Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/833

 8o5 THE QARDKN cistern, and not supply the other receptacles, whereas at other times the water that can be obtained may be needed at the more distant parts of the garden. Rainwater Storage The spot marked o for currant bushes would do equally well for empty paraffin tubs, and as these can be painted any colour they need not be unsightly. Each time the household finishes a cask of oil the gardener will rejoice, as it will increase the garden supply. In this way rainwater can be conveyed to fill the bath or tank at g. Whilst we are on the subject of this latter point, I should draw attention to the posi- tion M, which is chosen for the refuse heap. Should the garden be windy, have it away from the usually prevailing south-west wind, so that smoke is not carried to your house. Have an old disused milk-churn without a bottom to it, and mount this upon a few bricks. Light a fire at the bottom of it, and if there is any old paper to burn, by throwing it down through the top of the milk-churn the inconvenience of untidy bits of paper blowing about the garden will be avoided. When poplar or willow hedges are being cut in the autUmn, get a few of the cuttings and plant them firmly in well-dug ground sur- rounding the rubbish heap or any other un- sightly places. In two years' time there will be a dense hedge, and by cutting it each autumn and cleaning rubbish and weeds away from the roots it will remain dense. Near a big dairy milk-cans are often to be had second-hand when the bottom of them is worn out, and a supply of these will be very useful to buy for putting over rhubarb to force it, as the ordinary rhubarb-pot is a heavy expense. Another useful outlay will be some old disused railway sleepers. Very good ones are to be had for is. a-piece, if one gives the stationmaster due notice, and six of these will make a splendid foundation for frames to rest upon. The next matter to decide will be the best position for the hotl)cd and frames. It is somewhat difficult to settle this for an unknown garden, but I think that d will be best, because it is sheltered from the north by the hedge b, and it will be near the main supply of water if there is a cistern attached to the house. Also, should the main water supply come from the tank at G, an opening can be made at l to admit of access to the frameyard d. The other plots, c, e, f, will, of course, be needed for the rotation of vegetable crops, which, in order to be a successful small cultivator, it will be neces- sary to study. Should D be too near the house for hotbed and frames, then f would be best, and c, d, and E would then become cropping ground for rotation. If in a good fruit-growing district, it will be a great interest each year to add to one's fruit trees. It may be pre- ferred to have them surrounding the circular path at G, or even to have arches of fruit at intervals across the central path which leads to the summer-house q. I would also suggest that as an edging to the paths such things as thyme and parsley should be grown ; and, perhaps, at the corners of paths, there might be bushes of tarragon, marjoram, or other herbs. These do not take up room, and are pleasing to look at all the year, and the smell of the herbs is a recom- mendation for their being near the paths most frequented. The annual ice plant, mesem- brianthemum crystallinum, is a very charm- ing thing to use for garnishing butter on hot summer days. Give it, too, a place near the paths. It likes sun, and its ice-covered leaves are delightful to look at. Another good edging plant is the Alpine strawberry, which is easily raised from seed, and if it likes the soil it will stay with one always, needs but little attention, and gives an almost uninterrupted supply of fruit in summer and autumn. Its delicate flavour is, perhaps, most noticeable when it is used in strawberry fool. CHRYSAMTHEMIUMS FOWL AMATJSURS By HELEN COLT, F.R.H.S. Early Varieties — Indoor and Outdoor Decoration — How to Increase by Cut ring and Division- Management in Summer— Housing the Plants — Exhibition Blooms T^HE early flowering varieties of chrysan- themums, if properly tended, are quite hardy out of doors. These varieties can be increased in number by means of cuttings, and in town-growing such propagation should generally be a yearly affair, as old plants are apt to become straggly and un- profitable. Where there is no greenhouse or frame, the plants must be divided in spring or early summer. To do this, discard the old W'Oody portion at the centre, and set out the fibrous pieces, at least nine inches apart, in an open place. By the month of July good bushy plants will have been made. Propagation by cuttings must be done a little earlier in the year, the object being to produce flowering plants by the late summer. Take off the young shoots as they arise from the base of the plant, shorten them to not more than two inches, and dibble them into well-drained boxes or pots of soil, thickly surfaced with silver sand. Be careful not to overcrowd the cuttings in their pots. Let them stand in a cold frame or cool greenhouse near the glass, which should be at an angle of 45°. When rooted, harden off gradually by standing the pots out of doors. Then, later, plant them out, eight inches apart, in reserve beds, or twelve inches apart in their flower- ing quarters.