In the Garden Michaelmas daisies and lilies have been the
high-light of September. Among the first, Aster Thomsonii, huge, almost blue, in flower for weeks, has been the finest of the species ; among lilies there was no doubt of the glory of L. Tigrinum Fortunei—a royal, black-stemmed tiger blooming later than the type. Both should be noted by anyone who has not yet grown them. A mauve bergamot, taller than the red, has been charming and unrivalled for a long time ; eryngiums shone blue and silver for weeks. All these seemed enough to justify a decision, taken as soon as war broke out, that flowers were not going to be sacrificed for vegetables. Two correspondents, by the way, have asked for some method of ripening and keeping the nuts of flowering almonds. My experience is that they are about as easy as flints to use before Christmas ; but that if stored until late winter they crack easily and are really excellent.
H. E. BATES.
Previous page
