THE PIvANT WORIvD 47 



Getting Ready for Spring. — It is now high time that plans were being 

 made and steps taken for next season's work. Go over the results of 

 last summer's effort and try to find wherein the failure lay — if such 

 there was — or determine the factors which contributed to success and 

 plan to duplicate them this year, or, what is better, to improve on them. 

 The great amount of moisture last year may have been beneficial to some 

 plants and just the reverse for others. Recall the conditions and resolve 

 to " improve on nature " the coming season. The florists and seedsman's 

 catalogues are now at hand, each larger and better (!) than ever before, 

 and each resplendent in bright colors. If time and space are limited, 

 don't be deceived into venturing your all on the novelties so loudly pro- 

 claimed ; stick to the old favorites until you know something better to 

 supply their places with. 



If you would have asters from early summer until the chrysanthe- 

 mums put in an appearance, now is the time to start them. For the very 

 earliest. Queen of the Market is recommended, and for others use the 

 Semple, Comet, Victoria, etc. Sow the seed in flats or shallow pans, 

 just covering seed by pressing into the soil, and keep them from drying 

 out by covering with a plate of glass. When the plants are large enough 

 to handle well, transplant them into flats or small pots, and give them 

 plenty of head room. They can be grown to single flowers by pinching 

 out the branches and buds, but for home use they are best left with sev- 

 eral branches and flowers. If it is planned to have a bit of the Vernon 

 begonias it is now time for the seed to be in the ground. Secure well-sifted 

 light soil and press the seed down with a board or piece of glass, no other 

 covering of soil being necessary; but keep the soil from drying out while 

 they are germinating. Stock plants of this variety if saved over from 

 last season should now be propagated and by spring will make good 

 plants in 4-inch pots. But the garden side should not be neglected. For 

 very early tomatoes start the seed by February 1st, sowing in flats at least 

 three inches deep. The soil should be light and not too rich, and the 

 seed sown in drills two inches apart, and firmed down with a board. As 

 with the flower seeds above mentioned, care must be taken to prevent the 

 soil geting dry before the seed has germinated. When the plants show 

 their true leaves pot off into 3 -inch pots, using rich soil, and shift as re- 

 quired. For early use the Dwarf Champion is probably one of the best. 



Winter Bulbs. — By planting at intervals of ten days or two weeks 

 there should have been a succession of such desirable bulbs as paper white 

 narcissus, freesias, ixias, tulips, and hyacinths. The first mentioned may 

 be grown successfully in water, but perhaps does better in soil, while the 

 others require soil. As the freesias have a tendency to sprangle, the plants 

 should be tied up just as the flower buds begin to appear. After flowering 

 water should be withheld somewhat until the bulbs are ripened off, when 

 they will be in good shape for next fall's planting. 



