Adorning Rural Homes. 193 



deepest red, nearly black, to purest white. In form and size a well-grown 

 dahlia resembles a miniature tree, and where shrubbery is small, or where there . 

 is none, the dahlias fill an imj^ortant place. The most satisfactory colors are 

 white, yellow, red, dark maroon and the light shade of purple. Names of 

 dahlias are often unreliable. The finest white dahlia we have ever grown is 

 the white aster. This is a bouquet dahlia, with pen-bristled petals — very 

 handsome among cut flowers. Besides this, there should be one of the large 

 "show" dahlias in every collection, however small. Another very fine dah- 

 lia is white Bartlett: flowers are small, rose colored, and form a lovely con- 

 trast when grown with darker shades. All lovers of flowers will admire this 

 magnificent flower when properly grown and trained to sticks or trellis. To 

 many this is delightful work. Those who find it a task should never grow 

 dahlias. , 



Among perennial plants there are many that are hardy, of easy culture 

 that will give a succession of bloom from the time the snow-drop and crocus 

 unfold their tiny buds in spring till the frosts of autumn send all our floral 

 treasures to their wintry beds. The tulip is the most brilliant of all the 

 spring flowers, and wherever planted will live for years with but little care. 

 There are many more of this class of plants that are very showy in the gar- 

 den, but among them all there are none so hardy and so easily grown as the 

 herbaceous peonies. In the days of our grandmothers a group of the crim- 

 son peonies was the pride of every door-yard. Now we have them of many 

 •colors and various shades, from crimson to pure white, and of delicious fra- 

 grance. A bed of these upon the lawn will delight all lovers of brilliant col- 

 ored flowers. But, of all the herbaceous plants, none can exceed the splen- 

 ■dor of the lilies. Those of the olden time were thought more glorious than 

 the raiment of kings. Now we may grow in our simple gardens " lilies all 

 rugged with rubies and garnets and sparkling with crystal points." Their 

 culture is not difficult. Plenty of moisture, drainage and good soil is all that 

 is required. The Japan lilies are now offered in great variety. If you can 

 have only two of these magnificent flowers get Lilium longiflorum, and that 

 ■queen of Japan lilies, Lilium auratmn, and you have an ornament for your 

 garden which can not be excelled. For those who have transient homes, or 

 for that large number who will find themselves the coming spring in new 

 'homes without one flower, the annuals are the most precious of all the floral 

 •gifts of God to men. 



With these, in one brief summer, you can make your home the delight of 

 your family and the admiration of your friends. A great number are not 

 necessary for a fine display. If we could have but four annuals, we would 

 ■choose the pansies first. The name pansy is from the French word, pensee, 

 indicating thought. We fancy they are thoughtful flowers, their bright faces 

 look up to us as though curious of our admiration. We must grow the pan- 

 sies. 



" O beautiful pansies, whatever betide, 



Come smile in thy beauty my threshold beside.' 

 13 



