Gardening for the Million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Gardening for the Million
John Stuart Mill · en
Uvularia.--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.
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Vaccineum Myrtillus and V. Uliginosum.--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.
Vaccineum Vitis-Idæa (_Red Whortleberry_).--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.
Valeriana.--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.
Vegetable Marrow.--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.
Venidium.--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.
Venus's Car.--_See_ "Dielytra."
Venus's Looking-Glass (_Specularia Speculum_).--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.
Venus's Navel Wort.--A charming hardy annual for rock-work. The seed
should be sown early in spring in good garden mould. Height, 6 in.
Veratum.--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.