THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1536, 7 August 1901, Page 27

THE GARDEN.

(By Geo. Cooper, F.R.H.S.)

A Tulip Farm.—-At Rush, about fifteen miles from Dublin, Mr Jas. Robertson ' has commenced the growing ’of tulips and other bulbs on a large scale, and on similar lines to those on which they are grown in Holland. As to whether the experiment will be a success financially or not time will show. That these bulbs can be grown as well in Ireland .as in Holland :ha s already been proved, but it may be doubted that they can be produced so cheaply. Begonia, Glorie de Lorraine The popularity of this new variety seems to be fully assured. At almost every exhibition the whole year round it makes its bright and welcome appearance. Its blooms are most abundant in the middle of. winter, after the chrysanthemums are over, and when very few flowers are about. The plant has a particularly pretty appearance when grown in hanging baskets. Glorie de Lorraine has not yet become known in New Zealand,

ing effects may be bad by planting bulbs in grass a.nd on the lawns. Narcissi and daffodils are delightful subjects for this, and will increase in beauty each succeeding year; and as they may be left down for five or ten years, give very little trouble. Crocuses, too, are charming for this work. The vivid colours of the bright blue and yellow varieties stand out s o conspicuously upon the groundwork of green that the lawn has the appearance of a fancy woolwork cushion. Snowdrops, snowflakes, wood anemones (scillas), and win* ter aconites may also be used for planting in the grass. Freesias.—ln the greenhouse the early pots of these charming fragrant flowers ar© opening their blooms, and are very welcome at this bare season.

FLORAL DECORATIONS. Why do we not more often have our dining tables beautified with bright blossoms ? asks Winona Leigh in “American Gardening.” It is so easy, I have found, if one only forms th.® habit of always having a plant, bouquet, or only two or three bright blossoms with plenty of foliage. The table will look so much more inviting, ©sp©* cially in the spring time, when our ap® petites need to be encouraged. 9 True beauty is not always effected by using choice and expensive flowers. An especially pretty and dainty centrepiece, which will last for weeks, can b® had by arranging several small plants or wild flowers on a shallow or deep glass dish, taking up enough of the mother earth so that th© roots will not be injured, and press firmly together in a mound shape, using the tall specimens for centre of dish. You will find the early liepaticas, and all the violets, swamp varieties being most desirable, particularly adapted for this idea. If given plenty of moisture the buds will unfold in a surprising manner. Have you ever used the deep pink and white apple blossoms? If not, try them, for I know you will s ay, “How beautiful!” Another lovely piece can be had by making an oval sliap of any soft green moss on a shallow dish or plate; then place in the moss a liberal amount of fine gree n foliage from 2 to 4in in length, arranging the edge in fringe form, and it will be found ihat a very few blossoms will suffice to make a charming display. Nasturtiums, which can be purchased for a very small sum in July, I especially advise, their many tinted petals being especially appropriate and attractive for an crange luncheon or dinner. There are many other flowers which are well suited for this purpose—pansies, verbenas, small roses, and many of tlie hardy. shrub blooms being particularly beautiful. It will always be much more pleasant to have the decoration for the centre of th® table rather low, that they may not interfere with one’s view of others. One of the daintiest arrangements of roses can be had by using the common wild sweetbriai-, filling a deep, round, or oblong glass dish with generous sprays, using an abundance of their own deli* cate foliage. Grace and harmony of colour must never be overlooked. Try to have them look natural, never allowing rnor© than three varieties or colours in th e same vase or bouquet, using foliage freely. You will find that a few dainty grasses add very much to the artistic effect with some kinds of flowers. Birthdays, holidays, and Christmas, our tables can be beautifully decorated with th e simple, graceful vines, both wild and cultivated; also the giany varieties of ferns which are so easily procured. Small sprays of Japanes© honeysuckle, with their odd green and white foliage, laid about on a white damask cloth, are extremely pretty, and the common honeysuckle, with its dainty cream and white blossoms is always admired. Do not forgefc to the ferns or any vine used from two to four hours before the meal, keeping them in a 0001, dark place, where they may take a good, full drink of water, which will preserve them fresh for a long while. Every spring I long for the glorious wild cowslips, having found the low, small plants wonderfully attractive when arranged in a glass dish, as also suggested for violets. Some tall large plants on my piazza were greatly ad* mired for weeks last spring. If gathered early you will have bud s opening every day. In November, wlie n we hav© only hardy chrysanthemums left for the table, remember to purchase from a florist one dozen sprays of English ivy, about a foot in length, accepting only fresh new sprouts. Arrange them in a large-mouthed, deep glass vase, and you may hav e wliat I consider a very desirable bouquet for your dining table all winter. Very soon you will find the roots developing, and the whole effect is most satisfactory. Always, for good health, put in the bottom of the vase a piece of charcoal about the size of a large walnut; do not change the water, but fill up when needed. In the spring time plant the ivy by the house wall—an eastern exposure is best —and in a few years you will have an abundance for vourself and friends.