diff options
Diffstat (limited to '11892-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 11892-h/11892-h.htm | 8549 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 11892-h/cover1.jpg | bin | 0 -> 35665 bytes |
2 files changed, 8549 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/11892-h/11892-h.htm b/11892-h/11892-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8127e61 --- /dev/null +++ b/11892-h/11892-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8549 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Gardening For The Million, by Alfred Pink + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times;} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; right: 100%; font-size: 8pt; justify: right;} /* page numbers */ + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + // --> + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Gardening for the Million, by Alfred Pink + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gardening for the Million + +Author: Alfred Pink + +Release Date: April 3, 2004 [EBook #11892] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDENING FOR THE MILLION *** + + + + +Produced by Dave Morgan, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>GARDENING FOR THE MILLION</h1> + +<h2><i>By</i> ALFRED PINK</h2> + +<h2>AUTHOR OF "RECIPES FOR THE MILLION."</h2> + +<h2>T. FISHER UNWIN</h2> + +<p style="text-align:center;"> +<img src="cover1.jpg" alt="cover"> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> + +<br> + +<p>PREFACE.</p> +<br> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>DULWICH.</p> + +<br> + +<p>GARDENING FOR THE MILLION</p> +<br> + +<p><b>A</b></p> + +<p><b>Aaron's Rod.</b>—<i>See</i> "Solidago."</p> + +<p><b>Abelia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Abies</b> <i>(Spruce Firs)</i>.—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 (<i>Abies Alba Glauca</i>) 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 (<i>A. Pygmea</i>) is the smallest of all firs, only +attaining the height of 1 ft. Any of these may be increased by cuttings.</p> + +<p><b>Abronia.</b>—Handsome half-hardy annual trailers. Grow in sandy peat +and multiply by root division. Flowers in April. Height, 4 in. to 6 in.</p> + +<p><b>Abutilon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acacia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acæna.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acantholimon Glumaceum</b> <i>(Prickly Thrift)</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acer</b> (<i>Maple</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Achillea Ptarmica</b> (<i>Sneezewort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Achimenes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aconite</b> (<i>Monk's-Hood or Wolf's-Bane</i>).—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. (<i>See also</i> "Winter +Aconites.")</p> + +<p><b>Acorus</b> (<i>Sweet Flag).</i>—A hardy bog plant, having an abundance of +light-coloured evergreen foliage. It will grow in any wet soil. Height, +2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Acroclinium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acrophyllum Verticillatum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Acrotis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Actaea Spicata</b> (<i>Bane Berry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Actinella Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Actinomeris Squarrosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Adam's Needle.</b>—<i>See</i> "Yucca."</p> + +<p><b>Adenandra Fragrans.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Adenophora Lilifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Adlumia Cirrhosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Adonis Flos.</b>—Showy crimson summer flowers, requiring only the +simplest treatment of hardy annuals. Sow in March or April in the open +border. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Adonis Pyrenaica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Adonis Vernalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Æthionema Cordifolium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Agapanthus</b> (<i>African Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ageratum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Agricultural Seeds.</b>—Required per statute acre.</p> + +<p>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"</p> + +<p><b>Agrostemma.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Agrostis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ajuga Reptans.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Akebia Quinata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Alchemilla Alpina</b> (<i>Lady's Mantle</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Allium Descendens.</b>—A hardy, bulbous perennial. Plant in October or +November in any garden soil, and the flowers will be borne in July. +Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Allium Neapolitanum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Allspice.</b>—<i>See</i> "Calycanthus" and "Chimonanthus."</p> + +<p><b>Alonsoa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aloysia Citriodora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Alsine Rosani.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Alstromeria</b> (<i>Peruvian Lilies</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Alternantheras.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Althea</b>—<i>See</i> "Hibiscus."</p> + +<p><b>Alyssum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Amaranthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Amaryllis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>The Belladonna (<i>Belladonna Lily</i>) should be planted in June in a +sheltered border in rich, well-drained soil.</p> + +<p>Formosissima (<i>the Scarlet Jacobean Lily</i>) 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.</p> + +<p>Lutea (<i>Sternbergia)</i> flowers in autumn. Plant 4 in. deep from October +to December.</p> + +<p>Purpurea (<i>Vallota Purpurea or Scarborough Lily</i>) 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.</p> + +<p><b>Ambrosia Mexicana.</b>—A hardy annual of the simplest culture. Sow the +seed in spring in any fine garden soil. Height, 1-1/2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>American Plants.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ammobium.</b>—Pretty hardy perennials which may be very easily raised +from seed on a sandy soil. Flower in June. Height, 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Ampelopsis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anagallis</b> (<i>Pimpernel</i>.)—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anchusa.</b>—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. +(<i>See also</i> "Bugloss.")</p> + +<p><b>Andromeda.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Androsace.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anemones.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anemonopsis Macrophylla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Angelonia Grandiflora Alba.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Annuals.</b>—Plants of this description arrive at maturity, bloom, +produce seed, and die in one season.</p> + +<p><i>Hardy</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><i>Half-Hardy.</i>—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.</p> + +<p><i>Tender</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anomatheca Cruenta.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Antennaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anthemis Tinctoria</b> (<i>Yellow Marguerites</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anthericum Liliago</b> (<i>St. Bernard's Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anthericum Liliastrum</b> <i>(St. Bruno's Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anthoxanthum Gracila.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Anthyllis Montana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Antirrhinum</b> (<i>Snapdragon</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ants in Gardens.</b>--- 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.</p> + +<p><b>Aotus Gracillima.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aphides</b>, 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.</p> + +<p><b>Apios Tuberosa</b> (<i>Glycine Apios</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aponogeton.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aquatics."</p> + +<p><b>Apples.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Apricots.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aquatics.</b>—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 (<i>Nymphaea Alba</i>) in deep water with +muddy bottom; Yellow Water Lily (<i>Nuphar Lutea</i>); 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 (<i>Myosotis Palustris</i>) +flourish on the edges of ponds or rivers. The Water Hawthorn +(<i>Aponogetou Distachyon</i>) 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 (<i>Butomus Umbellatus</i>), 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.</p> + +<p><b>Aquilegia</b> (<i>Columbine</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arabis Alpina</b> (<i>Rock Cress, or Snow in Summer</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aralia</b> (<i>Fatsia Japonica</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aralia Sieboldi</b> (<i>Fig Palm</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aralia Sinensis.</b> <i>See</i> "Dimorphantus."</p> + +<p><b>Araucaria Imbricata</b> (<i>The Monkey Puzzle, or Chilian Pine</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arbor Vitae.</b> <i>See</i> "Thuya."</p> + +<p><b>Arbutus</b> (<i>Strawberry Tree</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arctostaphylos.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arctotis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arctotis Grandis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ardisia Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arenaria Balearica</b> (<i>Sand Wort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Argemone.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aristolochia Sipho</b> (<i>Dutchman's Pipe</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Armeria</b> (<i>Thrift</i>).—Handsome hardy perennials for rock-work or +pots. They require an open, rich, sandy soil. Bloom June to September. +Height, 1-1/2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Arnebia.</b>—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 (<i>A. +Echioides</i>) known as the Prophet's Flower, growing about 1 ft. high, and +flowering early in summer. It needs no special treatment.</p> + +<p><b>Artemisia Annua.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Artemisia Arborea.</b> <i>See</i> "Southernwood."</p> + +<p><b>Artemisia Villarsii.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Artichokes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arum Lilies.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Arums.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Calla.")</p> + +<p><b>Asarum Europaeum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asclepias</b> (<i>Swallow-Wort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asparagus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asparagus Plumosus Nanus</b> is a greenhouse variety, bearing fern-like +foliage. The seeds should be sown in slight heat early in spring.</p> + +<p><b>Asparagus Sprengeri.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asperula</b> (<i>Woodruff</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asphalte Paths.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asphodelus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aspidistra.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Asters.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Astilbe.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Astragalus Alpinus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Astragalus Hypoglottis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Astragalus Lotoides.</b>—This pretty little trailer is of the same +height as A. Hypoglottis, and merely requires the same treatment. It +flowers in August.</p> + +<p><b>Astrantia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Atragene Austriaca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Atriplex.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aubergine.</b>—<i>See</i> "Egg-Plant."</p> + +<p><b>Aubrietia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Aucuba.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Auricula.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Avena Sterilis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Azaleas</b> (<i>Greenhouse</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Azara Microphylla</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>B</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Babianas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bahia Lanata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bahia Trolliifolia.</b>—This hardy herbaceous perennial will grow in +any kind of soil. It flowers in August, and can be increased by +division. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Balsams.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bambusa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Baneberry.</b>—<i>See</i> "Actæa."</p> + +<p><b>Baptisia Australis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Barbarea.</b>—<i>See</i> "Rocket."</p> + +<p><b>Barberries.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bartonia aurea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bay, Sweet</b> <i>(Laurus Nobilis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Beans, Broad.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Beans, French.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Beans, Runner.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Beet.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Begonias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Belladonna Lily.</b>—<i>See</i> "Amaryllis."</p> + +<p><b>Bellis Perennis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Daisies."</p> + +<p><b>Benthamia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Berberidopsis Corallina.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bergamot</b> <i>(Monardia Didyma</i>).—This hardy perennial will grow +almost anywhere, and may be increased by seed or by division of the +root. It flowers in <i>July</i>. Height, 4 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Beta Cicla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Betonica.</b>—<i>See</i> "Stachys."</p> + +<p><b>Biennials.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bignonia</b> <i>(Trumpet Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Biota.</b>—<i>See</i> "Thuya."</p> + +<p><b>Bird Cherry.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cerasus."</p> + +<p><b>Blackberries.</b>—To obtain good crops plant in a poor, dry soil on +raised banks facing south. The bushes should be planted 6 ft. apart.</p> + +<p><b>Bladder Nut.</b>—<i>See</i> "Staphylea."</p> + +<p><b>Blanket Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Gaillardia."</p> + +<p><b>Bleeding Heart.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dielytra."</p> + +<p><b>Bocconia Cordata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bog or Marsh Land.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Boltonia Asteroides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bomarea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Borago Laxiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Borecole, Kale, or Curled Greens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Boronias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bougainvillea.</b>—A greenhouse evergreen climber, thriving best in a +loamy soil. It flowers in June, and may be increased by cuttings. +Height, 15 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Bousingaultia Basselloides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bouvardias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Box Edging.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Buxus.")</p> + +<p><b>Brachycome</b> (<i>Swan River Daisy</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bravoa Geminiflora</b> (<i>Twin Flower</i>).—This hardy bulbous plant bears +lovely racemes of coral-coloured flowers in July. A rich loam suits it +best. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Briza</b> (<i>Quaking Grass</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Broccoli.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Brodiaea Coccinea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Broom.</b>—Hardy shrubs thriving in almost any soil. Cuttings will +strike if planted in sand under glass. (<i>See also</i> "Genista" <i>and</i> +"Spartium.")</p> + +<p><b>Broussonetia Papyrifera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Browallia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Brussels Sprouts.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bryanthus Erectus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Budding.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Buddlea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bugloss</b> (<i>Anchusa</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bulbocodium Trigynum</b> (<i>Colchicum Caucasium</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Bulbocodium Vernum</b> (<i>Spring Saffron</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Buphthalmum Salicifolium</b> (<i>Deep Golden-yellow Marguerite</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Burning Bush.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dictamnus" <i>and</i> "Fraxinella."</p> + +<p><b>Buxus</b> (<i>Tree Box</i>).—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.</p> +<br> +<p><b>C</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cabbage.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>Coleworts may be sown in June, July, and August for succession, placing +them about a foot apart, and cutting before they heart.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Couve Tronchuda, known also as Braganza Marrow and Portugal Cabbage, +should be sown in March, April, and May for succession.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Red Dutch is used almost solely for pickling. Its cultivation is +precisely the same as the white varieties.</p> + +<p><b>Cacalia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cactus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Caladiums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calamintha Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calampelis.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Eccremocarpus.")</p> + +<p><b>Calandrinia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calceolaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calendula</b> (<i>Marigolds</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Californian Plants.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Callichroa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calliopsis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Coreopsis."</p> + +<p><b>Callirhoe</b> (<i>Digitata</i>).—Hardy annuals demanding but little +attention. The seed is sown in the open in March. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Calochortus Luteus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Caltha.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calthus Palustris Flore-Pleno</b> (<i>Double Marsh Marigold</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Calycanthus Floridus</b> (<i>Allspice</i>).—This shrub likes an open loamy +soil; flowers in July, and is propagated by layers. Height, 6 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Calystegia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Camassia Esculenta.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Camellias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Campanula.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Canary Creeper</b> (<i>Tropaeolum Canariense</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Candytuft</b> (<i>Iberis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Canna</b> (<i>Indian Shot or Hemp</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cannabis Gigantea</b> (<i>Giant Hemp</i>).—This half-hardy Hemp is grown +for its ornamental foliage, and is treated as above described. Height, 6 +ft.</p> + +<p><b>Canterbury Bells.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cape Primroses.</b>—<i>See</i> "Streptocarpus."</p> + +<p><b>Caprifolium.</b>—<i>See</i> "Honeysuckle."</p> + +<p><b>Capsicum.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cardamine Pratensis</b> (<i>Cuckoo Flower, or Milkmaid</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cardamine Trifolia.</b>—A hardy herbaceous plant; will grow in any +soil, flowers in May, and is easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Cardoons.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Carduus</b> (<i>Milk Thistle</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Carex Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Carlina.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Carnations.</b>—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 <i>layers</i> 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 <i>pipings</i>. 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.</p> + +<p><b>Carnation Margaritae.</b>—May be sown in heat during February or +March, pricked out when strong enough, and planted in the open in May or +June.</p> + +<p><b>Carpenteria Californica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Carrots.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cassia Corymbosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Castor Oil Plants.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ricinus."</p> + +<p><b>Catananche.</b>—Pretty hardy biennials that will grow in almost any +soil, and may be increased by seed or division. They bloom in August. +Height, 2½ ft. to 3 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Catchfly.</b>—<i>See</i> "Silene."</p> + +<p><b>Cathcartia Villosa.</b>—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, 1½ +ft.</p> + +<p><b>Cauliflowers.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ceanothus.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cedronella.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cedrus Deodora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Celery.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Celosia</b> (<i>Feathered Cockscomb</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Centaurea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Centauridium Drummondi.</b>—A blue hardy annual which may be sown in +the open in spring.</p> + +<p><b>Centranthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cephalaria</b> (<i>Yellow Scabious</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cephalotaxus</b> (<i>Podocarpus Koraiana</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cerastium Biebersteini.</b>—A hardy trailing perennial which will grow +in any light soil, and may be increased by suckers. It flowers in June. +Height, 6 in.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cerasus Padus</b> (<i>Bird Cherry</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cerinthe.</b>—Hardy annuals, suitable for any ordinary soil, and +needing merely ordinary treatment. A grand plant for bees. Height, 1 ft.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Cestrums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chamaepeuce.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chamaerops</b> (<i>Chusan Palm</i>).—Fine greenhouse plants, delighting in +a rich, loamy soil. Height, 10 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Cheiranthus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Wallflower."</p> + +<p><b>Chelidonium.</b>—This hardy perennial will flourish in any garden +soil; flowers in May, and may be increased by division. Height, 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Chelone.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cherries.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cherry</b> (<i>Cornelian</i>).—<i>See</i> "Cornus Mas."</p> + +<p><b>Cherry Pie.</b>—<i>See</i> "Heliotrope."</p> + +<p><b>Chervil.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chestnuts.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chicory.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chilli.</b>—Same treatment as Capsicum.</p> + +<p><b>Chimonanthus Fragrans</b> (<i>Japan Allspice</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chinese Sacred Narcissus</b> (<i>Oriental Lily, Joss Flower, or Flower of +the Gods, the Chinese emblem of good luck</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chionanthus Virginica</b> (<i>Fringe Tree</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chionodoxa Luciliae</b> (<i>Glory of the Snow</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Choisya Ternata</b> (<i>Mexican Orange</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chorozemas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Christmas Rose.</b>—<i>See</i> "Helleborus."</p> + +<p><b>Chrysanthemum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Chrysogonum Virginianum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cichorium Intybus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cimcifuga.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cinerarias.</b>—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 <i>always</i> 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.</p> + +<p><b>Cinnamon Plant.</b>—This is a stove or greenhouse plant, and requires +a loam and peat soil. Cuttings of the ripe wood strike freely.</p> + +<p><b>Cissus Orientalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cistus</b> (<i>Rock Rose</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Citrus Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cladanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clarkia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Claytonia Sibirica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clematis</b> (<i>Virgin's Bower</i>).—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. (<i>See also</i> +"Traveller's Joy.")</p> + +<p><b>Cleome.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clethra Alnifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clianthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clintonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clitoria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Clivias</b> (<i>Caffre Lilies</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cobæa Scandens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cob Nuts.</b>—<i>See</i> "Filberts."</p> + +<p><b>Cockscomb.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Celosia.")</p> + +<p><b>Codonopsis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Coix Lachryma</b> (<i>Job's Tears</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Colchicum</b> (<i>Autumn-Flowering Crocus</i>).—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. (<i>See also</i> "Bulbocodium.")</p> + +<p><b>Coleus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Colletia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Collinsia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Collomia.</b>—Hardy annuals, possessing little beauty. Treat as +Collinsia. Flower in July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Colt's-foot.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Columbine.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aquilegia."</p> + +<p><b>Colutea Arborescens</b> (<i>Bladder Senna</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Commelina Sellowina</b> (<i>Blue Spider Wort, or Day Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Commelina Tuberosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Compost Heap.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Comptonia Asplenifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cone Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Echinacea."</p> + +<p><b>Conifers.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Convallaria Prolificans.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Convolvulus</b> (<i>Morning Glory</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Coral Plant.</b>—<i>See</i> "Erythrina."</p> + +<p><b>Corchorus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Kerria."</p> + +<p><b>Cordyline.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Coreopsis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cornel.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cornus."</p> + +<p><b>Cornflower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cyanus."</p> + +<p><b>Corn Salad</b> (<i>Lamb's Lettuce</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cornus Canadensis</b> (<i>Canadian Cornel</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cornus Mas</b> (<i>Cornelian Cherry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Coronilla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Coronilla Iberica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Correa Cardinalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cortusa Matthioli.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Corydalis</b> (<i>Fumitory</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cosmea Bipinnata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cosmos.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cotoneaster.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cotyledon Chrysantha</b> (<i>Umbilicus).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cowslips.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cowslips, Cape.</b>—<i>See</i> "Lachenalia."</p> + +<p><b>Crambe Cordifolia</b> (<i>Tournefort, or Sea Cabbage</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Crane's Bill.</b>—<i>See</i> "Geranium Argentium."</p> + +<p><b>Crataegus Pyracantha</b> (<i>Fire Thorn</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Creeping Jenny.</b>—<i>See</i> "Lysimachia Nummularia."</p> + +<p><b>Crepis</b> (<i>Hawkweed</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cress.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Crocus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><i>Indoor Culture</i>.—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. (<i>See also</i> "Colchicum.")</p> + +<p><b>Crotons.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Crowea Saligna.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Crown Imperials.</b>—<i>See</i> "Fritillarias."</p> + +<p><b>Crucianella Stylosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cuckoo Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cardamine."</p> + +<p><b>Cucumbers.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cunila Mariana</b> (<i>Dittany</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cuphea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Currants.</b>—<i>Black.</i>—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.</p> + +<p><i>Red and White.</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Currants, Flowering.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ribes."</p> + +<p><b>Cyanthus Lobatus</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cyanus</b>(<i>Cornflower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cyclamen.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cydonia</b> (<i>Pyrus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cyperius Alternifolius.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cypress</b> (<i>Cupressus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cypripedium</b> (<i>Hardy Ladies' Slipper Orchid</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Cytisus.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>D</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Daffodils.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dahlias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Daisies</b> (<i>Bellis Perennis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dandelions.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Daphne.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Datura.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Day Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Commelina."</p> + +<p><b>Day Lily.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hemerocallis."</p> + +<p><b>Delphinium</b> (<i>Larkspur</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dentaria Digitata</b> (<i>Toothwort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Desfontania Spinosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Desmodium Canadense.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Desmodium Pendulaeflorum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Deutzia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Devil-in-a-Bush.</b>—<i>See</i> "Nigella."</p> + +<p><b>Dianthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dictamnus</b> (<i>Burning Bush</i>).—<i>See</i> "Fraxinella."</p> + +<p><b>Dielytra Spectabilis</b> (<i>Venus's Car, Bleeding Heart, or Lyre +Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Digitalis</b> (<i>Foxglove</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Digitata.</b>—<i>See</i> "Callirhoe."</p> + +<p><b>Dimorphantus</b> <i>(Aralia Sinensis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dimorphotheca Ecklonis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Diphylleia Cymosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Diplacus Glutinosus</b> <i>(Hard-wooded Mimulus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Diplopappus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Disbudding</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Disemma.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dittany.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cunila."</p> + +<p><b>Docks, to Kill.</b>—Cut the weeds down to the ground, and run a skewer +dipped in vitriol through the roots.</p> + +<p><b>Dodecatheon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dog's-Tooth Violets.</b>—<i>See</i> "Violets."</p> + +<p><b>Dolichos Lablab.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dondia Epipactis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Doronicum</b> (<i>Leopards Bane</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Draba.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dracaena Indivisa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dracocephalum</b> (<i>Dragon's Head</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dracophyllum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dragon's Head.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dracocephalum."</p> + +<p><b>Dryas Octopetala</b> (<i>Mountain Avens</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Dutchman's Pipe</b>—<i>See</i> "Aristolochia."</p> +<br> + +<p><b>E</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Earwigs, to Trap.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eccremocarpus</b> (<i>Calampelis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Echeveria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Echinacea Purpurea</b> (<i>Purple Cone Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Echinops</b> (<i>Globe Thistle</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Echium Creticum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Edelweiss.</b>—<i>See</i> "Gnaphalium."</p> + +<p><b>Edraianthus Dalmaticus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Egg-Plant</b> (<i>Aubergine</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eggs of Insects, to Destroy.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eichhornia Crassipes Major.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Elder.</b>—<i>See</i> "Sambucus."</p> + +<p><b>Eleagnus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Elsholtzia Cristata.</b>—Hardy annuals of great value where there are +bees, the flowers being very sweet. Sow in the open in spring. Height, 1 +ft.</p> + +<p><b>Empetrum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Endive.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Epacris.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Epigaea Repens</b> (<i>Creeping Laurel</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Epilobium Angustifolium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Epimedium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eragrostis Elegans</b> (<i>Love Grass</i>).—One of the best of our hardy, +annual, ornamental grasses. Sown in March, it will reach perfection in +August or September. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Eranthis Hyemalis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Winter Aconite."</p> + +<p><b>Eremurus Robustus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ericas</b> (<i>Heaths</i>).—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. (<i>See</i> "Heaths, Greenhouse.")</p> + +<p><b>Erigeron.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Erinus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eriogonum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eriostemon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Erodium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eryngium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Erysimum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Erythrina Crista Galli</b> (<i>Coral Plant</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Erythronium Dens-Canis</b> <i>(Dog's Tooth Violets</i>).—<i>See</i> "Violets."</p> + +<p><b>Escallonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eschscholtzia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eucalyptus Citriodora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eucalyptus Globulus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eucharidium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eucomis Punctata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eucryphia Pinnatifida.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eugenia Ugni.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eulalia Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Euonymus Radicans Variegata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eupatorium Odoratum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Euphorbia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eurya Latifolia Variegata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eurybia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eutaxia Myrtifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Eutoca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Evening Primrose.</b>—<i>See</i> "Oenothera."</p> + +<p><b>Everlasting Peas.</b>—<i>See</i> "Peas, Everlasting."</p> +<br> + +<p><b>F</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Fabacea.</b>—<i>See</i> "Thermopsis."</p> + +<p><b>Fatsia Japonica.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aralia."</p> + +<p><b>Feather Grass.</b>—<i>See</i> "Stipa Pennata."</p> + +<p><b>Fennel.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Ferula.")</p> + +<p><b>Fenzlia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ferns.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ferns from Seed.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ferraria.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tigridia."</p> + +<p><b>Ferula</b> (<i>Giant Fennel</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Festuca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Feverfew.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ficaria Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ficus Elastica</b> (<i>India-rubber Plant</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fig Palm.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aralia."</p> + +<p><b>Figs.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Filberts and Cob Nuts.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fire Thorn.</b>—<i>See</i> "Crataegus."</p> + +<p><b>Flea Bane.</b>—<i>See</i> "Inula" <i>and</i> "Stenactis."</p> + +<p><b>Flower-Pots, Sizes of.</b>—Various practices prevail at different +potteries, but the appended names and sizes are generally adopted. In +every case the inside measurement is taken. + +<span style="margin-left: 17em;">Inches Inches</span><br> +SIZES. across Top. Deep.<br> +<br> +Thimbles 2 2<br> +Thumbs 2-1/2 2-1/2<br> +Sixties (60's) 3 3-1/2<br> +Fifty-fours (54's) 4 4<br> +Forty-eights (48's) 4-1/2 5<br> +Thirty-twos (32's) 6 6<br> +Twenty-fours (24's) 8-1/2 8<br> +Sixteens (16's) 9-1/2 9<br> +Twelves (12's) 11-1/2 10<br> +Eights (8's) 12 11<br> +Sixes (6's) 13 11<br> +Fours (4's) 15 13<br> +Threes (3's) 17 13<br> +Twos (2's) 18 14<br> + +<p><b>Foam Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tiarella."</p> + +<p><b>Fontanesia Phillyraeoides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Forget-me-not.</b>—<i>See</i> "Myosotis."</p> + +<p><b>Forsythia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Foxglove.</b>—<i>See</i> "Digitalis."</p> + +<p><b>Fragaria Indica</b> (<i>Ornamental Strawberry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Francoa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fraxinella</b> (<i>Dictamnus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Freesia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fremontia Californica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fringe Tree.</b>—<i>See</i> "Chionanthus."</p> + +<p><b>Fritillarias</b> (<i>Crown Imperials, or Snake's Head Lilies</i>).—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Fruit Trees, the Pruning of.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fuchsias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Fumitory.</b>—<i>See</i> "Corydalis."</p> + +<p><b>Funkia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Furze.</b>—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. (<i>See +also</i> "Ulex.")</p> +<br> + +<p><b>G</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Gages.</b>—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).</p> + +<p><b>Gaillardia</b> (<i>Blanket Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Galanthus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Snowdrops."</p> + +<p><b>Galax Aphylla</b> (<i>Wand Plant</i>).—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. (<i>See also</i> "Shortia.")</p> + +<p><b>Galega</b> (<i>Goats Rue</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Galium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gardenias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Garlic.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Garrya Elliptica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gasteria Verrucosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gastrolobium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gaultheria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gaura Lindheimeri.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gazania Splendens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Genethyllis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Genista</b> (<i>Broom</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gentians.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Geranium Argentium</b>(<i>Silvery Crane's-Bill</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Geraniums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gerardia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>German Seeds.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gesneria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Geum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gherkins.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gilia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gillenia Trifoliata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Glaucium Flavum Tricolor</b> (<i>Hardy Horn Poppy</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Glaux Maritima</b> (<i>Sea Milkweed</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Globe Amaranthus</b> (<i>Gomphrena</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Globe Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Trollius."</p> + +<p><b>Globe Thistle.</b>—<i>See</i> "Echinops."</p> + +<p><b>Globularia Trichosantha.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Glory of the Snow.</b>—<i>See</i> "Chionodoxa."</p> + +<p><b>Gloxinias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Glycine.</b>—<i>See</i> "Wistaria" <i>and</i> "Apios."</p> + +<p><b>Gnaphalium</b> <i>(Edelweiss</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Goat's Rue.</b>—<i>See</i> "Galega."</p> + +<p><b>Godetia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Golden Feather.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Golden Rod.</b>—<i>See</i> "Solidago."</p> + +<p><b>Gompholobium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gomphrena.</b>—<i>See</i> "Globe Amaranthus."</p> + +<p><b>Gooseberries.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gooseberry Caterpillar.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gorse.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ulex."</p> + +<p><b>Gourds.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Grafting.</b>—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:—</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Side Grafting is useful where it is desired to replenish the tree with a +fresh branch. A <b>T</b>-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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Grafting Wax</b> (<i>Cobbetts</i>), <b>etc.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Grapes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 (<i>see</i> "Pruning"). Mrs. +Pearson is a very fine variety, and produces very sweet berries; the +Frontignan Grizzly Black and White are also delicious.</p> + +<p><b>Grasses, Natural</b>—</p> + +<p><i>AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA</i> (<i>Creeping Bent Grass</i>).—Useful for damp +meadows.</p> + +<p><i>ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS</i> (<i>Meadow Foxtail</i>).—Strong-growing and very +nutritious.</p> + +<p><i>ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM</i> (<i>True Sweet Vernal</i>),—Hardy and gives +fragrance to hay.</p> + +<p><i>AVENA FLAVESCENS</i> (<i>Yellow Oat Grass</i>).—Fine for sheep; grows freely +on light soils.</p> + +<p><i>CYNOSURUS CRISTATUS</i> (<i>Crested Dogstail</i>).—Suitable for any soil.</p> + +<p><i>DACTYLIS GLOMERATA</i> (<i>Cocksfoot</i>).—Strong and coarse-growing; cattle +are fond of it.</p> + +<p><i>FESTUCA DURIUSCULA</i> (<i>Hard Fescue</i>).—Dwarf-growing; excellent for +sheep.</p> + +<p><i>FESTUCA ELATIOR</i> (<i>Tall Fescue</i>).—Useful for cold, strong soils.</p> + +<p><i>FESTUCA OVINA</i> (<i>Sheep's Fescue</i>).—Fine for dry, sandy soils.</p> + +<p><i>FESTUCA OVINA TENUIFOLIA</i> (<i>Slender Fescue</i>).—Suitable for mountain +pastures.</p> + +<p><i>FESTUCA PRATENSIS</i> (<i>Meadow Fescue</i>).—Good permanent grass for rich, +moist soil.</p> + +<p><i>PHLEUM PRATENSE</i> (<i>Timothy, or Catstail</i>).—Suitable for strong soils; +nutritious and hardy.</p> + +<p><i>POA NEMORALIS</i> (<i>Wood Meadow Grass</i>).—Good for poor soils.</p> + +<p><i>POA PRATENSIS</i> (<i>Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass</i>).—Grows well on light, +dry soil, and also in water-meadows.</p> + +<p><i>POA TRIVIALIS</i> (<i>Rough-stalked Meadow Grass</i>).—Fine for damp soil.</p> + +<p><b>Grasses, Ornamental.</b>—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:—</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Gratiola Officinalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Green Fly.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Grevillea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Griselinia Littoralis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Guelder Rose.</b>—<i>See</i> "Viburnum."</p> + +<p><b>Guernsey Lily</b> (<i>Nerine Sarniense</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gumming of Trees.</b>—Scrape the gum off, wash the place thoroughly +with clear water, and apply a compost of horse-dung, clay, and tar.</p> + +<p><b>Gunnera Manicata</b> (<i>Chilian Rhubarb</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gunnera Scabra.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gynerium</b> (<i>Pampas Grass</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Gypsophila.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>H</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Habrothamnus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Halesia Tetraptera</b> (<i>Snowdrop Tree</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hamamelis</b> (<i>Witch Hazel</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Harpalium Rigidum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hawkweed.</b>—<i>See</i> "Crepis" <i>and</i> "Hieracium."</p> + +<p><b>Heartsease.</b>—<i>See</i> "Pansies."</p> + +<p><b>Heaths, Greenhouse.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Ericas.")</p> + +<p><b>Hedera.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ivy."</p> + +<p><b>Hedychium Gardnerianum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hedysarum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Heleniums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Helianthemum Alpinum</b> (<i>Rock Roses</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Helianthus</b> (<i>Sunflowers</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Helichrysum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Heliophila.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Heliopsis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Heliotrope.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Helipterium.</b>—A half-hardy annual, bearing everlasting flowers. It +should receive the same treatment as Helichrysum. Blooms in May or June. +Height, 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Helleborus</b> (<i>Christmas Rose</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Helonias Bullata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hemerocallis</b> (<i>Day Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hemp.</b>—<i>See</i> "Canna" <i>and</i> "Cannabis."</p> + +<p><b>Hepatica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Heracleum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Herbs.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Herbs, the Uses of Sweet and Pot.</b>—</p> + +<p><i>ANGELICA</i>.—A biennial. Leaves and stalks are eaten raw or boiled; the +seeds are aromatic, and used to flavour spirits.</p> + +<p><i>ANISE</i>.—Leaves used for garnishing, and for seasoning, like fennel; +the seeds are medicinal.</p> + +<p><i>BALM</i>.—A hardy perennial. Makes a useful tea and wine for fevers.</p> + +<p><i>BASIL</i>, <b>Sweet and Bush.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><i>BORAGE</i>.—Hardy annual. Used for salads and garnishing, and as an +ingredient in cool drinks; excellent also for bees.</p> + +<p><i>CHAMOMILE</i>.—A hardy perennial. Flowers used medicinally.</p> + +<p><i>CARAWAY</i>.—A biennial. Leaves used in soups, and the seeds in +confectionery and medicine.</p> + +<p><i>CHERVIL</i>.—An annual. Useful for salads.</p> + +<p><i>CHIVES</i>.—Hardy perennial. The young tops used to flavour soups, etc.</p> + +<p><i>CORIANDER</i>.—A hardy annual. Cultivated for garnishing.</p> + +<p><i>DILL</i>.—A hardy perennial. Leaves used in soups and sauces, also in +pickles.</p> + +<p><i>FENNEL</i>.—Hardy perennial. Used in salads and in fish sauce, also for +garnishing dishes.</p> + +<p><i>HOREHOUND</i>.—Hardy perennial. Leaves and young shoots used for making a +beverage for coughs.</p> + +<p><i>HYSSOP</i>.—Hardy evergreen shrub. Leaves and young shoots used for +making tea; also as a pot herb.</p> + +<p><i>LAVENDER</i>.—Hardy perennial. Cultivated for its flowers, for the +distillation of lavender water, for flavouring sauces, and for medicinal +purposes.</p> + +<p><i>MARIGOLD</i>, <b>Pot.</b>—Hardy annual. Flowers used in soups.</p> + +<p><i>MARJORAM</i>, <b>Sweet or Knotted, and Pot.</b>—Hardy annuals. Aromatic and +sweet flavour. Used for stuffings and as a pot herb; leaves dried for +winter use.</p> + +<p><i>RAMPION</i>.—Hardy perennial. Roots used as a radish; they have a nutty +flavour.</p> + +<p><i>ROSEMARY</i>.—Hardy ornamental shrub. Sprigs used for garnishing and the +leaves in drink.</p> + +<p><i>RUE</i>.—Hardy evergreen shrub. Leaves used for medicinal drinks; useful +for poultry with croup.</p> + +<p><i>SAGE</i>.—Hardy perennial. Decoction of leaves drank as tea; used also +for stuffing, meats, and sauces.</p> + +<p><i>SAVORY</i>, <b>Summer.</b>—Hardy annual. Used for flavouring soups and +salads.</p> + +<p><i>SAVORY</i>, <b>Winter.</b>—Hardy evergreen shrub. Its aromatic flavour +makes it valuable as a pot herb.</p> + +<p><i>SCURVY GRASS</i>.—The small leaves are eaten as watercress.</p> + +<p><i>SKIRRET</i>.—Hardy perennial. Sweet, white, and pleasant; the tubers are +boiled and served up with butter.</p> + +<p><i>SORREL</i>, <b>Broad-Leaved.</b>—Hardy perennial. Imparts an acid flavour +to salads and soups.</p> + +<p><i>THYME</i>, <b>Broad-Leaved.</b>—Hardy perennial. Young leaves and tops used +for stuffing, also in soups and sauces.</p> + +<p><i>TARRAGON</i>.—Hardy perennial. For flavouring vinegar; also used in +salads, soups, and pickles.</p> + +<p><i>WORMWOOD</i>.—A hardy shrub. Beneficial to horses and poultry, and is +used for medical purposes.</p> + +<p><b>Herniaria Glabra.</b>—These dwarf carpeting plants are of easy +culture. Grow from seed in spring and transplant into sandy soil. +Height, 1-1/2 in.</p> + +<p><b>Hesperis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Rocket."</p> + +<p><b>Heuchera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hibbertia Dentata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hibiscus Africanus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hibiscus Syriacus</b> (<i>Rose of Sharon</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hieracium</b> (<i>Hawkweed</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hippeastrums.</b>—<i>See</i> "Amaryllis."</p> + +<p><b>Hippocrepis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hippophae.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Holboellia Latifolia.</b>—<i>See</i> "Stauntonia Latifolia."</p> + +<p><b>Holly</b> (<i>Ilex</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hollyhock.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Homerias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Homogyne Alpina.</b>—Hardy herbaceous plants flowering in April. Any +soil is suitable for them, and they may be increased by division. +Height, 6 in.</p> + +<p><b>Honesty</b> (<i>Lunaria</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Honeysuckles.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hop.</b>—A useful hardy climber for covering verandahs, summer-houses, +etc. Plant in rich, loamy soil, and increase by dividing the roots. +(<i>See also</i> "Humulus Japonicus.")</p> + +<p><b>Hordeum Jubatum</b> (<i>Squirrel-tail Grass)</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><b>Horminum Pyrenaicum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Horn Poppy.</b>—<i>See</i> "Glaucium."</p> + +<p><b>Horseradish.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hotbeds, to Make.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Houseleek.</b>—<i>See</i> "Sempervivum."</p> + +<p><b>Houstonia Coerulea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hovea Celsi.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Humea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Humulus Japonicus.</b>—(<i>Japanese Hop</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hutchinsia Alpina.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hyacinths.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Hyacinthus</b> (<i>Muscari</i>).—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:—<i>BOTRYOIDES</i> (<i>Grape +Hyacinth</i>).—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 <i>Alba</i>, or white, variety is +also sweet-scented.</p> + +<p><b>Hyacinthus</b>—<i>continued</i>.</p> + +<p><i>CANDICANS</i> (<i>Galtonia</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><i>MOSCHATUS</i> (<i>Musk Hyacinth</i>).—Bears very fragrant purplish flowers.</p> + +<p><i>PLVMOSUM</i> (<i>Feather Hyacinth</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><i>RACEMOSUM</i> (<i>Starch Hyacinth</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hydrangea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hymenanthera Crassifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hymenoxys.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Hypericum</b> (<i>St. John's Wort</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>I</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Iberis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Candytuft."</p> + +<p><b>Ice Plants.</b>—<i>See</i> "Mesembryanthemum."</p> + +<p><b>Ilex.</b>—<i>See</i> "Holly."</p> + +<p><b>Impatiens Sultani.</b>—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Incarvilleas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Indian Corn.</b>—<i>See</i> "Zea."</p> + +<p><b>Indian Shot.</b>—<i>See</i> "Canna."</p> + +<p><b>India-rubber Plants.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ficus."</p> + +<p><b>Indigofera.</b>—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, 2½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Insects on Plants.</b>—To destroy insects on plants wash the plant +with Tobacco-Water (<i>which see</i>). 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.</p> + +<p><b>Inula Royleana</b> (<i>Fleabane</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ionopsidium.</b>—These hardy annuals grow freely in any rich, damp +soil; a shady position is indispensable. Height, 1/8 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Ipomoea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ipomopsis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Iresines.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Iris.</b>—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 (<i>Pardanthus Chinensis</i>)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.</p> + +<p><b>Isopyrums</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ivy</b> (<i>Hedera</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ixias.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>J</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Jacobaea</b> (<i>Ragwort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Jacob's Ladder.</b>—<i>See</i> "Polemonium."</p> + +<p><b>Jasione Perennis</b> (<i>Sheep Scabious</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Jasminum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Job's Tears.</b>—<i>See</i> "Coix Lachryma."</p> + +<p><b>Jonquils.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Joss Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Chinese Sacred Narcissus."</p> + +<p><b>Juniper</b> (<i>Juniperus</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>K</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Kadsura Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kale.</b>—<i>See</i> "Borecole."</p> + +<p><b>Kalmia Latifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kalosanthes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kaulfussia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kennedya Marryattæ.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kerria</b> (<i>Corchorus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Koelreuteria Paniculata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Kohl Rabi</b> (<i>Turnip-rooted Cabbage</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>L</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Lachenalia.</b> (<i>Cape Cowslips</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lactuca Sonchifolia.</b> (<i>Sow Thistle-Leaved Lettuce</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ladies' Slipper Orchid.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cypripedium."</p> + +<p><b>Lady's Mantle.</b>—<i>See</i> "Alchemilla."</p> + +<p><b>Lagurus Ovatus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lallemantia Canescens.</b>—Bees are very fond of this blue hardy +annual, which may readily be grown from seed sown in the spring. Height, +1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Lamium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lantana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lapageria Rosea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lardizabala Biternata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Larkspur.</b>—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, <i>see</i> "Delphinium."</p> + +<p><b>Lasiandra.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lasthenia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lathyrus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Laurel.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Epigaea.") All Laurels may be +propagated by cuttings and by layers, the latter being the plan usually +adopted.</p> + +<p><b>Laurestinus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Viburnum Tinus."</p> + +<p><b>Laurus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Bay, Sweet."</p> + +<p><b>Lavatera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lavender</b> (<i>Lavandula Spied</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lawns</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lawns, Shrubs for.</b>—<i>See</i> "Shrubs for Lawns."</p> + +<p><b>Layering.</b>—<i>See under</i> "Carnations."</p> + +<p><b>Ledum</b> (<i>Labrador Tea</i>).—Low-growing American evergreen shrubs, +thriving best in sandy peat, and may be increased by layers.</p> + +<p><b>Leek.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leontopodium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leopard's Bane.</b>—<i>See</i> "Doronicum."</p> + +<p><b>Leptosiphon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leptospermum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leschenaultia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lettuce.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leucanthemum</b> (<i>Hardy Marguerites</i>).—Same treatment as +Chrysanthemum.</p> + +<p><b>Leucojum</b> (<i>Snowflake</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leucophyton Browni.</b>—A popular white-foliaged bedding plant, which +may be increased by dibbling cuttings in sandy soil and placing them in +a cool frame.</p> + +<p><b>Lewisia Rediviva.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Leycesteria Formosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Liatris Pycnostachya.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Libertia Formosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Libonia Floribunda.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ligustrum</b> <i>(Privet).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lilac</b>—<i>See</i> "Syringa."</p> + +<p><b>Lilium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lilium</b>—<i>continued</i>.</p> + +<p><i>CANDIDUM</i> (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.</p> + +<p><i>LANCIFOLIUM</i> 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.</p> + +<p><i>MARTAGON</i> (or Turk's Cap) requires the same treatment as the Candidum, +with the exception that a little sand should be added to the soil.</p> + +<p><i>TIGRINUM</i> (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.</p> + +<p><i>AURATUM</i> and <i>SZOVITZIANUM</i> (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.</p> + +<p>For <i>PARDALINUM</i> (the Panther Lily) and <i>SUPERBUM</i> mix the garden soil +with three parts peat and one part sand, and keep the ground moist. They +should occupy a rather shady position.</p> + +<p>All the other varieties will succeed in any good garden soil enriched +with leaf-mould or well-decayed manure.</p> + +<p>For <i>VALLOTA</i> (Scarborough Lily), <i>BELLADONNA</i>, and <i>FORMOSISSIMA</i> (or +Jacobean) Lilies, <i>see</i> "Amaryllis."</p> + +<p>For <i>AFRICAN LILY, see</i> "Agapanthus."</p> + +<p>For <i>PERUVIAN LILIES, see</i> "Alstromeria."</p> + +<p>For <i>ST BERNARD'S</i> and <i>ST BRUNO'S LILIES, see</i> "Anthericum."</p> + +<p>For <i>CAFFRE LILIES, see</i> "Clivias."</p> + +<p><b>Lily of the Valley.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Limnanthes Douglasii.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Linaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Linnaea Borealis.</b>—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, 1½ in.</p> + +<p><b>Linum</b> (<i>Flax</i>).—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, 1½ 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.</p> + +<p><b>Lippia Reptans.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lithospermum Prostratum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Loasa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lobelia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lobels Catchfly.</b>—<i>See</i> "Silene."</p> + +<p><b>London Pride.</b>—<i>See</i> "Saxifrage."</p> + +<p><b>Lonicera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lophospermum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Love Apples.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tomatoes."</p> + +<p><b>Love Grass.</b>—<i>See</i> "Eragrostis."</p> + +<p><b>Love-in-a-Mist.</b>—<i>See</i> "Nigella."</p> + +<p><b>Love-lies-Bleeding</b> (<i>Amaranthus Caudatus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Luculia Gratissima.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lunaria.</b>—<i>See</i> "Honesty."</p> + +<p><b>Lupins.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lychnis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lyre Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dielytra."</p> + +<p><b>Lysimachia Clethroides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lysimachia Nummularia</b> (<i>Creeping Jenny</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Lythrum.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>M</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Madia.</b>—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Magnolia Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mahonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Maianthemum Bifolium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Maize.</b>—<i>See</i> "Zea."</p> + +<p><b>Malope.</b>—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, 1½ ft. to 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Malva.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mandevillea Suaveolens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Manures.</b>—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 ½ 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.</p> + +<p><b>Maple.</b>—<i>See</i> "Acer."</p> + +<p><b>Marguerites</b> (<i>Chrysanthemums Frutescens</i>).—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. (<i>See also</i> "Anthemis" <i>and</i> +"Buphthalmum.")</p> + +<p><b>Margyricarpus Setosus</b> (<i>Bristly Pearl Fruit</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Marigolds.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Calendula," "Tagetes," <i>and</i> +"Calthus.")</p> + +<p><b>Martynia.</b>—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Marvel of Peru</b> (<i>Mirabilis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Massonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mathiola.</b>—<i>See</i> "Stocks."</p> + +<p><b>Mathiola Bicornis</b> (<i>Night-scented Stocks</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Matricaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Maurandia Barclayana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mazus Pumilio.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Meconopsis Cambrica</b>(<i>Welsh Poppy</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Medlars.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Megasea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Melissa Officinalis.</b>—A hardy perennial, flowering in July. Any +soil suits it. It is increased by division of the root. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Melittis Melissophyllum</b> (<i>Large-flowered Bastard Balm</i>).—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Melon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Menispermum Canadense</b> (<i>Moon seed</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mentha Rotundifloria Variegata</b> (<i>Variegated Mint</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Menyanthes.</b>—Treat as other hardy aquatics.</p> + +<p><b>Menziesia</b> (<i>Irish Heath</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mertensia.</b>—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, 1½ ft. to 2 +ft.</p> + +<p><b>Mesembryanthemums</b> (<i>Ice Plants</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mespilus.</b>—<i>For treatment, see</i> "Medlars."</p> + +<p><b>Meum Athamanticum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Michaelmas Daisies</b> (<i>Starworts</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Michauxia Campanuloides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mignonette.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mildew.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Milkmaid.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cardamine."</p> + +<p><b>Milk Thistle.</b>—<i>See</i> "Carduus."</p> + +<p><b>Mimosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mimulus</b> (<i>Monkey Flower</i>).—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 1½ ft. (<i>See also</i> "Diplacus.")</p> + +<p><b>Mina Lobata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mint.</b>—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Mistletoe.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mitella Diphylla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Moles.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Monardia Didyma</b> (<i>Oswego Mint, or Horse Balm</i>).—<i>See</i> "Bergamot."</p> + +<p><b>Monetia Barlerioides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Monkey Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Mimulus."</p> + +<p><b>Monkey Puzzle.</b>—<i>See</i> "Araucaria."</p> + +<p><b>Monk's-hood.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aconite."</p> + +<p><b>Montbretia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Moraea Iridioides.</b>—These plants flower in May, and require the +same treatment as Ixias.</p> + +<p><b>Morina</b> (<i>Whorl Flower</i>).—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, 2½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Morisia Hypogaea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Morna Elegans.</b>—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, 1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Morning Glory.</b>—<i>See</i> "Convolvulus."</p> + +<p><b>Morrenia Odorata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Moss.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mountain</b> <i>Avens.—See</i> "Dryas."</p> + +<p><b>Muhlenbeckia Complexa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mulberries.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mulching.</b>—<i>See</i> "Soil."</p> + +<p><b>Muscari.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hyacinthus."</p> + +<p><b>Muscari Botryoides.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hyacinthus."</p> + +<p><b>Mushrooms.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Musk</b> (<i>Mimulus Moschatus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Mustard and Cress.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Myosotis</b> (<i>Forget-me-not</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Myrica Gala</b> (<i>Candleberry Myrtle</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Myrsiphyllum Asparagoides.</b>—<i>See</i> "Smilax."</p> + +<p><b>Myrtle</b> (<i>Myrtus</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>N</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Narcissus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Daffodils."</p> + +<p><b>Nasturtiums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nectarines.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Neilla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nemesia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nemophila.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nepeta Glechoma Variegata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nerine Sarniense.</b>—<i>See</i> "Guernsey Lily."</p> + +<p><b>Nertera Depressa</b> (<i>Coral Berry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Neuvusia Alabamensis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nicotiana</b> (<i>Tobacco Plants</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nierembergia</b> (<i>Cup Flowers</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nierembergia Rivularis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nigella.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Night-scented Stocks.—</b><i>See</i> "Mathiola."</p> + +<p><b>Nolana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>North Borders, Plants suitable for.</b>—Hardy Camellias, +Chrysanthemums, black and green Tea Plant, Rhododendrons, Ferns, Red +Currants, Morello Cherries, and spring and summer cuttings of all sorts.</p> + +<p><b>Nuttallia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nycterina.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Nymphaea Alba.</b>—A hardy aquatic perennial, frequently found in our +ponds. It flowers in June, and may be increased by dividing the roots. +Height, 1 ft.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>O</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Odontoglossum Grande.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Oenothera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Olearia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Omphalodes Verna.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Oncidium Sarcodes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Onions.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ononis Rotundifolia</b> (<i>Round-leaved Restharrow</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Onopordon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Onosma Taurica</b> (<i>Golden Drop</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Opuntia Rafinesquii</b> (<i>Hardy Prickly Fig</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Orange, Mexican.</b>—<i>See</i> "Choisya."</p> + +<p><b>Orchids.</b>—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 (<i>Leafy Orchis</i>) 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 (<i>Brown Orchis</i>) 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.</p> + +<p><b>Origanum Pulchellum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ornithogalum.</b>—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 (<i>Star +of Bethlehem</i>) 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.</p> + +<p><b>Orobus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Osmanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Othera Japonica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ourisia Coccinea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Oxalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ox-Tongue.</b>—<i>See</i> "Bugloss."</p> + +<p><b>Oxythopis Campestris.</b>—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> +<br> + +<p><b>P</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Pachysandra.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Paeonies.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Palms from Seed.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pampas Grass.</b>—<i>See</i> "Gynerium."</p> + +<p><b>Pampas Lily of the Valley.</b>—<i>See</i> "Withania."</p> + +<p><b>Pancratium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pandanus Veitchi</b> (<i>Variegated Screw Pine</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Panicum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pansies</b> (<i>Heartsease</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Papaver</b> (<i>Poppy</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pardanthus Chinensis.</b>—<i>See</i> "Iris."</p> + +<p><b>Parsley.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Parsnips.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Passion Flower.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pavia Macrostachya.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Peaches.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><b>Pears.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Peas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Peas, Everlasting</b> (<i>Lathyrus Latifolia</i>).—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 ½ 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.</p> + +<p><b>Peas, Sweet.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pelargonium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pentstemon.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Peppermint.</b>—This may be grown on any damp or marshy soil, and +increased by dividing the roots.</p> + +<p><b>Perennials.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Some perennials, such as Pinks, Carnations, Saxifrages, etc., do not die +down, but retain their leaves. These are called evergreen perennials.</p> + +<p><b>Pergularia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Perilla Nankinensis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Periploca Graeca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Periwinkle.</b>—<i>See</i> <b>"Vinca."</b></p> + +<p><b>Pernettya.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Petunias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phacelia Campanularia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phalaris.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Philadelphus.</b>—Among the best of our flowering shrubs, producing a +wealth of sweetly-scented flowers. For cultivation, <i>see</i> "Syringa."</p> + +<p><b>Philesia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phillyrea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phlomis</b> (<i>Lion's Tail</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phlox.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phormium Tenax.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phygelius Capensis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Physalis</b> (<i>Winter Cherry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Physianthus Albens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Physostegia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phyteuma Hallierii.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Phytolacca Decandra</b> (<i>Virginian Poke</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Picotees.</b>—<i>See</i> "Carnations."</p> + +<p><b>Pimelias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pimpernel.</b>—<i>See</i> "Anagallis."</p> + +<p><b>Pinguicula Grandiflora</b> (<i>Great Irish Butterwort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pinks.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pinus.</b>—As a tall specimen tree nothing is more graceful than the +Corsican Pine (<i>Pinus Laricio</i>). 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 (<i>Sciadopitys</i>) 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.</p> + +<p><b>Piping.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Platycodon</b> (<i>Japanese Balloon Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Platystemon Californicus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pleroma Elegans.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Plumbago.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Plums.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Poa Trivalis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Podocarpus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cephalotaxus."</p> + +<p><b>Podolepis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Podophyllum Peltatum</b> (<i>Duck's Foot, or May Apple</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Poinsettia Pulcherrima.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Polemonium</b> (<i>Jacob's Ladder</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Polyanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Polygala Chamaesbuxus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Polygala Dalmaisiana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>The hardy annual varieties of Polygala are obtained by seed sown in +peat. These flower at midsummer. (<i>See also</i> "Solomon's Seal.")</p> + +<p><b>Polygonatum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Polygonum Brunonis</b> (<i>Knotweed</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pomegranate.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Poppies.</b>—<i>See</i> "Papaver" <i>and</i> "Stylophorum."</p> + +<p><b>Portulaca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Potatoes.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Potentilla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Potting.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pratia Repens</b> (<i>Lobelia Pratiana</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Primroses.</b>—<i>See</i> "Primulas," <i>and</i> "Streptocarpus."</p> + +<p><b>Primulas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Prince's Feather.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Privet.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ligustrum."</p> + +<p><b>Prophet's Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Arnebia."</p> + +<p><b>Prunella Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pruning.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Prunus.</b>—Beautiful early-flowering trees, which will grow in any +soil, and can be increased by seeds or suckers.</p> + +<p><b>Ptelia Trifoliata</b> (<i>Hop Tree</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pulmonarias</b> (<i>Lungworts</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pumilum.</b>—<i>See</i> "Heleniums."</p> + +<p><b>Pumpkins.</b>—Valuable for soups and pies in winter, and in summer the +young shoots are an excellent substitute for Asparagus. For their +cultivation, <i>see</i> "Gourds."</p> + +<p><b>Punica Granata Nana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Puschkinia</b> (<i>Striped Squills</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pyrethrum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pyrola.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Pyrus Japonica.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cydonia."</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Q</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Quaking Grass.—</b><i>See</i> "Briza."</p> + +<p><b>Quercus Ilex.</b>—A handsome evergreen Oak, delighting in a deep, +loamy soil. It is propagated by seed sown as soon as it is ripe.</p> + +<p><b>Quinces.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>R</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Radish.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ragged Robin.</b>—<i>See</i> "Lychnis."</p> + +<p><b>Ragwort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Jacobaea."</p> + +<p><b>Ramondia Pyrenaica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rampion.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ranunculus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Raphiolepis Ovata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Raspberries.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Red-hot Poker.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tritoma."</p> + +<p><b>Red Scale.</b>—<i>See</i> "Scale."</p> + +<p><b>Red Spiders.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Retinospora Filifera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhamnus</b> (<i>Buckthorn</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rheum Palmatum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhodanthe</b> (<i>Swan River Everlasting</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhodochiton</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhododendrons.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhubarb.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhubarb, Chilian.</b>—<i>See</i> "Gunnera."</p> + +<p><b>Rhus</b> (<i>Sumach</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rhynchospermum (Trachelospermum) Jasminoides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ribes</b> (<i>Flowering Currants</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Richardia Aethiopica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ricinus, or Palma Christi</b> (<i>Castor-oil Plant, etc.</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Robinia.</b>—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 <i>(Hispida)</i> reaching 10 ft., +while the Locust Tree (<i>Pseudo-Acacia</i>) grows to the height of 40 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Rock Cress.</b>—<i>See</i> "Arabis."</p> + +<p><b>Rocket</b> (<i>Hesperis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rock Rose.</b>—<i>See</i> "Cistus" <i>and</i> "Helianthemum."</p> + +<p><b>Rodgersia Podophylla.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rogiera Gratissima.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Romneyi Coulteri.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rose Campion.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rosemary</b> (<i>Rosmarinus Officinalis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Roses.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Rose of Heaven.</b>—<i>See</i> "Viscaria Coeli Rosa."</p> + +<p><b>Rose of Sharon.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hibiscus Syriacus."</p> + +<p><b>Rubus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Blackberries."</p> + +<p><b>Rudbeckia</b> (<i>Cone Flower.</i>)—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ruscus Aculeatus</b> (<i>Butchers Broom</i>).—A hardy evergreen shrub which +thrives in any rich soil, and may be increased by division of the root. +Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Ruta Graveolens.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Ruta Patavina</b> (<i>Rue of Padua</i>).—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>S</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Saffron, Spring.</b>—<i>See</i> "Bulbocodium."</p> + +<p><b>Sage.</b>—This useful herb likes a rich, light soil, and is propagated +by division of the root, by cuttings, or by seed.</p> + +<p><b>Saintpaulia Ionantha.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>St. John's Wort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hypericum."</p> + +<p><b>Salix Reticulata.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Salpiglossis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Salsafy</b> (<i>Vegetable Oyster</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Salvia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sambucus</b> (<i>The Elder</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sand Wort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Arenaria."</p> + +<p><b>Sanguinaria Canadensis</b> (<i>Bloodroot</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Santolina.</b>—This hardy evergreen shrub grows freely in any soil. It +flowers in July, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Sanvitalia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Saponaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sarracenia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sauromatum Guttatum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Savoys.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Saxifrage.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Scabious.</b>—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. (<i>See also</i> "Cephalaria.")</p> + +<p><b>Scale.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Schizanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Schizopetalum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Schizostylis Coccinea</b> (<i>Crimson Flag, or Kaffre Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Scillas</b> (<i>Squills</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Scorzonera.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Scutellaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Scyphanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sea Cabbage.</b>—<i>See</i> "Crambe Cordifolia."</p> + +<p><b>Seakale.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sea Lavender.</b>—<i>See</i> "Statice."</p> + +<p><b>Sea Milkweed.</b>—<i>See</i> "Glaux."</p> + +<p><b>Sedum</b> (<i>Stonecrop</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Seed-Sowing.</b>—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, <i>see</i> "Annuals," "Biennials," and "Perennials."</p> + +<p><b>Seeds, the Protection of.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sempervivum</b> (<i>Houseleek</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Senecio Pulcher</b> (<i>Noble Crimson Groundsel</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Senna, Bladder.</b>—<i>See</i> "Colutea."</p> + +<p><b>Sensitive Plant.</b>—<i>See</i> "Mimosa."</p> + +<p><b>Shallots.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Shamrock.</b>—<i>See</i> "Trifolium Repens."</p> + +<p><b>Sheep Scabious.</b>—<i>See</i> "Jasione."</p> + +<p><b>Shortia Galacifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Shrubs.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Shrubs for Lawns.</b>—Monkey Puzzle (<i>Araucaria Imbricata</i>)—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sicyos.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sidalcea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Silene</b> <i>(Catchfly</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Silphium Aurantiacum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sisyrinchium Grandifolium</b>(<i>Satin Flower, or Rush Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Skimmia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Slugs.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Smilax.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Snails.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Snake's Head Lilies.</b>—<i>See</i> "Fritillarias."</p> + +<p><b>Snapdragon.</b>—<i>See</i> "Antirrhinum."</p> + +<p><b>Sneezewort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Achillea."</p> + +<p><b>Snowball Tree.</b>—<i>See</i> "Viburnum."</p> + +<p><b>Snowberry.</b>—<i>See</i> "Symphoricarpus."</p> + +<p><b>Snowdrops</b> <i>(Galanthus).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Snowdrop Tree.</b>—<i>See</i> "Halesia."</p> + +<p><b>Snowflake.</b>—<i>See</i> "Leucojum."</p> + +<p><b>Snow in Summer.</b>—<i>See</i> "Arabis."</p> + +<p><b>Soil and its Treatment.</b>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Digging should be done when the ground is fairly dry, and about one +spade deep. Avoid treading it down as much as possible.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>roots</i> 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.</p> + +<p><b>Solanum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Soldanellas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Solidago</b> (<i>Golden Rod</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Solomon's Seal</b> (<i>Polygonatum Multiflorum</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Soot-Water.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sorrel.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Southernwood</b> (<i>Artemisia Arborea</i>).—Any soil suits this +odoriferous bush, and it is readily increased by cuttings or by +division.</p> + +<p><b>Sparaxis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sparmannia Africana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Spartium Junceum</b>(<i>Yellow Broom</i>).—A hardy evergreen shrub which +will grow in any soil, and is propagated by seeds. It flowers in August. +Height, 6 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Specularia Speculum.</b>—<i>See</i> "Venus's Looking-Glass."</p> + +<p><b>Spergula Pilfera.</b>—May be grown in any moist situation in sandy +soil. It is of little value.</p> + +<p><b>Sphenogyne Speciosa.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Spider Wort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Commelina" <i>and</i> "Tradescantia."</p> + +<p><b>Spigelia Marilandica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Spinach.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Spiraeas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Spruce Firs.—</b><i>See</i> "Abies."</p> + +<p><b>Stachys Coccinea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stachys Lanata.</b>—A hardy perennial which will grow in any soil, and +bears division. It flowers in July. Height, 2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Staphylea Colchica</b><i>(Mexican Bladder Nut).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Star Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Trientalis."</p> + +<p><b>Star of Bethlehem.</b>—<i>See</i> "Ornithogalum."</p> + +<p><b>Statice</b> <i>(Sea Lavender).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stauntonia Latifolia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stenactis</b> (<i>Fleabane</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stephanotis.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sternbergia Lutea.</b>—A hardy perennial which produces bright yellow +flowers in August. It likes a rich soil, and is propagated by off-sets. +Height, 6 in.</p> + +<p><b>Stipa Pennata</b> (<i>Feather Grass</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stobæa Purpurea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stocks</b>—</p> + +<p><i>ANNUAL, OR TEN WEEKS' STOCKS</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><i>BROMPTON</i>.—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.</p> + +<p><i>GREENHOUSE OR SHRUBBY</i> species grow best in a mixture of light soil and +sand, and cuttings of these Stocks root readily under glass.</p> + +<p><i>NIGHT-SCENTED STOCKS</i>.—<i>See</i> "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.</p> + +<p><b>Stokesia Cyanea.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stonecrop.</b>—<i>See</i> "Sedum."</p> + +<p><b>Strawberries.</b>—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, <i>see</i> "Fragaria Indica."</p> + +<p><b>Strawberry Tree.</b>—<i>See</i> "Arbutus."</p> + +<p><b>Streptocarpus</b> (<i>Cape Primrose</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Streptosolen Jamesoni.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Stylophorum</b> <i>(Celandine Poppy, or Poppywort).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Styrax.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sunflower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Helianthus."</p> + +<p><b>Swainsonia Galegifolia Alba.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Swallow Wort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Asclepias."</p> + +<p><b>Swamp Lilies.</b>—<i>See</i> "Zephyranthes."</p> + +<p><b>Swan River Daisy.</b>—<i>See</i> "Brachycome."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Alyssum.</b>—<i>See</i> "Alyssum."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Flag.</b>—<i>See</i> "Acorus."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Peas.</b>—<i>See</i> "Peas, Sweet."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Rocket.</b>—<i>See</i> "Rocket."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Scabious.</b>—<i>See</i> "Scabious."</p> + +<p><b>Sweet Sultan.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Sweet William.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Symphoricarpus</b> (<i>Snowberry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Symphytum Caucasicum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Syringa</b> (<i>Lilac</i>.)—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>T</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Tacsonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tagetes</b> (<i>French and African Marigolds</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tamarix.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tansy.</b>—A feathery-foliaged hardy perennial, useful for mixing with +cut blooms. No special treatment is required. Height, 11 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Taxus.</b>—<i>See</i> "Yew."</p> + +<p><b>Tecoma.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Telekia.</b>—<i>See</i> "Buphthalmum."</p> + +<p><b>Tellima Grandiflora.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tetratheca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Teucrium Scorodonia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Thalictrum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Thermopsis Montana</b><i>(Fabacea).</i>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Thladianthe Dubia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Thrift.</b>—<i>See</i> "Armeria."</p> + +<p><b>Thumbergia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Thuya</b> (<i>Arbor Vitae</i>).—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 <i>(Biota +Orientalis)</i> 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.</p> + +<p><b>Thymus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tiarella.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tiarella Cordifolia</b> (<i>Foam Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tigridia</b> (<i>Ferraria; Mexican Tiger Flower, popularly called the +Tiger Iris</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tobacco Plants.</b>—<i>See</i> "Nicotiana."</p> + +<p><b>Tobacco-Water.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tomatoes</b> (<i>Love Apples</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Toothwort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dentaria."</p> + +<p><b>Torch Lily.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tritoma."</p> + +<p><b>Torenia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tournefort.</b>—<i>See</i> "Crambe Cordifolia."</p> + +<p><b>Tradescantia Virginica</b> (<i>Spider Wort</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Transplanting.</b>—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 +<i>must</i> 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.</p> + +<p><b>Traveller's Joy</b> (<i>Clematis Viorna</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Trees, Plants that Flourish under.</b>—Ivy, St. John's Wort (Hypericum +Calycinum), early-flowering White Aconite.</p> + +<p><b>Tricyrtis.</b>—These greenhouse herbaceous plants bloom in May. A +rich, light soil suits them. Height, 6 in.</p> + +<p><b>Trientalis Europæa</b> (<i>Star Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Trifolium Repens Pentaphyllum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Trillium Erectum</b> (<i>Wood Lily</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tritelia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tritoma</b> (<i>Red-hot Poker, or Torch Lily</i>).—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 1½ 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.</p> + +<p><b>Tritonias.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Trollius Altaiense</b> (<i>Globe Flower</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Trollius Asiaticus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tropæolums—</b></p> + +<p><i>JARRATTI</i> (<i>scarlet, orange, and black</i>) are remarkable for a slender +and graceful growth. Well adapted for covering wire globes, trellises, +etc.</p> + +<p><i>LOBBIANUM</i> (<i>various colours</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><i>PENTAPHYLLUM</i> (<i>red</i>) is slender and graceful, and an elegant climber.</p> + +<p><i>POLYPHYLLUM</i> (<i>yellow</i>) succeeds best against a south wall. It is +hardy, has rich abundant glaucous foliage, and is a particularly fine +climber.</p> + +<p><i>SPECIOSUM</i> (<i>scarlet</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><i>TUBEROSUM</i> (<i>yellow and red</i>) is quite hardy, and may be planted in any +situation.</p> + +<p>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. (<i>See also</i> "Canary +Creeper.")</p> + +<p><b>Trumpet Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Bignonia."</p> + +<p><b>Tuberose.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tulips.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tunica.</b>—Same treatment as "Dianthus."</p> + +<p><b>Turkey's Beard.</b>—<i>See</i> "Xerophyllum."</p> + +<p><b>Turnips.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Tussilago Fragrans</b> (<i>Winter Heliotrope</i>).—A very fragrant hardy +perennial, flowering in January and February. It will grow in any good +garden soil and bears division. Height, 1 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Twin Flower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Bravoa."</p> +<br> + +<p><b>U</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Ulex Europaeus Flore Pleno</b> (<i>Double Furze</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Umbilicus Chrysanthus.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Uvularia.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>V</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Vaccineum Myrtillus and V. Uliginosum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vaccineum Vitis-Idæa</b> (<i>Red Whortleberry</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Valeriana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vegetable Marrow.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Venidium.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Venus's Car.</b>—<i>See</i> "Dielytra."</p> + +<p><b>Venus's Looking-Glass</b> (<i>Specularia Speculum</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Venus's Navel Wort.</b>—A charming hardy annual for rock-work. The +seed should be sown early in spring in good garden mould. Height, 6 in.</p> + +<p><b>Veratum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Verbascum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Verbena.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Verbena, Lemon-scented.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aloysia."</p> + +<p><b>Veronica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vesicaria Graeca.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Viburnum Opulus</b>(<i>Guelder Rose</i>, or <i>Snowball Tree</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Viburnum Tinus</b> (<i>Laurestinus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vicia Pyrenaica.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vinca</b> (<i>Periwinkle</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vines.</b>—<i>See</i> "Grapes."</p> + +<p><b>Violas.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Violets.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Virgilia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Virginian Creeper</b> (<i>Ampelopsis Hederacea</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Virginian Stock.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Virgin's Bower.</b>—<i>See</i> "Clematis."</p> + +<p><b>Viscaria Coeli Rosa</b> (<i>the Rose of Heaven</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Vitis Heterophylla.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>W</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Wahlenbergia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Waitzia</b>.—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, +1½ ft.</p> + +<p><b>Waldsteina Fragarioides.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wall-flower</b> (<i>Cheiranthus</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Walnuts.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wand Plant.</b>—<i>See</i> "Galax."</p> + +<p><b>Wasps.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Water-cress.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Watsonia.</b>—Plant the bulbs during January in sandy loam with a +little peat. They flower in April. Height, 1-1/2 ft.</p> + +<p><b>Weeds in Paths.</b>—These may be destroyed by strong brine, applied +when hot. Or mix ½ lb. of oil of vitriol with 6 gallons of water, and +apply, taking care not to get the vitriol on the hands or clothes.</p> + +<p><b>Weigelia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>White Scale.</b>—<i>See</i> "Scale."</p> + +<p><b>Whitlavia.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Whortleberry.</b>—<i>See</i> "Vaccineum."</p> + +<p><b>Wigandia Caraccasana.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Windflowers.</b>—<i>See</i> "Anemones."</p> + +<p><b>Winter Aconite</b> (<i>Eranthis Hyemalis</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Winter Cherry.</b>—<i>See</i> "Physalis."</p> + +<p><b>Winter Heliotrope.</b>—<i>See</i> "Tussilago."</p> + +<p><b>Wire-worms.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wistaria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Witch Hazel.</b>—<i>See</i> "Hamamelis."</p> + +<p><b>Withania Origanifolia</b> (<i>Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wolf's Bane.</b>—<i>See</i> "Aconite."</p> + +<p><b>Wood, to Preserve.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wood Lily.</b>—<i>See</i> "Trillium."</p> + +<p><b>Woodruff.</b>—<i>See</i> "Asperula."</p> + +<p><b>Worms, to Destroy.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Wulfenia Carinthiaca.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>X</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Xeranthemum.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Xerophyllum Asphodeloides</b> (<i>Turkey's Beard</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Xerotes.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Y</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Yew</b> (<i>Taxus</i>).—For landscape gardening the old gold-striped +(<i>Baccata Aurea Variegata</i>) 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 (<i>Baccata</i>) grows dense and bushy, and is excellent for +hedges. The dark green leaves of the Irish Yew (<i>Baccata Fastigiata</i>) +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.</p> + +<p><b>Yucca.</b>—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.</p> +<br> + +<p><b>Z</b></p> +<br> + +<p><b>Zauschneria.</b>—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.</p> + +<p><b>Zea</b> (<i>Indian Corn</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Zea Japonica Variegata</b> (<i>Striped Japanese Maize</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Zephyranthes</b> (<i>Swamp Lilies</i>).—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.</p> + +<p><b>Zinnia.</b>—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 1½ ft.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Gardening for the Million, by Alfred Pink + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GARDENING FOR THE MILLION *** + +***** This file should be named 11892-h.htm or 11892-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/8/9/11892/ + +Produced by Dave Morgan, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. For example: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/11892-h/cover1.jpg b/11892-h/cover1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb8813a --- /dev/null +++ b/11892-h/cover1.jpg |
