FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150  
151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   >>   >|  
ery garden. It may be grown in any good soil, but a mixture of loam and peat is most suitable. The seed may be sown in April, and the plants transferred when strong enough to their flowering quarters; or it may be sown in a sheltered position during August or September to stand the winter. It may also be increased by dividing the roots in spring, as soon as growth begins. Cuttings of the young side-shoots about 6 in. long may be taken at any period--the middle of September is a good time; these should be placed under a hand-glass in sandy loam and leaf-mould. These cuttings will flower the first year. It blooms from May to October. Height, 2 ft. Peppermint.--This may be grown on any damp or marshy soil, and increased by dividing the roots. Perennials.--These are plants that die down during the winter, but spring up and produce new stems annually. Some, as for instance Antirrhinums and Pansies, flower the first season, but usually they do not bloom till the second season. Many of the species improve by age, forming large clumps or bushes. The stock is increased by division of the roots, which, if judiciously done, improves the plant. Like annuals, they are divided into classes of Hardy, Half-hardy, and Tender plants. Hardy perennials do not require artificial heat to germinate the seeds, or at any period of their growth, but are the most easily cultivated of all plants. Seed may be sown from March to midsummer, transplanting in the autumn to their flowering quarters; or it may be sown in August and September in a sheltered position to stand the winter. Half-hardy plants require artificial heat to germinate their seed, and must be gradually introduced into the open. They may be sown during March and April in frames or a greenhouse, when many will bloom the first season. If sown between May and the end of August they will flower the following spring and summer. They require protection during winter, such as is afforded by a cold pit, frame, or greenhouse, or the covering of a mat or litter. Tender perennials may be sown as directed above, but the plants should be kept constantly under glass. Some perennials, such as Pinks, Carnations, Saxifrages, etc., do not die down, but retain their leaves. These are called evergreen perennials. Pergularia.--Very fragrant twining plants, suitable for trellis-work, arbours, etc. A rich soil suits them best. They are easily increased by cuttings sown in sand under glass. The
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150  
151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

plants

 

perennials

 
winter
 

increased

 

season

 
September
 

require

 
August
 
flower
 

spring


period
 

cuttings

 

greenhouse

 

easily

 

suitable

 

sheltered

 

position

 

quarters

 

flowering

 
Tender

germinate
 

growth

 

artificial

 
dividing
 
frames
 

classes

 

midsummer

 
transplanting
 

autumn

 

gradually


cultivated
 

introduced

 

Carnations

 
fragrant
 

twining

 

Pergularia

 

evergreen

 

retain

 

leaves

 
called

trellis

 
arbours
 

Saxifrages

 
divided
 
afforded
 

protection

 
summer
 

covering

 

constantly

 
directed