THE PLANT WORLD 19 



The Home Garden and Greenhouse. 



Conducted by F. H. Knowlton. 



By the time this reaches our readers the spring catalogues of seeds- 

 men and florists will have begun to make their appearance, and although 

 the ground may be covered with snow and ever^^thing locked in the em- 

 brace of winter, it will be time to begin thinking and planning for next 

 summer's flowers. It is a mistake to wait until it is actually time to set 

 out the plants or put the seeds in the ground before giving the matter 

 any thought. This is why so many fail of success. Each intending pur- 

 chaser should know the kind of soil he has to deal with and whether 

 heavy or light, the usual temperature that may be expected during the 

 hot months, and the facilities for supplying suflScient moisture to the 

 plants grown, and then select such as experience or a careful guide have 

 found adapted to the needs in question. A large proportion of the com- 

 monly grown plants will succeed with a moderate amount of attention, 

 but it is an altogether mistaken idea to suppose that one's duty is over 

 when the seeds are planted, and even the planting of the seeds is by no 

 means fortuitous. Some seeds, as for example those of sweet peas, will 

 germinate under five or six inches of soil, while others will be smothered 

 under soil a quarter of an inch deep. When it is recalled that the whole 

 world has been laid under tribute to supply our commonest cultivated 

 flowers, it is small wonder that a common course of treatment will not 

 succeed for all. The needs and requirements of each .species must be 

 studied and met, so nearly as possible, before success will crown the effort. 

 It is far better to have a half-dozen well grown specimens of even a com- 

 mon species than a yard full of poor, starved, uncared-for examples. If 

 you are a beginner do not be led astray by the seedsman's glowing ac- 

 count of some " novelty," but stick to the old, established favorites until 

 you are surer of your ground. Grow a bed of nasturtiums and grow 

 them well, then next year extend your scope. If you are a real lover of 

 flowers you will not be long content with the " easy " species, but will 

 attempt some of those more difficult to manage. You will doubtless meet 

 with some disappointments, but remember that each success makes further 

 success more certain. 



The Paper "White Narcissus. — Have any of our readers tried this for 

 winter blooming? If not, we would earnestly advise them to try a dish, 

 and we are sure they will never be without them thereafter. They are of 

 the simplest culture, being forced in water without soil, although they 

 can of course be grown in pots of soil if desired. The bulbs, which are 

 about 3 inches long and lYz inches in diameter, may be procured of 



