Part 17 (2/2)

Laurel.--Laurels will grow in any good garden soil. They are grown both as bushes and standards, and require but little attention beyond watering. The standards are produced by choosing a young Portugal plant and gradually removing the side-shoots on the lower part of the stem, and when the desired height is reached a well-balanced head is cultivated, any eyes that break out on the stem being rubbed off with the thumb. Lauro Rotundifolia is beyond dispute the best of all Laurels; it is of free growth and of dense habit, and its leaves are roundish and of a lively green. (_See also_ ”Epigaea.”) All Laurels may be propagated by cuttings and by layers, the latter being the plan usually adopted.

Laurestinus.--_See_ ”Viburnum Tinus.”

Laurus.--_See_ ”Bay, Sweet.”

Lavatera.--The greenhouse and frame kinds grow in any light soil, and are increased by cuttings of the ripened wood, under gla.s.s. The hardy herbaceous species grow well in any common soil, and are propagated by seeds or division. The annuals are sown in the open in spring. Some bloom in June, others as late as August. Height, 2 ft. to 5 ft.

Lavender (_Lavandula Spied_).--A hardy shrub whose sweetly-scented flowers, which are produced in August, are much prized. A dry, gravelly soil is what it likes best. Young plants should be raised every three years. It is readily propagated from seed sown in spring.

Cuttings about 8 in. long, taken in autumn and planted 4 in. deep under a hand-light or in a shaded, sheltered position, will strike.

Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Lawns--To make or renovate Lawns sow the seed on damp ground during March or April, if possible, but in any case not later than September, as the young plants are easily ruined by frost. Rake the seed in lightly, afterwards roll with a wooden roller, and carefully weed the ground until the gra.s.s is well established. To form a thick bottom quickly on new Lawns sow 60 lbs., or 3 bushels, to the acre; for improving old ones, 20 lbs. per acre. Frequent cutting and rolling is essential to success. If the gra.s.s is inclined to grow rank and coa.r.s.e it will be much improved by a good dressing of sand over it; if it has an inclination to scald and burn up, sprinkle it with guano or soot just before a shower of rain. An acc.u.mulation of moss upon a lawn can only be cured by under-draining.

Lawns, Shrubs for.--_See_ ”Shrubs for Lawns.”

Layering.--_See under_ ”Carnations.”

Ledum (_Labrador Tea_).--Low-growing American evergreen shrubs, thriving best in sandy peat, and may be increased by layers.

Leek.--Sow early in March, and p.r.i.c.k out the plants in rich soil, in a sheltered position, to strengthen. As soon as they are large enough, plant them out in very rich, light ground in drills 6 in. between each plant and the rows 18 in. apart. For large exhibition Leeks sow in boxes in February, under gla.s.s. Plant out in June in trenches 15 in.

wide and 18 in. deep, with plenty of old manure at the bottom of the trench and 6 in. of good light mould on the top of it. Gradually earth up as the stems grow. Water liberally in dry weather, and give a little weak liquid manure occasionally.

Leontopodium.--Hardy perennials, succeeding best in peat soil. They are most suitable for rock-work, and may be increased by seed or division of the roots. Bloom is produced in June. Height, 6 in.

Leopard's Bane.--_See_ ”Doronic.u.m.”

Leptosiphon.--Charming hardy annuals which make nice pot-plants. The seed should be sown in rich, light soil--peat for preference. If this is done in autumn they will flower in April and May; if sown in spring they will bloom in autumn. They are very attractive in beds or ribbons, and also on rock-work. Height, 3 in. to 1 ft.

Leptospermum.--Neat greenhouse evergreen shrubs, most at home in equal portions of loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings may be struck in sand under gla.s.s. They flower in June. Height, 4 ft. to 5 ft.

Leschenaultia.--Elegant greenhouse shrubs, delighting in a mixture of turfy loam, peat, and sand. They are evergreen, flower in June, and are propagated by cuttings of the young wood under gla.s.s. Height, 1 ft.

Lettuce.--Sow early in February on a slight hotbed, and p.r.i.c.k out into a well-manured and warm border, having the soil broken down fine on the surface. For early summer supplies sow outdoors in March, and at intervals till the middle of September for later crops. Some of the plants raised in September should be wintered in a cold frame, and the remainder transplanted to a dry, sheltered border, or protected with hand-lights. The June and July sowings may be made where the plants are intended to remain. They should stand from 6 to 9 in. apart. A north border is a suitable position in the summer months, as they are less exposed to the sun, and do not run to seed so quickly. The Cos Lettuce requires to be tied up to blanch; this should be done ten days before it is wanted for use. Cabbage Lettuce does not need to be tied.

Leucanthemum (_Hardy Marguerites_).--Same treatment as Chrysanthemum.

Leucojum (_Snowflake_).--Also known as St. Agnes' Flower. Handsome plants. The flowers are pure white, every petal being tipped with green, dropping in a cl.u.s.ter of from six to eight blooms, each nearly 1 in. long. They grow freely in almost any soil, sandy loam being preferable. Increased by off-sets from the bulb, or by seed as soon as it is ripe. The spring snowflake blooms in March, the summer variety in June. The latter is a much more vigorous plant than the former.

Height, 12 in. to 18 in.

Leucophyton Browni.--A popular white-foliaged bedding plant, which may be increased by dibbling cuttings in sandy soil and placing them in a cool frame.

Lewisia Rediviva.--This makes a pretty rock-plant. It is a perennial and quite hardy, but requires plenty of sun. During April and May it produces large flowers varying in colour from satiny rose to white.

The most suitable soil is a light loam mixed with brick rubbish. It is increased by division of the root, or it may be raised from seed.

Height, 3 in.

Leycesteria Formosa.--Ornamental plants, the flowers resembling Hops of a purple colour. They will grow in any soil, but need protection in winter. They are multiplied by cuttings. Height, 3 ft.

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