrive best in a mixture of peat and loam, and +require the pots to be well drained. To have nice bushy plants they +must be pinched back well. Cuttings will strike in sand under glass. +They flower in August. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Eutoca.--Exceedingly pretty hardy annuals. Sow the seed in light soil +early in spring where it is to flower, and thin out so that the plants +have plenty of room. They bloom in July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Evening Primrose.--_See_ "Oenothera." + +Everlasting Peas.--_See_ "Peas, Everlasting." + + +F + + +Fabacea.--_See_ "Thermopsis." + +Fatsia Japonica.--_See_ "Aralia." + +Feather Grass.--_See_ "Stipa Pennata." + +Fennel.--Sow the seed in April, cover lightly with fine mould, and +when the plants are strong enough set them out 1 ft. apart. Cut off +the flower-stalks as soon as they appear, to prevent them running to +seed. The bed will last for years. (_See also_ "Ferula.") + +Fenzlia.--Elegant half-hardy annuals. Sow the seed on a peat soil. If +this be done in autumn, they will flower in April or May; if sown in +spring, they will bloom in autumn. Height, 6 in. + +Ferns.--Most Ferns delight in a loose soil, an abundance of moisture, +and a warm, humid atmosphere. The stove and greenhouse kinds are best +cultivated in a mixture of sandy loam and peat. The hardy kinds grow +best among rock-work or in a shady border: a light, sandy soil suits +them. They may be increased by dividing the roots. + +Ferns from Seed.--Collect the spore-fronds towards the end of summer, +just as the spore-cases begin to open. Place them on a sheet of paper +in a box for a few days, keeping it in a dry place. Most of the spores +will fall out, the others may be rubbed out with the hand. These +spores will keep good a long time, but are best sown within a year. +Fill the pots with good heavy loam, water freely, and apply a coating +of charcoal, coarse sand, and sphragnum moss, rubbed through a fine +sieve. Damp the surface, sow the spores thinly, and cover with glass. +Keep the soil moist by standing the pots for a time each day up to +their rim in water. No surface water should be given. Stand the pots +in a warm, light place in the greenhouse, but keep them shaded from +the sun. When the surface is covered with growth, prick out into pans +or boxes, using a rich, light soil. When they are large enough pot +them off singly in thumb-pots, re-potting as soon as these are filled +with roots. + +Ferraria.--_See_ "Tigridia." + +Ferula (_Giant Fennel_).--Strong-growing, hardy, herbaceous plants. +F. Gigantea has bright, glistening foliage, changing to a brilliant +orange, and attains a height of 8 ft or 10 ft. F. Tingitana is very +stately and graceful, growing 4 ft. high. They are easily raised +from seed, will grow in any garden soil, and flower in August and +September. + +Festuca.--An annual ornamental grass, which is grown best on a loamy +soil. Sow the seed in March, and keep moist till it germinates. +Height, 1 ft. + +Feverfew.--This hardy perennial will grow in any soil and ripen its +seed freely. Young plants, obtained by sowing the seed early in +spring, are very useful for edgings; when planted alternately with, or +in proximity to, Lobelia a pretty effect is produced. + +Ficaria Grandiflora.--A hardy perennial which thrives well when +planted under the shade of trees. It is increased by separating the +tubers in autumn, and produces its flowers in May. Height, 6 in. + +Ficus Elastica (_India-rubber Plant_).--This thrives well in any +light, rich soil, or in loam and peat. Keep it moderately moist +throughout the winter, using tepid water. In summer any of the +artificial manures may be used. Sponge the leaves once a week to free +them from dust, and keep the plant well sheltered from draughts. +Cuttings with uninjured leaves will root in autumn in sand with a +bottom-heat of 65 or 75 degrees; or the cuttings may be taken in +spring, stem-rooting the slips. It flowers in May, and sometimes +attains the height of 20 ft. + +Fig Palm.--_See_ "Aralia." + +Figs.--Though in some parts of our country Figs are cropped on +standards, as a rule they require to be trained on a wall having a +southern exposure. The soil should be a fairly good loam mixed with +old mortar and crushed bones, but no manure is needed. The end of +March or the beginning of April is the most favourable time for +planting. The trees should be firmly set, and the surface of the soil +kept moist until they are established. Manure may be given--preferably +in a liquid state--when heavy crops of fruit are being borne. Old and +exhausted wood may be cut away in April, but the knife must be used +sparingly. The branches should be trained to a distance of 10 in. +apart, and the fruit-bearing shoots may be pinched back with the thumb +and finger at the end of August. The fruit is borne on the previous +year's growth. They may be increased by layers, by suckers, or by +cuttings of the young wood placed in sand and plunged in a bottom-heat +under glass. Brown Turkey, Black Ischia, Yellow Ischia, White +Marseilles, Brunswick, and St John's are all good varieties for +open-air cultivation, or for growing in houses. + +When grown under glass, Figs may be trained on trellises near the roof +of the house, or may be planted in tubs or pots, not allowing too much +root-room. At starting the temperature in the day should be about 60 +degrees, and at night 55 degrees. More heat can be given as the plants +advance, keeping up a moist atmosphere, but taking care not to give +too much water to the roots. By pinching off the points of the shoots +when they have made five or six leaves a second crop of fruit will +be obtained. Use the knife upon them as little as possible. When the +fruit begins to ripen admit air, and as soon as it is gathered give +liquid manure to the roots every other day to encourage a second crop. +When the plants are at rest they need hardly any water. + +Filberts and Cob Nuts.--These Nuts will succeed on any soil that is +not cold or wet. The bushes should be planted in October, when the +leaves have nearly all fallen. Make the soil firm about the roots and +give a mulching of stable manure. At the beginning of April the old +and exhausted wood may be cut away, as well as any branches that +obstruct light and air. Encourage well-balanced heads to the bushes +by cutting back any branch that grows too vigorously, and remove all +suckers as they make an appearance, except they are required for +transplanting. The crop is produced on the small wood. The best method +of propagation is by layers in November or any time before the buds +swell in spring. The process is simple, it merely requiring a notch +to be made in a branch of two or three years' growth, which is then +pegged down 2 or 3 in. below the surface. The following autumn it may +be cut away from its parent, pruned, and planted. They may also be +grown from nuts sown in autumn and transplanted when two years old. In +Kent the bushes are kept low and wide-spreading, by which means the +harvest is more readily reaped. On a fairly good soil they should +stand from 10 to 14 ft. apart. Lambert's Filberts, Frizzled Filberts, +Purple Filberts are good varieties, the former two bearing abundantly. +Among the best of the Cobs may be mentioned the Great Cob and +Merveille de Bollwyller. + +Fire Thorn.--_See_ "Crataegus." + +Flea Bane.--_See_ "Inula" _and_ "Stenactis." + +Flower-Pots, Sizes of.--Various practices prevail at different +potteries, but the appended names and sizes are generally adopted. In +every case the inside measurement is taken. + + Inches Inches + SIZES. across Top. Deep. + + Thimbles 2 2 + Thumbs 2-1/2 2-1/2 + Sixties (60's) 3 3-1/2 + Fifty-fours (54's) 4 4 + Forty-eights (48's) 4-1/2 5 + Thirty-twos (32's) 6 6 + Twenty-fours (24's) 8-1/2 8 + Sixteens (16's) 9-1/2 9 + Twelves (12's) 11-1/2 10 + Eights (8's) 12 11 + Sixes (6's) 13 11 + Fours (4's) 15 13 + Threes (3's) 17 13 + Twos (2's) 18 14 + +Foam Flower.--_See_ "Tiarella." + +Fontanesia Phillyraeoides.--This shrub will grow in any soil, but +needs protection in severe weather. It may be propagated by layers or +by cuttings planted under glass. August is its time for flowering. +Height, 10 ft. + +Forget-me-not.--_See_ "Myosotis." + +Forsythia.--Any good soil suits these pretty shrubs. F. Suspensa +thrives best under greenhouse treatment, but F. Viridissima is quite +hardy. The former flowers in March, the latter in February. They may +be increased by layers or cuttings. Height, 10 ft. + +Foxglove.--_See_ "Digitalis." + +Fragaria Indica (_Ornamental Strawberry_).--A rich or peaty mould +suits this half-hardy perennial. It may be saved through the winter by +protecting the roots, but seed sown in spring will generally fruit the +same year. It flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Francoa.--Hardy perennials bearing white flowers from June to +September. They like a good, warm soil. The only way of raising them +is from seed. They require a slight protection in winter. Height, +2-1/2 ft. + +Fraxinella (_Dictamnus_).--This ornamental hardy perennial is commonly +known as the Burning Bush. It succeeds in any garden soil, and is +easily raised from seed, which ripens freely. If the flowers are +rubbed they emit a fine odour. It blooms in June. Height, 3 ft. + +Freesia.--Remarkably pretty and graceful Cape flowers, possessing a +most agreeable perfume. The plants grow about 9 in. high and produce +six or eight tubular flowers on a stem. They are easily cultivated in +a cool greenhouse, frame, or window, and are invaluable for cutting, +the long sprays lasting from two to three weeks in water. The bulbs +should be planted early in the spring in rich, very sandy soil, and +given the protection of a cold frame in the winter. By successional +plantings they may be had in bloom from January to May. Put six to +twelve bulbs in a 4-in. or 8-in pot, place in a sunny position in +a cold frame, and cover with damp cinder ashes to keep them fairly +moist. When growth has begun and the pots are full of roots, remove +the covering of ashes, but keep the pots in the frame, giving a little +ventilation when the weather is mild, and watering carefully when the +soil appears dry. Protect from frost by a covering of mats. For early +flowering remove the plants to a warm greenhouse when the flower +spikes appear, keeping them as near the glass as possible. When the +buds are developed an occasional application of weak liquid manure +will prove beneficial. + +Fremontia Californica.--A beautiful and somewhat singular wall shrub, +with large yellow flowers. Any soil is suitable for it, but a south or +west aspect is indispensable. + +Fringe Tree.--_See_ "Chionanthus." + +Fritillarias (_Crown Imperials, or Snake's Head Lilies_).--Soil, sandy +loam, or well-drained, deep, rich mould. Plant in the open ground in +autumn; take the bulbs up as soon as the leaves decay, and preserve +them in a rather moist place. Increased by off-sets taken from the old +roots every third year. They are not so suitable for pot culture +as for outdoor decoration. They are quite hardy, and flower in the +spring, bearing clusters of pendent bell-shaped flowers surrounded +with tufts of fresh green leaves. + +F. Meleagris are of dwarf, slender growth, and bear in early spring +elegant pendent flowers of various shades netted and marked with +darker colours. These are suitable for either the border or pots. +Plant in autumn. + +Fruit Trees, the Pruning of.--Cut away all growths that have an inward +tendency, and do not allow any shoot to cross over or come in contact +with another; also keep the centres of the trees or bushes open. The +fruit of trees thus treated is not so liable to be blown down by the +wind, and the sun can more readily ripen it. If the ground is poor a +dressing of rotted manure worked into the soil will be beneficial to +the roots. + +Fuchsias.--These like a warm and moist atmosphere. The hardy sorts do +well out of doors in rich, light soil. On the approach of frost cut +them down and cover the roots with 3 or 4 in. of coal dust, ashes, or +moss. Remove the ashes in April and thin out the shoots in May. They +will also grow well from cuttings taken off the old wood as soon as +they are 1 in. long, inserted in sand and placed under glass, or +plunged in dung at a temperature of 60 degrees. Cuttings will also +strike in loam and leaf-mould. If grown in pots, take them indoors +before the frosty weather begins, and give them very little or no +water at all during the winter. Keep them in a cool place, yet free +from frost. Re-pot them in the spring, trimming the branches and +roots, and making a compost for them of one-half mellow yellow loam, +one quarter leaf-mould, and one quarter old manure. Place them in a +frame with bottom-heat, and water and syringe them moderately while +they are growing. When they are in full growth never give them plain +water, but always plenty of liquid manure. + +Fumitory.--_See_ "Corydalis." + +Funkia.--Ornamental plants which delight in a deep, light soil and a +warm, moist situation, without which they will not flower. They are +increased by division (which should not be too severe) and bloom in +July and August. Height, 1 1/2 ft. + +Furze.--Enjoys a sandy soil. Increased by cuttings taken in spring +or autumn and placed in a shady border under hand-glasses. It is of +evergreen habit, and forms a dense and highly ornamental hedge. (_See +also_ "Ulex.") + + +G + + +Gages.--The cultivation of Gages is similar to that of Plums. In the +open they may be grown as dwarfs or pyramids, and in orchard-houses +as gridirons, cordons, or in pots. The chief points to observe are to +thin the branches in order to admit plenty of light into the middle of +the tree, thus inducing the production of a plentiful supply of fruit +spurs, and to occasionally lift and root-prune the tree if growing +too strong. Among the choicest sorts are: Bonne Bouche (producing its +fruit at the end of August), Coe's Golden Drop (end of September), +Old Green Gage (August), Guthrie's Late Green Gage (September), +M'Laughlin's Gage (end of August), Oullin's Golden Gage (end of +August), and Reine Claude de Bavay (beginning of October). + +Gaillardia (_Blanket Flower_).--Very ornamental flowers, which will +grow in any common soil, but thrive most in a light, rich one. Seeds +of the annual kinds are sown in the spring. The perennials are +increased by dividing the roots. Bloom in July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Galanthus.--_See_ "Snowdrops." + +Galax Aphylla (_Wand Plant_).--The Heart-shaped Galax is a charming +little plant for rock-work. It is perennial, and does not lose the old +leaves till the new ones appear. A rich, light mould is required for +its growth, and its situation should be a somewhat shady one. Its +flowers are borne in July and August, on stalks 1 ft. or more high. +The plant may be increased by taking up a strong clump, shaking it +apart, and transplanting at once. (_See also_ "Shortia.") + +Galega (_Goats Rue_).--Ornamental hardy perennials, requiring plenty +of room. They are readily increased by seed or division of the root, +and flower in July. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. + +Galium.--This hardy herbaceous plant blooms in July. It will grow in +any soil, and can be increased by division of the root. Height, 1 ft. + +Gardenias.--Plant in a hothouse in fibrous peat mixed with a large +proportion of sand. Give plenty of heat and moisture during growth, +with a thin shade to keep off the sun's midday rays. Lower the +temperature as soon as growth is completed, and in the middle of +summer stand the plants out in the open for a week or two for the wood +to ripen. Height, 3 ft. + +Garlic.--Plant small cloves from February to April in rows 9 in. apart +and 6 in. from each other in the row. Lift them when the leaves die +down, dry them in the sunshine, and store in an airy, cool shed. + +Garrya Elliptica.--A hardy evergreen shrub, which is very suitable +in its early stages for pot-culture. A light, loamy soil is what it +likes. Cuttings taken in August and placed in sand under a hand-glass +will strike freely, but it is most readily increased by layers. In +October it bears graceful yellowish-green tassels of flowers from the +ends of its shoots. Height, 6 ft. + +Gasteria Verrucosa.--This plant grows best in pots of turfy loam and +leaf-mould, to which has been added a little old mortar. Good drainage +is essential. Water freely in summer, and keep just moist in winter. +Keep the foliage clean by sponging. Give plenty of light, and during +warm weather turn the plants out of doors. + +Gastrolobium.--Elegant evergreen shrubs which flower in April and May. +They are most suitable for adorning the greenhouse, and grow best in +a soil of loamy peat and sand. Cuttings of half-ripened wood planted +under glass will take root. Height, 2 ft. + +Gaultheria.--Dwarf, creeping evergreen shrubs, having dark foliage +and producing white flowers in May, June, or July. They require to be +grown in peat, and are increased by layers. G. Procumbens is suitable +for rockeries, as it only grows to the height of 6 in. G. Shallon +attains the height of 2 ft. + +Gaura Lindheimeri.--This free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant will +thrive in any light, rich soil. It bears elegant spikes of white +flowers from May onwards, followed by red bracts in September, and is +readily propagated by seeds. Height, 4 ft. + +Gazania Splendens.--A showy greenhouse plant. It may be planted in the +open in warm positions, but will require protecting in winter. Grow it +in peat and loam. Cuttings will strike if placed in sand under glass. +It flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Genethyllis.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs which thrive best in sandy +loam and peat. Cuttings of the young wood planted in the same soil and +plunged in heat will take root. Their flowering season is in August. +Height, 3 ft. + +Genista (_Broom_).--G. Canariense is an exceedingly ornamental and +free-flowering greenhouse shrub. It should be planted in a mixture of +loam, peat, and sand. Young cuttings inserted in sand under a glass +take root readily. It blooms in June. Height, 2 ft. Hardy species of +Genista may be placed in the front of shrubberies. They are increased +by seeds or by layers. + +Gentians.--The herbaceous kinds do best in a light, rich soil, such as +loam and peat mixed with vegetable mould. The annuals are raised from +seed sown as soon as it is ripe; if left till spring before it is sown +it will probably not come up till the second year. The perennials are +increased by dividing the roots. Both of the latter kinds do best in +a dry, sandy soil. Gentiana Acaulis, or Gentianella, is very suitable +for edgings, or for rock-work; it is an evergreen creeper, and bears +large trumpet-shaped flowers of rich ultramarine blue. All the +Gentians need plenty of free air, and some of them moisture at the +roots. Bloom in July. Height, 4 in. to 2 ft. + +Geranium Argentium(_Silvery Crane's-Bill_).--This hardy perennial +alpine is very effective on rock-work, especially in front of dark +stones; but provision must be made for its long tap roots. A rich, +deep loam suits it well. Its seeds germinate freely when sown in peat +and sand. Flowers are borne from May to July. Height, 6 in. + +Geraniums.--Take cuttings in July or August, and let them he to +partially dry for twenty-four hours before planting. When rooted pot +them off in 60's, and keep them under glass during the winter at a +temperature of 55 degrees. If the cuttings are taken in September put +three or four slips in a 48-size pot. In the spring they should be +re-potted singly and hardened off as early as possible. A suitable +soil for them is made by mixing two parts of good turfy loam, one of +leaf-mould, one of well-decomposed cow-dung, and a good proportion +of silver sand. Bone dust is an excellent addition to the soil. Old +plants stripped of their leaves may be packed in sand during the +winter, and re-potted in spring. + +Gerardia.--These hardy perennials form pyramidal bushes bearing +Pentstemon-like flowers, thickly set and varying in colour from +light pink to dark purple. A peat soil suits them best. They may be +propagated by cuttings placed under glass, but are best grown from +seed. July is their flowering season. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +German Seeds.--These require to be sown in a cold frame in seed-pans, +in the greenhouse, or under a handglass, in good, rich compost, +composed of old turf, leaf-mould, some well-rotted manure, and silver +sand. The seeds should be sown thinly and watered sparingly. Sow early +in April, and transplant in the middle or end of May in rich soil. +Water occasionally with weak liquid manure. + +Gesneria.--Handsome greenhouse perennials. They thrive in any light, +rich soil. Cuttings will strike readily either in sand or soil if +placed under glass in heat. They may also be raised from seed sown in +a temperature of 75 degrees in March or April. They flower in October. +Height, 18 in. + +Geum.--Very handsome hardy perennials. They grow well in any light, +rich, loamy soil, and may be increased either by seeds or by dividing +the roots. G. Coccineum is extremely pretty. Flower in July. Height, +18 in. + +Gherkins.--Sow the seed the first week in April in small pots, and +cover it lightly with fine soil. Plunge the pots in a hotbed covered +with a frame. When grown to nice little plants, remove them to a cold +frame to harden, and plant them out on a warm border towards the end +of May. When the fruit begins to form, give liquid manure twice a +week. For pickling they must be cut while small. + +Gilia.--Extremely pretty and free-flowering hardy annuals, deserving +of a place in every garden. They are very suitable for small beds. +They should be sown in the open early in spring. G. Tricolour may be +sown in autumn. Bloom in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Gillenia Trifoliata.--The Three-Leaved Gillenia is a hardy herbaceous +perennial which is very useful as a cut flower for the decoration of +vases, etc. It should be grown in large clumps, delights in a deep, +moist soil and partial shade, and may be propagated by dividing the +roots early in spring. It lasts in bloom from June to August. Height, +1 ft. + +Gladiolus.--Dig the ground out to a depth of 1 ft. or 15 in.; put in +a layer of leaf-mould or rotted manure, and then 4 or 5 in. of earth +mixed with sand; insert the bulbs (6 in. from the surface and 9 in. +apart), cover them with 1 in. of sand, and fill up with earth. In +frosty weather cover with a thick layer of litter. Give plenty of +water when they begin to throw up their flower-stems. They may be +planted at any time between December and the end of March. If planted +late in the season, a depth of 3 or 4 in. is enough. The roots must +be kept dry in winter. They are increased by off-sets, taken when the +bulbs are removed from the ground after the leaves have turned yellow. +These should be planted at once in well-drained earth. If early +flowers are required, plant the old bulbs in pots (three to six bulbs +being placed in a 5-in. pot) any time between December and March. Give +them frame culture up to the second week in May, when they may be +transferred to the border. The flowers are invaluable for vase +decoration. + +Glaucium Flavum Tricolor (_Hardy Horn Poppy_).--The large, brilliant, +orange-red flowers of this plant are very effective in the border, and +the bloom is continuous during the greater part of the summer. The +seed is rather slow to germinate, but when sown in the open ground in +autumn, it blooms from June to August; when sown in early spring it +flowers from July to September. Height, 2 ft. + +Glaux Maritima (_Sea Milkweed_).--A pretty little hardy trailing plant +bearing flesh-coloured flowers in June and July. It grows in sandy +loam, and is raised from seed sown in spring. Height, 3 in. + +Globe Amaranthus (_Gomphrena_).--This tender annual is well known for +its clover-like heads of everlasting flowers. It will grow in any rich +soil, but to produce really fine plants, much attention must be given +to shifting, watering, etc. Increased by seed in the same manner as +other tender annuals. Blooms in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Globe Flower.--_See_ "Trollius." + +Globe Thistle.--_See_ "Echinops." + +Globularia Trichosantha.--A pretty dwarf perennial rock-plant bearing +pale blue flowers in May and June. It is hardy, thrives in light, +sandy soil, and is increased by either seeds or cuttings planted in +sand. Height, 6 in. The greenhouse varieties of Globularia grow best +in loam and peat. + +Glory of the Snow.--_See_ "Chionodoxa." + +Gloxinias.--A very ornamental family of tuberous-rooted hothouse +plants. They are of two classes, the drooping and the erect. Pot at +any time during January and March in a mixture of equal quantities of +loam, peat, and sand, with the addition of a little vegetable soil, +and place in a warm (60 degrees), moist temperature, where they can be +favoured with a little shade. In summer supply the roots plentifully +with water, but give them very little in winter. Overhead watering +is likely to rot the leaves and flowers. G. Maculata is increased by +division. The leaves of most of the others, if taken off close to the +stem, and planted, will soon make young plants. They may be raised +from seed sown from March to July in a hothouse or frame having a +temperature of 65 to 75 degrees. They flower in June, and on into +September. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft. + +Glycine.--_See_ "Wistaria" _and_ "Apios." + +Gnaphalium _(Edelweiss_).--Hardy everlasting flowers, which are +covered with a woolly substance. They may be grown in any light, rich +soil. The shrubby and herbaceous kinds may be increased by cuttings +or division. The annuals are easily raised from seed. They flower in +July. Height, 1 ft. + +Goat's Rue.--_See_ "Galega." + +Godetia.--Very pretty hardy annuals, that may be grown in any garden +soil. Sow in the autumn for early flowering, or in spring for later +blooms. July is their ordinary season of coming into flower. Height, +1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Golden Feather.--Hardy annual foliage plants. They are not particular +as to soil, and are easily raised from seed sown early in spring. They +bloom in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Golden Rod.--_See_ "Solidago." + +Gompholobium.--Delicate greenhouse evergreen shrubs requiring a soil +of sandy loam and peat and but little water. They flower in June, and +are propagated by cuttings planted in sand under glass. Height, 2 ft. + +Gomphrena.--_See_ "Globe Amaranthus." + +Gooseberries.--From the middle of October to the end of November is +the best time for planting. To produce good crops the soil should be +rich, deep, and well drained. The position should be somewhat cool and +sheltered, and a liberal quantity of liquid manure is beneficial. In +dry seasons mulching may be resorted to with advantage. Cuttings are +taken in autumn as soon as the leaves begin to fall. Select strong +shoots about 1 ft. long. Cut the bottom end straight across, just +below a joint, and with a sharp knife remove all the buds or eyes from +the base to within a couple of inches of the top, so as to prevent the +formation of suckers. Plant the shoots firmly 3 in. deep, in rows 1 +ft. apart and 6 in. apart in the rows, on a north border. At the end +of the second season cut back all leading shoots to two-thirds of +their length. In after years remove weak and superfluous branches, as +also any that are growing near the ground, but plenty of young wood +must always be left on the bushes. The pruning may be done either in +spring or autumn. The following varieties may be recommended:--Red, +White, and Yellow Champagne, Wilmot's Early Red, Golden Drop, +Ironmonger, and Warrington Red for dessert; while for preserving and +culinary purposes Old Rough Red, Conquering Hero, Favourite, Broom +Girl, British Crown, Ironsides, Lady Leicester, Thumper, Green Walnut, +Leader, and Moreton Hero may be classed among the leading varieties. +When grown in bush form ample room must be allowed between each to +enable one to get round the bushes to gather the fruit. + +Gooseberry Caterpillar.--To prevent caterpillars attacking +Gooseberries syringe the bushes with a decoction of common foxglove +(Digitalis), or dust the leaves with Hellebore powder. If the +caterpillar has begun its attack, sprinkle some fresh lime below the +bushes, and shake the bushes vigorously, so that the insects are +dislodged. + +Gorse.--_See_ "Ulex." + +Gourds.--Sow at the end of March or the beginning of April on a +slight hotbed; pot off when the plants are sufficiently advanced, +and transplant to the open border in June. They are well adapted for +arbours, trellis-work, or sloping banks. The following are among the +most ornamental:--Abobra Viridiflora, Benincasa Cerifera (Wax Gourd), +Bryonopsis Erythrocarpa, Coccinea Indica (scarlet fruit), Cucumis +Anguinus (Serpent Gourd), Cucumis Dipsaceus (Teasel Gourd), Cucumis +Dudaim (Balloon Gourd), Cucumis Erinaceus (Hedgehog Gourd), Cucumis +Grossularoides (Gooseberry Gourd), Cucumis Perennis, Cucurbita +Argyrosperma, Cucurbita Melopepo, Cyclanthera Explodens (Bombshell +Gourd), Cyclanthera Pedata, Eopepon Aurantiacum, Eopepon Vitifolius, +Lagenaria Clavata (Club Gourd), Lagenaria Enormis, Lagenaria Leucantha +Depressa, Lagenaria Leucantha Longissima, Lagenaria Plate de Corse, +Lagenaria Poire a Poudre, Lagenaria Siphon, Luffa Cylindrica, Luffa +Solly Qua, Melothria Scabra, Momordica Balsamina, Momordica Charantia, +Momordica Elaterium, Mukia Scabrella, Scotanthus Tubiflorus, +Trichosanthes Anguina, Trichosanthes Coccinea, Trichosanthes +Colubrina, and Trichosanthes Palmata. + +Grafting.--The objects of Grafting are to bring a bush or tree into an +earlier state of bearing than it would do naturally; to produce good +fruit from an inferior plant; and to save space by putting dwarf +scions on to rampant-growing trees. By the process of uniting +strong-growing trees to those of a weaker nature their exuberance is +checked, and weaker ones are improved by being worked on those of +a stronger growth. Whatever form of Grafting is adopted, the inner +layers of the bark of the stock or tree on which the operation is +performed, must be brought into direct contact with the inner layers +of the bark of the branch which is grafted, or, as it is called, +the scion. This scion should be a branch of the early growth of the +previous year's wood, and should be in the same state of vegetation as +the stock. If the scion is in a more advanced state than the stock, +its growth may be stopped by cutting it off and burying it in the +earth under a north wall until the stock has advanced sufficiently in +growth. Grafting of all kinds is best done in March, when the sap is +flowing freely. Many methods of Grafting are adopted, the following +being the principal:-- + +Whip or Tongue Grafting is suitable for almost any description of +trees. Saw the stock off level at any desired height, then make a deep +upward slanting cut through the bark at the top 2 or 3 in. in length, +and in the middle of the cut turn the knife downwards and cut out a +thin wedge-shaped socket. Next cut the scion in a similar manner so +that it will fit exactly into the incision of the stock, bringing the +bark of each into direct contact. Bind it firmly in position, and +cover it over, from the top of the stock to the bottom of the scion, +with grafting wax or clay. When the scion and the stock are united, +which is demonstrated by the former making growth, remove the wax and +cut away all shoots that may be produced on the stock. + +In the French mode of Grafting known as the Bertemboise, the crown of +the stock is cut at a long level, about 1 in. at the top being left +square, and an angular piece is cut away in which the scion is +inserted. It is then bound and waxed over. + +Theophrastes or Rind Grafting is used where a tree has strong roots +but inferior fruit. The branches are cut off about 1-1/2 or 2 ft. from +the main stem. A sharp cut 2 or 3 in. in length is made down the bark +of the branches, and the lower parts of the scion, selected from a +superior tree, having been cut into tongues resembling the mouth-piece +of a flageolet, the bark of the branches is lifted with a knife, and +the tongues of the scions are slipped in, bound, and waxed. + +Side Grafting is useful where it is desired to replenish the tree +with a fresh branch. A T-shaped cut is made in the stem of the tree, +extending to the inner bark; the scion is prepared by a longitudinal +sloping cut of the same length as that in the stem, into which it +is inserted, and the two are bound together and treated like other +grafts. + +Approach Grafting is the most favourable method of obtaining choice +varieties of the vine, or of growing weak sorts on roots of a stronger +growth. The scion is generally grown in a pot. A portion of the bark +is cut from both scion and stock while the vine is in active growth, +and the two wounded parts brought into contact, so that they fit +exactly. They are then tied together, and moss (kept constantly wet) +is bound round the parts. The union may be completed by the following +spring, but it is safer to leave the cutting down of the stock to the +point of union and the separation of the scion from the potted plant +until the second spring. + +Grafting Wax (_Cobbetts_), etc.--Pitch and resin four parts each, +beeswax two parts, tallow one part. Melt and mix the ingredients, and +use when just warm. It may be rolled into balls and stored in a dry +place. + +Clay bands are frequently employed for excluding the air from wounds +caused in the process of grafting. These are liable to crack, unless +the clay is well kneaded and mixed with wood ashes or dry horse +droppings. + +Grapes.--The cultivation of Grapes in the open in our cloudy and +changeable climate cannot be looked forward to with any certainty of +success. Two successive favourable seasons are indispensable--one to +ripen the wood, and the next to ripen the fruit. Nevertheless, the +highly ornamental foliage of the vine entitles it to a place on our +walls, and every facility should be afforded for the production of a +chance crop of fruit. The soil most suited to the growth of the vine +is a medium loam, with which is incorporated a quantity of crushed +chalk and half-inch bones. It should be given a south aspect, and be +liberally supplied with water in dry seasons. April is the best time +to plant it, spreading the roots out equally about 9 in. below the +surface of the soil, and mulching with 3 or 4 in. of manure. Should +mildew set in, syringe the vine with a mixture of soapsuds and +sulphur. To secure a continuance of fruit, cut out some of the old +rods each year as soon as the leaves fall, and train young shoots in +their places. Last year's shoots produce other shoots the ensuing +summer, and these are the fruit-bearers. One bunch of grapes is enough +for a spur to carry. Professional gardeners cast off the weight of the +bunches, and allow 1 ft. of rod to each pound of fruit. Tie or nail +the bunches to the trellis or wall, and remove all branches or leaves +that intercept light and air. + +The vine may be increased by layers at the end of September. Cut a +notch at a bud, and bury it 4 or 5 in. deep, leaving two or three eyes +above ground. It may also be propagated by cuttings, about 1 ft. in +length, of the last year's growth, with 1 in. of old wood attached, +taken the latter end of February. Plant these deep in the ground, +leaving one eye only above the surface. Both the Black Hamburgh and +Royal Muscadine ripen as well as any in the open. + +It is under glass only that Grapes can be brought to perfection. +Here a night temperature of 55 to 65 degrees, with a rise of 5 or 10 +degrees in the day, should be maintained, the walls and paths damped +once or twice a day, and the vine syringed frequently until it comes +into bloom, when syringing must cease, and a drier atmosphere is +necessary; the moisture being reduced by degrees. As the grapes ripen, +admit more air, and reduce the heat, otherwise the fruit will shrivel. +After gathering the grapes syringe the vine frequently to clear it +from spiders or dust, and keep the house cool to induce rest to the +plant. The fruit may be preserved for a long while in a good condition +by cutting it with about 1 ft. of the rod attached, and inserting the +cuttings in bottles of water in which a piece of charcoal is placed: +the bottles to be placed in racks nailed on to an upright post in any +room or cellar where an equable temperature of 45 or 50 degrees can be +kept up. The system of pruning adopted is that known as spur pruning +(_see_ "Pruning"). Mrs. Pearson is a very fine variety, and produces +very sweet berries; the Frontignan Grizzly Black and White are also +delicious. + +Grasses, Natural-- + +_AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA_ (_Creeping Bent Grass_).--Useful for damp +meadows. + +_ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS_ (_Meadow Foxtail_).--Strong-growing and very +nutritious. + +_ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM_ (_True Sweet Vernal_),--Hardy and gives +fragrance to hay. + +_AVENA FLAVESCENS_ (_Yellow Oat Grass_).--Fine for sheep; grows freely +on light soils. + +_CYNOSURUS CRISTATUS_ (_Crested Dogstail_).--Suitable for any soil. + +_DACTYLIS GLOMERATA_ (_Cocksfoot_).--Strong and coarse-growing; cattle +are fond of it. + +_FESTUCA DURIUSCULA_ (_Hard Fescue_).--Dwarf-growing; excellent for +sheep. + +_FESTUCA ELATIOR_ (_Tall Fescue_).--Useful for cold, strong soils. + +_FESTUCA OVINA_ (_Sheep's Fescue_).--Fine for dry, sandy soils. + +_FESTUCA OVINA TENUIFOLIA_ (_Slender Fescue_).--Suitable for mountain +pastures. + +_FESTUCA PRATENSIS_ (_Meadow Fescue_).--Good permanent grass for rich, +moist soil. + +_PHLEUM PRATENSE_ (_Timothy, or Catstail_).--Suitable for strong +soils; nutritious and hardy. + +_POA NEMORALIS_ (_Wood Meadow Grass_).--Good for poor soils. + +_POA PRATENSIS_ (_Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass_).--Grows well on light, +dry soil, and also in water-meadows. + +_POA TRIVIALIS_ (_Rough-stalked Meadow Grass_).--Fine for damp soil. + +Grasses, Ornamental.--Fine for mixing in a green state with cut +flowers, or in a dried condition for the decoration of vases, winter +bouquets, etc. To have them in perfection gather them while quite +fresh, with the pollen on them. Cut with as long stems as possible, +arrange lightly in vases, and keep them in the dark till they are +dried and the stems become stiff. The Grasses may be divided into two +sections, viz., those for bouquets or edgings, and those grown in the +border or on lawns for specimen plants. The class is numerous, but +the following (which may be found described herein under alphabetical +classification) may be mentioned:-- + +For bouquets and edgings: Agrostis, Anthoxanthum, Avena, Briza, Coix +Lachryma, Eragrostis, Festuca, Hordeum Jubatum, Lagurus, and Stipa +Pennata. For specimen plants: Eulalia, Gynerium, Panicum, Phalaris, +and Zea. + +Gratiola Officinalis.--This hardy herbaceous plant bears light blue +flowers in July. A rich, moist soil is its delight. It is propagated +by dividing the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Green Fly.--Fumigate the infected plants with tobacco, and afterwards +syringe them with clear water; or the plants may be washed with +tobacco water by means of a soft brush. + +Grevillea.--Handsome greenhouse shrubs, which require a mould composed +of equal parts of peat, sand, and loam. Give plenty of water in +summer, a moderate amount at other seasons. Ripened cuttings may be +rooted in sand, under a glass. Young plants may also be obtained from +seed. They bloom in June. Their common height is from 3 to 4 ft., +but G. Robusta attains a great height. Grevilleas will grow well in +windows facing south. + +Griselinia Littoralis.--A dwarf-growing, light-coloured evergreen +shrub, which will thrive near the sea. It requires a light, dry soil, +and may be increased by cuttings. + +Guelder Rose.--_See_ "Viburnum." + +Guernsey Lily (_Nerine Sarniense_).--Soil, strong, rich loam with +sand, well drained. Plant the bulbs deeply in a warm, sheltered +position, and let them remain undisturbed year by year. Keep the beds +dry in winter, and protect the roots from frost. They also make good +indoor plants, potted in moss or cocoa-nut fibre in September, or they +may be grown in vases of water. + +Gumming of Trees.--Scrape the gum off, wash the place thoroughly with +clear water, and apply a compost of horse-dung, clay, and tar. + +Gunnera Manicata (_Chilian Rhubarb_).--This hardy plant bears large +leaves on stout foot-stalks, and is very ornamental in the backs of +borders, etc. Planted in a rich, moist soil, it will flower in August. +It can be propagated by division. Height, 6 ft. + +Gunnera Scabra.--Has gigantic leaves, 4 to 5 ft. in diameter, on +petioles 3 to 6 ft. in length. It prefers a moist, shady position, and +bears division. Makes a fine addition to a sub-tropical garden, where +it will flower in August. Height, 6 ft. + +Gynerium (_Pampas Grass_).--This unquestionably is the grandest of all +grasses, and is sufficiently hardy to endure most of our winters. It +is, however, desirable to give it some protection. It requires a deep, +rich, alluvial soil, with plenty of room and a good supply of water. +Plants may be raised from seed sown thinly in pots during February or +March, barely covering it with very fine soil, and keeping the surface +damp. Plant out at end of May. They will flower when three or four +years old. The old leaves should be allowed to remain on till the +new ones appear, as they afford protection to the plant. It may be +increased by division of the root. Height, 7 ft. + +Gypsophila.--Of value for table bouquets, etc. They will grow in any +soil, but prefer a chalky one. The herbaceous kinds are increased by +cuttings; the annuals are sown in the open either in autumn or spring. +They bloom during July and August. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft. + + +H + + +Habrothamnus.--These beautiful evergreen shrubs require greenhouse +culture, and to be grown in sandy loam and leaf-mould. The majority of +them flower in spring. Height, 4 ft. to 6 ft. + +Halesia Tetraptera (_Snowdrop Tree_).--This elegant shrub will grow in +any soil, and may be propagated by cuttings of the roots or by layers. +The pendent white flowers are produced close to the branches in June. +Height, 8 ft. + +Hamamelis (_Witch Hazel_).--An ornamental shrub which will grow in +ordinary soil, but thrives best in a sandy one. It is increased by +layers. May is its season for flowering. Height, 12 ft. to 15 ft. H. +Arborea is a curious small tree, producing brownish-yellow flowers in +mid-winter. + +Harpalium Rigidum.--A hardy perennial, producing very fine yellow +flowers in the autumn. It will grow in any good garden soil, and may +be propagated by seed sown in early autumn, or by division of the +roots. Height, 3 ft. + +Hawkweed.--_See_ "Crepis" _and_ "Hieracium." + +Heartsease.--_See_ "Pansies." + +Heaths, Greenhouse.--For their successful growth Heaths require a +well-drained soil, composed of three parts finely pulverised peat and +one part silver sand, free ventilation, and a careful supply of water, +so that the soil is always damp. If they suffer a check they are +hard to bring round, especially the hard-wooded kinds. Some of the +soft-wooded Heaths, such as the H. Hyemalis, are easier of management. +After they have flowered they may be cut hard back, re-potted, and +supplied with liquid manure. The stout shoots thus obtained will bloom +the following season. (_See also_ "Ericas.") + +Hedera.--_See_ "Ivy." + +Hedychium Gardnerianum.--A hothouse herbaceous plant, delighting in a +rich, light soil, plenty of room in the pots for the roots, and a good +amount of sunshine. In the spring a top-dressing of rich manure and +soot should be given. From the time the leaves begin to expand, +and all through its growing stage, it needs plenty water, and an +occasional application of liquid manure. The foliage should not be cut +off when it dies, but allowed to remain on all the winter. While the +plant is dormant keep it rather dry and quite free from frost. It +may be increased by dividing the roots, but it blooms best when +undisturbed. July is its flowering month. Height, 6 ft. + +Hedysarum.--Hardy perennials, requiring a light, rich soil, or loam +and peat. They may be raised from seed, or increased by dividing the +roots in spring. H. Multijugum bears rich purple flowers. Height, 6 +in. to 3 ft. + +Heleniums.--The Pumilum is a very pretty hardy perennial that may be +grown in any soil, and increased by dividing the roots. It produces +its golden flowers in August. Height, 1-1/2 ft. H. Autumnale is also +easy to grow, but flowers a month later than the Pumilum, and attains +a height of 3 ft. H. Bigelowi is the best of the late autumn-flowering +species, producing an abundance of rich yellow flowers with purple +discs. Flowers in August. Height, 3-1/2 ft. + +Helianthemum Alpinum (_Rock Roses_).--These hardy perennials are best +grown in sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by cuttings placed +under glass in a sheltered situation. Bloom in June or July. Height, 1 +ft. + +Helianthus (_Sunflowers_).--The tall variety is a very stately plant, +suitable for the background or a corner of the border. Well-grown +flowers have measured 16 in. in diameter. The miniature kinds make +fine vase ornaments. They grow in any garden soil, and are easily +increased by seed raised on a hotbed in spring and afterwards +transplanted. The perennials may be propagated by division of the +root. They produce their flowers in August. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft. + +Helichrysum.--Fine everlasting hardy annuals, that grow best in a +mixture of three parts peat and one part sandy loam. May be readily +raised from seed sown in a cold frame in March, or cuttings taken off +at a joint will strike in peat and sand. Bloom during July and August. +For winter decoration the flowers should be gathered in a young state, +as they continue to develop after being gathered. Height, 1 ft. to 6 +ft, but most of them are 2 ft. high. + +Heliophila.--Pretty little hardy annuals, thriving best in sandy loam +and peat. Sow the seed early in spring in pots placed in a gentle +hotbed, and plant out in May. They flower in June. Height, 9 in. + +Heliopsis.--This hardy perennial is useful for cutting purposes, the +flowers being borne on long stalks, and lasting for two or three weeks +in water. It is not particular as to soil, and may be increased by +dividing the roots. Height, 5 ft. + +Heliotrope.--Commonly called Cherry Pie. Sow the seed early in spring +in light, rich soil in a little heat, and plant out in May. The best +plants, however, are obtained from cuttings taken off when young, +in the same way as Verbenas and bedding Calceolarias. They are very +sensitive to frost. Flower in June. Height, 1 ft. + +Helipterium.--A half-hardy annual, bearing everlasting flowers. It +should receive the same treatment as Helichrysum. Blooms in May or +June. Height, 2 ft. + +Helleborus (_Christmas Rose_).--As its name implies, the Hellebore +flowers about Christmas, and that without any protection whatever. The +foliage is evergreen, and of a dark colour. When the plant is once +established it produces flowers in great abundance. The plants of the +white-flowered variety should be protected with a hand-light when the +flower-buds appear, in order to preserve the blossoms pure and clean. +Any deeply-dug rich garden soil suits it, and it is most at home under +the shade of a tree. It prefers a sheltered situation, and during the +summer months a mulching of litter and an occasional watering will be +beneficial. Readily increased by division in spring or seed. Height, 1 +ft. + +Helonias Bullata.--A pretty herbaceous plant, bearing dense racemes of +purple-rose flowers from June to August. It grows best in peat, in a +moist position. It can be raised from seed or increased by division of +the roots. Height 1-1/2 ft. + +Hemerocallis (_Day Lily_).--Old-fashioned plants of great merit. +Planted in large clumps they produce a grand effect. They are easily +grown in any common garden soil, and bloom in July. Height, 3 ft. H. +Kwanso has handsome, variegated foliage. + +Hemp.--_See_ "Canna" _and_ "Cannabis." + +Hepatica.--This enjoys a rather light, sandy soil and a shady +situation. The roots should be taken up and divided every second year. +Well adapted for surrounding beds or clumps of Rhododendrons. Flowers +in March. Height, 4 in. + +Heracleum.--Coarse hardy biennials, that may be grown in any kind of +soil, and are readily raised from seed. They flower at midsummer. +Height, 2 ft. to 4 ft. + +Herbs.--Thyme, Marjoram, Chervil, Basil, Burnet, Hyssop, Savory, etc., +should be sown early in spring, in dry, mild weather, in narrow drills +about 1/2 in. deep and 8 or 9 in. apart, covered evenly with soil, +and transplanted when strong enough. Mint is quickly increased by +separating the roots in spring, and covering them with 1 in. of earth. +Sage is propagated by slips of the young shoots taken either in +spring or autumn. If planted in light soil and in a sunny position it +produces very fragrant flowers. Chives should be planted 6 or 8 in. +apart: they are increased by division in spring. Penny Royal, like +mint generally, will grow from very small pieces of the root; it needs +to be frequently transplanted, and to be kept from a damp condition. +Rosemary will grow from cuttings planted under glass in a shady spot. +Thyme likes a light, rich soil, and bears division. Sorrel will grow +in any soil, and the roots should be divided every two or three years. +Chamomile roots are divided and subdivided in spring. Herbs should be +harvested on a fine day, just before they are in full bloom. Tie them +up in small bunches and hang in the shade to dry, then wrap in paper +and store in air-tight vessels, or rub the leaves to a powder and keep +in tightly-corked bottles. They will retain their strength for a long +time. + +Herbs, the Uses of Sweet and Pot.-- + +_ANGELICA_.--A biennial. Leaves and stalks are eaten raw or boiled; +the seeds are aromatic, and used to flavour spirits. + +_ANISE_.--Leaves used for garnishing, and for seasoning, like fennel; +the seeds are medicinal. + +_BALM_.--A hardy perennial. Makes a useful tea and wine for fevers. + +_BASIL_, Sweet and Bush.--Half-hardy annuals. The leaves and tops +of the shoots, on account of their clove-like flavour, are used for +seasoning soups and introduced into salads. + +_BORAGE_.--Hardy annual. Used for salads and garnishing, and as an +ingredient in cool drinks; excellent also for bees. + +_CHAMOMILE_.--A hardy perennial. Flowers used medicinally. + +_CARAWAY_.--A biennial. Leaves used in soups, and the seeds in +confectionery and medicine. + +_CHERVIL_.--An annual. Useful for salads. + +_CHIVES_.--Hardy perennial. The young tops used to flavour soups, etc. + +_CORIANDER_.--A hardy annual. Cultivated for garnishing. + +_DILL_.--A hardy perennial. Leaves used in soups and sauces, also in +pickles. + +_FENNEL_.--Hardy perennial. Used in salads and in fish sauce, also for +garnishing dishes. + +_HOREHOUND_.--Hardy perennial. Leaves and young shoots used for making +a beverage for coughs. + +_HYSSOP_.--Hardy evergreen shrub. Leaves and young shoots used for +making tea; also as a pot herb. + +_LAVENDER_.--Hardy perennial. Cultivated for its flowers, for the +distillation of lavender water, for flavouring sauces, and for +medicinal purposes. + +_MARIGOLD_, Pot.--Hardy annual. Flowers used in soups. + +_MARJORAM_, Sweet or Knotted, and Pot.--Hardy annuals. Aromatic and +sweet flavour. Used for stuffings and as a pot herb; leaves dried for +winter use. + +_RAMPION_.--Hardy perennial. Roots used as a radish; they have a nutty +flavour. + +_ROSEMARY_.--Hardy ornamental shrub. Sprigs used for garnishing and +the leaves in drink. + +_RUE_.--Hardy evergreen shrub. Leaves used for medicinal drinks; +useful for poultry with croup. + +_SAGE_.--Hardy perennial. Decoction of leaves drank as tea; used also +for stuffing, meats, and sauces. + +_SAVORY_, Summer.--Hardy annual. Used for flavouring soups and salads. + +_SAVORY_, Winter.--Hardy evergreen shrub. Its aromatic flavour makes +it valuable as a pot herb. + +_SCURVY GRASS_.--The small leaves are eaten as watercress. + +_SKIRRET_.--Hardy perennial. Sweet, white, and pleasant; the tubers +are boiled and served up with butter. + +_SORREL_, Broad-Leaved.--Hardy perennial. Imparts an acid flavour to +salads and soups. + +_THYME_, Broad-Leaved.--Hardy perennial. Young leaves and tops used +for stuffing, also in soups and sauces. + +_TARRAGON_.--Hardy perennial. For flavouring vinegar; also used in +salads, soups, and pickles. + +_WORMWOOD_.--A hardy shrub. Beneficial to horses and poultry, and is +used for medical purposes. + +Herniaria Glabra.--These dwarf carpeting plants are of easy culture. +Grow from seed in spring and transplant into sandy soil. Height, 1-1/2 +in. + +Hesperis.--_See_ "Rocket." + +Heuchera.--Very neat, but not showy, hardy American perennials. They +may be grown in any ordinary light garden soil, are increased by +dividing the root, and bloom in May. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Hibbertia Dentata.--An evergreen twining plant, requiring a greenhouse +for its cultivation and a soil of sandy loam and peat. It flowers in +July, and is increased by cuttings taken in spring or summer and kept +under glass. Height, 6 ft. + +Hibiscus Africanus.--A handsome hardy annual Mallow. Sow in March +in slight heat, and plant out in May 10 in. apart. Grows best in a +mixture of loam and peat. Blooms in June. Height, 2 ft. + +Hibiscus Syriacus (_Rose of Sharon_).--A hardy, deciduous, +autumn-flowering shrub, which will grow in common soil, and may be +propagated by seeds, layers, or cuttings planted under glass. Height, +6 ft. + +Hieracium (_Hawkweed_).--A free-growing hardy perennial, suitable for +a sunny bank or border. It is not particular as to soil. From June to +September it produces orange-brown flowers. It grows freely from seed, +and the roots bear division. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Hippeastrums.--_See_ "Amaryllis." + +Hippocrepis.--Very pretty hardy trailing perennials, covered from May +to July with golden Pea-shaped flowers. They will grow in any light, +sandy soil, and may be increased by cuttings, which root readily under +glass. Height, 3 in. to 6 in. + +Hippophae.--Ornamental shrubs, thriving in ordinary soil, and +increased by layers or cuttings of the roots. H. Rhamnoides (Sea +Buckthorn) flowers in May. Height, 12 ft. + +Holboellia Latifolia.--_See_ "Stauntonia Latifolia." + +Holly (_Ilex_).--This pleasing hardy evergreen shrub thrives best on +a deep, sandy loam, but will grow in any good soil, provided the +position is dry. It succeeds well in the shade. Cuttings of young +shoots having 1 in. of the old wood attached will strike root, but the +plant is of very slow growth, and takes at least four years to grow +into a good bush. Choice varieties may be grafted or budded on to the +common sorts in June or July. To grow Holly from seed, gather the +berries when ripe, crush them, and mix them up with a little sandy +loam, bury them in a hole 3 ft. deep, and cover with litter. Dig them +up and sow them in March. Big bushes are best moved at the end of +August, mixing the earth to a puddle before planting. The less pruning +they receive the better. They may be trimmed in spring. + +Hollyhock.--May be raised from seed or cuttings. Sow the seed about +the second week of March in very rich soil, and cover it with 1 in. of +dry earth. In June (having soaked the bed thoroughly overnight) remove +the young plants to a nursery-bed, setting them 6 in. apart. Press the +earth firmly round the roots, and water plentifully until settled. In +the autumn plant them where they are to bloom. Cuttings may be taken +as soon as the flowers appear, or from the old plants in autumn. Each +joint having an eye will furnish a plant. Select side branches having +two or three joints and leaves. Cut the shoots through just under the +lower joint, leaving the leaf entire; cut it also about 2 in. above +the joint. Plant in equal parts of loam, gritty sand, and leaf-mould; +shelter from the sun, and sprinkle them every day in fine weather with +water. If the cuttings are taken in autumn pot them off in 60-sized +pots, and keep them in a cold frame till the spring, when they may be +planted out. Flowers in August. Height, 6 ft. + +Homerias.--Beautiful little South African plants. For out-door +cultivation plant the bulbs in a dry, warm situation, from October +to January, 3 in. deep, and the same distance apart, in rich, light, +well-drained soil, and protect them from heavy rains with a good layer +of leaves. For pot culture put four or five bulbs in a 5-in. pot, +place in a cold frame, and cover with cocoa-nut fibre until the growth +appears. Water moderately, and when the flowers fade abstain from +supplying moisture. The bulbs are not quite hardy, therefore they +should be removed indoors before frosts appear. + +Homogyne Alpina.--Hardy herbaceous plants flowering in April. Any soil +is suitable for them, and they may be increased by division. Height, 6 +in. + +Honesty (_Lunaria_).--Interesting hardy biennials. When dried, the +shining seed-pods make a handsome addition to winter bouquets, mixed +with ornamental grass. Any common soil suits them. Sow the seed any +time from April to June, and transplant them to the border in the +autumn for flowering the following May. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Honeysuckles.--These rapid twiners thrive in any loamy soil, and may +be increased by putting down layers in the autumn, after the leaves +begin to fall. They can also be propagated by cuttings taken in the +autumn and planted in a shady, sheltered spot. Caprifolium Brachypoda +and the evergreen C. Sempervirens are handsome, free-flowering kinds, +suitable for almost any situation. C. Aurea-reticulata has beautifully +variegated leaves, which render it very ornamental. Height, 6 ft. to 8 +ft. + +Hop.--A useful hardy climber for covering verandahs, summer-houses, +etc. Plant in rich, loamy soil, and increase by dividing the roots. +(_See also_ "Humulus Japonicus.") + +Hordeum Jubatum (_Squirrel-tail Grass)_.--A very pretty species +resembling miniature barley. Sow seed in March, covering it very +lightly, and keep the surface of the soil moist till the grass +appears. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Horminum Pyrenaicum.--This hardy perennial produces erect white +flowers with blue corolla in June or July. It will grow in any +ordinary soil, but needs protection in winter, as it is apt to be +injured by damp. It may be propagated either by seed or division. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Horn Poppy.--_See_ "Glaucium." + +Horseradish.--Plant in October or February in deep, rich soil; or it +may be grown on a heap of cinder-ashes, or on any light ground through +which the roots can make their way readily. The best way to increase +it is by slips taken from the roots. It requires little or no +attention beyond pinching out the tops when running to seed and +keeping the ground hoed. + +Hotbeds, to Make.--Take dead leaves and stable-straw, with the dung, +in the proportion of two double loads for a three-light frame. Turn it +over four or five times during a fortnight, watering it if it is dry. +Then mark out the bed, allowing 1 ft. or more each way than the size +of the frame. Shake the compost well up, and afterwards beat it down +equally with the fork. Place the frame on the bed, leaving the lights +off for four or five days to allow the rank steam to escape. Keep a +thermometer in the frame, and as soon as the temperature falls below +70 degrees apply a lining of fresh dung to the front and one side of +the bed, and when this again declines, add another lining to the back +and other side, and so on from time to time as occasion requires. The +mats used for covering the frames in frosty weather should be made to +fit the top, and not hang over the sides. + +Houseleek.--_See_ "Sempervivum." + +Houstonia Coerulea.--These hardy little evergreens are more generally +known as Bluets. They make charming ornaments for rock-work, planted +between large stones, but in this position they need protection from +severe frosts. When planted in pots and placed in a cold frame they +show to most advantage. A mixture of leaf-mould and sand, and a +moist but well-drained situation is what they delight in. They bloom +continuously from April to July. Height, 3 in. + +Hovea Celsi.--A greenhouse shrub, which is evergreen and elegant when +in flower in June. A sandy loam and peat soil is most suitable, and +it may be increased by cuttings planted in sand under a hand-glass. +Height, 3 ft. + +Humea.--A remarkably handsome and graceful plant, the leaves of which +when slightly bruised yield a strong odour. It is equally suitable for +the centre of beds or large borders, and placed in pots on terraces or +the lawn it is very effective. The seed should be raised on a gentle +hotbed, then potted off and kept in the greenhouse till the second +year, when it may be turned out into a warm situation. It generally +succeeds better in such a position than in the greenhouse. Flowers in +July. Height, 6 ft. to 8 ft. + +Humulus Japonicus.--(_Japanese Hop_).--A hardy annual Hop of rapid +growth, the leaves of which are splashed with white. Useful for +covering arbours, verandahs, etc. A deep, loamy soil suits it best. +Increased by seed sown in gentle heat in February, and gradually +hardened off. Flowers in July. Height, 20 ft. + +Hutchinsia Alpina.--This small alpine creeper is a profuse bloomer, +its glistening white flowers being produced at all seasons. It grows +in moist vegetable mould, and bears transplanting at any season. Care, +however, is required to prevent its roots over-running and choking +other things. Height, 2 in. + +Hyacinths.--May be grown in pots, in glasses, or in beds and borders. +The soil should be rich and light. Good loam mixed with old manure and +a little leaf-mould and sand suits them very well. If intended to be +grown in pots the best time to begin potting is early in September, +putting more in at intervals of two or three weeks until the end of +December. One bulb is sufficient for a 5-in. or 6-in. pot, or three +may be placed in an 8-in. pot. The soil under the bulb should not be +pressed down. The top of the bulb should be just above the surface. +Place the pots on a bed of ashes in a cold frame, put a small inverted +pot over the top of the bulb, and cover the whole with cocoa-nut fibre +or cinder-ashes to the depth of about 4 in. In about a month roots +will have formed with about 1 in. of top growth. The plants may then +be taken out, gradually exposed to the light, and finally removed to +the conservatory or sunny window. The doubles do best in pots. + +For growing in glasses select the firmest and best-shaped bulbs. +Those with single blossoms are preferable, as they are of stronger +constitution than the doubles. Fill the glasses with pure pond or rain +water, so that the bulbs just escape touching it, and put a piece +of charcoal in each glass, and change the water when it becomes +offensive, taking care that the temperature is not below that which is +poured away. Stand the glasses in a cool, dark place for three or four +weeks until the roots have made considerable progress, then gradually +inure to the full light. September is a good time to start the growth. + +When planted in beds or borders, place the bulbs about 4 in. deep and +6 in. apart, putting a little silver sand below each one. This may be +done at any time from October till frost sets in. They succeed fairly +well in any good garden soil, but give greatest satisfaction when the +ground is rich and light. + +Hyacinthus (_Muscari_).--A very hardy race of spring-flowering bulbs. +Though the varieties are very dissimilar in appearance, they all +produce a good effect, especially when planted in good large clumps. +Plant from September to December. A sandy soil suits them best. +The following are well-known varieties:--_BOTRYOIDES_ (_Grape +Hyacinth_).--Very pretty and hardy, bearing fine spikes of deep, +rich blue flowers in compact clusters on a stem 6 to 9 in. high. +Sweet-scented, and blooms about May. The _Alba_, or white, variety is +also sweet-scented. + +Hyacinthus--_continued_. + +_CANDICANS_ (_Galtonia_).--The white Cape Hyacinth, or Spire Lily. +A hardy, summer-flowering, bulbous plant 3 ft. to 4 ft. in height, +gracefully surmounted with from twenty to fifty pendent, bell-shaped +snow-white flowers. Thrives in any position and equally suitable for +indoor or outdoor decoration. + +_MOSCHATUS_ (_Musk Hyacinth_).--Bears very fragrant purplish flowers. + +_PLVMOSUM_ (_Feather Hyacinth_).--A fine, hardy, dwarf plant suitable +for any soil. Its massive sprays of fine blue flowers, arranged in +curious clusters, 5 to 6 in. in length, resemble much-branched slender +coral. + +_RACEMOSUM_ (_Starch Hyacinth_).--Rich dark-blue or reddish-purple +flowers. Very free-flowering and fine for massing. It is similar to +the Cape Hyacinth, but flowers in denser spikes. + +Hydrangea.--This shrub delights in a moist, sheltered position and +rich soil. It may be increased at any time from cuttings of the young +side-shoots, 2 or 3 in. long, under glass, in sandy soil. The old +stems will also strike if planted in a sheltered situation. The plants +should be cut back when they have done flowering, and protected from +frost; or they may be cut down to the root and covered with manure. +They are well suited for the front of shrubberies, and also make fine +plants for pot cultivation. The flowers are produced in June and July. +Height, 3 ft. + +Hymenanthera Crassifolia.--Ornamental evergreen shrubs, thriving best +in a compost of loam and peat. They are increased by cuttings planted +in sand and subjected to a little heat. Height, 6 ft. + +Hymenoxys.--Pretty little hardy annuals that may be easily raised +from seed sown early in March in any garden soil. They bloom in June. +Height, 1 ft. + +Hypericum (_St. John's Wort_).--Favourite dwarf shrubs. Any soil suits +the hardy kinds, but they prefer shade and moisture. These may be +increased by seed or division. The greenhouse varieties thrive best in +a mixture of loam and peat. Young cuttings placed in sand under glass +will strike. July is their flowering season. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 +ft. + + +I + + +Iberis.--_See_ "Candytuft." + +Ice Plants.--_See_ "Mesembryanthemum." + +Ilex.--_See_ "Holly." + +Impatiens Sultani.--Half-hardy perennials. May be raised from seed +sown early in spring on a hotbed, or later on in a shady spot in the +open border; greenhouse culture, however, is more suitable. They bloom +in August. Height, 11/2 ft. + +Incarvilleas.--Ornamental hardy herbaceous plants, of easy culture. +They are suitable for the border or the rockery, and will grow in any +soil if not too dry and exposed. The tuberous roots may be planted at +any time in autumn, 4 in. deep. I. Delavayi makes a fine solitary or +lawn plant, its leaves being from 1 to 3 ft. long; the soft rose-pink, +Mimulus-shaped flowers, which are carried on stout stems well above +the foliage, appearing in May. Care should be taken not to disturb it +in spring, and it is advisable to cover the roots in winter with a +pyramid of ashes, which may be carefully removed at the end of April. +Incarvilleas may be propagated by seed sown, as soon as it is ripe, +in light, well-drained soil, giving the young plants protection in a +frame during the first winter, with enough water merely to keep them +moist. Height, 2 ft. + +Indian Corn.--_See_ "Zea." + +Indian Shot.--_See_ "Canna." + +India-rubber Plants.--_See_ "Ficus." + +Indigofera.--Beautiful evergreen shrubs. I. Australis has elegant, +fern-like foliage and racemes of pink or purple Pea-shaped flowers in +April. I. Decora Alba bears its white flowers in July. They require a +sandy loam or peat soil, and greenhouse culture. Cuttings of the young +wood planted in sand under glass will strike. Height, 21/2 ft. + +Insects on Plants.--To destroy insects on plants wash the plant with +Tobacco-Water (_which see_). Or put 1 oz. of quassia chips in a muslin +bag, pour on some boiling water, and make it up to I gallon; dissolve +1 oz. of soft soap, add it to the chips, and stir well. Use it two or +three times during spring and early summer. + +Inula Royleana (_Fleabane_).--A hardy perennial which flowers in +November. It will grow in any garden soil, and can be increased by +seeds, or by division of the roots. Height, 3 ft. + +Ionopsidium.--These hardy annuals grow freely in any rich, damp soil; +a shady position is indispensable. Height, 1/8 ft. + +Ipomoea.--These beautiful climbing plants are very suitable for +covering trellis-work, or for the pillars or rafters of the +stove-house. The seed is generally sown in April on a hotbed or under +glass, and the young plants set out in the border of the house in May +in light, rich soil. Success is mainly secured by allowing plenty of +root-room. The perennial kinds are increased from cuttings taken from +the small side-shoots placed in sand in a brisk bottom-heat. If grown +in the open they often shed their seed, and come up year after year +with but little attention. They make a good contrast to Canariensis. +The Ipomoea Horsfalliae, with its bright scarlet flowers, has a +lovely appearance, but must be treated as a stove evergreen. This is +propagated by layers, or by grafting on some strong-growing kind. It +thrives in loam and peat mixed with a little dung, and flowers in July +or August. Height, 6 ft. to 10 ft. + +Ipomopsis.--A very beautiful half-hardy biennial, but difficult to +cultivate. Some gardeners steep the seed in hot water before sowing +it; but the best way seems to be to sow it in July in 3-in. pots in +equal parts of sandy peat and loam, ensuring good drainage, and place +it in a cold frame, giving it very little water. When the leaves +appear, thin out the plants to three or four in each pot. Replace them +in the frame for a week or so, then remove them to a light, airy part +of the greenhouse for the winter. During this period be careful not +to over-water them. In spring shift them into well-drained 4-1/2-in. +pots, using the same kind of soil as before, and taking great care not +to injure the roots; still give the least possible amount of water. If +plenty of light and air be given, they will flower in July or August. +Height, 2 ft. + +Iresines.--Take cuttings of these greenhouse plants in autumn; insert +them thinly in 48-size pots filled with coarse sand, loam, and +leaf-mould, and place in a uniform temperature of 60 or 70 degrees. +When they have taken root place them near the glass. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Iris.--The Iris is the orchid of the flower garden; its blossoms are +the most rich and varied in colour of hardy plants. For cutting, for +vases, table decoration, etc., it is exceedingly useful, as it is very +free-flowering, and lasts a long time in water. It thrives in almost +any soil, though a sandy one suits it best, and is strikingly +effective when planted in clumps. It soon increases if left +undisturbed. The English Iris blooms in June and July, bearing large +and magnificent flowers ranging in colour from white to deep purple, +some being self-colours, while others are prettily marbled. The German +Iris is especially suitable for town gardens. The Spanish Iris blooms +a fortnight before the English. Its flowers, however, are smaller, +and the combinations of colours very different. The Leopard Iris +(_Pardanthus Chinensis_)is very showy, its orange-yellow flowers, +spotted purple-brown, appearing in June and July. They are quite +hardy. The best time for planting them is October or November, +selecting a sunny position. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Isopyrums--Hardy herbaceous plants of great beauty, nearly related to +the Thalictrums. They will grow in any ordinary soil, but flourish +best in vegetable mould, and in a moist, yet open, situation. They +are readily raised from seed, or may be propagated by division of the +roots in autumn. They flower in July. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Ivy (_Hedera_).--A deep, rich soil suits the common Ivy; the more +tender kinds require a lighter mould. To increase them, plant slips in +a north border in sandy soil. Keep them moist through the autumn, +and plant them out when well rooted. The following are the principal +choice sorts:--Aurea Spectabilis, palmate-leaved, blotched with +yellow; Cavendishii, a slender-growing variety, leaves margined with +white, with a bronzy shade on the edge; Conglomerata, crumpled leaves; +Elegantissima, slender-growing, with silvery variegated leaves; Irish +Gold-Blotch, large leaves, blotched with yellow; Latifolia Maculata, +large white-blotched leaves; Lee's Silver, silver variegated; +Maderiensis Variegata, leaves broadly marked with white; Marmorata, +small leaves blotched and marbled with white; Pupurea, small leaves +of a bright green changing to bronzy-purple; Rhomboides Obovata, deep +green foliage; Rhomboides Variegata, greyish-green leaves, edged with +white; and Silver Queen, a good hardy variety. + +Ixias.--Plant out of doors from September to December, in a +sunny, sheltered position, in light, rich, sandy soil. For indoor +cultivation, plant four bulbs in a 5-in. pot in a compost of loam, +leaf-mould, and silver sand. Plunge the pot in ashes in a frame or +cold pit, and withhold water until the plants appear. When making free +growth remove them to the conservatory or greenhouse, placing them +near the glass, and give careful attention to the watering. Ixias are +also known under the name of African Corn Lilies. + + +J + + +Jacobaea (_Ragwort_).--May be raised from cuttings in the same way as +Verbenas, and will grow freely from seeds sown in autumn or spring. +It delights in a rich, light soil. The purple Jacobaea is a great +favourite of the public. Flowers in August. Height, 1 ft. + +Jacob's Ladder.--_See_ "Polemonium." + +Jasione Perennis (_Sheep Scabious_).--A hardy perennial which produces +a profusion of heads of blue flowers in June, and continues to bloom +till August. It enjoys a peat soil, and should have the protection of +a frame during the winter. It can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or +division. Height, 1 ft. + +Jasminum.--These are favourite plants for training over arbours or +trellis-work, and for growing against walls. The hardy kinds will +flourish in ordinary soil. The stove and greenhouse sorts should +be provided with a mixture of sandy peat and loam. They may all be +increased by cuttings of ripened wood planted in a sandy soil under +glass. J. Nudifolium produces an abundance of bright flowers after +its leaves have fallen, and is very suitable for town gardens. J. +Unofficinale is likewise adapted for town, bearing confinement well, +and has very sweet flowers. J. Revolutum needs protection in severe +weather. They bloom in July. Height, 12 ft. + +Job's Tears.--_See_ "Coix Lachryma." + +Jonquils.--These are quite hardy, and may be grown in the open in the +same manner as Hyacinths. Five or six bulbs in a 5-in. pot make a +very pretty bouquet. They are excellent early flowers, and very +odoriferous. Plant in autumn, placing sand round the bulbs. Best not +disturbed too often. The leaves should not be cut off when withering, +but allowed to die down. They bloom in April. Height, 1 ft. + +Joss Flower.--_See_ "Chinese Sacred Narcissus." + +Juniper (_Juniperus_).--These useful conifers prefer dry chalk or +sandy soils, but will thrive in any ground that is not too heavy. +J. Japonica, Sabina, and Tamariscifolia do well on steep banks and +rock-work. They may be propagated by seeds, grafting, or by cuttings +of firm young shoots planted in a sandy compost, kept shaded, and +covered with a hand-glass. + + +K + + +Kadsura Japonica.--This is a beautiful creeper for a south or west +aspect. It thrives best in loam and sandy peat. Cuttings may be struck +in sand, placed under a glass, and subjected to heat. + +Kale.--_See_ "Borecole." + +Kalmia Latifolia.--This hardy, dwarf evergreen shrub is deservedly a +great favourite. It produces a wealth of flowers in large clusters. It +requires to be grown in peat or good leaf-mould, and needs pure air. +It is increased by pegging down the lower branches, which soon become +rooted. The flowers are produced from June to August. Height, 2 ft. + +Kalosanthes.--Showy greenhouse succulent plants. A light, turfy loam +is suitable for them, and they may be increased by placing cuttings of +the young shoots in a sandy soil on a slight hotbed in spring. Pinch +them back so as to produce a bushy growth, and give support to the +heavy heads of bloom. The cuttings should be left for twenty-four +hours to dry before they are planted. The plants require very little +water, and they flower in July. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft. + +Kaulfussia.--Sow this pretty hardy annual in April in the open border, +or in March in slight heat. It may also be sown in autumn for early +flowering. It will succeed in any light soil, blooming in July. +Height, 6 in. + +Kennedya Marryattæ.--A greenhouse evergreen twining plant of a very +beautiful order, which thrives best in a compost of sandy loam and +peat. Cuttings of the young wood planted in sand, and having a +bottom-heat, will strike. It produces its flowers in May. Height, 4 +ft. Other varieties of Kennedyas range from 2 to 10 ft. They all need +to be well drained and not to stand too near the pipes. + +Kerria (_Corchorus_).--Beautiful hardy shrubs, which may be grown in +any garden soil, and can be propagated by cuttings of the young wood, +taken at a joint, and placed under glass. They flower at midsummer. +Height, 4 ft. + +Koelreuteria Paniculata.--This is an ornamental tree bearing long +spikes of yellow flowers in July. It will grow in any soil, but +requires a sheltered position, and may be increased by layers or root +cuttings. Height, 10 ft. + +Kohl Rabi (_Turnip-rooted Cabbage_).--Though mostly grown as a farm +crop, this vegetable is strongly recommended for garden cultivation, +as it is both productive and nutritious, and is delicious when cooked +while still very small and young. Sow in March, and transplant to +deeply-dug and liberally manured ground, at a distance of 15 in. from +each other. + + +L + + +Lachenalia. (_Cape Cowslips_).--Charming greenhouse plants for pot +or basket culture. Pot in December in a compost of fibrous loam, +leaf-mould, and sand; place as near the glass as possible, and never +allow the soil to become dry, but maintain good drainage, and only +give a little water till they have produced their second leaves. No +more heat is required than will keep out the frost. + +Lactuca Sonchifolia. (_Sow Thistle-Leaved Lettuce_).--An ornamental, +but not handsome, hardy perennial, with leaves 1 ft. in length and +9 in. in breadth. It is of neat habit and enjoys the sunshine. A +deeply-dug, sandy loam suits it, and it may be increased by seed or +division of the roots. The flowers are produced from September till +frost sets in. Height, 2 ft. + +Ladies' Slipper Orchid.--_See_ "Cypripedium." + +Lady's Mantle.--_See_ "Alchemilla." + +Lagurus Ovatus.--This hardy annual is commonly known as Hare's-Tail +Grass. It is distinctly ornamental, producing elegant egg-shaped tufts +of a silvery-white hue, and is fine for ornamenting bouquets. Sow in +March, and keep the ground moist till the seed germinates. Height, 1 +ft. + +Lallemantia Canescens.--Bees are very fond of this blue hardy annual, +which may readily be grown from seed sown in the spring. Height, 1 ft. + +Lamium.--These plants are mostly of a hardy herbaceous description and +of little value. They will grow well in any kind of soil, flowering +from March to July, according to their varieties, and can be +propagated by seed or division. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft. + +Lantana.--These dwarf, bushy, half-hardy perennial shrubs bear +Verbena-like blossoms. They like a dry and warm situation and rich, +light soil. The seed is sown in March to produce summer and autumn +blooming plants. If cuttings are placed in sand, in heat, they will +take root easily. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Lapageria Rosea.--A beautiful climbing plant which bears large +rose-coloured flowers in May. It can be grown in any light, rich soil, +but a compost of leaf-mould, sand, and peat suits it best. It makes +a very desirable greenhouse plant, and can be increased either by +cuttings or by division. Lapagerias require partial shade, plenty of +water, and good drainage. Height, 10 ft. + +Lardizabala Biternata.--This climbing shrub has fine ornamental +foliage. It is most suitable for a south or west aspect, where it +proves hardy; in other positions protection should be afforded. It +will grow in any good soil. May is the month in which it flowers. +Height, 20 ft. + +Larkspur.--The Stock-flowered Larkspur is of the same habit as the +Dutch Rocket, but has longer spikes and larger and more double +flowers. The Hyacinth-flowered is an improved strain of the Rocket. +Among other of the hardy annual varieties may be mentioned the +Candelabrum-formed, the Emperor, and the Ranunculi-flowered. They are +charming flowers for beds or mixed borders, and only require the same +treatment as ordinary annuals, when they will flower in June. Height, +1 ft. to 2-1/2 ft. For perennial Larkspurs, _see_ "Delphinium." + +Lasiandra.--Stove evergreen shrubs, flourishing best in a mixture of +equal parts of loam, peat, and sand. They are propagated by cuttings +of the young wood, plunged in heat. July is their flowering month. +Height, 5 ft. + +Lasthenia.--A hardy annual of a rather pretty nature, suitable for +flower-beds or borders. Autumn is the best time for sowing the seed, +but it may also be sown early in the spring. It blooms in May. Height, +1 ft. + +Lathyrus.--Handsome plants when in flower, the larger kinds being well +adapted as backgrounds to other plants in the shrubbery, where they +will require supports. They may be planted in any garden soil, and can +be increased by seed, and some of the perennial kinds by division of +the root. L. Latifolia (Everlasting Pea) flowers in August, other +varieties at different times, from May onwards. Height, 1 ft. to 8 ft. + +Laurel.--Laurels will grow in any good garden soil. They are grown +both as bushes and standards, and require but little attention beyond +watering. The standards are produced by choosing a young Portugal +plant and gradually removing the side-shoots on the lower part of the +stem, and when the desired height is reached a well-balanced head is +cultivated, any eyes that break out on the stem being rubbed off +with the thumb. Lauro Rotundifolia is beyond dispute the best of all +Laurels; it is of free growth and of dense habit, and its leaves are +roundish and of a lively green. (_See also_ "Epigaea.") All Laurels +may be propagated by cuttings and by layers, the latter being the plan +usually adopted. + +Laurestinus.--_See_ "Viburnum Tinus." + +Laurus.--_See_ "Bay, Sweet." + +Lavatera.--The greenhouse and frame kinds grow in any light soil, and +are increased by cuttings of the ripened wood, under glass. The hardy +herbaceous species grow well in any common soil, and are propagated by +seeds or division. The annuals are sown in the open in spring. Some +bloom in June, others as late as August. Height, 2 ft. to 5 ft. + +Lavender (_Lavandula Spied_).--A hardy shrub whose sweetly-scented +flowers, which are produced in August, are much prized. A dry, +gravelly soil is what it likes best. Young plants should be raised +every three years. It is readily propagated from seed sown in spring. +Cuttings about 8 in. long, taken in autumn and planted 4 in. deep +under a hand-light or in a shaded, sheltered position, will strike. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Lawns--To make or renovate Lawns sow the seed on damp ground during +March or April, if possible, but in any case not later than September, +as the young plants are easily ruined by frost. Rake the seed in +lightly, afterwards roll with a wooden roller, and carefully weed the +ground until the grass is well established. To form a thick bottom +quickly on new Lawns sow 60 lbs., or 3 bushels, to the acre; for +improving old ones, 20 lbs. per acre. Frequent cutting and rolling is +essential to success. If the grass is inclined to grow rank and coarse +it will be much improved by a good dressing of sand over it; if it has +an inclination to scald and burn up, sprinkle it with guano or soot +just before a shower of rain. An accumulation of moss upon a lawn can +only be cured by under-draining. + +Lawns, Shrubs for.--_See_ "Shrubs for Lawns." + +Layering.--_See under_ "Carnations." + +Ledum (_Labrador Tea_).--Low-growing American evergreen shrubs, +thriving best in sandy peat, and may be increased by layers. + +Leek.--Sow early in March, and prick out the plants in rich soil, in a +sheltered position, to strengthen. As soon as they are large enough, +plant them out in very rich, light ground in drills 6 in. between each +plant and the rows 18 in. apart. For large exhibition Leeks sow in +boxes in February, under glass. Plant out in June in trenches 15 in. +wide and 18 in. deep, with plenty of old manure at the bottom of the +trench and 6 in. of good light mould on the top of it. Gradually earth +up as the stems grow. Water liberally in dry weather, and give a +little weak liquid manure occasionally. + +Leontopodium.--Hardy perennials, succeeding best in peat soil. They +are most suitable for rock-work, and may be increased by seed or +division of the roots. Bloom is produced in June. Height, 6 in. + +Leopard's Bane.--_See_ "Doronicum." + +Leptosiphon.--Charming hardy annuals which make nice pot-plants. The +seed should be sown in rich, light soil--peat for preference. If this +is done in autumn they will flower in April and May; if sown in +spring they will bloom in autumn. They are very attractive in beds or +ribbons, and also on rock-work. Height, 3 in. to 1 ft. + +Leptospermum.--Neat greenhouse evergreen shrubs, most at home in equal +portions of loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings may be struck in sand under +glass. They flower in June. Height, 4 ft. to 5 ft. + +Leschenaultia.--Elegant greenhouse shrubs, delighting in a mixture of +turfy loam, peat, and sand. They are evergreen, flower in June, and +are propagated by cuttings of the young wood under glass. Height, 1 +ft. + +Lettuce.--Sow early in February on a slight hotbed, and prick out into +a well-manured and warm border, having the soil broken down fine on +the surface. For early summer supplies sow outdoors in March, and at +intervals till the middle of September for later crops. Some of the +plants raised in September should be wintered in a cold frame, and the +remainder transplanted to a dry, sheltered border, or protected with +hand-lights. The June and July sowings may be made where the plants +are intended to remain. They should stand from 6 to 9 in. apart. A +north border is a suitable position in the summer months, as they are +less exposed to the sun, and do not run to seed so quickly. The Cos +Lettuce requires to be tied up to blanch; this should be done ten days +before it is wanted for use. Cabbage Lettuce does not need to be tied. + +Leucanthemum (_Hardy Marguerites_).--Same treatment as Chrysanthemum. + +Leucojum (_Snowflake_).--Also known as St. Agnes' Flower. Handsome +plants. The flowers are pure white, every petal being tipped with +green, dropping in a cluster of from six to eight blooms, each nearly +1 in. long. They grow freely in almost any soil, sandy loam being +preferable. Increased by off-sets from the bulb, or by seed as soon as +it is ripe. The spring snowflake blooms in March, the summer variety +in June. The latter is a much more vigorous plant than the former. +Height, 12 in. to 18 in. + +Leucophyton Browni.--A popular white-foliaged bedding plant, which may +be increased by dibbling cuttings in sandy soil and placing them in a +cool frame. + +Lewisia Rediviva.--This makes a pretty rock-plant. It is a perennial +and quite hardy, but requires plenty of sun. During April and May it +produces large flowers varying in colour from satiny rose to white. +The most suitable soil is a light loam mixed with brick rubbish. It +is increased by division of the root, or it may be raised from seed. +Height, 3 in. + +Leycesteria Formosa.--Ornamental plants, the flowers resembling Hops +of a purple colour. They will grow in any soil, but need protection in +winter. They are multiplied by cuttings. Height, 3 ft. + +Liatris Pycnostachya.--A curious old herbaceous perennial, now seldom +met with, sending up late in summer a dense cylindrical purple spike +2 ft. high. It needs a rich, light, sandy soil, and to be protected +during the winter with a thick covering of litter. The roots may be +divided in the spring. Height, 3 ft. + +Libertia Formosa.--The narrow foliage and spikes of pure white +flowers, produced in May and June, render this hardy perennial very +ornamental. The soil should consist of equal parts of loam and peat. +It is propagated by dividing the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Libonia Floribunda.--This is a winter-flowering plant, and is easily +grown in a cool greenhouse. It is very useful for table decoration, +its slender red and yellow tubes of bloom being very effective, but it +does not do to keep it for any length of time in a room where there +is gas. When flowering has ceased, encourage new growth by giving it +plenty of water, air, and sunlight. The new shoots should be cut back +in May, and the tips of them used as cuttings, which strike readily in +good mould. Height, 2 ft. + +Ligustrum _(Privet)._--L. Ovalifolium is a handsome hardy evergreen, +of very rapid growth, and one of the best ornamental hedge plants in +cultivation, especially for towns or smoky situations. L. Japonicum is +likewise ornamental and hardy: Tricolor is considered one of the +best light-coloured variegated plants grown. L. Coriaceum is a +slow-growing, compact bush with very dark, shining green leaves, +which are round, thick, and leathery. Privet will grow in any soil or +situation, and is readily increased by cuttings planted in the shade +in spring. + +Lilac--_See_ "Syringa." + +Lilium.--The Lily is admirably adapted for pot culture, the +conservatory, and the flower border, and will flourish in any light +soil or situation. To produce fine specimens in pots they should be +grown in a mixture of light turfy loam and leaf-mould. Six bulbs +planted in a 12-in. pot form a good group. The pots should have free +ventilation, and the bulbs be covered with 1 in. of mould. For outdoor +cultivation plant the bulbs 4 to 5 in. deep, from October to March. +After once planting they require but little care, and should not be +disturbed oftener than once in three years, as established plants +bloom more freely than if taken up annually. Give a thin covering of +manure during the winter. Lilium seed may be sown in well-drained pots +or shallow boxes filled with equal parts of peat, leaf-mould, loam, +and sand. Cover the seeds slightly with fine mould and place the boxes +or pots in a temperature of 55 or 65 degrees. A cold frame will +answer the purpose, but the seeds will take longer to germinate. The +Lancifolium and Auratum varieties have a delicious fragrance. + +Lilium--_continued_. + +_CANDIDUM_ (the Madonna, or White Garden Lily) should be planted +before the middle of October, if possible, in groups of three, in +well-drained, highly-manured loam. Should they decline, take them up +in September and re-plant at once in fresh, rich soil, as they will +not stand being kept out of the ground long. They are increased by +off-sets. As soon as these are taken from the parent bulb, plant them +in a nursery-bed; after two years they may be transferred to the +garden. This Lily is quite hardy, and needs no protection during +winter. + +_LANCIFOLIUM_ make very fine pot-plants, or they may be placed in a +sunny situation in the border, but in the latter case they must have +a thick covering of dry ashes in winter. If grown in pots place them, +early in March, in rich, sandy soil. Three bulbs are sufficient for an +11-in. pot. Give very little water, but plenty air in mild weather. +Let them grow slowly. When all frost is over place pans under them, +mulch the surface with old manure, and supply freely with air and +water. They are propagated by off-sets. + +_MARTAGON_ (or Turk's Cap) requires the same treatment as the +Candidum, with the exception that a little sand should be added to the +soil. + +_TIGRINUM_ (Tiger Lily) also receives the same treatment as the +Madonna. When the flower-stems grow up they throw out roots. A few +lumps of horse manure should be placed round for these roots to lay +hold of. They are increased by the tiny bulbs which form at the axis +of the leaves of the flower-stem. When these fall with a touch they +are planted in rich, light earth, about 6 in. apart. In four or five +years' time they will make fine bulbs. + +_AURATUM_ and _SZOVITZIANUM_ (or Colchicum) thrive best in a deep, +friable, loamy soil, which should be well stirred before planting. If +the soil is of a clayey nature it should be loosened to a depth of +several feet, and fresh loam, coarse sand, and good peat or leaf-mould +added, to make it sufficiently light. + +For _PARDALINUM_ (the Panther Lily) and _SUPERBUM_ mix the garden soil +with three parts peat and one part sand, and keep the ground moist. +They should occupy a rather shady position. + +All the other varieties will succeed in any good garden soil enriched +with leaf-mould or well-decayed manure. + +For _VALLOTA_ (Scarborough Lily), _BELLADONNA_, and _FORMOSISSIMA_ (or +Jacobean) Lilies, _see_ "Amaryllis." + +For _AFRICAN LILY, see_ "Agapanthus." + +For _PERUVIAN LILIES, see_ "Alstromeria." + +For _ST BERNARD'S_ and _ST BRUNO'S LILIES, see_ "Anthericum." + +For _CAFFRE LILIES, see_ "Clivias." + +Lily of the Valley.--Set the roots in bunches 1 ft. apart, and before +severe weather sets in cover them with a dressing of well-rotted +manure. They should not be disturbed, even by digging among the roots. +If grown in pots, they should be kept in a cool place and perfectly +dry when their season is over: by watering they will soon come into +foliage and flower again. For forcing put ten or twelve "buds" in a +5-in. pot--any light soil will do--plunge the pot in a sheltered part +of the garden. From this they may be removed to the forcing-house as +required to be brought into bloom. Plunge the pots in cocoa-nut fibre +and maintain an even temperature of from 65 to 70 degrees. + +Limnanthes Douglasii.--Very elegant and beautiful hardy annuals, +which are slightly fragrant. They must be grown in a moist and shady +situation. The seeds ripen freely, and should be sown in autumn to +produce bloom in June, or they may be sown in spring for flowering at +a later period. Height, 1 ft. + +Linaria.--These all do best in a light, sandy loam, and make good +plants for rock-work. L. Bipartita is suitable for an autumn sowing. +The other annuals are raised in spring. L. Triornithophora is a +biennial, and may be sown any time between April and June, or in +August. The hardy perennial, L. Alpina, should be sown in April, and +if necessary transplanted in the autumn. Linarias flower from July to +September. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft. + +Linnaea Borealis.--A rare, native, evergreen creeping perennial. +From July to September it bears pale pink flowers; it makes a pretty +pot-plant, and also does well in the open when planted in a shady +position. It enjoys a peat soil, and is propagated by separating the +creeping stems after they are rooted. Height, 11/2 in. + +Linum (_Flax_).--This succeeds best in rich, light mould. The Linum +Flavum, or Golden Flax, is very suitable for pot culture; it grows 9 +in. in height, and bears brilliant yellow flowers. It requires the +same treatment as other half-hardy perennials. The Scarlet Flax is an +annual, very free-flowering, and unsurpassed for brilliancy; easily +raised from seed sown in spring. Height, 11/2 ft. The hardy, shrubby +kinds may be increased by cuttings placed under glass. A mixture +of loam and peat makes a fine soil for the greenhouse and frame +varieties. They flower from March to July. + +Lippia Reptans.--A frame creeping perennial which flowers in June. It +requires a light soil. Cuttings of the young wood may be struck under +glass. Height, 1 ft. + +Lithospermum Prostratum.--A hardy perennial, evergreen trailer, +needing no special culture, and adapting itself to any soil. It is +increased by cuttings of the previous year's growth, placed in peat +and silver sand, shaded and kept cool, but not too wet. They should be +struck early in summer, so as to be well rooted before winter sets in. +Its blue flowers are produced in June. Height, 1 ft. + +Loasa.--The flowers are both beautiful and curiously formed, but the +plants have a stinging property. They grow well in any loamy soil, and +are easily increased by seed sown in spring. Flowers are produced in +June and July. Height, 2 ft. Besides the annuals there is a half-hardy +climber, L. Aurantiaca, bearing orange-coloured flowers, and attaining +the height of 10 or 12 ft. + +Lobelia.--These effective plants may be raised from seed sown in +January or February in fine soil. Sprinkle a little silver sand or +very fine mould over the seed; place in a greenhouse, or in a frame +having a slight bottom-heat, and when large enough prick them out +about 1 in. apart; afterwards put each single plant in a thumb-pot, +and plant out at the end of May. As the different varieties do not +always come true from seed, it is best to propagate by means of +cuttings taken in autumn, or take up the old plants before the frost +gets to them, remove all the young shoots (those at the base of the +plant are best, and if they have a little root attached to them so +much the better), and plant them thinly in well-drained, shallow pans +of leaf-mould and sand; plunge the pans in a hotbed under a frame, +shade them from hot sunshine, and when they are rooted remove them to +the greenhouse till spring, at which time growth must be encouraged by +giving a higher temperature and frequent syringing. They may then be +planted out in light, rich soil, where they will bloom in June or +July. Height, 4 in. + +Lobels Catchfly.--_See_ "Silene." + +London Pride.--_See_ "Saxifrage." + +Lonicera.--Hardy deciduous shrubs, which will grow in any ordinary +soil, and produce their flowers in April or May. They are propagated +by cuttings planted in a sheltered position. Prune as soon as +flowering is over. Height, from 3 ft. to 10 ft. + +Lophospermum.--Very elegant half-hardy climbers. Planted against a +wall in the open air, or at the bottom of trellis-work, they will +flower abundantly in June, but the protection of a greenhouse is +necessary in winter. They like a rich, light soil, and may be grown +from seeds sown on a slight hotbed in spring, or from cuttings taken +young and placed under glass. Height, 10 ft. + +Love Apples.--_See_ "Tomatoes." + +Love Grass.--_See_ "Eragrostis." + +Love-in-a-Mist.--_See_ "Nigella." + +Love-lies-Bleeding (_Amaranthus Caudatus_).--A hardy annual bearing +graceful drooping racemes of crimson blossom. The seed should be sown +in the open at the end of March, and thinned out or transplanted with +a good ball of earth. Makes a fine border plant. Height, 2 ft. + +Luculia Gratissima.--A fine plant either for the wall or border. It +grows well in a compost of peat and light, turfy loam, but it is not +suitable for pot culture. During growing time abundance of water +is needed. When flowering has ceased, cut it hard back. It may be +increased by layering, or by cuttings placed in sand under glass and +subjected to heat. It flowers in August. Height, 8 ft. + +Lunaria.--_See_ "Honesty." + +Lupins.--Though old-fashioned flowers, these still rank among our most +beautiful annual and herbaceous border plants. They may be grown in +any soil, but a rich loam suits them best. The seed germinates freely +when sown in March, and the flowers are produced in July. Height, 2 +ft. to 3 ft. + +Lychnis.--Hardy perennials which, though rather straggling, deserve +to be cultivated on account of the brilliancy of their flowers. L. +Chalcedonica, commonly known as Ragged Robin, is perhaps the most +showy variety; but L. Viscaria Plena, or Catchfly, is a very beautiful +plant. They grow freely in light, rich, loamy soil, but need dividing +frequently to prevent them dwindling away. The best season for this +operation is early in spring. Beyond the care that is needed to +prevent the double varieties reverting to a single state, they merely +require the same treatment as other hardy perennials. They flower in +June and July. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Lyre Flower.--_See_ "Dielytra." + +Lysimachia Clethroides.--This hardy perennial has something of the +appearance of a tall Speedwell. When in flower it is attractive, and +as it blooms from July on to September it is worth a place in the +border. A deep, rich loam is most suitable for its growth, and a +sheltered position is of advantage. The roots may be divided either in +November or early in spring. Height, 3 ft. + +Lysimachia Nummularia (_Creeping Jenny_).--This plant is extremely +hardy, and is eminently suitable either for rock-work or pots. It is +of the easiest cultivation, and when once established requires merely +to be kept in check. Every little piece of the creeping root will, if +taken off, make a fresh plant. + +Lythrum.--Very handsome hardy perennials which thrive in any garden +soil, and may be raised from seed or increased by dividing the roots. +They flower in July. Height, of different varieties, 6 in. to 4 ft. + + +M + + +Madia.--A hardy annual of a rather handsome order. The seed should be +sown in May in a shady situation. The plant is not particular as to +soil, and will flower about eight weeks after it is sown, and continue +to bloom during August and September. Height, 11/2 ft. + +Magnolia Grandiflora.--A handsome, hardy evergreen, with large +shining, Laurel-shaped leaves, and highly-scented, Tulip-shaped white +flowers. A noble plant for a spacious frontage, but in most places +requires to be grown on a wall. It flourishes in any damp soil, and is +increased by layers. Flowers in August. Height, 20 ft. + +Mahonia.--Handsome evergreen shrubs, useful for covert planting or for +grouping with others. They grow best in a compost of sand, peat, and +loam, and may be propagated by cuttings or by layers of ripened wood, +laid down in autumn. They flower in April. Height, 4 ft. to 6 ft. + +Maianthemum Bifolium.--The flowers of this hardy perennial are +produced in April and May, and somewhat resemble miniature Lily of the +Valley. Seed may be sown at the end of July. The plant will grow in +any soil, but delights in partial shade. Height, 6 in. + +Maize.--_See_ "Zea." + +Malope.--Very beautiful hardy annuals having soft leaves. They may be +raised from seed sown in April in any garden soil. They bloom in June +or July. Height, 11/2 ft. to 2 ft. + +Malva.--Very ornamental plants, more especially the greenhouse +varieties. The hardy perennials succeed in any good garden soil, and +are increased by seed sown in the autumn, or by division of the +root. The greenhouse kinds should be grown in rich earth: these are +propagated by cuttings planted in light soil. The annuals are poor +plants. Some of the varieties bloom in June, others in August. Height, +2 ft. + +Mandevillea Suaveolens.--A fine climbing plant bearing very sweet +white flowers in June. It is rather tender, and more suitable for the +conservatory than the open air. It does not make a good pot-plant, but +finds a suitable home in the border of the conservatory in equal parts +of peat and sandy loam. In pruning adopt the same method as for the +vine or other plants which bear flowers on wood of the same year's +growth. It is propagated by seed sown in heat, or by cuttings under +glass. Syringe the leaves daily during the hot season. A temperature +of from 40 to 50 degrees in winter, and from 55 to 65 degrees in +summer should be maintained. Height, 10 ft. + +Manures.--One of the best fertilisers of the soil is made by +saturating charred wood with urine. This may be drilled in with seeds +in a dry state. For old gardens liquid manure is preferable to stable +manure, and if lime or chalk be added it will keep in good heart for +years without becoming too rich. A good manure is made by mixing 64 +bushels of lime with 2 cwts. of salt. This is sufficient for one +acre. It should be forked in directly it is put upon the ground. +Superphosphate of lime mixed with a small amount of nitrate of +soda and forked into the ground is also a fine manure, but is more +expensive than that made from lime and salt. Charred cow-dung is +ready for immediate use. For established fruit-trees use, in showery +weather, equal quantities of muriate of potash and nitrate of soda, +scattering 1 oz. to the square yard round the roots. Peruvian guano, +in the proportion of 1 oz. to each gallon of water, is a very powerful +and rapid fertiliser. In whatever form manure is given, whether in +a dry or liquid form, care must be taken not to administer it in +excessive quantities, for too strong a stimulant is as injurious as +none at all. In ordinary cases loam with a fourth part leaf-mould is +strong enough for potting purposes; and no liquid except plain water +should be given until the plants have been established some time. For +roses, rhubarb, and plants that have occupied the same ground for a +considerable time, mix 1 lb. of superphosphate of lime with 1/2 lb. of +guano and 20 gallons of water, and pour 2 or 3 gallons round each root +every third day while the plants are in vigorous growth. Herbaceous +plants are better without manure. Liquid manure should be of the same +colour as light ale. + +Maple.--_See_ "Acer." + +Marguerites (_Chrysanthemums Frutescens_).--The White Paris Daisies +are very effective when placed against scarlet Geraniums or other +brightly-coloured flowers, and likewise make fine pot-plants. They +will grow in any light soil, and merely require the same treatment +as other half-hardy perennials. Height, 1 ft. (_See also_ "Anthemis" +_and_ "Buphthalmum.") + +Margyricarpus Setosus (_Bristly Pearl Fruit_).--A charming little +evergreen, of procumbent growth, bearing throughout the whole summer +a number of berries on the main branches. Being only half-hardy, it +requires protection from frost, but in the warmer weather it may be +planted on rock-work in sandy loam and vegetable mould. Cuttings +planted in moist peat under a hand-glass will strike, or it may be +propagated by layers. Height, 6 in. + +Marigolds.--Handsome and free-flowering half-hardy annuals. The +greenhouse varieties thrive in a mixture of loam and peat, and +cuttings root easily if planted in sand under glass. The African and +tall French varieties make a fine display when planted in shrubberies +or large beds, while the dwarf French kinds are very effective in the +foreground of taller plants, or in beds by themselves. They are raised +from seed sown in a slight heat in March, and planted out at the +end of May in any good soil. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft. (_See also_ +"Calendula," "Tagetes," _and_ "Calthus.") + +Martynia.--Handsome half-hardy, fragrant annuals. The seed should be +sown on a hotbed in March. When the plants are sufficiently advanced +transplant them singly into pots of light, rich earth, and keep them +in the stove or greenhouse, where they will flower in June. Height, 11/2 +ft. + +Marvel of Peru (_Mirabilis_).--Half-hardy perennials, which are very +handsome when in flower, and adorn equally the greenhouse or the open. +They may be increased by seed sown in light soil in July or August and +planted out in the border in spring. At the approach of frost take the +roots up and store them in dry ashes or sand. They flower in July. +Height, 2 ft. + +Massonia.--Singular plants, which to grow to perfection should be +placed in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. They require no water +while in a dormant state, and may be increased by seed or by off-sets +from the bulbs. Height, 3 in. to 6 in. + +Mathiola.--_See_ "Stocks." + +Mathiola Bicornis (_Night-scented Stocks_).--A favourite hardy annual +whose lilac flowers are fragrant towards evening. They may be grown +from seed sown between February and May on any ordinary soil. Height, +1 ft. + +Matricaria.--This is a half-hardy annual of little interest so far as +its flowers are concerned, and is mostly grown as a foliage plant. The +seed should be sown in a frame in March, and transplanted at the end +of May. Height, 1 ft. + +Maurandia Barclayana.--This elegant twining plant is best grown in +pots, so that it can more conveniently be taken indoors in the winter. +The soil should be light and rich. Cuttings can be taken either in +spring or autumn, or it may be raised from seed. It does very well in +the open during the summer, placed against a wall or trellis-work, but +will not stand the cold. In the greenhouse it reaches perfection, and +blooms in July. Height, 10 ft. + +Mazus Pumilio.--A pretty diminutive herbaceous plant. When grown in +peat and sand in an open situation it survives from year to year, but +it will not live through the winter in cold clay soils. Its pale green +foliage is seen to advantage in carpet bedding, and its branched +violet flowers, put forth from June to September, make it a desirable +rock-work plant. It may be increased by transplanting, at the end of +April, the rooted stems which run under the surface of the ground. + +Meconopsis Cambrica(_Welsh Poppy_).--An ornamental hardy perennial, +often found on English rocks. It may be grown in any light, rich soil, +is easily raised from seed, and blooms in June. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Medlars.--These trees will grow on any well-drained soil. The Dutch +Medlar is most prized, as it bears the largest fruit. It is raised +from seed, and usually trained to a standard form. The Nottingham and +Royal are also excellent varieties. Any special variety may be grafted +on to the seedlings. On deep soils it is best grafted on the Pear +stock; on light, sandy soil it may be grafted on the White Thorn. No +pruning is required, beyond cutting away cross-growing branches. + +Megasea.--This hardy herbaceous plant flowers from April to June. +A light, sandy soil suits it best. It may be grown from seed or +multiplied by division. Height, 1 ft. + +Melissa Officinalis.--A hardy perennial, flowering in July. Any soil +suits it. It is increased by division of the root. Height, 1 ft. + +Melittis Melissophyllum (_Large-flowered Bastard Balm_).--This +handsome perennial is not often seen, but it deserves to be more +generally grown, especially as it will thrive in almost any soil; +but to grow it to perfection, it should be planted in rich loam. It +flowers from June to August, and may be increased by division of the +roots any time after the latter month. Height, 11/2 ft. + +Melon.--Sow from January to June in pots plunged in a hotbed, the +temperature of which should not be under 80 degrees. When the plants +have made four or five leaves, set them out in a house or hotbed +having a temperature ranging from 75 to 85 degrees. Keep the plants +well thinned and water carefully, as they are liable to damp off at +the collar if they have too much wet. Do not allow them to ramble +after the fruit has begun to swell, nor allow the plants to bear more +than two, or at most three, melons each. They require a strong, +fibry, loamy soil, with a little rotten manure worked in. The Hero of +Lockinge is a grand white-fleshed variety, and Blenheim Orange is a +handsome scarlet-fleshed sort. + +Menispermum Canadense (_Moon seed_).--A pretty slender-branched, +hardy, climbing, deciduous shrub, with yellow flowers in June, +followed with black berries. It grows in any soil, and can be +propagated by seed, by division of roots, or by planting cuttings in +spring in a sheltered spot. Height, 10 ft. + +Mentha Rotundifloria Variegata (_Variegated Mint_).--A hardy +perennial, which may be grown in any soil, and is easily increased by +dividing the roots. It flowers in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Menyanthes.--Treat as other hardy aquatics. + +Menziesia (_Irish Heath_).--This evergreen thrives best in fibrous +peat to which a fair quantity of silver sand has been added. While +excessive moisture is injurious, the plant must not be kept too dry; +the best condition for it is to be constantly damp. Slips torn off +close to the stem will root in sand under glass, placed in gentle +heat. Height, 2 ft. + +Mertensia.--These hardy perennials flower from March to July. They +will grow in any garden soil, but do best in peat, and are propagated +by division. They make fine border plants. Mertensia Maritima and +M. Parviflora, however, are best grown in pots, in very sandy soil, +perfection being afforded them during the winter. Height, 11/2 ft. to 2 +ft. + +Mesembryanthemums (_Ice Plants_).--These half-hardy, annual succulents +have a bright green foliage covered with ice-like globules. They must +be raised in a greenhouse or on a hotbed, sowing the seed in April on +sandy soil. Prick the young plants out in May. If grown in pots they +thrive best in a light, sandy loam. In the border they should occupy a +hot and dry situation. Keep the plants well watered until established, +afterwards give a little liquid manure. May be increased by cuttings +taken in autumn. Cuttings of the more succulent kinds should be +allowed to dry a little after planting before giving them water. A +dry pit or frame is sufficient protection in the winter; they merely +require to be kept from frost. Flower in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Mespilus.--_For treatment, see_ "Medlars." + +Meum Athamanticum.--A hardy perennial with graceful, feathery green +foliage, but of no special beauty. It is a native of our shores, will +grow in any soil, blooms in July or August, and is freely propagated +by seeds. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Michaelmas Daisies (_Starworts_).--A numerous family of hardy +herbaceous perennials. Some few are very pretty, while others can only +be ranked with wild flowers. They thrive in any soil or position, but +flourish best where there is a due proportion of sunshine. They are +easily raised from seed, sown early in spring, or may be increased +by root-division either in the autumn, as soon as they have done +flowering, or in the spring. They vary in height from 1 ft. to 5 ft. + +Michauxia Campanuloides.--This is an attractive border biennial, +bearing from March to June white campanula-like flowers tinged with +purple, on erect stems. It is not particular as to soil, but requires +a southern position and protection in winter. Propagated by seeds in +the same way as other biennials. Height, 4 ft. + +Mignonette.--For summer-flowering plants sow the seed in spring, and +thin out to a distance of 9 in. apart. To obtain bloom during the +winter and spring successive sowings are necessary. Let the first of +these be made the second week in July in light, rich soil; pot off +before frost sets in, plunge them in old tan or ashes, and cover with +a frame facing the west. Another sowing should be made about the +middle of August, giving them the same treatment as the previous; and +a third one in February, in gentle heat. Height, 9 in. to 3 ft. The +Mignonette tree is produced by taking a vigorous plant of the spring +sowing, and removing all the lower shoots in the autumn. Pot it in +good loam, and keep it in the greenhouse in a growing state, but +removing all the flowers. By the spring the stem will be woody. Let +the same treatment be given it the second year, and the third season +it will have become a fine shrub. It may be made to bloom during the +winter by picking off the blossom in the summer and autumn. Height, 3 +ft. + +Mildew.--Syringe with a strong decoction of green leaves and tender +branches of the elder-tree, or with a solution of nitre made in the +proportion of 1 oz. of nitre to each gallon of water. Another good +remedy is to scatter sulphur over the leaves while the dew is upon +them, afterwards giving them a syringing of clear water. + +Milkmaid.--_See_ "Cardamine." + +Milk Thistle.--_See_ "Carduus." + +Mimosa.--These shrubs are often called Sensitive Plants, on account +of the leaves of several of the species of this genus shrinking when +touched. They grow well in loam and peat with a little sand, but +require to be planted in a warm situation or to have greenhouse care. +Cuttings of the young wood root readily in sand under a glass. They +may also be raised from seed. Mimosa Pudica exhibits most sensibility. +Height, 2 ft. + +Mimulus (_Monkey Flower_).--Showy half-hardy perennials which thrive +in moist and shady situations and in almost any soil. They may be +grown from seed sown in slight heat from February to May, or increased +by division of the root. The frame and greenhouse kinds grow best in a +rich, light soil, and may be multiplied by cuttings. The annuals may +be sown where they are to flower. They bloom in June and July. Height, +2 in. to 11/2 ft. (_See also_ "Diplacus.") + +Mina Lobata.--A charming half-hardy annual climber, bearing singularly +shaped flowers, produced on long racemes. When young the buds are a +vivid red, changing to orange-yellow, and when fully expanded the +flowers are creamy-white. It thrives in loam and peat to which +a little dung has been added, and is well adapted for arbours, +trellises, or stumps of trees. Sow the seed on a hotbed in March, +harden off, and transplant when all fear of frost is over. Height, 8 +ft. to 12 ft. + +Mint.--May be grown in any garden soil. It is increased by runners, +which, if not held in check, become very troublesome. The roots may be +confined by means of tiles or slates. Flowers in July. Height, 11/2 ft. + +Mistletoe.--Raise the bark of an apple, pear, or oak tree on the +underneath part of a branch and insert some well-ripened berries, then +tie the bark down neatly with raffia or woollen yarn. If the berries +were inserted on the top of the branch the operation would result in +failure, as the birds would devour them. + +Mitella Diphylla.--A hardy perennial which bears slender racemes of +white flowers in April. It makes a pretty rock plant, delights in a +peat soil, and is increased by division of the root. Height, 6 in. + +Moles.--These pests may be destroyed by placing in their runs worms +that have been kept for some time in mould to which carbonate of +barytes has been added. + +Monardia Didyma (_Oswego Mint, or Horse Balm_).--_See_ "Bergamot." + +Monetia Barlerioides.--An ornamental shrub, suitable for the +greenhouse or stove. It requires to be grown in loam and peat, and +may be increased by cuttings planted in sand, under glass, in a +bottom-heat. Height, 3 ft. + +Monkey Flower.--_See_ "Mimulus." + +Monkey Puzzle.--_See_ "Araucaria." + +Monk's-hood.--_See_ "Aconite." + +Montbretia.--Very graceful and showy plants. The flowers, which are +like small Gladioli, are produced on long branched spikes and are +excellent for cutting. Plant 3 in. deep and 2 in. apart in sandy loam +and leaf-mould. The corms should never be kept long out of the ground, +as they shrivel, and weak growth and few flowers are the result. +Though they are hardy it is well to give them a covering of litter in +winter. They may also be grown in pots. Height, 2-1/2 ft. + +Moraea Iridioides.--These plants flower in May, and require the same +treatment as Ixias. + +Morina (_Whorl Flower_).--An ornamental hardy perennial, which is +seldom met with. It forms rosettes of large, deep green, shiny foliage +and stout spikes of rose-coloured flowers in whorls, which make it one +of the most attractive of Thistles. It likes a rich, light soil, is +increased by seed sown in the autumn, also by division in August, and +flowers in July. Height, 21/2 ft. + +Morisia Hypogaea.--This is a pretty hardy perennial for rock-work. It +flowers in May, and is raised from seed sown as soon as it is ripe. +Height, 2 in. + +Morna Elegans.--Beautiful half-hardy annuals. For early flowering sow +the seed in September: for later blooms sow in February in slight +heat, pot off, affording good drainage to the plants. They are very +sensitive to cold, and should not be placed out of doors before the +end of May. Avoid over-watering, as this would prove fatal to them. +The soil should be light and sandy. Those sown in September will bloom +in the greenhouse in May; those sown in February will flower in the +open in the autumn. Height, 11/2 ft. + +Morning Glory.--_See_ "Convolvulus." + +Morrenia Odorata.--A good twining plant for the greenhouse, producing +fragrant cream-coloured flowers in July. It will grow in any good +loamy soil, and may be increased by cuttings. Height, 3 ft. + +Moss.--To eradicate moss from fruit-trees wash the branches with +strong brine or lime water. If it makes its appearance on the lawn, +the first thing to do is to ensure a good drainage to the ground, rake +the moss out, and apply nitrate of soda at the rate of 1 cwt. to the +half-acre, then go over the grass with a heavy roller. Should moss +give trouble by growing on gravel paths, sprinkle the ground with salt +in damp weather. + +Mountain _Avens.--See_ "Dryas." + +Muhlenbeckia Complexa.--A very decorative climber, hardy in nature but +requiring a good amount of sunshine to make it bloom. A well-drained, +sandy soil is best for its growth, and it can be increased by cuttings +of hardy shoots taken early in summer. Height, 6 ft. + +Mulberries.--Any good soil will grow the Mulberry. The tree is hardy, +but the fruit wants plenty of sunshine to bring it to perfection. It +may be propagated by cuttings of wood one year old with a heel two +years old attached. The only pruning necessary is to keep the branches +well balanced. Autumn is the time to do this, not forgetting that the +fruit is borne on the young wood. When grown in tubs or large pots +in the greenhouse the fruit attains the perfection of flavour. In +addition to the Large Black and the White (Morus Alba) the New Weeping +Russian White may be recommended. + +Mulching.--_See_ "Soil." + +Muscari.--_See_ "Hyacinthus." + +Muscari Botryoides.--_See_ "Hyacinthus." + +Mushrooms.--Take partially dry horse manure and lay it in a heap +to ferment. Turn and mix it well every few days, and when well and +equally fermented, which will be from ten to fourteen days, make it +into a bed 4 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep, mixing it well together and +beating or treading it firmly. When the temperature of the bed falls +to 75 degrees, or a little under, the spawn may be inserted in pieces +about the size of a walnut, 2 in. deep and 6 in. apart. Now give +a covering of loamy soil, 2 in. deep, and beat it down evenly and +firmly. Finish off with a covering of clean straw or hay about 1 ft. +thick. Water when necessary with lukewarm water; but very little +should be given till the Mushrooms begin to come up, then a plentiful +supply may be given. They may be grown in any warm cellar or shed, and +usually appear in from four to six weeks after planting. + +Musk (_Mimulus Moschatus_).--A well-known sweet-scented, half-hardy +perennial, well adapted for pot culture. A moist, shady position is +most congenial to it when placed in the border. Seed sown in autumn +make fine, early-flowering greenhouse plants. For summer blooming +the seed is sown early in spring, under a frame or hand-glass, at a +temperature of from 55 to 60 degrees. It is readily propagated by +division. Height, 6 in. + +Mustard and Cress.--For sowing in the open choose a shady border, make +the surface fine and firm, and water it well before putting down the +seed. Let the seed be sown thickly at intervals of seven or fourteen +days from March to September. As the Cress does not germinate so +quickly as the Mustard, the former should be sown four days before +the latter. The seed must not be covered, but simply pressed into the +surface of the soil. Keep the ground moist, and cut the crop when the +second leaf appears. For winter use it is best sown in boxes and grown +in a frame, the seed being covered with flannel kept constantly moist. +This may be removed as soon as the seed germinates. Gardeners mostly +prefer to grow it through coarse flannel, to avoid the possibility of +grit being sent to table. The curled leaf Cress is the best, and the +new Chinese Mustard is larger in leaf than the old variety, and is +very pungent in flavour. + +Myosotis (_Forget-me-not_).--The perennial varieties of these +beautiful plants grow best in moist places, such as the edges of ponds +or ditches; but they also do well in pots among Alpine plants. Most of +them may be increased by root division, and all of them by seed. The +annuals like a dry, sandy soil, and are grown from seed sown in March. +They flower in June or July. Height, 6 in. + +Myrica Gala (_Candleberry Myrtle_).--This hardy deciduous shrub is +very ornamental, and its foliage is scented like the myrtle. It +will grow in light, rich soil, but thrives best in peat, and may be +increased by seeds or layers. May is its flowering time. Height, 4 ft. +M. Cerifera is treated in precisely the same manner. Height, 6 ft. + +Myrsiphyllum Asparagoides.--_See_ "Smilax." + +Myrtle (_Myrtus_).--Will strike readily if the cuttings be placed in a +bottle of water till roots grow, and then planted; or young cuttings +will strike in sandy soil under a hand-glass. They succeed best in a +mixture of sandy loam and peat and on a south wall. Near the sea they +prove quite hardy. Height, 6 ft. + + +N + + +Narcissus.--_See_ "Daffodils." + +Nasturtiums.--These are among the most useful of our hardy annuals, +producing a display of the brightest of colours throughout the entire +summer. The tall-growing climbers make a gay background to a border, +and are equally valuable for trellis-work, while the dwarf varieties +are first-class bedding plants, and of great service for ribboning. +The seeds may be sown in pots in September or in the open ground early +in spring. A light sandy or gravelly soil is the best to produce a +wealth of bloom. Height, 6 ft. and 1 ft. + +Nectarines.--Require the same treatment as the Peach. In fact, the +Nectarine stone sometimes produces a Peach, and a Peach stone often +produces a Nectarine. Fairchild's, Humboldt, Lord Napier, and Red +Roman are useful varieties. They should stand 20 ft. apart. + +Neilla.--These shrubs thrive in ordinary soil, and are increased by +cuttings of the young wood. They flower in July. N. Torreyi bears +white Spiraea-like flowers, which are very effective. Height, 6 ft. + +Nemesia.--A most beautiful half-hardy annual of the Antirrhinum class. +Sow the seed early in spring on a hotbed, and plant out in May in +rich, light soil. Cuttings of the young wood will strike under glass. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2-1/2 ft. + +Nemophila.--Pretty, neat, and compact hardy annuals, well worth +cultivating. They succeed best in a moist and shady situation, delight +in peat or vegetable mould, and when grown in circles are very +striking. If wanted to flower early, sow the seed in autumn, or on a +hotbed in spring; and if required for late blooming, sow in the open +in March. Treated thus they flower from June to September. Height, 1 +ft. + +Nepeta Glechoma Variegata.--A very useful plant for hanging baskets. +It can be trained as a pyramid or allowed to hang down; in many cases +it is employed as edgings. It is of easy culture, and does well as a +window plant or in a cool greenhouse. The soil should be light and +dry. It flowers in July, and may be increased by root-division. + +Nerine Sarniense.--_See_ "Guernsey Lily." + +Nertera Depressa (_Coral Berry_).--This pretty Moss-like plant is +fairly hardy, and is eminently suited for a sheltered position on the +rockery. The soil should consist of leaf-mould and sand, and overhead +sprinkling with soft water is very beneficial. In cold districts it is +better to grow it in the greenhouse. The flowers are produced in +July, succeeded by orange-coloured berries. It is easily increased by +dividing it early in the spring. Height, 3 in. + +Neuvusia Alabamensis.--A tamarix-like shrub, bearing clusters of white +flowers early in spring. Will grow in any soil or situation. Increased +by cuttings placed in sand under glass. + +Nicotiana (_Tobacco Plants_).--Very showy half-hardy annuals. N. +Affinis bears long, tubular, sweet-scented, white flowers in July, and +grows to the height of 3 ft. N. Virginica produces immense leaves and +pink flowers, and the plants are 4 to 5 ft. high. The seed is sown +on a hotbed in spring, and when the second or third leaf appears the +plants are put into small pots and placed in a frame till the end of +May, when they are transferred to the border. + +Nierembergia (_Cup Flowers_).--These elegant half-hardy annuals +grow well in any light soil, but prefer a mixture of sandy loam and +leaf-mould. Sow the seed in March or April in slight heat, harden off, +and plant out in May as soon as all fear of frost is over. They flower +in July. Height, 9 in. to 1 ft. + +Nierembergia Rivularis.--This herbaceous plant is of a creeping +nature; it has deep green ovate foliage and large saucer-shaped white +flowers. It needs a moist position, and is increased by division. The +bloom is produced throughout June, July, and August. Height, 3 in. + +Nigella.--These hardy annuals, a species of Fennel-flower, are both +curious and ornamental. Perhaps the best known among them is N. +Hispanica, or Love-in-a-Mist. They only require sowing in the open in +spring--but not before the middle of March--to produce flowers in July +and August. Height, 9 in. to 2 ft. + +Night-scented Stocks.--_See_ "Mathiola." + +Nolana.--Hardy annuals that are suitable for the border, as they are +very showy when in flower. The seed should be sown in spring on a +gentle hotbed, and the plants transferred to the garden about the +middle of May. N. Atriplicifolia may be sown in the open in the +autumn. They flower in July and August. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft. + +North Borders, Plants suitable for.--Hardy Camellias, Chrysanthemums, +black and green Tea Plant, Rhododendrons, Ferns, Red Currants, Morello +Cherries, and spring and summer cuttings of all sorts. + +Nuttallia.--This early-flowering shrub is only hardy in the south and +south-west of our country. It requires a light, rich soil, and may be +increased by division. Racemes of white flowers are produced during +February and March. Height, 2 ft. + +Nycterina.--Exquisite little half-hardy plants, suitable for pots or +rock-work. The seed should be sown early in spring on a gentle hotbed, +and the young plants transferred to the pots or open ground at the end +of May, using a light, rich soil. Height, 3 in. + +Nymphaea Alba.--A hardy aquatic perennial, frequently found in our +ponds. It flowers in June, and may be increased by dividing the roots. +Height, 1 ft. + + +O + + +Odontoglossum Grande.--A most beautiful orchid, delighting in a +temperature of from 60 to 70 degrees and an abundance of water during +summer, but good drainage is essential. The blooms are yellow, spotted +and streaked with venetian red, and are often 6 in. across. The pots +should be two-thirds filled with crocks, then filled up with fibrous +peat and sphagnum moss. During winter only a very little moisture +should be given. + +Oenothera.--The Evening Primroses are most useful and beautiful +plants, well suited for ornamenting borders, beds, edgings, or +rock-work. All the species are free-flowering, and grow well in any +good, rich soil. The annual and biennial kinds are sown in the open +in spring. The perennials may be increased by dividing the roots, by +cuttings, or by seed, the plants from which will flower the first +season if sown early in spring. They bloom in June and July. Height, 6 +in. to 4 ft. + +Olearia.--These evergreen shrubs thrive in peat and loam, and may be +increased by division of the roots. O. Haastii has foliage resembling +the Box, and a profusion of white, sweet-scented flowers in summer: a +chalk soil suits it admirably. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. + +Omphalodes Verna.--A hardy perennial which may be grown under the +shade of trees in ordinary soil. It produces its flowers in March, and +is increased by dividing the roots in autumn. Height, 6 in. + +Oncidium Sarcodes.--Plant these Orchids firmly in well-drained pots, +using equal parts of live sphagnum and fibrous peat. Give one good +watering as soon as the potting is finished, and stand them in a +light, warm part of the greenhouse. They will require very little more +water until the roots have taken hold of the soil--only sufficient to +keep the pseudo-bulbs from shrivelling--and during the winter months +scarcely any moisture is needed. They flower in August. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Onions.--Require a deep, rich, heavy soil. Where the ground is not +suitable it should have had a good dressing of rotten manure the +previous autumn, and left in ridges during the winter. Level the +ground, and make it very firm just before the time of sowing. The seed +should be sown early in March for the main crop and for salad and +pickling Onions, and in August for summer use. Thin out to about 6 +in. apart, excepting those intended to be gathered while small. The +Tripoli varieties attain a large size if transplanted in the spring. +The Silver-skins do best on a poor soil. For exhibition Onions sow in +boxes early in February in a greenhouse; when about 1 in. high prick +out, 3 in. apart, into other boxes; give gentle heat and plenty of +air, and when they have grown 6 in. high put them in a cool frame +until the middle of April, when they must be planted in the open, 1 +ft. apart. + +Ononis Rotundifolia (_Round-leaved Restharrow_).--A charming hardy +evergreen of a shrubby nature. It will grow in any ordinary garden +soil, and is increased by seed, sown as soon as it is ripe. It is most +effective in clumps, and blooms from June to September. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Onopordon.--Half-hardy perennials of a rather interesting nature and +of easy cultivation. Sow the seed any time between March and June. +They require the protection of a frame or greenhouse during winter, +and produce flowers in July. Height, 6 in. to 8 ft. + +Onosma Taurica (_Golden Drop_).--This hardy herbaceous plant is very +pretty when in flower, and suitable for rock-work. It requires a +well-drained vegetable mould, and to be planted where it can obtain +plenty of sun. It is increased from cuttings taken in summer, placed +in a cucumber frame, kept shaded for about a fortnight, and hardened +off before the winter. The flowers succeed one another from June to +November. Height, 1 ft. + +Opuntia Rafinesquii (_Hardy Prickly Fig_).--A dwarf hardy Cactus with +sulphur-coloured flowers, produced from June to August; very suitable +for dry spots in rock-work. It grows best in peat with a little sand, +and is propagated by separating the branches at a joint, and allowing +them to dry for a day or so before putting them into the soil. Height, +2 ft. + +Orange, Mexican.--_See_ "Choisya." + +Orchids.--The four classes into which these charming and interesting +plants are divided may be described as (1) those coming from the +tropics, (2) from South Africa, (3) from the South of Europe, and +(4) our native varieties. The first require a stove, the second a +greenhouse, the third and fourth slight protection during winter. As +their natural character differs so widely it is necessary to ascertain +from what part of the globe they come, and to place them in houses +having as near as possible the same temperature and humidity as that +to which they are accustomed. The pots in which they are grown should +be filled with fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, largely mixed with +charcoal, and abundant drainage ensured. They are propagated by +dividing the root stocks, by separating the pseudo-bulbs, and, in case +of the Dendrobiums, by cuttings. Orchis Foliosa (_Leafy Orchis_) may +be grown in the open ground in good sandy loam. When once established +it is best not to disturb it, but if needed it may be increased by +division, after the tops have died down. Orchis Fusca (_Brown Orchis_) +may likewise be planted in the open, in a sheltered position, in fine +loam and leaf-mould, the soil to be well drained, yet constantly +moist. + +Origanum Pulchellum.--Popularly known as the Beautiful Marjoram, this +plant is useful for cutting for vases. It is perennial and hardy, and +thrives in a dry situation with a sunny aspect and in a sandy soil. +The bloom is in its best condition in October. The rooted shoots may +be divided in spring or almost at any other period, or it may be +propagated by taking cuttings in summer. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Ornithogalum.--O. Arabicum bears a large white flower with a shiny +black centre. It is a fine plant for pot culture, or it may be grown +in water like the Hyacinth. It may be planted in the open early in +spring in sandy loam and peat. Take it up before the frost sets in and +store it in a dry place, as it requires no moisture while in a dormant +state. In September the flowers are produced. Height, 6 in. O. +Umbellatum (_Star of Bethlehem_) is a pretty little flower often found +in English meadows, is quite hardy, and once established may be left +undisturbed for years. It throws up large heads of starry flowers, +which are produced in great abundance. While in a dormant state the +bulbs should be kept almost dry. It is propagated by off-sets; flowers +in May. Height, 1 ft. + +Orobus.--These hardy perennials bear elegant Pea-shaped blossoms. The +plants will grow readily in any light soil, and are easily increased +by root-division in the spring, or by seeds. They flower in June. +Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Osmanthus.--These elegant hardy evergreen shrubs succeed best in +light, sandy loam, and like a dry situation. They may be increased by +cuttings of the young shoots with a little old wood attached, or they +may be grafted on to common Privet. The variegated varieties are very +beautiful. They grow well on chalk soils. Height, 4 ft. to 6 ft. + +Othera Japonica.--A newly introduced evergreen shrub very similar to +the Holly. It is perfectly hardy and may be treated in the same manner +as that plant. + +Ourisia Coccinea.--A hardy herbaceous, surface-creeping perennial of +singular beauty as regards both leaf and flower. The soil in which it +is grown must be well drained, a peat one being preferable; and the +position it occupies must be well shaded from the rays of the midday +sun. It flowers from May onwards to September, the cut bloom being +admirable for mixing with fern leaves. As soon as new life starts in +spring the roots may be divided. Height, 9 in. + +Oxalis.--A genus of very pretty bulbous plants that thrive well in a +mixture of loam, peat, and sand, or will grow in any light soil. Most +of the tender kinds may be reared in a frame if protected from frost +in the winter. After they have done flowering they should be kept dry +until they begin to grow afresh. They are increased by off-sets from +the bulb. The hardy species should be planted in a shady border, where +they will grow and flower freely. The seeds of these may be sown in +the open in spring. Some of the varieties have fibrous roots: these +will bear dividing. They are equally suitable for pots, borders, or +rock-work. Height, 9 in. to 3 ft. + +Ox-Tongue.--_See_ "Bugloss." + +Oxythopis Campestris.--A hardy perennial with lemon-yellow flowers in +June and July. It will grow in any good garden soil, and is propagated +by seed only, which should be sown where the plants are intended to be +grown. Height, 6 in. + + +P + + +Pachysandra.--This early hardy perennial has ornamental foliage and +blooms in April. It will succeed in almost any soil, and may be +increased by suckers from the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Paeonies.--These beautiful flowering plants are mostly hardy enough to +endure our winters. The herbaceous kinds are increased by dividing the +plants at the roots, leaving a bud on each slip. The shrubby species +are multiplied by cuttings taken in August or September, with a piece +of the old wood attached, and planted in a sheltered situation. Tree +Paeonies require protection in winter, and may be propagated by +grafting on to the others, by suckers, or by layers. New varieties are +raised from seed. A rich, loamy soil suits them best. Height, 2 ft. + +Palms from Seed.--Soak the seed in tepid water for twenty-four hours, +then put them singly 1 in. deep in 2-in. pots filled with equal parts +of loam, leaf-mould, and sand. Cover the pots with glass and stand +them in the warmest part of a hothouse. Shade from strong sunshine, +and keep the soil just moist. Re-pot as soon as the roots have filled +the old ones. + +Pampas Grass.--_See_ "Gynerium." + +Pampas Lily of the Valley.--_See_ "Withania." + +Pancratium.--A handsome class of plants. Their habit of growth is +somewhat like that of the Amaryllis. They are admirably adapted for +growing in pots in the greenhouse. They may also be planted in the +open ground under a south wall. The bulbs should be placed in a +composition of three parts light, sandy loam and one of vegetable +mould. They are increased by off-sets from the roots, or by seeds, by +which the new varieties are obtained. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Pandanus Veitchi (_Variegated Screw Pine_).--For table decoration or +vases this is a most useful plant. It requires a warm greenhouse where +a temperature of 60 or 70 degrees can be kept up throughout the year, +and grows well in equal parts of peat and loam with one-sixth part +sand. During the autumn a little liquid manure is beneficial. In the +winter months it should be watered carefully, but in the summer it is +improved by syringing with warm water. It is propagated very easily by +suckers taken off in spring or summer, placed in a temperature of 75 +degrees. + +Panicum.--Handsome ornamental grasses. They will grow in any soil +or situation. P. Capillare is an annual, suitable for bouquets or +edgings; it is increased by seed. P. Altissimum, an annual, and P. +Sulcatum, a most elegant greenhouse plant, are fine for specimens. +P. Plicatum is highly ornamental and hardy, but is best grown as a +conservatory or window plant; it has a Palm-like appearance, and is +of quick growth. Most of the plants flower in July. They may be +propagated by seed or by division of the roots. Average height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Pansies (_Heartsease_).--Grow well from seed sown in July or August on +a raised bed of light earth. They may also be increased from cuttings +taken in August, September, April, or May, selecting young side-shoots +and planting them in light earth mixed with silver sand. The cuttings +should be kept in a cool frame, moderately moist, and shaded from the +hot sun. They can likewise be increased by layers, merely pegging them +down and not slitting them on account of their tendency to damp off. +They may also be increased by dividing the roots in April or May. They +should be planted where they will get all the morning sun, yet be +sheltered from mid-day rays; in an open and airy situation, yet +protected from cutting winds. While the plants are blooming they +should be supplied with liquid manure. + +Papaver (_Poppy_).--These showy flowers are most at home in a rich, +light soil. They are easily raised from seed sown where they are +intended to bloom. The perennials may also be increased by dividing +the roots. They flower at midsummer. Height varies from 1 ft. to 3 ft. + +Pardanthus Chinensis.--_See_ "Iris." + +Parsley.--In order to grow Parsley to perfection it is necessary that +the ground be well drained, as the roots and stems must be kept dry, +and the soil should be rich and light. Three sowings may be made +during the year: the first in spring for late summer and autumn use, +the next in June for succession, and another in August or September +for spring and early summer use. Thin out or transplant, to 6 in. +apart. Parsley takes longer than most seeds to germinate; it must +therefore be watched during dry weather and watered if necessary. +Plants potted in September and placed in a cold frame, or protected +in the open from rain and frost with a covering of mats supported by +arches, will be valuable for winter use. + +Parsnips.--These succeed best in a rich soil, but the application of +fresh manure should be avoided, as it induces forked and ill-shaped +roots. Let the ground be trenched two spits deep and left ridged up as +long as possible. As early in March as the weather will permit level +the surface and sow the seed in drills 15 in. apart, covering it with +half an inch of fine soil. When the plants are 2 or 3 in. high, thin +them out to 9 in. apart. They may be taken up in November and, after +cutting off the tops, stored in a pit or cellar in damp sand, or they +may be left in the ground till required for use. + +Passion Flower.--Cuttings of the young shoots strike readily in sand +under glass. The plant likes a good loamy soil mixed with peat. A +sheltered position with a south or south-western aspect should be +assigned those grown out of doors, and the root should be well +protected in winter. The flowers are borne on seasoned growth of the +current year: this fact must be considered when pruning the plants. +During the hot months the roots require a copious supply of water, and +the foliage should be syringed freely. Passiflora Cærulea is fine for +outdoor culture, and Countess Guiglini makes a capital greenhouse +plant. + +Pavia Macrostachya.--This is a deciduous hardy shrub or tree which +bears elegant racemes of white Chestnut-like flowers in July. Any +soil suits it. It is propagated by layers or by grafting it on to the +Horse-chestnut. Height, 10 ft. + +Peaches.--These are best grown on a strong loam mixed with old mortar; +though any soil that is well drained will produce good fruit. When +possible, a south wall should be chosen; but they are not particular +as to position, providing they are afforded shelter from cold winds. +November and February are the most favourable months for planting. The +roots should be carefully arranged at equal distances apart, 3 or 4 +in. below the surface of soil, and then covered with fine mould. Avoid +giving manure at all times, except when the trees are bearing fruit +heavily. Train the shoots about 6 in. apart, removing all the +wood-buds except one at the base of the shoot and one at the point. +Keep the flowers dry and free from frost by means of an overhead +shelter, to which tiffany or canvas can be attached, which should, +however, only be used so long as the cold weather lasts. To ensure +good fruit, thin the same out to 6 in. apart as soon as it attains +the size of a small pea, and when the stoning period is passed remove +every alternate one, so that they will be 1 ft. apart. After gathering +the fruit, remove any exhausted and weak wood, leaving all that is +of the thickness of a black-lead pencil. To keep the foliage clean, +syringe once a day with water; this may be continued until the +fruit is nearly ripe. The following may be recommended for outdoor +cultivation:--Hale's Early, Dagmar, and Waterloo for fruiting in July +or August; Crimson Galande, Dymond, and the well-known Bellegarde +for succession in September; and Golden Eagle for a late sort. When +planted in quantities, Peaches should stand 20 ft. apart. + +When grown under glass a day temperature of 50 degrees, falling to 45 +degrees at night, is sufficient to start with, gradually increasing it +so that 65 degrees by day and 55 by night is reached at the period of +blossoming. Syringe the leaves daily until the flowers are produced, +then discontinue it, merely keeping the walls near the pipes and +the paths damp. As soon as the fruit is set the syringing should +recommence. Water of the same temperature as that of the house should +in all cases be used. When the fruit begins to ripen, cease once more +the syringing until it is gathered, then admit air freely, wash the +trees daily, and apply liquid manure to the roots in sufficient +quantities to keep the soil moist during the time the trees are at +rest. Rivers's Early, Pitmaston Orange, Dagmar, and Royal George are +all good under glass. + +Pears.--Wherever Apples are a success Pears will grow. As a rule, they +are best grown dwarf. On light soils they should be grafted on to Pear +stocks, but on heavy soils they are best worked on the Quince. The +fruiting of young trees may be accelerated by lifting them when about +five years old, spreading out the roots 1 ft. below the surface of the +soil, and mulching the ground. The mulching should be raked off in the +spring, the ground lightly stirred with a fork and left to sweeten, +and another mulching applied when the weather becomes hot and dry. +In pruning, leave the leading branches untouched, but let all cross +shoots be removed, and the young wood be cut away in sufficient +quantity to produce a well-balanced tree, and so equalise the flow +of sap. Some of the pruning may be done in summer, but directly the +leaves fall is the time to perform the main work. A good syringing +once a week with the garden hose will keep the trees vigorous and free +from insects. Should scab make its appearance on the leaves, spray +them occasionally with Bordeaux Mixture, using the minimum strength at +first, and a stronger application afterwards if necessary. There +are over 500 varieties of Pears, so it is no easy matter to give a +selection to suit all tastes, but a few may be named as most likely to +give satisfaction. Louise Bonne de Jersey succeeds in almost any soil +and in any situation, is a great favourite, and ripens its fruit in +October. Beurré Giffard makes a fine standard, and ripens in July. +Beurré Hardy is delicious in October and November. Doyenné du Comice +is one of the best-flavoured, and is very prolific. Beurré d'Amanlis +ripens in August. Williams's Bon Chrêtien, Aston Town, Pitmaston +Duchess, Clapp's Favourite, Comte de Lamy, and Josephine de Malines +are all reliable for dessert, while for stewing purposes Catillac, +Black Pear of Worcester, Verulam, and Vicar of Winkfield are among the +best. In orchards standards should be from 20 to 25 ft. apart; dwarfs +12 ft. to 1 rod. + +Peas.--For the production of heavy summer and autumn crops a rich and +deeply-stirred soil is essential, one of the best fertilisers being +well-decayed farmyard manure; but for the earliest crop a poorer soil, +if deep and well pulverised, will give the best results. Peas under +3 ft. in height do not require sticking, but they can be more easily +gathered if a few small twigs are used to keep the haulm off the +ground. If sown in successive lines the space between the rows should +correspond with the height of the variety grown. A good plan is to +arrange the rows 10 or 15 ft. apart, and crop the intervening spaces +with early dwarf vegetables. The earliest varieties may be sown from +November to February, on the warmest and most sheltered border: these +may be gathered in May and June. The second early round, varieties, if +sown from January to April, will be ready for gathering in June and +July. The main crop round varieties may be sown from February to May: +these will be ready to gather in July and August. The early wrinkled +varieties may be sown from March to June, for gathering between June +and September. Sow main crop and late varieties at intervals of +fourteen days from March to May: these will be ready to gather in +July, August, and September. When the plants are a couple of inches +high draw the earth neatly round them, and stake the taller varieties +as soon as the tendrils appear. Keep them well watered in dry weather, +and if on a light soil a mulching of manure will be beneficial. As +soon as the pods are setting apply weak liquid manure to the roots +when the ground is moist. + +Peas, Everlasting (_Lathyrus Latifolia_).--These well-known and +favourite hardy perennials are very useful for covering trellises, +etc. They will grow in any garden soil, and may be raised from seed +sown early in spring in slight heat. Where there is no greenhouse or +frame the seed may be planted, about 1/2 in. deep, round the edges of +pots filled with nice, light soil, and covered with a sheet of glass, +keeping the soil moist till the seed germinates. When the plants are +strong enough they may be placed in their permanent quarters. They +bloom from June to September. Old roots may be divided. Height, 6 ft. + +Peas, Sweet.--These most beautiful and profuse blooming hardy annuals +will grow almost anywhere, but they prefer a dry soil that is +both rich and light. The seed should be sown as early in March as +practicable, and in April and May for succession. When the plants are +2 or 3 in. high a few twigs may be placed among them, to which they +will cling. The flowers are produced in July, and the more liberally +they are gathered the longer the plants will continue to bloom. +Height, 3 ft. + +Pelargonium.--The shrubby kinds will grow well in any rich soil; loam +and decayed leaves form a good compost for them. They require good +drainage and plenty of air and light while in a vigorous state. +Cuttings root readily in either soil or sand, especially if placed +under glass. Most of the hard-wooded varieties are more easily +increased by cuttings from the roots. The tuberous-rooted ones should +be kept quite dry while dormant, and may be increased by small +off-sets from the roots. + +Pentstemon.--This charming hardy perennial is deserving of a place in +every garden. It may be grown in any good soil, but a mixture of loam +and peat is most suitable. The seed may be sown in April, and the +plants transferred when strong enough to their flowering quarters; or +it may be sown in a sheltered position during August or September to +stand the winter. It may also be increased by dividing the roots in +spring, as soon as growth begins. Cuttings of the young side-shoots +about 6 in. long may be taken at any period--the middle of September +is a good time; these should be placed under a hand-glass in sandy +loam and leaf-mould. These cuttings will flower the first year. It +blooms from May to October. Height, 2 ft. + +Peppermint.--This may be grown on any damp or marshy soil, and +increased by dividing the roots. + +Perennials.--These are plants that die down during the winter, but +spring up and produce new stems annually. Some, as for instance +Antirrhinums and Pansies, flower the first season, but usually they do +not bloom till the second season. Many of the species improve by age, +forming large clumps or bushes. The stock is increased by division +of the roots, which, if judiciously done, improves the plant. Like +annuals, they are divided into classes of Hardy, Half-hardy, and +Tender plants. + +Hardy perennials do not require artificial heat to germinate the +seeds, or at any period of their growth, but are the most easily +cultivated of all plants. Seed may be sown from March to midsummer, +transplanting in the autumn to their flowering quarters; or it may +be sown in August and September in a sheltered position to stand the +winter. + +Half-hardy plants require artificial heat to germinate their seed, and +must be gradually introduced into the open. They may be sown during +March and April in frames or a greenhouse, when many will bloom the +first season. If sown between May and the end of August they will +flower the following spring and summer. They require protection during +winter, such as is afforded by a cold pit, frame, or greenhouse, or +the covering of a mat or litter. Tender perennials may be sown as +directed above, but the plants should be kept constantly under glass. + +Some perennials, such as Pinks, Carnations, Saxifrages, etc., do +not die down, but retain their leaves. These are called evergreen +perennials. + +Pergularia.--Very fragrant twining plants, suitable for trellis-work, +arbours, etc. A rich soil suits them best. They are easily increased +by cuttings sown in sand under glass. They flower at midsummer. +Height, 8 ft. to 12 ft. + +Perilla Nankinensis.--A plant of little merit, except for its foliage, +which is of a rich bronze purple. It bears a cream-coloured flower in +July. It may be raised in the same manner as other half-hardy annuals, +and prefers a light, loamy soil. Height, 1 1/2 ft. + +Periploca Graeca.--A hardy, deciduous, twining shrub, which will grow +in any soil, and may be increased by layers or by cuttings placed +under glass. It flowers in July. Height, 10 ft. + +Periwinkle.--_See_ "Vinca." + +Pernettya.--An American evergreen shrub, which, like all of its class, +thrives best in sandy peat; it delights in partial shade, and a moist +but well-drained position. It is increased by layers in September, +which should not be disturbed for a year. It is a good plan to mulch +the roots with leaf-mould or well-rotted manure. Height, 5 ft. + +Petunias.--These ornamental half-hardy perennials prefer a mixture of +sandy loam and vegetable mould, but will grow in any rich, light +soil. Seeds sown in March or April, at a temperature of from 65 to 75 +degrees, make fine bedding plants for a summer or autumn display. +As the seeds are very minute, they should be covered merely with a +dusting of the finest of soil. Moisture is best supplied by standing +the pots up to the rims in water. Pot off singly, harden off, and +plant out at the end of May. May also easily be raised from cuttings, +which will strike at any season in heat, but care must be taken that +they do not damp off. They flower in July and August. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. to 2 ft. + +Phacelia Campanularia.--A superb, rich blue, hardy annual. It will +grow in any soil, and is easily raised from seed sown in spring. +Flowers are borne in June. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Phalaris.--P. Arundinacea is the well-known perennial Ribbon Grass; +it is easily grown from seed, and the root allows division. P. +Canariensis is the useful canary seed: it may be propagated from seed +on any soil. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Philadelphus.--Among the best of our flowering shrubs, producing a +wealth of sweetly-scented flowers. For cultivation, _see_ "Syringa." + +Philesia.--An American evergreen shrub which grows best in peat, but +will thrive in any light soil. It should occupy a cool position, but +be well sheltered from winds. It is increased by suckers. Flowers in +June. Height, 4 ft. + +Phillyrea.--This effective border evergreen will grow in any ordinary +garden soil, and may be increased either by layers or cuttings. It has +dark green shining leaves, and is quite hardy. Height, 6 ft. + +Phlomis (_Lion's Tail_).--This effective hardy perennial will grow in +any rich, light soil in a warm position, and is a fine lawn plant. +Flowers are produced from June to August. It may be increased by seed +or division. Protect the plant from damp in winter. Height, 3 ft. + +Phlox.--For richness of colour and duration of bloom there are few +plants that can rival either the annual or perennial Phlox. The +trailing kinds are very suitable for small pots or rock-work, C. +Drummondi for beds, and the French perennials, P. Decussata, for mixed +borders. A rich, loamy soil suits them best, and they must never +lack moisture. They are easily raised in spring from seed, and the +perennials may be increased by cuttings placed under glass, or by +division. Flower in July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Phormium Tenax.--A greenhouse herbaceous plant which succeeds best in +rich loam. It flowers in August, and may be propagated by dividing the +roots. Height, 3 ft. + +Phygelius Capensis.--A greenhouse perennial bearing carmine and yellow +flowers in June, but is hardy enough to be grown on a warm border. It +is increased by off-sets from the root, taken off in May. Height, 2 +ft. + +Physalis (_Winter Cherry_).--A rich, light soil is most suitable for +the stove and greenhouse kinds, cuttings of which root freely under +glass. The hardy kinds will grow in any soil, and are increased by +seed. P. Francheti produces seed-pods over 2 in. in diameter, the +Cherry-like fruit of which is edible and makes a fine preserve. It is +larger than that of the old Winter Cherry, P. Alkekengi. They flower +in August. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft. + +Physianthus Albens.--This evergreen climber is a good plant for +training to the rafters of a greenhouse. It grows well in a mixture +of sandy loam and peat, and should receive bold treatment. Its white +flowers are produced in July. The plant is propagated by seeds, also +by cuttings. Height, 20 ft. + +Physostegia.--Ornamental hardy herbaceous plants, ranging in colour +from white to purple. They like a rich soil, and can be raised from +seed sown in March. They also bear division. July and August are their +flowering months. Height, from 1 ft. to 5 ft. + +Phyteuma Hallierii.--A very pretty hardy perennial. It will thrive in +any soil, blooms from May to August, and can be readily increased by +seed or division. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Phytolacca Decandra (_Virginian Poke_).--A very fine herbaceous plant, +bearing bunches of pretty black berries. It requires a rich soil and +plenty of room for its widespreading branches. Cuttings will strike +under glass, or the seed may be sown in autumn. It flowers in August. +Height, 6 ft. + +Picotees.--_See_ "Carnations." + +Pimelias.--Very beautiful, compact, and free-growing greenhouse +everlasting shrubs. The most suitable soil consists of three parts +sandy peat and one part loam, with good drainage. June or July is +their flowering season. They may be grown from seed or young cuttings +2 in. long, placed in sandy peat, with a little bottom heat. Do not +give too much water. Height, 2 ft. to 4 ft. + +Pimpernel.--_See_ "Anagallis." + +Pinguicula Grandiflora (_Great Irish Butterwort_).--This handsome, +hardy bog-plant produces deep violet-blue flowers in August and +September. It may be grown in any damp soil and increased by division. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Pinks.--Will live in almost any soil, but if large blooms are required +rich earth is essential. They are increased by pipings taken in May +or June. These should be planted out in October, but must be given a +well-drained position, as too much wet is injurious to them. Do not +set the roots too deep, but let the collar of the plant be on a level +with the soil. + +Pinus.--As a tall specimen tree nothing is more graceful than the +Corsican Pine (_Pinus Laricio_). P. Strobus Nana is a curious dwarf +variety, rarely exceeding 3 ft. in height. The Argentea Aurea is also +of dwarf habit. Its leaves, which are green in summer, change to a +bright golden colour in winter. The Umbrella Pine (_Sciadopitys_) is a +very striking conifer, and does well everywhere. It gets its name from +its leaves being set at regular intervals round the branches, like +the ribs of an umbrella. The Pinus may be increased by layers, or by +sowing the cones in spring, after they have opened out, in rather +sandy soil, covering them lightly. + +Piping.--This consists in drawing out the young grass, or shoots, from +the joints of Pinks, etc., from May to July being the time for doing +so. Place them in light, sandy soil, and cover them with a hand-glass. +Towards the end of September they may be planted out in beds or potted +off in rich, light loam. In either case they must not be planted too +deeply. The crust of the soil should be level with the collar of the +plant. If the pots are put into a frame the plants will require very +little water during winter, but as much air should be given as is +possible. In March re-pot them, using 8-1/2-in. pots. + +Platycodon (_Japanese Balloon Flower_).--Hardy and elegant herbaceous +plants, requiring a sandy soil. They may be raised either from seeds +or from cuttings of the young growth; they flower in July. Height, 1 +ft. + +Platystemon Californicus.--Pretty hardy annuals which thrive in a +sandy soil. They are easily raised from seed sown in March or April, +and bring forth their flowers in August. Height, 1 ft. + +Pleroma Elegans.--A beautiful evergreen shrub for a greenhouse. Pot in +equal parts of loam, peat, and sand. It flowers in July. Cuttings may +be struck in peat in a rather warm temperature. Height, 4 ft. + +Plumbago.--These pretty evergreens will grow in any soil, and can be +propagated in September by cuttings of half-ripened wood having +a heal, planted in a sandy soil, and kept near the glass in a +greenhouse. They flower in June. Height, 3 ft. P. Occidentalis is +a charming greenhouse climber. P. Capensis Alba is a greenhouse +evergreen shrub, flowering in November, and growing to a height of 2 +ft. P. Larpentae is good for a sunny border, in light soil: it bears +terminal clusters of rich violet-purple flowers in September. Height, +1 ft. Plumbagoes require very little attention in winter. + +Plums.--Almost any soil will grow this useful fruit. Young trees may +be planted at any time, when the ground is friable, from November to +March, but the earlier it is done the better. The situation should be +somewhat sheltered. In exposed positions protection may be afforded +by a row of damson trees. Many varieties are suitable for growing on +walls or sheds, where they are trained into fans, as cordons, and +other decorative designs; but it must not be overlooked that until the +trees are well established a great deal of fruit is necessarily lost +by the severe pruning and disbudding which is required to bring the +tree into shape. A pyramid-shaped tree is useful, and is easily +grown by training one straight, central shoot, which must be stopped +occasionally so that fresh side branches may be thrown out, which of +course must be kept at the desired length. A bush tree about 7 ft. in +height is undoubtedly the best form of growth, and needs but a minimum +amount of attention. In pruning wall trees the main object is to get +the side-shoots equally balanced, and to prevent the growth advancing +in the centre. The bush form merely require the removal of any dead +wood and of cross-growing branches. This should be done late in the +summer or in the autumn. The trees are frequently attacked by a small +moth, known as the Plum Fortrix, which eats its way into the fruit +and causes it to fall. In this case the fallen unripe fruit should be +gathered up and burned, and the trees washed in winter with caustic +potash and soda. For growing on walls the following kinds may be +recommended: Diamond, White Magnum Bonum, Pond's Seedling, and Belle +de Louvain for cooking; and Kirke, Coe's Golden Drop, and Jefferson +for dessert. For pyramids and bushes, Victoria, Early Prolific, Prince +Engelbert, Sultan, and Belgian Purple are good sorts. In orchards +Plums should stand 20 ft. apart. + +Poa Trivalis.--A very pretty, dwarf-growing, variegated grass. Plant +in a moist situation in a rich, light, loamy soil. It is increased +either by seed or division. + +Podocarpus.--_See_ "Cephalotaxus." + +Podolepis.--Hardy annuals bearing yellow and red and white flowers. A +mixture of loam and peat is most suitable for their growth. They are +easily raised from seed sown in March, and bloom from June to August. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Podophyllum Peltatum (_Duck's Foot, or May Apple_).--Grown chiefly +for its foliage and berries, this hardy herbaceous perennial forms a +pleasing spectacle when planted in moist soil under trees; it likewise +makes a splendid pot-plant. A mixture of peat and chopped sphagnum is +what it likes. The pots are usually plunged in wet sand or ashes on +a northern border. It is propagated by cutting the roots into pieces +several inches in length, with a good bud or crown on each. During May +and June the plant produces small white Dog-rose-like flowers. Height, +1 ft. + +Poinsettia Pulcherrima.--A stove evergreen shrub which produces lovely +crimson bracts in the winter. Plant in sandy loam, give plenty of +water to the roots, and syringe the leaves frequently. In early spring +cut down the branches to within three or four eyes of the old wood. +These cuttings, if laid aside for a day to dry and then planted under +glass, will form new plants. It flowers in April. Height, 2 ft. + +Polemonium (_Jacob's Ladder_).--Hardy perennial border plants of an +ornamental character and of the easiest culture. Any soil suits them, +and they merely require sowing in the open either in spring or autumn. +P. Richardsoni is most commonly met with, its blue flowers being +produced in early autumn. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Polyanthus.--Sow the seed late in autumn in well-drained boxes of +light, rich mould; cover it very lightly, place under glass, and water +sparingly, but give enough to keep the plants moist. The seed requires +no artificial heat to germinate it. The roots should be divided each +year as soon as they have flowered, and fresh soil given. The single +varieties only are florists' flowers. The Polyanthus is a species of +primrose, grows best in a rather shady position in a loam and peat +compost, and produces its flowers in May. Height, 6 in. + +Polygala Chamaesbuxus.--A hardy evergreen trailing plant requiring +a peat soil in which to grow. It may be increased from seed or by +division of the roots. May is the time at which it blooms. Height, 6 +in. + +Polygala Dalmaisiana.--This showy evergreen shrub needs a greenhouse +treatment. Soil--three parts peat, one part turfy loam, and a little +sand. It flowers in March. To increase it, top the shoots, which will +cause it to throw out new ones. Take the new growth off when it is 3 +in. long, and place it under glass in a propagating house. Height, 1 +ft. + +The hardy annual varieties of Polygala are obtained by seed sown in +peat. These flower at midsummer. (_See also_ "Solomon's Seal.") + +Polygonatum.--These pretty herbaceous plants are quite hardy. The +flowers, which are borne in May or June, are mostly white. Plants +succeed best in a rich soil. They may be raised from seed, or the +roots can be divided. Height, 1ft. to 3 ft. + +Polygonum Brunonis (_Knotweed_).--This strong-growing creeping +perennial plant is not particular as to soil so long as it can enjoy +plenty of sunshine. The shoots root of themselves and must be kept in +check, else they will choke other things. It flowers in August, after +which the leaves assume beautiful autumnal tints. Height, 1 ft. + +Pomegranate.--This requires a deep, loamy soil and a warm, airy +situation. May be propagated by cuttings of the shrubs or the root, +putting the cuttings into light, rich soil, or by layers. The double +kinds of Punica, or Pomegranate, should be grafted on to the single +ones. There is a dwarf kind, bearing scarlet flowers in August, which +requires heat. + +Poppies.--_See_ "Papaver" _and_ "Stylophorum." + +Portulaca.--The seeds of the hardy annual species of this genus may be +sown in a sheltered open spot in spring. The half-hardy annuals should +be sown thinly in boxes during March and placed in gentle heat. Harden +off and plant out in May, as soon as the weather permits, in a light, +dry soil where it can get a good amount of sunshine. Its brilliant +and striking colour admirably adapts it for small beds, edgings, or +rock-work; and it will succeed in dry, hot sandy positions where +scarcely any other plant would live. It flowers in June. Height, 6 in. + +Potatoes.--Ground intended for Potatoes should be dug deeply in the +autumn, thoroughly drained, well manured and trenched, and left rough +on the surface during the winter. At the beginning of February stand +the tubers on end in shallow boxes, and expose them to the light to +induce the growth of short, hard, purple sprouts. Allow one sprout to +each tuber or set, rubbing off the rest. They may be planted at any +time from the end of February to the end of March in rows 1-1/2 to +2-1/2 ft. asunder, placing the sets 6 in. deep and from 6 to 9 in. +apart. As soon as growth appears keep the ground well stirred with the +hoe to prevent the growth of weeds, and when the tops are 4 to 6 in. +high ridge the earth up about them. Directly flower appears, pick it +off, as it retards the growth of the tubers. They should be taken up +and stored in October. If short of storage room dig up every other row +only, and give the remaining ridges an additional covering of earth. +They keep well this way. + +Potentilla.--Handsome herbaceous plants with Strawberry-like foliage. +They will grow in any common soil, and may be increased by dividing +the roots or by seeds treated like other hardy perennials. The +shrubby kinds are well adapted for the fronts of shrubberies, and are +propagated by cuttings taken in autumn and planted in a sheltered +situation. They flower at midsummer. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Potting.--Great attention must be paid to this important gardening +operation. It is necessary that the pots used be perfectly clean, and, +if new, soaked in water for several hours previously, otherwise they +would absorb the moisture from the soil to the detriment of the roots. +At the bottom of the pots place a few layers of crocks, and on these +some rough mould so as to ensure perfect drainage. For all delicate, +hard-wooded plants one-third of each pot should be occupied with +drainage, but a depth of 1-1/2 in. is sufficient for others. Lift the +plant carefully so as not to break the ball of earth round the roots, +and fill in with mould round the sides. In order to supply water +readily the pots must not be filled up to the rim. Pot firmly, and in +the case of hard-wooded plants ram the earth down with a blunt-pointed +stick; soft-wooded ones may be left rather looser. Give shade till the +plants have recovered themselves. The soil used for potting should be +moist, but not clammy. A rather light, rich loam is most suitable for +strong-growing plants; peat for slow-growing, hard-wooded ones, like +Ericas, Camellias, etc.; and a mixture of light loam, one-third its +bulk of leaf-soil, and silver sand in sufficient quantity to make +the whole porous for quick-growing, soft-wooded plants, such as +Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Fuchsias etc. + +Pratia Repens (_Lobelia Pratiana_).--This pretty little creeping +perennial is very suitable for the front of rock-work. It requires +a well-drained vegetable soil and all the sun it can get. It is +self-propagating. Though pretty hardy, it is safer to pot it off in +autumn and place it in a cold frame throughout the winter. Flowers are +produced in June, and are succeeded till cut off by frost. + +Primroses.--_See_ "Primulas," _and_ "Streptocarpus." + +Primulas.--This genus embraces the Auricula, the Polyanthus, and the +Primrose. The greenhouse varieties are among the most useful of our +winter-flowering plants. The seed may be sown at any time from March +to July in a pot of two-year-old manure, leaf-mould, or fine, rich +mould, but not covering it with the soil. Tie a sheet of paper over +the pot and plunge it in a hotbed. Sufficient moisture will be +communicated to the seed by keeping the paper damp. When the plants +make their appearance remove the paper and place the pot in the shady +part of the greenhouse. When they are strong enough to handle, pot off +into 4-1/2 in. pots, and stand them near the glass. The roots may be +divided as soon as the plants have done flowering. The hardy kinds may +be sown in the open. It should be borne in mind that the seed must +be new, as it soon loses its germinating properties. These flower in +March or April. Height, 6 in. + +Prince's Feather.--An ornamental hardy annual, producing tall +spikes of dark crimson flowers and purple-tinted foliage. It is not +particular as to soil, and merely requires sowing in the open in +spring to produce flowers in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Privet.--_See_ "Ligustrum." + +Prophet's Flower.--_See_ "Arnebia." + +Prunella Grandiflora.--A pretty hardy perennial, suitable for a front +border or rock-work, bearing dense spikes of flowers from May to +August. It grows well in any ordinary soil, and is propagated by +division. Height, 6 in. + +Pruning.--The main objects to bear in mind in Pruning any kind of bush +or tree are to prevent a congested growth of the branches, to remove +any shoots that cross each other, as well as all useless and dead +wood, and to obtain a well-balanced head. It may be done either in +August or in the winter when the sap is at rest, after the worst of +the frosts are over, the end of February being usually suitable; +but the former period is generally acknowledged to be the better, +especially for fruit-trees. The cuts should be clean and level, and +when a saw is used should be made smooth with a chisel and covered +with grafting wax. In all cases as little wound as possible should +be presented. Root-pruning has for its object the suppression of +over-vigorous growth and the restoration of old trees to a bearing +condition. It consists in taking off all the small fibres, shortening +the long roots to within 6 or 8 in. of the stem, and cutting away any +bruised or injured roots before the trees are first planted out. The +mode of procedure in the case of old or unproductive trees is to +open the earth in autumn 3 ft. from the stem of the tree, and to saw +through two-thirds of the strongest roots. The opening is then filled +in with fresh mould. Should the growth still be too vigorous, the soil +must be opened again the following season and the remaining roots cut +through, care being taken not to injure the young fibrous roots. + +Prunus.--Beautiful early-flowering trees, which will grow in any soil, +and can be increased by seeds or suckers. + +Ptelia Trifoliata (_Hop Tree_).--This is very suitable for planting on +the borders of still waters, where its long frond-like leaves, which +turn to a golden yellow in autumn, produce a fine effect. It blooms in +June, and is propagated by layers. Height, 10 ft. + +Pulmonarias (_Lungworts_).--Hardy perennials that require but little +attention; may be grown in any common soil, and propagated by division +at any time. They flower in April and May. Height, 1 ft. + +Pumilum.--_See_ "Heleniums." + +Pumpkins.--Valuable for soups and pies in winter, and in summer the +young shoots are an excellent substitute for Asparagus. For their +cultivation, _see_ "Gourds." + +Punica Granata Nana.--A greenhouse deciduous shrub which flowers in +August. The soil in which it is placed should be a light, rich loam. +It can be most freely multiplied by layers, and cuttings will strike +in sand under glass. Height, 4 ft. + +Puschkinia (_Striped Squills_).--This charming bulbous plant may be +grown in any light, rich mould, provided it is drained well. The bulbs +may be separated when the clumps get overcrowded, late in summer, +after the tops have died down, being the most suitable time to do so. +If planted in a warm position it will begin to flower in March, and +continue in bloom till May. Height, 8 in. + +Pyrethrum.--The greenhouse kinds grow in any rich soil, and young +cuttings planted under glass root readily. The hardy kinds are not +particular as to soil so long as it is not cold and wet, and are +increased by seeds sown in heat in February if wanted for early use, +or in the open during March and April for later growth. The crowns may +be divided either in autumn or spring: each eye or bud will make a +fresh plant. Young plants produced in this way in the autumn require +the protection of a frame during the winter. They flower in July. +Height varies from 6 in. to 3 ft. + +Pyrola.--A handsome hardy plant, suitable for a moist, shady +situation. It is raised from seed, or will bear dividing, but is +rather hard to grow. Height, 6 in. + +Pyrus Japonica.--_See_ "Cydonia." + + +Q + + +Quaking Grass.--_See_ "Briza." + +Quercus Ilex.--A handsome evergreen Oak, delighting in a deep, loamy +soil. It is propagated by seed sown as soon as it is ripe. + +Quinces.--Plant in autumn in a moist but well-drained soil. Cuttings +of stout stems 6 or 8 in. long, firmly and deeply planted in a shady +situation, mulched with leaf-mould, and kept watered in dry weather, +will take root; but the surest method of propagation is by layers, +pegged down in the soil and detached the following year. A good +watering with liquid manure will swell the fruit to a large size. Keep +the branches well thinned out and cut them regular, so as to let in +light and air and form nicely shaped trees. The pruning should be done +as soon as the leaves fall. In orchards they should stand 1 rod apart. + + +R + + +Radish.--For an early supply sow on a gentle hotbed under a frame in +January, February, and March. For succession sow thinly on a warm and +sheltered border early in March. Follow on with sowings in the open +till the middle of September. The Black Spanish and China Rose should +be sown during August and September for winter use. Lift in November, +and store in sand in a cool place. Radishes should be liberally +watered in dry weather, and the soil made rich and light some time +before sowing commences. + +Ragged Robin.--_See_ "Lychnis." + +Ragwort.--_See_ "Jacobaea." + +Ramondia Pyrenaica.--A pretty dwarf perennial, suitable for moist +interstices of rock-work. It should be planted in a slanting position, +so that the roots, while absorbing plenty of moisture, will not rot +through being continually in stagnant water. Peat soil suits it best. +It may be increased by division in spring. If grown from seed it takes +two years before flowers are produced. During the height of summer it +is in full beauty. + +Rampion.--The roots are used in cooking, and also for salads. For +winter use sow in April in rows 12 in. apart, covering the seeds +lightly with fine mould, and thin out to 4 in. apart. Sow at intervals +for a succession. + +Ranunculus.--These prefer a good stiff, rather moist, but well-drained +loam, enriched with well-rotted cow-dung, and a sunny situation. +February is probably the best time for planting, though some prefer to +do it in October. Press the tubers (claws downwards) firmly into the +soil, placing them 2 or 3 in. deep and 4 or 5 in. apart. Cover them +with sand, and then with mould. Water freely in dry weather. Protect +during winter with a covering of dry litter, which should be removed +in spring before the foliage appears. They flower in May or June. +Seeds, selected from the best semi-double varieties, sown early in +October and kept growing during the winter, will flower the next +season. They may likewise be increased by off-sets and by dividing the +root. The claws may be lifted at the end of June and stored in dry +sand. The plants are poisonous. Height, 8 in. to 12 in. + +Raphiolepis Ovata.--Beautiful evergreen shrubs, producing long spikes +of white flowers in June. A compost of loam, peat, and sand is their +delight. Cuttings will strike in sand under glass. Height, 4 ft. + +Raspberries.--A rich, moist, loamy soil is most suitable for their +cultivation. Suckers are drawn by the hand from the old roots any time +between October and February, and set in groups of three in rows 6 ft. +apart. If taken in October, the young plants may be pruned early in +November. It is usual to cut one cane to the length of 3 ft., the +second one to 2 ft., and the third to within a few inches of the +ground. As soon as the year's crop is gathered, the old bearing shoots +are cut clean away, the young canes are drawn closer together, and at +the end of August the tops of the tall ones are pinched off. When the +leaves have fallen all the suckers are drawn out and the canes pruned +(about four being left to each root). The canes are then tied and +manure applied. About May they are, if necessary, thinned out again, +and the suckers that are exhausting both soil and plant removed. They +produce their fruit on one-year-old canes, which wood is of no further +use. The general way of training them is by tying the tops together, +or by training them in the shape of a fan on a south wall, but perhaps +the best way is to tic them about equal distances apart round hoops +supported by light sticks. Seed may be separated from the fruit, +dried, and sown early in February on a gentle hotbed. Prick off into +good rich mould, harden off by the middle of May, and plant in rich +soil. Train them and keep down suckers. When they are grown tall +pinch off the tops. Red Antwerp, Yellow Antwerp, Prince of Wales, +Northumberland Filbasket, Carter's Prolific, and White Magnum Bonum +are all good sorts. + +Red-hot Poker.--_See_ "Tritoma." + +Red Scale.--_See_ "Scale." + +Red Spiders.--These troublesome pests which appear in the heat of +summer, may be got rid of by constantly syringing the plants attacked, +and by occasionally washing the walls, etc., with lime or sulphur. + +Retinospora Filifera.--A large-growing, hardy evergreen shrub. It may +be grown in any light soil, and increased by seed, or by cuttings +planted under glass in the shade. It flowers in May. + +Rhamnus (_Buckthorn_).--Fine evergreen shrubs, of hardy habit and +quick growth. They may be grown in any soil, but prefer a sheltered +situation, and are very suitable for planting near the sea. R. +Latifolius has handsome broad leaves. Some, such as R. Alaternus and +R. Catharticus, attain large proportions, the former reaching 30 ft. +and the latter 10 ft. in height. They may be propagated by layers or +by seed. + +Rheum Palmatum.--This species of rhubarb makes an effective plant for +the back portion of a border. It does well in rich loam, flowering in +June, and is increased by dividing the root. Height, 5 ft. + +Rhodanthe (_Swan River Everlasting_).--These beautiful everlasting +flowers are half-hardy annuals and are suitable for beds or ribbons, +and make most graceful plants for pot culture, placing four plants in +a 5-in. pot. They thrive best in fibrous peat or a rich, light soil, +and prefer a warm situation. Used largely for winter bouquets, and are +perfect gems for pot culture. A succession of bloom may be obtained +by sowings made in August, October, and March. The temperature of the +seed-pots should be kept at from 60 to 70 degrees, and the soil +kept constantly damp with water of the same heat. After potting the +seedlings remove them to a cooler house and keep them near the glass. +Those sown in March may be planted in the open in June, where they +will flower in autumn. Height, 1 ft. + +Rhodochiton--This evergreen climber makes a fine plant for +trellis-work. It is more suitable for the greenhouse, though it may be +grown in the open in summer. A light, rich, well-drained soil is its +delight, and it may be propagated by seed or by cuttings under glass. +In the greenhouse it should not be placed near the pipes. July is its +time for flowering. Height, 10 ft. + +Rhododendrons.--Plant in October in peat, or in a compost of sandy, +turfy loam, with a good proportion of decayed leaves and charred +refuse. The best position for them is a sheltered one where they can +get a moderate amount of sunshine to develop the flower-buds. They +like plenty of moisture, but the ground must be well drained. If it is +desired to shift their position spring is the best time, the next best +being October. They are propagated by layers or seeds, and the small +wooded kinds by slips torn off close to the stems, planted in sand, +and placed under glass in heat. The seed should be sown early in +spring in pans of peat soil, and covered very lightly. Place the pans +in a frame, and when the soil becomes dry stand the pans in water +nearly up to the rims until the surface is moist. Pot off when strong +enough to handle, and keep close in the frame till fresh roots are +produced, then harden off. Rhododendrons may, when desired, be +transplanted in spring, even after the flower-buds are well advanced, +if care be taken not to break the ball of earth round their roots. +They bloom at the end of May. Height, 4 ft. + +Rhubarb.--Seed may be sown thinly during April in drills 1 ft. apart. +Thin out the plants 12 in. from each other, and let them grow on +till the following April, then plant them out 4 ft. apart in deeply +trenched ground into which a good quantity of well-rotted manure has +been worked. Large roots may be divided in autumn or early spring; +every portion of the root that has a crown will make a fresh plant. +When the last of the crop has been pulled, fork in a dressing of old +manure. It may be forced out of doors by covering the ground thickly +with stable manure, and placing large flower-pots over the plants to +bleach them; but if forced in a frame the light need not be excluded. +None but the earliest kinds should be selected for forcing. + +Rhubarb, Chilian.--_See_ "Gunnera." + +Rhus (_Sumach_).--Lovely shrubs, growing in any ordinary soil. The +young shoots of R. Cotinus are clothed with round leaves which +change to bright crimson and orange, surmounted with fluffy pink +seed-vessels, while R. Glabra Laciniata resembles a tree fern. They +may be propagated either by layers or cuttings. Height, 8 ft. to 10 +ft. + +Rhynchospermum (Trachelospermum) Jasminoides.--A pretty, evergreen, +woody climber for the conservatory, which succeeds best in a compost +of light loam and peat; is of easy culture, and readily increased by +cuttings. It is a fine plant for rafters or trellis, and produces in +July deliciously fragrant white flowers at the ends of the branches. +Height, 10 ft. + +Ribes (_Flowering Currants_).--Well-known shrubs, growing in any soil, +and flowering early in spring. The colours vary from crimson to white. +They may be raised from cuttings either in autumn or early spring. +Height, 4 ft. + +Richardia Aethiopica.--A fine herbaceous perennial with very bold +leaves. It needs a good supply of water, and on dry soils should be +planted in trenches. A light, rich mould is best for it, and it should +have sufficient sun to ripen the wood. Lift it in September and winter +in the greenhouse. It is increased from off-sets from the root, and +flowers in March. Height, 2 ft. + +Ricinus, or Palma Christi (_Castor-oil Plant, etc._).--The foliage of +these half-hardy annuals is very ornamental. The plants like a rich +soil. Sow the seed early in spring in a slight heat, harden off +gradually, and put out at the end of May in a warm, sheltered spot. +They may also be propagated by cuttings. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft. + +Robinia.--All these shrubs have fine, Fern-like foliage which changes +colour in autumn. The Pea-shaped flowers vary in colour from cream to +purple, and while in bloom the plants are very handsome. They grow +in any soil, flower in May and onwards, and are increased by layers. +Height varies, the Rose Acacia _(Hispida)_ reaching 10 ft., while the +Locust Tree (_Pseudo-Acacia_) grows to the height of 40 ft. + +Rock Cress.--_See_ "Arabis." + +Rocket (_Hesperis_).--The hardy perennials like a light, rich soil, +and need to be frequently divided. The best time to divide them is +just after they have done flowering, when they should be potted off, +planting them out again in the spring. The annual and biennial kinds +merely require to be sown in the open border. Most of the Rockets give +forth greater fragrance towards evening. Their flowering season is +June. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Rock Rose.--_See_ "Cistus" _and_ "Helianthemum." + +Rodgersia Podophylla.--A hardy perennial having immense bronze +foliage. It thrives best in a moist, peaty soil; flowers from May to +July, and may readily be increased either by seed or division. Height, +3 ft. + +Rogiera Gratissima.--A pretty evergreen stove shrub, which is often +trained to a single stem so as to form a standard. It succeeds in +sandy loam and peat. It may be sunk in the flower-border during the +height of summer, but must be taken indoors before frost sets in. +Cuttings placed in sand under a hand-glass in heat will strike. It +flowers in June. Height, 3 ft. + +Romneyi Coulteri.--This grand white-flowered Poppy Tree is quite +hardy, and will grow in any light, rich soil. It blooms in August and +September, and may be increased by seed or by division. Height, 4 ft. + +Rose Campion.--A pretty hardy perennial which may be grown from seed +sown in autumn, choosing a sheltered site, or in March in a frame or +under a hand-glass, transplanting it in the autumn into a light, rich, +loamy soil. Height, 2 ft. + +Rosemary (_Rosmarinus Officinalis_).--This hardy evergreen shrub +should occupy a dry and sheltered position. Its fragrant purple +flowers are produced in February. Cuttings of the ripened wood, if +planted in spring, will strike root freely. Height, 2 ft. + +Roses.--A good, deep, loamy soil, well drained, but which retains a +certain amount of moisture, is the most suitable. The position should +be sheltered, yet open and exposed to the sun. The latter part of +October or November is the most favourable time for planting, but +it may be continued with safety until the commencement of March. A +fortnight before planting the holes should be dug out 1-1/2 or 2 ft. +deep, and plenty of old manure thrown in and trodden down. On this a +good layer of fine mould should be placed, so that the roots do not +come in contact with the manure. Great care must be taken not to +expose the roots to the cold air. When the ground is quite ready for +their reception dip the roots in a pail of water, then spread them out +carefully on top of the mould, fill in the earth, and tread it +firmly. If the plants are standards they require to be firmly staked. +Precaution is necessary not to plant too deeply, keeping them as near +as possible at the depth at which they were previously grown, in no +case exceeding 1 in. above the mark which the earth has left on the +stem. Three weeks after planting tread the earth again round the +roots. Pruning should be done in March, except in the case of those +planted in spring, when the beginning of April will be early enough. +Cut away all of the wood that is unripe, or exhausted and dead. Dwarf +growers should be cut back to within two or three buds of the previous +year's growth, but five or six eyes may be left on those of stronger +growth. The majority of climbing and pillar roses do not require to +be cut back, it being only necessary to take out the useless wood. In +pruning standards aim at producing an equally balanced head, which +object is furthered by cutting to buds pointing outwards. At the +first sign of frost the delicate Tea and Noisette Roses need to be +protected. In the case of standards a covering of bracken fern or +straw must be tied round the heads; dwarfs should have the soil drawn +up over the crowns, or they may be loosely covered by straw. Apply a +top-dressing of farm-yard manure to the beds before the frosts set in, +as this will both nourish and protect the roots. Fork it in carefully +in the spring. Cow manure is especially valuable for Tea Roses. After +the first year of planting most of the artificial manures may, if +preferred, be used; but nothing is better than farmyard stuff. If the +summer be dry, water freely in the evening. Roses may be propagated by +cuttings in the summer or autumn. The slips should be 5 or 6 in. long, +of the spring's growth, taken with 1 in. of the previous year's +wood attached. A little bottom-heat is beneficial. They may also be +increased by grafting or by separating the suckers. Keep a sharp +look-out for maggots in the spring, which will generally be +found where the leaves are curled up. These must be destroyed by +hand-picking. Green fly can be eradicated with tobacco wash. Mildew +may be cured by sprinkling the leaves with sulphur while dew is on +them. + +Rose of Heaven.--_See_ "Viscaria Coeli Rosa." + +Rose of Sharon.--_See_ "Hibiscus Syriacus." + +Rubus.--_See_ "Blackberries." + +Rudbeckia (_Cone Flower._)--Hardy annuals yielding yellow flowers in +July. They are readily grown from seed sown early in spring, and will +grow in any garden soil, but naturally succeed best in deeply-worked, +well-manured ground. They may be increased by division in October or +November, as well as in spring-time. Height, 3 ft. + +Ruscus Aculeatus (_Butchers Broom_).--A hardy evergreen shrub which +thrives in any rich soil, and may be increased by division of the +root. Height, 1 ft. + +Ruta Graveolens.--This hardy evergreen shrub is a species of Rue. +It enjoys a good, rich soil, in which it flowers freely in August. +Cuttings may be struck under a hand-glass. Height, 3 ft. + +Ruta Patavina (_Rue of Padua_).--For rock-work this hardy perennial is +very useful. It likes a dry yet rich and light soil. At midsummer it +produces an abundance of greenish-yellow flowers. It can be raised +from seed, or cuttings may be struck under a hand-glass. Height, 6 in. + + +S + + +Saffron, Spring.--_See_ "Bulbocodium." + +Sage.--This useful herb likes a rich, light soil, and is propagated by +division of the root, by cuttings, or by seed. + +Saintpaulia Ionantha.--The leaves of this plant spread themselves +laterally just over the soil, forming a rosette, in the centre of +which spring up large violet-like flowers. It is a continuous bloomer. +A rather light, rich soil or vegetable mould suits it best. The seed, +which is very minute, should be sown early in spring, in gentle heat: +to prevent it being washed away, the pots may stand up to the rims in +water for a while when the ground wants moisture. Height, 1 ft. + +St. John's Wort.--_See_ "Hypericum." + +Salix Reticulata.--A dwarf creeping plant whose dark green leaves +eminently fit it for the rock-work or carpet bedding. It will grow in +any soil, but prefers a moist one, and produces unattractive brown +flowers in September. Propagated in spring by detaching rooted +portions from the parent plant and planting them in moist, sandy loam. +Height, 2 in. + +Salpiglossis.--Very beautiful half-hardy annuals which are greatly +prized for cut bloom. A light but not over-rich soil suits them best. +The seed may be sown in the open border early in spring, or preferably +on a hotbed at the same period. For early flowering raise the plants +in the autumn, and winter them in a frame or greenhouse. Flowers are +produced in July and August. Height, 2 ft. + +Salsafy (_Vegetable Oyster_).--Sow the seed in any good garden +soil--deep sandy loam is best--towards the end of April in drills 1 +ft. apart, and thin the plants out to a distance of 6 in. from each +other. The roots may remain in the ground till required for use, or be +lifted in October and stored in the same way as Beet or Carrots. They +are prepared for table in the same manner as Parsnips, and are also +used for flavouring soups. + +Salvia.--Very showy flowers, well worth cultivating, and easily grown +in a rich, light soil. The annuals and biennials may be sown in the +open early in spring. The herbaceous kinds are increased by dividing +the roots; the shrubby varieties by cuttings of the young wood planted +under glass in March; while the stove species require to be placed in +heat. They flower in August in the open. Heights vary, according to +the kinds, but S. Coccinea and S. Patens, which are most commonly met +with in gardens, grow to a height of 2 ft. + +Sambucus (_The Elder_).--Useful deciduous shrubs. S. Nigra Aurea +has golden foliage, and is suitable for town gardens. The silvery +variegated variety (Variegata), is fine for contrasting with others. +They may all be propagated by cuttings or by division. Flower in June. + +Sand Wort.--_See_ "Arenaria." + +Sanguinaria Canadensis (_Bloodroot_).--A hardy perennial, curious +both in leaf and flower. It requires a light, sandy soil, shade, and +moisture; is propagated by seed sown in July, also by division of the +tuberous roots, and it blooms in March. The tubers should be planted 5 +in. deep and 3 in. apart. Height, 6 in. + +Santolina.--This hardy evergreen shrub grows freely in any soil. It +flowers in July, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 2 ft. + +Sanvitalia.--Interesting, hardy annual trailers, which may be readily +raised from seed sown in March or April, and merely require ordinary +treatment. They produce their golden and brown and yellow flowers in +July. Height, 1 ft. + +Saponaria.--These grow best in a mixture of sandy loam and peat or +decayed vegetable soil. The annuals may be sown either in autumn, +and wintered in a frame, or in the open in April. The perennials are +increased by seed or by division of the root, and young cuttings +of the branching species root freely if planted under glass. S. +Ocymoides, on account of its trailing nature, and S. Calabrica make +fine rock-work plants. The leaves of S. Officinalis, or Soap Plant, if +stirred in water form a lather strong enough to remove grease spots. +They bloom in June and July. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft. + +Sarracenia.--Curious herbaceous plants, requiring to be grown in pots +of rough peat, filled up with sphagnum moss, in a moderately cool +house having a moist atmosphere. They flower in June, and are +increased by division. Height, from 9 in. to 1 ft. + +Sauromatum Guttatum.--This makes a good window or cool greenhouse +plant. Pot the tuber in good loam and leaf-soil, and keep the mould +only just damp until the foliage, which follows the flowers, appears. +When the foliage fails, keep the tubers dry till spring. If grown out +of doors the tubers must be lifted before frost sets in. + +Savoys.--Sow the seed in March or April, and when the plants are 2 in. +high remove them to a nursery-bed, selecting the strongest first. Let +them remain till they are about 6 in. high, then transplant them, 18 +in. apart, in well-manured soil. Their flavour is greatly improved if +they are frozen before being cut for use. + +Saxifrage.--These beautiful Alpine perennials delight in a light, +sandy soil, and are easily propagated by seed or division. It is most +convenient to grow the rare and tender kinds in pots, as they require +the protection of a frame in winter. Saxifraga Sibthorpii is very +suitable for the lower and damper parts of rock-work; it is hardy, and +sheds its seed freely. S. Umbrosa (London Pride) makes a neat border, +and is also useful for rock-work. S. Sarmentosa (Mother-of-Thousands) +is a fine hanging plant for greenhouse or window. They flower in +April. Height, mostly 4 in. to 6 in., but some grow as high as 1-1/2 +ft. + +Scabious.--Ornamental and floriferous hardy biennials, which grow +freely in common soil. The seed may be sown at any time between March +and midsummer; transplant in the autumn. They bloom in June. Height, 1 +ft to 3 ft. (_See also_ "Cephalaria.") + +Scale.--Red Scale may be easily overcome with a strong solution of +soft soap applied with a sponge. White Scale is harder to deal with. +Syringe frequently with strong soapsuds heated to 120 degrees. If the +plant is badly attacked it is best to destroy it. + +Schizanthus.--Extremely beautiful and showy annuals. A rather poor, +light soil is most suitable for their growth. For early flowering sow +the seed in autumn, and keep the young plants in a frame or greenhouse +throughout the winter. For a succession of bloom sow in the open +border early in the spring. They flower in July and August. Height, 2 +ft. + +Schizopetalum.--This singular and delightfully fragrant annual +does best in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand, or sandy loam and +leaf-mould. Sow the seed in pots in the spring, place in a greenhouse, +and when large enough to handle, plant out in the open border, or it +may be kept in an airy part of the house, where it will bloom in June. +Height, 1 ft. + +Schizostylis Coccinea (_Crimson Flag, or Kaffre Lily_).--A most lovely +autumn-blooming plant, producing abundant spikes of Izia-like flowers +about 2 ft. high. It is suitable for pot-culture or planting outdoors, +and is quite hardy. It requires a rich, light soil. + +Scillas (_Squills_).--Very useful spring-flowering bulbs. They are +hardy, and do well in any position in light soil. When mixed with +Crocuses and Snowdrops they produce a very charming effect. To get +perfection of bloom they require deep planting. S. Siberica especially +looks well when grown in pots with Snowdrops. Scilla roots are +poisonous. General height, 1 ft. + +Scorzonera.--Sow in March in light soil in rows 18 in. apart. Thin +the plants out to about 7 in. one from the other. They may perhaps be +ready for use in August, but to have large roots they should be left +till they are two years old. They may remain in the ground till wanted +for use, or they may be lifted in October and stored like Beet, etc. +This vegetable is scraped and thrown into cold water for a few hours, +then boiled in the same way as Carrots and Parsnips. + +Scutellaria.--These plants will grow in any good soil. The hardy +perennials flower in July. The greenhouse varieties merely require +protecting in the winter. They all bear division of the root, and are +easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Scyphanthus.--An elegant and curious trailer, which is best grown in +a loamy soil. It may be increased from seed sown in April, and it +flowers in August. Height, 2 ft. + +Sea Cabbage.--_See_ "Crambe Cordifolia." + +Seakale.--The readiest way of propagating this useful vegetable is by +off-sets, but it may be raised from seed sown in March or April in +rows 1 ft. apart. Thin out the young plants to 6 in. in the rows, and +transplant in February or March into well-trenched, deep, rich soil in +rows 2 ft. apart and the plants 15 in. asunder. Keep the plants to one +crown, or shoot, and remove all flower-shoots as they appear. In +dry weather give a liberal quantity of liquid manure. Cropping may +commence after the roots have been planted two years. + +Sea Lavender.--_See_ "Statice." + +Sea Milkweed.--_See_ "Glaux." + +Sedum (_Stonecrop_).--This well-known hardy perennial is suitable for +pots or rock-work. It delights in a light, sandy soil, and is readily +increased by division or cuttings. It flowers in June or July. Height, +3 in. + +Seed-Sowing.--Two of the most important points in the sowing of seed +are the proper condition of the ground and the regular and uniform +depth at which the seed is sown. Seeds require light, heat, air, and +moisture for their germination. The ground should be light, and in +such a condition that the young roots can easily penetrate it, and in +all cases should be freshly dug so as to communicate air and moisture: +it should be neither too wet nor too dry. The most favourable time for +seed-sowing is just before a gentle rain. If sown too early on cold, +wet ground, the seed is apt to rot; when sown too shallow in a dry +time, there may not be sufficient moisture to cause it to sprout. The +seed should be sown evenly. The size of a seed is a nearly safe guide +as to the depth at which it should be sown. For instance, Beans and +Peas of all kinds should be sown about a couple of inches deep, while +very small flower-seeds merely require to be just covered. As to the +time for sowing, _see_ "Annuals," "Biennials," and "Perennials." + +Seeds, the Protection of.--In order to protect seeds against birds, +insects, and rodents, soak them in water containing 20 or 25 per cent, +of mineral oil. Vegetable seeds, such as Haricot Beans and Peas, +should be soaked for twelve hours, and the pips of Apples and Pears +for double that time. For soaking the finer seeds, bitter liquids, +such as that of Quassia and Gentian, should be used. + +Sempervivum (_Houseleek_).--The hardy kinds are well known, and may +often be seen growing on the roofs of cottages and on walls. They make +good rock-work plants, and are easily increased by off-sets. The more +tender kinds are suitable for the greenhouse. These should be planted +in sandy loam and old brick rubbish. They require but very little +water; more may be given when they are in flower. Cuttings, after +being laid aside for a day or two to dry, will soon make root. Height, +6 in. + +Senecio Pulcher (_Noble Crimson Groundsel_).--A warm position and a +deep, rich, well-drained soil are needed for this flower. It may be +propagated by cutting the roots into pieces 5 or 6 in. long, and +dibbling them into light soil. It is also increased by the rootlets, +which send up small growths in spring. Protect from damp and frost, +and keep a sharp look-out for slugs. The flowers are produced in +autumn. Height, 3 ft. + +Senna, Bladder.--_See_ "Colutea." + +Sensitive Plant.--_See_ "Mimosa." + +Shallots.--Plant the bulbs in November, or in February or March, in +rows 9 in. apart, and the bulbs 6 in. one from the other. In July, +when the tops are dying down, lift the bulbs, lay them in the sunshine +to dry, then store them in a cool place. + +Shamrock.--_See_ "Trifolium Repens." + +Sheep Scabious.--_See_ "Jasione." + +Shortia Galacifolia.--A hardy, creeping Alpine evergreen, having oval +leaves, slightly notched at the margins, which turn to a brilliant +crimson during the autumn and winter months. In April and May it +produces pearly-white flowers, somewhat Campanulate in form. It may be +planted in early autumn or spring. A light, rich soil suits it best, +and it delights in partial shade. It is a lovely plant for rock-work. +Height, 6 in. + +Shrubs.--Deciduous shrubs may be transplanted at any time during late +autumn or winter when the ground is not too wet. Evergreen shrubs may +be moved either early in autumn or in April or May, damp, warm, but +not sunny weather being most suitable for the operation. They rejoice +in a clean, healthy soil, such as good loam; animal manure does not +agree with them, but wood ashes, or charcoal powder with a little +guano, may be used. Cuttings of shrubs or trees may be taken in +September, placed in a mixture of sandy loam and leaf-mould with 1/2 +in. of sand on top, and covered with a hand-glass; 5 to 8 in. is a +good length for the cuttings, all of which, with the exception of +about 1 in., should be buried, and preferably with a heel of old wood. +Keep the soil just damp and give shade. + +Shrubs for Lawns.--Monkey Puzzle (_Araucaria Imbricata_)--mix wood +ashes and burnt refuse with the soil; Thujopsis Delabrata, Thujopsis +Borealis (of taller growth), Irish Yews, Cupressus Lawsoniana Erecta +Viridis, Thujas Orientalis, Vervaeneana, Semperaurescens, Standard +Rhododendrons, Standard and Pyramid Hollies, Yucca Gloriosa (a perfect +picture), Yucca Recurva (the best hardy plant for vases). The Cercis +tree is also well adapted for lawns. + +Sicyos.--This hardy annual somewhat resembles the Cucumber, but is +scarcely worth growing except as a curiosity. The seeds are sown on a +hotbed in spring, potted off when strong enough, and transferred to +the open border early in June. It is a climber, and flowers in August. +Height, 3 ft. + +Sidalcea.--Very pretty hardy perennials, of easy culture. S. Candida +has pure white flowers closely arranged on the upper part of the +stems. S. Malvaeflora bears beautifully fringed, satiny pink flowers. +They will grow in any good soil from seed sown in autumn and protected +during the winter, or they may be increased by division of the roots. +Height, 3 ft. + +Silene _(Catchfly_).--Elegant plants, delighting in a light, rich +soil. Sow the seeds of the annual varieties early in April where they +are intended to bloom. Silene Pendula, when sown in the autumn, makes +a pleasing show of pink flowers in the spring. The roots of the +herbaceous kinds may be divided in spring. The shrubby sorts are +increased by cuttings planted under a hand-glass. The dwarfs make fine +rock-work ornaments. Flowers are produced in June and July. Height, 2 +in. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Silphium Aurantiacum.--A good and hardy border perennial, which +produces during July and August large deep orange-yellow flowers +resembling a Sunflower. It is very useful for cutting, will grow +anywhere, and can be increased by dividing the root. Height, 4 ft. + +Sisyrinchium Grandifolium(_Satin Flower, or Rush Lily_).--A light loam +suits this plant, which is moderately hardy. The soil should be moist, +but not wet. It does not like being disturbed, but when necessary the +crowns may be divided in autumn, taking care to spread the roots well +out. It blooms in April or May. Height, 1 ft. + +Skimmia.--Neat-growing, dwarf evergreen shrubs having Laurel-like +leaves, and producing a profusion of scarlet berries in winter. They +succeed in any ordinary soil, but thrive best in peat and loam; and +are propagated by cuttings placed in heat under glass. + +Slugs.--A sharp watch should be kept over all slugs, and constant +visits paid to the garden at daybreak for their destruction. If +fresh cabbage leaves are strewed about in the evening the slugs will +congregate under them, and in the morning they may be gathered up and +dropped into strong brine. The ground may also be dusted with fresh +lime, which is fatal to them, but in wet weather the lime soon loses +its power. + +Smilax.--A greenhouse climbing plant that is admired for its foliage +rather than its bloom. A mixture of peat and loam or leaf-mould and +sandy loam suits it. Train the shoots up string, and freely water the +plant in summer; during the autumn and winter it does not need +much moisture. Keep the temperature of the house up to 60 degrees +throughout the winter. It is readily increased by cuttings. It flowers +in July. Fine for table decoration. Height, 4 ft. + +Snails.--To prevent snails crawling up walls or fruit trees daub the +ground with a thick paste of soot and train oil. There is no remedy so +effectual for their destruction as hand-picking. + +Snake's Head Lilies.--_See_ "Fritillarias." + +Snapdragon.--_See_ "Antirrhinum." + +Sneezewort.--_See_ "Achillea." + +Snowball Tree.--_See_ "Viburnum." + +Snowberry.--_See_ "Symphoricarpus." + +Snowdrops _(Galanthus)._--These are most effective in clumps. They may +be planted at any time from September to December, and left alone for +three or four years, when they may be taken up and divided. They grow +best in a light, rich soil. + +Snowdrop Tree.--_See_ "Halesia." + +Snowflake.--_See_ "Leucojum." + +Snow in Summer.--_See_ "Arabis." + +Soil and its Treatment.--Loam is a mixture of clay and sand. When +the former predominates it is termed heavy loam, and when the latter +abounds it is called light. + +Marl is a compound of chalk and clay, or chalk and loam. Though +suitable for certain fruit-trees and a few other things, few flowers +will grow in it. + +Drainage is one of the most important considerations in the +cultivation of flowers. Should the soil be clayey, and hold water, +make V-shaped drains, 3 ft. below the surface, and let 2-in. pipes +lead to a deep hole made at the lowest part of the garden and filled +with brick rubbish, or other porous substances, through which the +water may drain; otherwise the cold, damp earth will rot the roots of +the plants. + +Trenching is the process of digging deep, so as to loosen and expose +the soil as much as possible to the action of the air. If this is done +in the autumn or early winter to a new garden, it is best to dig it +deep, say about 2 ft, and leave it in large clods to the pulverising +action of the frost, after which it is easily raked level for spring +planting. If the clods are turned over the grass will rot and help to +improve the ground; new land thus treated will not require manuring +the first year. Should the ground be clayey, fine ashes or coarse sand +thrown over the rough clods after trenching will greatly improve it. + +Digging should be done when the ground is fairly dry, and about one +spade deep. Avoid treading it down as much as possible. + +Hoeing must be constantly attended to, both to prevent the soil +becoming exhausted of its nourishment by the rapid growth of weeds, +and because when the surface becomes hard and cracked the rain runs +through the deep fissures, leaving the surface soil dry and the roots +of the plants unnourished. + +Mulching consists in spreading a layer of stable manure, about 3 in. +deep, over the roots of trees and plants in the autumn to keep them +warm and moist. The manure may be forked into the soil in the spring. + +Watering the plants carefully is of great consequence. Evening or +early morning is the best time, and one copious application is far +better than little and often. Water may be given to the _roots_ at any +time, but should not be sprinkled over the leaves in a hot sun nor in +cold weather. Plants having a soft or woolly foliage should never be +wetted overhead, but those with hard and shiny leaves may be freely +syringed, especially when in full growth. + +Solanum.--Showy greenhouse shrubs, some of which have ornamental +foliage. The soil in which they are grown should be light and rich. +Cuttings planted in sand under glass strike readily. The tender annual +varieties may be sown on a hotbed in spring, and placed in the border +at the end of May in a dry, sheltered situation, where they will +flower in June. Height, 1 ft. and upwards. + +Soldanellas.--These small herbaceous perennials should find a place in +all Alpine collections. They grow best in sandy peat, or in leaf-mould +with a liberal addition of sand, and they require a moderate amount of +moisture. They may be increased by dividing the roots in April. They +flower from March to May. Height, 4 in. or 5 in. + +Solidago (_Golden Rod_).--A useful hardy perennial for the back of +borders. Throughout late summer and autumn it produces masses of +golden flowers. It is not over-particular as to soil, and may be +increased by dividing the root in the spring. It increases very +rapidly. Height, 2 ft. to 6 ft. + +Solomon's Seal (_Polygonatum Multiflorum_).--A graceful hardy plant +bearing white pendulent flowers on long curving stems. Plant freely +in light, rich soil, in a shady position or under trees. The plants +should not be disturbed, even by digging among the roots. Flowers in +May. Height, 2 ft. + +Soot-Water.--For room and window plants soot-water has this advantage +over coarse animal manures, that while the latter are unhealthy and +apt to taint the air, the former is purifying and has no unpleasant +smell. It is easily made by tying a little soot in a coarse canvas bag +and immersing it in a pail of water. It should be applied in a clear, +thin state to plants in bud or in full growth during the summer +months. + +Sorrel.--Sow in March or April in any garden soil, thin out to 1 ft. +apart. It is desirable to cut away the flower-stems and to divide the +roots every two or three years. The plants may be forced for winter +use. + +Southernwood (_Artemisia Arborea_).--Any soil suits this odoriferous +bush, and it is readily increased by cuttings or by division. + +Sparaxis.--Closely allied to the Ixias, equally beautiful and varied +in colour, but rather dwarfer and compact in growth. Invaluable for +pot-culture. For outdoor cultivation plant them early in September, +5 or 6 in. deep, on a sheltered border, in rich, well-drained, loamy +soil. Protect from frost and wet in the winter, but keep the roots +moist while they are growing. For indoor cultivation plant four to six +bulbs in a 5-in. pot, plunge in ashes in a cold frame, withholding +water till the plants appear. When making full growth remove them to +a sunny window or conservatory, and water them carefully. They will +bloom in March or April. Height, 3 ft. + +Sparmannia Africana.--An exceedingly handsome and attractive +greenhouse evergreen shrub, thriving best in loam and peat. Cuttings +may be struck in sand under glass. May is its flowering season. +Height, 10 ft. + +Spartium Junceum(_Yellow Broom_).--A hardy evergreen shrub which will +grow in any soil, and is propagated by seeds. It flowers in August. +Height, 6 ft. + +Specularia Speculum.--_See_ "Venus's Looking-Glass." + +Spergula Pilfera.--May be grown in any moist situation in sandy soil. +It is of little value. + +Sphenogyne Speciosa.--An elegant hardy annual. Sow the seed early in +spring on a gentle hotbed in loam and peat, harden off, and transplant +at the end of May to a soil composed of loam and leaf-mould, if peat +cannot be obtained. The bloom is produced in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Spider Wort.--_See_ "Commelina" _and_ "Tradescantia." + +Spigelia Marilandica.--From August to October this hardy perennial +produces tubular crimson and yellow flowers. It finds a congenial home +in damp peat, shaded from the sun, and may be propagated by cuttings +in loam and peat under glass. Height, 1 ft. + +Spinach.--For summer use sow the round-seeded kinds at intervals of +two or three weeks from February to the end of July in rows 1 ft. +apart, cover with the finest of soil, and thin out to a distance of 3 +or 4 in. In dry weather give a liberal supply of manure water. Pull +before it runs to seed. For winter use sow the prickly-seeded variety +in August and September, and thin the plants out 9 in. apart. If the +ground is hot and dry, the seed should be soaked for twenty-four hours +before it is sown. New Zealand Spinach may be sown in the open during +May, choosing the warmest spot for its growth; but it is best to +sow it in heat in March, keeping the soil fairly moist, and, after +hardening it off, to plant it out in June, 3 ft. apart Sow Perpetual +Spinach or Spinach Beet in March in drills 1 ft. apart. Cut the leaves +frequently, when a fresh crop will be produced. + +Spiraeas.--Placed in the open ground these make splendid plants, and +are not particular as to soil, though a moist, rich one is preferable. +For forcing, plant the clumps in 6-in. pots, and keep them in a cool +frame until they are well rooted. They may then be removed indoors +and forced rapidly, supplying them with an abundance of water. +Their elegant flower spikes are invaluable for bouquets and table +decoration. The shrubby kinds are increased by layers or cuttings of +the young wood, the herbaceous varieties by division of the roots +in autumn. Spiraea Aruncus, if potted early in the autumn, is very +valuable for winter decoration. Spiraeas bloom at different periods, +from May to August, and vary in height, 3 or 4 ft. being the general +growth. + +Spruce Firs.--_See_ "Abies." + +Stachys Coccinea.--This scarlet hardy annual is fine for bees. It may +be grown in any soil from seed sown in March or April. Height, 1 ft. + +Stachys Lanata.--A hardy perennial which will grow in any soil, and +bears division. It flowers in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Staphylea Colchica_(Mexican Bladder Nut)._--This beautiful +free-flowering shrub will grow in any garden soil, and produces +bunches of fragrant, delicate white flowers in June. It forces well, +and may be made to flower at Easter by potting it in rich, light soil, +placing it in a cold frame till the middle of January, keeping +the roots moist, then bringing it into the warm house. It may be +propagated by suckers from the roots, by layers, or by cuttings taken +in autumn. + +Star Flower.--_See_ "Trientalis." + +Star of Bethlehem.--_See_ "Ornithogalum." + +Statice _(Sea Lavender)._--The greenhouse and frame varieties succeed +best in sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by cuttings placed +under a bell-glass or in a warm pit. The hardy herbaceous kinds are +very suitable for the front of flower borders, and may be freely +increased by seeds or division. The annuals, if sown in March, will +produce flowers in July. Statices require a good amount of water, but +thorough drainage must be ensured. If the flowers are dried they will +keep their colour for a considerable time. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +Stauntonia Latifolia.--A greenhouse evergreen climbing plant, which +needs a peat and loam soil and plenty of room for its roots. It +flowers in April, and is increased by cuttings planted in sand under +glass, with a gentle heat. Height, 10 ft. + +Stenactis (_Fleabane_).--Showy hardy perennials which make fine +bedding plants. They may be grown from seed, which is produced in +great quantities, and merely requires the same treatment as other +perennials, or they may be propagated by dividing the plants. They +bloom in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Stephanotis.--This pretty evergreen twining plant is most suitable for +the greenhouse, and flourishes in a mixture of loam and leaf-mould. It +flowers in May, and is increased by cuttings struck in heat. Height, +10 ft. + +Sternbergia Lutea.--A hardy perennial which produces bright yellow +flowers in August. It likes a rich soil, and is propagated by +off-sets. Height, 6 in. + +Stipa Pennata (_Feather Grass_).--One of the most graceful of our +ornamental grasses, and most attractive in the border. The seed may be +sown early in March, keeping the ground moist until it has germinated, +and it is also increased by division. Height, 2 ft. + +Stobæa Purpurea.--A hardy border plant with long spiny foliage, and +bearing from July to September large light blue flowers. It requires a +light, rich soil. Young cuttings may be struck in sand. Height, 1 ft. + +Stocks-- + +_ANNUAL, OR TEN WEEKS' STOCKS_.--Sow the seeds in February, March, +April, and May for succession; those sown in May will continue to +flower till Christmas. The soil should be rich, and occasionally a +little manure-water may be given. Another sowing may be made in August +and September. When the plants have several leaves pot off singly in +vegetable loam and river sand. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. + +_BROMPTON_.--Sow very thinly during the first week in May in a rich, +light, sandy border, with an eastern aspect. When 2 or 3 in. high, +thin out to 9 in. apart. Those taken out may be re-planted in the +flower border, 9 in. from each other. In transplanting reject those +plants having a long tap-root: they generally prove to be single. If +the following winter be severe they must be protected with mats. Any +desirable varieties may be propagated by cuttings, which root readily +under glass if kept shaded. Should it be desirable to transplant them +to another part of the garden, March or April will be found the best +time to remove them. Shade the plants till they are established, and +use liquid manure till they begin to flower. + +_GREENHOUSE OR SHRUBBY_ species grow best in a mixture of light soil +and sand, and cuttings of these Stocks root readily under glass. + +_NIGHT-SCENTED STOCKS_.--_See_ "Mathiola Bicornis." If Emperor, +Imperial, or Intermediate Stocks are sown in March or April, they will +flower in the autumn; if sown in June or July they will flower during +the following June, and throughout the summer and autumn. + +Stokesia Cyanea.--A handsome herbaceous perennial which is quite +hardy, but owing to the late period at which it flowers its blooms are +liable to be cut off by frosts. It is therefore more suitable for a +cool house than the open air, unless the warmest and most sheltered +position be assigned to it. A rich, sandy soil is indispensable for +its growth. It may be increased by dividing the roots in spring. The +flowers are produced from October to December. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Stonecrop.--_See_ "Sedum." + +Strawberries.--The soil most suitable for the growth of this fruit is +a rich, deep, adhesive loam. July or early in August is the best time +to make new beds, but if the ground be not then available runners from +the old plants may be planted in peat on a north border and lifted +with good balls of earth to their permanent bed in the spring. Set +them firmly in rows 2 ft. apart and 18 in. from plant to plant. Spread +out the roots and avoid deep planting. Remove from the old plants +all runners not required for new beds before they take root, as they +exhaust the crown. In dry seasons liquid manure is highly beneficial. +Some growers give supports to the fruit by means of forked-shaped +pegs, while others lay straw down to keep the fruit free from grit. +Keep a sharp look-out for snails and slugs. King of the Earlies, +Auguste Nicaise, Royal Sovereign, Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury, Gunton +Park, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, Lord Suffield, Noble, and Samuel +Bradley are excellent sorts. For Ornamental Strawberries, _see_ +"Fragaria Indica." + +Strawberry Tree.--_See_ "Arbutus." + +Streptocarpus (_Cape Primrose_).--This plant is a greenhouse +perennial, showing great variety of colours, from white to violet +and crimson, and is of neat habit. A light and rather rich soil or +vegetable mould suits it best. Seed sown in February in slight heat +will produce plants for flowering in July; that sown in March or April +will flower in August and September. Grow slowly in small pots, and +in February put them in their flowering pots. Give plenty of air and +shade them from the sun. It may also be increased by division, or +leaf-cuttings may be taken under a bell-glass. The plants like plenty +of water, but need good drainage. Height, 9 in. + +Streptosolen Jamesoni.--A good compost for this greenhouse evergreen +shrub is two parts sandy loam, one part leaf-mould, and a little +silver sand. During growth it needs a liberal supply of water and to +be kept near the glass; only a small amount of moisture should be +given in winter. In March cut it into shape, and re-pot it as soon as +new growth starts. During the summer syringe it frequently to keep off +red spider, and during winter maintain a temperature of 55 degrees. + +Stylophorum _(Celandine Poppy, or Poppywort)._--During May and June +this hardy and handsome plant produces fine yellow flowers. It +accommodates itself to any soil, but prefers a rich, light one, and +can be increased by seed sown in autumn or early spring. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Styrax.--Ornamental shrubs requiring a light soil for their +cultivation. S. Japonica has Snowdrop-like flowers, and S. Obasa +Lily-of-the-Valley-like scented flowers. They are best propagated by +layers. Height, 4 ft. to 10 ft. + +Sunflower.--_See_ "Helianthus." + +Swainsonia Galegifolia Alba.--A graceful and charming cool greenhouse +plant, with Fern-like evergreen foliage and pure white flowers, which +are borne from April to November. The soil most suitable for it is a +mixture of loam and sandy peat. Cuttings of the young growth planted +in sand under glass strike readily. Height, 2 ft. + +Swallow Wort.--_See_ "Asclepias." + +Swamp Lilies.--_See_ "Zephyranthes." + +Swan River Daisy.--_See_ "Brachycome." + +Sweet Alyssum.--_See_ "Alyssum." + +Sweet Flag.--_See_ "Acorus." + +Sweet Peas.--_See_ "Peas, Sweet." + +Sweet Rocket.--_See_ "Rocket." + +Sweet Scabious.--_See_ "Scabious." + +Sweet Sultan.--Sweet-scented, Thistle-shaped hardy annual flowers, +which are very useful for cutting. They may be raised in any garden +soil from seed sown in March or April, and will flower in August. +Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Sweet William.--Well-known hardy perennials, and deservedly favourite +border plants, which may be grown in any good soil; but to have them +to perfection they should be placed in light, loamy ground mixed with +a little old manure and sand. They can be raised with little trouble +from seed sown thinly at any time between March and midsummer where +they are to bloom, and may also be increased by dividing the old +plants in spring. They produce their flowers in July. Height, 1-1/2 +ft. + +Symphoricarpus (_Snowberry_).--A handsome species of St. Peter's Wort. +The shrubs will grow in any ordinary soil, are hardy, and readily +propagated by suckers, which are produced abundantly; or cuttings may +be taken either in spring or autumn. They bloom in August. Height, 4 +ft. + +Symphytum Caucasicum.--Hardy perennials. They will grow in any soil +or situation, even thriving under the shade of trees, and may be +increased by division. June is the month in which they flower. Height, +3 ft. + +Syringa (_Lilac_.)--There are many choice varieties of these favourite +shrubs, but any of them may be grown in a tolerably good soil. They +are propagated by layers or by suckers from the root. They bloom in +May or June. Height varies from 4 ft. to 12 ft. + + +T + + +Tacsonia.--A beautiful twining shrub belonging to the Passiflora +family. It should be provided with a rich soil, and, as the flowers +are produced upon the lateral shoots, it requires frequent stopping. +Syringe frequently in warm weather to induce a quick growth. It is +a quick grower, and, when properly treated, a profuse bloomer, the +flowers being produced in July, August, and September. Cuttings of +young shoots placed under glass in a sandy soil will strike. Height, +20 ft. + +Tagetes (_French and African Marigolds_).--Half-hardy annuals, very +elegant when in flower, and deserve a place in the garden. The seed +should be sown on a hotbed in March or April, the plants gradually +hardened off, and placed in the open at the end of May in a rich, +light soil, when they will flower in August. Height, 1 ft. to 2-1/2 +ft. + +Tamarix.--Neat feathery plants, very suitable for banks and thriving +at the seaside, as is evidenced by its luxuriant growth along the +parades at Eastbourne. The hardy kinds will grow in any soil, and may +be propagated by cuttings planted in the open either in spring or +autumn. The greenhouse and stove varieties require a soil of loam and +peat. Cuttings of these should be placed in sand under glass. They +flower in June and July. Height, 8 ft. to 10 ft. + +Tansy.--A feathery-foliaged hardy perennial, useful for mixing with +cut blooms. No special treatment is required. Height, 11 ft. + +Taxus.--_See_ "Yew." + +Tecoma.--Ornamental evergreen shrubs of a twining nature, needing a +greenhouse for their cultivation. They require a rich, loamy soil +mixed with a little sand, or loam and peat, and rejoice in shade and +moisture. T. Radicans will grow in the open against a wall, but a +warm situation is needed to make it flower. They may be propagated +by cuttings of the roots placed in sand under a hand-glass, and by +layers. Their flowers are produced in July and August. Height, 6 ft. +to 30 ft. + +Telekia.--_See_ "Buphthalmum." + +Tellima Grandiflora.--A hardy and very ornamental perennial with round +bronzy foliage and spikes of white flowers at midsummer. It succeeds +best in peat, but will grow in any rich, light soil. To increase it, +divide the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Tetratheca.--Pretty greenhouse evergreen shrubs which produce +pink flowers in July. They flourish in a soil consisting of equal +proportions of loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings of the young wood +planted under glass in a sandy soil will strike. Height, 1 ft. + +Teucrium Scorodonia.--This hardy herbaceous plant will grow in any +ordinary garden soil. It flowers in July, and is easily raised from +seed or increased by division. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Thalictrum.--Hardy Fern-like perennials, suitable for the backs of +borders. They grow well in any light soil from seed sown in spring or +autumn, and may also be increased by division. + +Thermopsis Montana_(Fabacea)._--This hardy perennial produces spikes +of yellow Lupin-like flowers from June to September. The soil should +be light and rich. As the plants suffer by division, it is best to +raise them by seed, which may be sown either in autumn or spring. +Height, 2 ft. + +Thladianthe Dubia.--A fine climbing plant with handsome foliage and an +abundance of fine yellow flowers. Quite hardy. Sow on a hotbed early +in spring, and when sufficiently large and strong, pot off, place in a +cold frame to harden, and plant out at the end of May in rich soil. + +Thrift.--_See_ "Armeria." + +Thumbergia.--These slender, rapid-growing climbers are extremely +pretty when in bloom during June, but they are only half-hardy; they +therefore need greenhouse care, or to be planted in a warm situation. +They flourish best in a mixture of sandy loam and leaf-mould, and may +be grown from seed sown in heat (65 to 75 degrees) early in spring. +Cuttings strike readily. Height, 4 ft. + +Thuya (_Arbor Vitae_).--Very decorative conifers, mostly of conical +shape, and indispensable to the shrubbery. They thrive in any soil, +but prefer a moist situation. For sheltered positions, where a +small dome-shaped bush is required, the Chinese Arbor Vitae _(Biota +Orientalis)_ is most desirable; it delights in a heavy soil. The Biota +Elegantissima is one of the most unique hardy shrubs cultivated, and +presents a bright golden appearance. Another effective yellow variety +is the Semperaurescens, which retains its colour throughout the +winter, and makes a fine pot-plant. One of the most beautiful of all +evergreens is the Thuyopsis Dolabrata; its flat, spray-like leaves are +bright green above and silvery below. The China varieties are somewhat +tender, and require protection from frost. They may all be propagated +from seed or by cuttings. + +Thymus.--Effective little perennials for rock-work, growing best in +a light, dry, sandy soil. The hardy kinds like an exposed position; +rarer kinds should be grown in pots, as they need protection in +winter. They are easily increased by seed sown in spring, by cuttings +or division. Height, 3 in. to 6 in. + +Tiarella.--These hardy herbaceous plants are very suitable for +rock-work or the front of a border. They are not particular as to +soil; they flower in April, and may be propagated by seed or division. +Height, 9 in. to 1 ft. + +Tiarella Cordifolia (_Foam Flower_).--A hardy herbaceous perennial, +having fine foliage. It will grow in any good soil, but likes shade +and moisture. It may be increased by dividing the roots at the end of +the summer. The blooms are produced during May and June. Height, 1 ft. + +Tigridia (_Ferraria; Mexican Tiger Flower, popularly called the Tiger +Iris_).--A gorgeous flower of exceptional beauty. Plant the bulbs in +the sunniest spot out of doors during March, April, or May, in a sandy +loam enriched with a liberal amount of leaf-mould, placing them 3 in. +deep and 6 in. apart, and putting a little silver sand round each bulb +before covering it with the soil. Shelter from cutting winds. The +blossoms appear in July or August. Each bloom lasts only one day, but +is succeeded on the next by fresh ones, so that a continuance of bloom +is maintained. Protect them in winter with a covering of dead leaves, +or, better still, take them up when they have done flowering, and keep +them dry and free from frost. For pot-culture plant the bulbs in sandy +loam and peat, plunge them in a cold frame, and withhold water until +the foliage appears. They may be increased by off-sets or seeds. +Height, 1 ft. + +Tobacco Plants.--_See_ "Nicotiana." + +Tobacco-Water.--Boil 2 oz. of shag, or other strong tobacco, in a pint +of water. Apply with a soft brush. This is a deadly poison to insects. + +Tomatoes (_Love Apples_).--Those intended to be grown in the open +should be raised from seed sown the first week in March in pots of +very rich, light mould. Place them in a cucumber-house or other gentle +heat, and when the second leaf appears, pot them off singly, keeping +them near the glass and well watered. Towards the end of May remove +them to a cold frame to harden off, and plant out as soon as fear of +frost is over, in deeply-dug and moderately manured ground, against a +south wall fully exposed to the sun. Train to a single stem and remove +all lateral growths. When the plants are 3 or 4 ft. high pinch off +the tops to prevent further growth and throw strength into the fruit. +Watering should cease as soon as the blossom-buds appear, except in +periods of very severe drought. When grown under glass Tomatoes need +to be trained in much the same way as Grape Vines. Constant attention +must be given to removing all useless shoots and exposing the fruit +to air and light. An average temperature of 60 degrees should be +maintained, with a rather dry and buoyant atmosphere. + +Toothwort.--_See_ "Dentaria." + +Torch Lily.--_See_ "Tritoma." + +Torenia.--These stove and greenhouse plants require a rich soil. They +may be increased by seed or division. They flower during June and +July. Height, 6 in. to 9 in. + +Tournefort.--_See_ "Crambe Cordifolia." + +Tradescantia Virginica (_Spider Wort_).--A hardy herbaceous plant. In +a light, rich soil it will flower in July. Height, 1 ft. There are +other varieties of Tradescantia; they all make good border plants, +thrive in any situation, and are continuous bloomers. + +Transplanting.--Plants may be transplanted as soon as they are large +enough to handle. They must be lifted carefully with a small trowel, +or if they are very small, such as Golden Feather, with a still +smaller blunt article, disturbing the roots as little as possible. It +should be done when the ground is wet, and preferably in the evening. +In dry weather they should be well watered twelve hours before they +are disturbed. Shade them from sun for one or two days. Cabbages, +Lettuces, Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Kale, and other members of the +Brassica family _must_ be transplanted, or they will be a failure. +Root crops such as Carrots, Parsnips, Turnips, etc., must not be +transplanted, but thinned out. Celery may be transplanted in June or +July. + +Traveller's Joy (_Clematis Viorna_).--This hardy climbing plant grows +best in a light soil, flowers in August, and is increased by layers of +the young shoots in summer. Height, 12 ft. + +Trees, Plants that Flourish under.--Ivy, St. John's Wort (Hypericum +Calycinum), early-flowering White Aconite. + +Tricyrtis.--These greenhouse herbaceous plants bloom in May. A rich, +light soil suits them. Height, 6 in. + +Trientalis Europæa (_Star Flower_).--To grow this native perennial +to advantage, it should be planted in leaf-mould with which a large +proportion of sand has been mixed. Confine the roots to a narrow +compass by means of slates placed just beneath the surface of the +soil. Let the ground be kept moist, but well drained. The bloom is +produced during May and June, and it is propagated by runners. Height, +6 in. to 8 in. + +Trifolium Repens Pentaphyllum.--A showy, hardy, deciduous perennial. +It thrives in ordinary soil, puts forth its white flowers in June, and +is propagated by seed or division. Height, 6 in. + +Trillium Erectum (_Wood Lily_).--This tuberous perennial is quite +hardy, and flourishes in partial shade. The soil must be light and +rich, yet moist. The plant does not increase very fast, but the roots +of good-sized plants may be divided. It flowers in May and June. +Height, 6 in. + +Tritelia.--A charming spring-flowering plant, bearing pretty white +star-like flowers on slender stalks. It is used largely for edgings. +It looks well in clumps on the front of borders. Plant in autumn, and +divide the bulbs every two or three years. Height, 6 in. + +Tritoma (_Red-hot Poker, or Torch Lily_).--Requires a rich, sandy +soil, and to be protected in a frame from wet and frost in the winter. +Increase by division or by suckers from the root. The flower spikes +grow 18 to 27 in. long. The crown of the plant should not be more than +11/2 in. in the soil, which should be dug deeply and mixed with rotted +manure. In winter, if it is left in the ground, surround the plant +with 2 in. of sawdust, well trodden. Remove this in May, and water +liberally with liquid manure till it blooms. The best time to plant is +March or October. By many it is considered advisable not to disturb +the plant too often. + +Tritonias.--These somewhat resemble miniature Gladioli, and are +among the most useful bulbs for pot-culture. Plant from September +to December, placing five or six bulbs in a 5-in. pot, and using a +compost of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand. Plunge the pots in ashes +in a cold pit or frame, and keep them dry until the plants appear. +When in full growth they may be removed to the conservatory, placing +them near the glass, and giving careful attention to watering. For +outdoor cultivation choose a sunny, sheltered position, with a light, +rich, sandy soil. Give protection in frosty weather by covering with +dry litter. + +Trollius Altaiense (_Globe Flower_).--A pretty, hardy herbaceous +plant, with very handsome foliage. It likes a light but moist soil, +may be increased by seed or by dividing the root, and flowers in May. +Height, 9 in. to 2 ft. + +Trollius Asiaticus.--A very pretty herbaceous plant, suitable for the +border. It may be raised from seed sown in the autumn, and grown on in +light, moist soil. The plant is hardy and flowers in May. Height, 1 +ft. + +Tropæolums-- + +_JARRATTI_ (_scarlet, orange, and black_) are remarkable for a slender +and graceful growth. Well adapted for covering wire globes, trellises, +etc. + +_LOBBIANUM_ (_various colours_).--Elegant dwarf climbers, suitable +either for the conservatory or for outdoor culture. They may also be +used for bedding if planted thinly and kept pegged down; or may be +grown in window-boxes. Height, 6 ft. + +_PENTAPHYLLUM_ (_red_) is slender and graceful, and an elegant +climber. + +_POLYPHYLLUM_ (_yellow_) succeeds best against a south wall. It is +hardy, has rich abundant glaucous foliage, and is a particularly fine +climber. + +_SPECIOSUM_ (_scarlet_).--Of wild, graceful, luxuriant and slender +growth. Fine for covering walls and fences, festooning arches, etc. +Plant at the beginning of October in an eastern aspect or at the base +of a north wall, the soil and atmosphere being moderately moist. Bury +the roots 4 in. deep. + +_TUBEROSUM_ (_yellow and red_) is quite hardy, and may be planted in +any situation. + +Generally a light, rich soil is most suitable. The greenhouse +varieties may be increased by cuttings placed in sandy soil under +glass. The tuberous-rooted kinds should be taken up in winter and kept +in sand till spring, when they may be planted in a sheltered part +of the garden. The annuals merely require to be sown in the open in +spring. They flower in July, August, and September. Height, 1 ft. to +10 ft. (_See also_ "Canary Creeper.") + +Trumpet Flower.--_See_ "Bignonia." + +Tuberose.--Plant the bulbs in January in a mixture of sandy loam and +rotten dung, or leaf-mould, using a small pot for each bulb. Plunge +them in a hotbed, taking care that the temperature does not fall below +60 degrees, and withhold water until the foliage appears, when a +moderate amount should be given. When the pots are full of roots, +shift the plants into larger ones, and grow on in a house with a +uniform high temperature and moist atmosphere. For a succession of +bloom place the roots in a cold frame and cover with cocoanut fibre +until growth begins, then remove the fibre, water moderately, and +transfer the most forward plants to the conservatory. Bloom may be had +all the year round by planting in succession from September to June. + +Tulips.--Drainage may be considered as the chief means of success in +the cultivation of these showy spring flowers. The soil they like best +is well-rotted turf cut from pasture land and mixed with a moderate +amount of sand, but they will thrive in any ground that is well +drained. The bulbs should be planted during October and November about +3 in. deep and 5 in. apart, either in lines or groups, and they retain +their bloom longest in a shady situation. As soon as the leaves begin +to decay the bulbs may be taken up, dried, and stored away, keeping +the colours separate. For pot-culture the single varieties are best. +Put three bulbs in a 5-in. pot and six in a 6-in. one, and treat in +the same manner as the Hyacinth. They may, if desired, be forced as +soon as the shoots appear. When required to fill vases, etc., it is +a good plan to grow them in shallow boxes, and transfer them when in +flower to the vases or baskets. By this method exactitude of height +and colouring is ensured. Tulips are divided into three classes: (1) +Roses, which have a white ground, with crimson, pink, or scarlet +marks; (2) Byblomens, having also a white ground, but with lilac, +purple, or black marks; and (3) Bizarres, with a yellow ground having +marks of any colour. + +Tunica.--Same treatment as "Dianthus." + +Turkey's Beard.--_See_ "Xerophyllum." + +Turnips.--To obtain mild and delicately-flavoured Turnips a somewhat +light, sandy, but deep, rich soil is necessary. For a first crop sow +the Early White Dutch variety in February or the beginning of March on +a warm border. For succession sow Early Snowball at intervals of three +weeks until the middle of July. For winter use sow Golden Ball, or +other yellow-fleshed kinds, early in August. Thin each sowing out so +that the bulbs stand 9 in. apart. To ensure sound, crisp, fleshy roots +they require to be grown quickly, therefore moist soil and liberal +manuring is necessary, and the ground kept free from weeds. If fly +becomes troublesome, dust the plants with quicklime early in the day, +while the dew is on them, and repeat the operation as often as is +necessary. + +Tussilago Fragrans (_Winter Heliotrope_).--A very fragrant hardy +perennial, flowering in January and February. It will grow in any good +garden soil and bears division. Height, 1 ft. + +Twin Flower.--_See_ "Bravoa." + + +U + + +Ulex Europaeus Flore Pleno (_Double Furze_).--This elegant, hardy, +evergreen shrub likes a rich, sandy soil, and may be increased by +cuttings planted in a shady border and covered with a hand-glass. +Height, 5 ft. + +Umbilicus Chrysanthus.--This little Alpine plant should occupy a warm, +sheltered, and dry situation, and be protected with an overhead screen +in wet seasons. The soil it most enjoys is a mixture of peat and +coarse sand. Its procumbent stalks emit roots. This new growth may be +transplanted in the spring or early summer months. Height, 6 in. + +Uvularia.--Beautiful hardy perennials, producing drooping flowers from +May to July. They succeed best in a light, sandy soil, and may be +increased by dividing the roots. Height, 1 ft. + + +V + + +Vaccineum Myrtillus and V. Uliginosum.--Attractive deciduous shrubs. +They require to be grown in peat or very sandy loam. In April or May +they produce flowers. They can be increased by dividing the creeping +roots. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Vaccineum Vitis-Idæa (_Red Whortleberry_).--A neat native shrub +which, with its flowers and clusters of bright red berries, is very +attractive in autumn. A rich, light, sandy soil, moist but well +drained, is necessary, and the position should be sunny so as to ripen +the berries. It may be increased at any time by division. It flowers +from May to October. Height, 9 in. + +Valeriana.--An ornamental hardy perennial. It will succeed in any +garden soil, and merely requires the same treatment as ordinary +perennials. It is readily increased by dividing the roots, and +produces its flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Vegetable Marrow.--Sow in pots during March or April, and place in a +cucumber frame or on a hotbed, and cover with a hand-glass. Harden +off, and plant out about the third week in May in ground previously +prepared with a heavy dressing of good stable or farmyard manure, +protecting the plants at night for the first week or so with a +handglass or large flower-pot. Do not allow the roots to feel the want +of water, and keep a sharp look-out for slugs. Seed may also be sown +in May in the open. The best way of proceeding in this case is to +dig a pit 2 ft. deep and the same in width, fill it with fermenting +manure, and put 1 ft. of light mould on top. Let it remain for a week +so that the soil may get warm, then sow the seed, and cover it with a +hand-glass. Train the shoots so that they may have plenty of room, and +pinch off the tops when the plant has attained its desired length. + +Venidium.--Hardy annuals, which are best raised from seed sown early +in March on a slight hotbed, and grown in turfy loam, or loam and +peat. They bloom in May. Height, 1 ft. + +Venus's Car.--_See_ "Dielytra." + +Venus's Looking-Glass (_Specularia Speculum_).--A pretty hardy annual, +bearing a profusion of Campanula-like flowers in July. Suitable for +beds, pots, hanging baskets, or rock-work. It flourishes most in a +compost of sandy loam and peat. The seeds are best sown in autumn and +wintered in a greenhouse, but they may be raised on a hotbed early in +spring. Cuttings of the young wood planted under glass root freely. +Height, 9 in. + +Venus's Navel Wort.--A charming hardy annual for rock-work. The seed +should be sown early in spring in good garden mould. Height, 6 in. + +Veratum.--Handsome foliage plants. They are quite hardy, and delight +in a rich soil. July is the month in which they flower. They may be +raised from seed, or propagated by division. Height, 5 ft. + +Verbascum.--A hardy annual, which produces a profusion of showy +flowers in July, and is very suitable for the backs of borders. It +will thrive in any soil, and is easily raised from seed sown early in +spring. Height, 3 ft. + +Verbena.--This charming half-hardy perennial succeeds best in light, +loamy soil. It seeds freely, and roots rapidly by being pegged down. +It is usual to take the cuttings in February, as spring-struck plants +prove best both for growth and flowering. Place a score of cuttings in +a 48-sized pot containing 1/3 of drainage material, covered with 1 in. +of rough leaf-mould, then filled to within 1-1/2 in. of the rim with +equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, or peat and sand, with 1/3 in. of +sand on the top. Make the soil firm at the base of the cuttings, and +water level. It is, however, more easily obtained from seed raised +on a gentle hotbed, and the plants thus raised are more robust and +floriferous. It flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. + +Verbena, Lemon-scented.--_See_ "Aloysia." + +Veronica.--This graceful evergreen, commonly called Speedwell, bears +handsome spikes of autumn flowers, and makes a good conservatory or +sitting-room plant. It stands the winter out of doors in a sheltered +position with a dry sub-soil. The annual varieties may be sown in +autumn for spring flowering. Any light, rich, moist soil suits them. +The hardy perennial kinds are increased by dividing the roots, and +the greenhouse varieties by seeds or cuttings. The different species +flower from July to October. Height, 1 ft. to 10 ft. + +Vesicaria Graeca.--A small hardy evergreen shrub, suitable for +rock-work or edgings. It likes a light, dry soil and an open +situation. It may be propagated by seeds, which are freely produced; +but the readiest way to increase it is by cuttings of the side-shoots, +taken as early as possible so as to become well rooted before cold +weather sets in. It flowers from April to June. Height, 6 in. to 8 in. + +Viburnum Opulus(_Guelder Rose_, or _Snowball Tree_).--A very elegant +and hardy deciduous shrub, which will grow in any soil, and may be +increased by layers, or by cuttings planted in the shade under glass. +It blooms in June. Height, 12 ft. + +Viburnum Tinus (_Laurestinus_).--This well-known and much-admired +evergreen shrub produces masses of white flowers through the winter +months, at which season it is especially ornamental. It is generally +propagated by layers, but where a number of the plants are required +they may be obtained from autumn cuttings planted in the shade and +covered with a hand-glass. Height, 5 ft. + +Vicia Pyrenaica.--A hardy and good perennial for rock-work, having +compact tufts of green growth and producing deep crimson flowers in +May and June. It will grow in any soil, and is of easy culture. It is +increased by seed, also by division of the roots. Height, 1 ft. + +Vinca (_Periwinkle_).--Many of these are variegated and very showy as +rock-work plants, and will grow in any moist soil, enjoying a shady +situation. They may be raised from seed sown early in spring in a warm +situation, or may be increased by runners, which strike root at the +joints like the Strawberry. They may be planted under the shade of +trees. Many choice greenhouse evergreens bearing fine circular flowers +and shining foliage are also included under the name of Vinca. Height, +2 ft. + +Vines.--_See_ "Grapes." + +Violas.--The hardy perennials are suitable for the front of flower +borders or rock-work, but the smaller species succeed best when grown +in pots in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. The herbaceous kinds are +increased by seed or division of the roots, the shrubby varieties by +cuttings planted under glass, and the annuals by seed sown in the open +in spring. Height, 3 in. to 6 in. + +Violets.--Plant the runners or off-sets in May in loam and leaf-mould, +choosing a damp, shady situation. Russian and Neapolitan Violets may +be made to flower throughout the winter and early spring by placing +them in a stove or warm pit. Dog-toothed Violets will grow in any +light soil. Autumn is the best time to plant them, and 1 in. of silver +sand round the roots prevents decay; they are hardy and early, but +will not bloom unless planted 9 in. deep. White Violets like a chalky +soil. One of the best manures for Violets is the ash from bonfires. +They may be multiplied to any extent by pegging down the side-shoots +in April. The common Violet flowers in March and April. Height, 6 in. + +Virgilia.--For the most part greenhouse shrubs, requiring to be grown +in a compost of loam, peat, and sand. Young cuttings planted in sandy +loam and covered with glass will strike. The hardy kinds, such as V. +Lutea, grow in any light soil, and are increased by laying down shoots +in autumn or spring. July is the month in which they flower. Height, +from 2 ft. to 12 ft. + +Virginian Creeper (_Ampelopsis Hederacea_).--May be propagated by +layers or cuttings, and will grow in any common garden soil. The +plant is also known as the Five-leaved Ivy, is a rapid grower, and a +favourite for covering unsightly walls. + +Virginian Stock.--This pretty little hardy annual is readily raised +from seed sown on a border in autumn or spring. It is not particular +as to soil. Height, 9 in. + +Virgin's Bower.--_See_ "Clematis." + +Viscaria Coeli Rosa (_the Rose of Heaven_).--Sow in April, or on a +warm, dry, sheltered spot in September. Other varieties of Viscaria +are graceful and effective in beds, masses, or lines, and only require +the usual care bestowed upon hardy annuals. The flowers are produced +in June and July. Height, 1 ft. + +Vitis Heterophylla.--These vines are hardy, and will grow in any +rich soil. They are propagated by cuttings, and also by layers. V. +Purpureus has purple leaves, which are very effective. V. Coignettae, +or the Chinese Vine, has very noble foliage. + + +W + + +Wahlenbergia.--The hardy perennial kinds thrive best in pots, the soil +in which should be kept moist. The annuals, which are raised on a +hotbed in March, may be planted out in May in a warm situation. + +Waitzia.--Very beautiful half-hardy annuals, but more suitable for the +greenhouse than the open flower-bed. They require a sandy peat and +leaf-mould, and the pots to be well drained, as too much water is as +destructive to them as too little. They may be had in flower from May +to August by making two sowings, one in September and the other in +February, and keeping them in the greenhouse. When large enough to +handle, pot off into 3-in. pots, putting two plants in each pot close +to the sides, and shift them into larger ones when they have made +sufficient growth. Place them in a dry and airy situation and near the +glass. They are unable to stand the least frost, therefore, if they +are planted out, it should not be done before the beginning of June. +Height, 11/2 ft. + +Waldsteina Fragarioides.--A hardy and pretty trailing rock plant, with +deep green foliage. From March to May it bears yellow Strawberry-like +flowers. Any soil suits it, and it may be increased by seed or +division. Height, 6 in. + +Wall-flower (_Cheiranthus_).--These favourite hardy perennials prefer +a rich, light, sandy soil, and a dry situation. The seed may be sown +where it is intended for them to bloom either in autumn or spring. +Thin out to 2 ft. apart. They may also be increased by shoots torn +from the stems of old plants. As well as flowering early in spring, +they often bloom in the autumn. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Walnuts.--The Nuts for raising young trees may be planted at any time +between October and the end of February, 3 in. deep and 1-1/2 ft. +apart. Train to a single stem 8 to 10 ft. high, removing all the side +branches as soon as they make an appearance. The following year they +may be planted in their permanent position, which should be high, +yet sheltered from frost. Two of the best tall-growing varieties are +Thin-shelled and Noyer à Bijou. The Dwarf Prolific makes a good bush +tree. + +Wand Plant.--_See_ "Galax." + +Wasps.--To destroy Wasps rinse a large bottle with spirits of +turpentine, and thrust the neck into the principal entrance to their +nest, stopping up all the other holes to prevent their escape. In +a few days the nest may be dug up. The fumes of the spirit first +stupefies and eventually destroys the insects. + +Water-cress.--Sow in prepared places, during spring, in sluggish +brooks and moist situations; or it may be grown on a shady border if +kept moist by frequent waterings. It may also be grown in a frame in +September from cuttings placed 6 in. apart, sprinkling them daily, but +keeping the frame closed for two or three weeks, then watering once a +week. Give all the air possible in fine weather, but cover the frame +with mats during frosts. It is best when grown quickly. + +Watsonia.--Plant the bulbs during January in sandy loam with a little +peat. They flower in April. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Weeds in Paths.--These may be destroyed by strong brine, applied when +hot. Or mix 1/2 lb. of oil of vitriol with 6 gallons of water, and +apply, taking care not to get the vitriol on the hands or clothes. + +Weigelia.--Free-flowering, hardy, deciduous shrubs, the flowers being +produced in profusion along the shoots in April, and varying in colour +from white to deep crimson. The plants will grow in any soil, and +require no special culture. All the varieties force well, and may be +increased by cuttings. Height, 6 ft. + +White Scale.--_See_ "Scale." + +Whitlavia.--A hardy annual, needing no special treatment. It may be +sown in autumn, and protected during winter in a frame, or it may be +raised in spring in the open ground, where it will bloom in June. +Height, 2 ft. + +Whortleberry.--_See_ "Vaccineum." + +Wigandia Caraccasana.--A stove deciduous shrub which thrives best in a +mixture of loam and peat. Cuttings in sand will strike if placed under +glass and in heat. It flowers in April. Height, 10 ft. + +Windflowers.--_See_ "Anemones." + +Winter Aconite (_Eranthis Hyemalis_).--This is one of the very first +of flowers to bloom, being in advance of the Snowdrop. In the bleakest +days of winter this little flower covers the ground with its gilt +spangles. Plant in early autumn. Any soil or situation suits it, but +it does best in a light mould and a moist, shady position, or under +trees. Most effective when planted in masses. The tubers may remain +permanently in the ground, or they may be lifted and divided in +summer, as soon as the foliage dies down. Flowers are produced from +December to February. + +Winter Cherry.--_See_ "Physalis." + +Winter Heliotrope.--_See_ "Tussilago." + +Wire-worms.--Before using mould for potting purposes it is advisable +to examine it carefully and pick out any Wire-worms that are in it. +For the border the best traps are small potatoes with a hole cut in +them, buried at intervals just beneath the surface of the soil. + +Wistaria.--This noble wall plant may be abundantly produced, as a long +layer will root at every joint. It will also grow from cuttings of the +plant and root. Though of slow growth at first, when well established +it is very free-growing and perfectly hardy. It may also be grown as a +small tree for the lawn or centres of large beds by keeping the long +twining shoots pinched in. + +Witch Hazel.--_See_ "Hamamelis." + +Withania Origanifolia (_Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley_).--A hardy climbing +plant, attaining a height of 20 or 30 ft. in a very short period. The +foliage is small, but very dense and of a dark green, the flowers +being white. It may be raised from seed, and when once established the +roots may remain undisturbed for any length of time, merely removing +the stems as soon as they are destroyed by frost. + +Wolf's Bane.--_See_ "Aconite." + +Wood, to Preserve.--In order to prevent wooden posts, piles, etc., +from rotting, dip the parts to be sunk in the earth in the following +composition:--Fine, hard sand, three hundred parts; powdered chalk, +forty parts; resin, fifty parts; linseed oil, four parts. Heat these +together in a boiler, then add red lead, one part; sulphuric acid, one +part. Mix well together, and use while hot. If too thick, more linseed +oil may be added. This composition when dry attains the consistency of +varnish, and becomes extremely hard. + +Wood Lily.--_See_ "Trillium." + +Woodruff.--_See_ "Asperula." + +Worms, to Destroy.--To each 5 lbs. of newly-slaked lime add 15 gallons +of water. Stir it well, let it settle, draw off the clear portion, and +with it water the surface of the lawn, etc. The Worms will come to the +top and may be swept up. Worms in pots may be brought to the top by +sprinkling a little dry mustard on the surface of the soil, and then +giving the plant a good watering. + +Wulfenia Carinthiaca.--A pretty and hardy perennial from the +Corinthian Alps, suitable alike for rock-work or the border, throwing +up spikes of blue flowers from May to July. During winter place it in +a frame, as it is liable to rot in the open. It needs a light, rich, +sandy soil and plenty of moisture when in growth. Cuttings will strike +in sand; it may also be propagated by seeds or division. Height, 1 ft. + + +X + + +Xeranthemum.--These charming everlasting annuals retain, in a dried +state, their form and colour for several years. They are of the +easiest culture, merely requiring to be sown in spring in light, rich +soil to produce flowers in July. Height, 2 ft. + +Xerophyllum Asphodeloides (_Turkey's Beard_).--A showy hardy perennial +with tufts of graceful, curving, slender foliage. From May to July, +when it bears spikes of white flowers, it is very handsome. It does +best in a peat border, and may be increased by well-ripened seed or by +division. Height, 1-1/2 ft. + +Xerotes.--Herbaceous plants, which thrive well in any light, rich +soil, and are readily increased by dividing the roots. They flower in +June. Height, 2 ft. + + +Y + + +Yew (_Taxus_).--For landscape gardening the old gold-striped (_Baccata +Aurea Variegata_) is most effective. The Japanese variety, T. +Adpressa, is a pleasing evergreen having dark green leaves and large +scarlet berries; it is very suitable for the front of large borders. +The Common Yew (_Baccata_) grows dense and bushy, and is excellent for +hedges. The dark green leaves of the Irish Yew (_Baccata Fastigiata_) +make a fine contrast with lighter foliage. Dovastonii is a fine +Weeping Yew with long dark green leaves and extra large red berries. +There are many other good sorts. The Yew likes shade and moisture, +but it is not very particular as to soil, loams and clays suiting it +admirably. + +Yucca.--This plant, popularly known as Adam's Needle thrives best in +dry, sandy loam. It is quite hardy, and does well on rock-work, to +which it imparts a tropical aspect, Yucca Recurva has fine drooping +leaves, and is suitable for vases, etc. It bears a white flower. +Yuccas are mostly evergreen shrubs, are very beautiful, and have the +habit of palm-trees. A light, rich soil suits them all. They are +increased by suckers from the root. They make handsome plants for +lawns, terraces, ornamental vases, the centre of beds, or sub-tropical +gardens, and bloom in September. Height, 2 ft. + + +Z + + +Zauschneria.--A Californian half-hardy perennial plant which bears +a profusion of scarlet tube-shaped flowers from June to October. It +grows freely in a sunny position in any dry, light, gravelly, rich +soil, and is increased by division of roots or by cuttings. Height, 1 +ft. + +Zea (_Indian Corn_).--This is best raised in a hotbed early in spring, +but it will germinate in ordinary soil in May. It requires a sunny +situation. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft. + +Zea Japonica Variegata (_Striped Japanese Maize_).--A fine half-hardy +annual ornamental grass, the foliage being striped green and white, +and growing to the height of 3 ft. The cultivation is the same as the +foregoing. + +Zephyranthes (_Swamp Lilies_).--Plant on a warm border in a rather +sandy, well-drained soil. Give protection in severe weather, and +supply with water during the growing season. Take up and divide every +second or third year. The flowers are produced in July. Height, 9 in. + +Zinnia.--A genus of very pretty annuals, well deserving of +cultivation. The seeds must be raised on a gentle hotbed in spring, +and planted out in June 1 ft. apart in the richest of loamy soil and +warmest and most sheltered position. Height 1 ft. to 11/2 ft. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Gardening for the Million, by Alfred Pink + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11892 *** |