in spring. But the chief points of culture lie in early sowing, transplanting into nursery-beds, and planting in autumn with balls.

Canterbury Bells, various, 2 feet.

French Honeysuckle, scarlet and white, 2 feet.

Hollyhocks.

Honesty, purple, 2 feet.

Indian Pink, 6 inches.

Enothera fruticosa, yellow, 3 feet.

Enothera biennis alba, white, 2 feet.

Stocks, Brompton, Cape, Emperor, various, 14 foot.

Sweet-William, various, 1 to 1 foot.

Rockets, purple and white, 1 foot.

Wallflower, various, 1 foot.

Valerian, red and white, 14 foot.

Sweet Scabious, various, 14 foot.

In preparing these lists, plants that have been previously treated of are not included, and those most suited for the widest range of localities are enumerated.

CHAPTER VI.

HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANTS.

HERBACEOUS perennials are a class of plants distinct in their nature from annuals and biennials, inasmuch as they live for an indefinite number of years, and differ from shrubby plants in the limited and less woody nature of their growth, and in dying down to the ground every year after they have flowered, and their leaves and stems have performed the functions necessary to their future wellbeing. They are a very extensive class, but, with comparatively few exceptions, not so well adapted for a continuous and artistic effect for grouping according to the reigning fashion in geometrical flowergardens, as their more tender rivals now popularly known as bedding plants. They are, nevertheless, a most interesting class, and, individually, many of them are exquisitely beautiful; and one feature in their character -namely, their hardiness-makes them available where the more fashionable plants cannot, for various reasons, take their place. It may perhaps be considered a little digressive here to refer to one loss which the young gardeners of the present day have sustained, to a large extent, in the exclusion of hardy perennials from the prominent position they occupied in the days of their predecessors. That loss consists in the study and observation which were absolutely necessary in order to their

becoming acquainted with the various genera and species of these border plants. I shall never forget the interest with which, in common with many young men, we studied, dried, and classified, from the fine collection at Bothwell Castle especially, and at other gardens besides.

It is with the view of assisting those of my readers who have no glass by means of which to grow the tender and half-hardy plants already treated of, and who do not feel disposed to purchase them, to see that there is no reason why they should not have very interesting flower-borders, by growing hardy perennials in conjunction with hardy annuals, neither of which calls for a single pane of glass in order to cultivate them well. Indeed, even to the most wealthy who reside at their country-seats in spring and early summer, hardy perennials that bloom from January and February till the middle of June are indispensable auxiliaries, if outdoor flowers in variety are to be enjoyed at all. This applies with still more force to business men who reside in the outskirts of large towns, and who are proverbially fond of gardening, for relaxation as well as for its own sake.

While we venture to suppose that these remarks will commend themselves to all who have to deal with the requirements named, we cannot endorse a good deal that has of late been advanced condemnatory of the very effective but more tender plants, now so prominently used in most gardens. But as this has already been referred to, I desire not to say anything more here than that, while both descriptions of plants are recommended, it is not for a moment to be understood, that to make autumn flower-gardens gay with flowers is a point to be accomplished in the highest degree without patronizing

very largely the half-hardy and tender plants already treated of. The whole question, as to when or where perennials should be in the ascendant, and vice versa, must depend on the season when flowers are required. If that season be spring and early summer, then halfhardy and tender plants are of necessity excluded; but if in summer and autumn-more especially for all geometrical designs,-these will be placed in the ascendency. Their habit of continuous blooming, and more compact and manageable growth, at once distinguish them for this particular season. The two classes should not be looked upon altogether as rivals, but as relieving parties, the one to be on service while the other is reposing.

Spring flower-gardening, on the grouping system, shall be treated of by and by: the object here is to recommend and treat briefly of a selection of hardy plants that bloom in early spring, and onwards till autumn; and for which, as a whole, the mixed border must be looked on as the most appropriate place; and where, with a mixture of annuals and other plants, an interesting succession of flowers can be kept up for a long time. Culture. The great majority of the plants enumerated in the accompanying list thrive well in ordinary garden soil. A deep sandy loam embraces the wants, in this particular, of the greatest part of the most showy herbaceous and bulbous plants. In preparing a border for a fresh plantation, it should be well manured, deeply trenched if the staple allow of it, and thoroughly pulverized. Previous to planting, a good dressing of leafmould, forked in and mixed with the top spit, will be of great service. In soils that are tenacious and wet, thorough drainage is of the first importance. Road grit,

or finely-sifted mortar rubbish or burned soil, mixed in with such soil, is very beneficial mechanically; and these plants, generally speaking, thrive well with such. Light hot sandy soil calls for contrary treatment, and a dressing of good-holding loam will greatly improve it. Depth of soil is of great importance in the culture of the majority of herbaceous plants. If shallow, and lying on a hard subsoil, their bloom will be comparatively poor and short-lived, especially in dry seasons and localities.

Tuberous and bulbous-rooted plants are best planted in autumn. Although, with careful management, such things as Narcissus, Crocus, Snowdrops, etc., can be moved and planted, even when in bloom, successfully, it is nevertheless desirable to plant all such in autumn before they begin their growth upwards, so that plenty of time is allowed for them to make roots, and so insure a good growth and bloom in spring. The fibrous-rooted plants are generally so hardy that they can be transplanted and do well at any time when the weather is mild and the ground in working condition, after they ripen their summer growth, till they begin to grow for another year. In the case of the more weakly rooted and growing sorts, the spring-just as they are beginning to grow -is the safest time to remove and plant them. But large-growing strong-rooting things-such as Phloxes, Delphiniums, Asters, Potentillas, etc.-can be moved with impunity any time after they are cut down in autumn. Where a whole season's bloom has to be provided for, the best way is to plant the early and later flowering sorts time about. Planting first a springflowering plant, then a summer flowerer, and then an autumn-blooming plant—thus mixing them as regularly