146 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Nothing is gained by being in haste to get house-plants into the 

 ground; it is better to leave them in Avinter quarters till our cold 

 spring winds are over, say till the middle of May in this locality. 



Plants are set out in masses of one variety, or two or three kinds 

 are arranged in ribbon style, much oftener than they used to be. In 

 large yards this can be done with fine effect. A half dozen scarlet 

 geraniums planted together will catch the eye and admiration of the 

 passer-by, when, scattered, they would be unnoticed. 



Geraniums will give more bloom in proportion to the size of the 

 plant if you can put in the ground young thrifty plants that have 

 been started during the winter or very early spring. 



Verbenas I have to buy each season from some florist, as Jack 

 Frost usually nips my seedling verbenas in the bud. 



Old Fi(cJisias will give you the most blossoms, and they can 

 share some partially shaded corner with the pansies. 



If there is, a spot where the soil is particularly rich, and the sun 

 bright, heliotropes will accept it gratefully. 



These house-plants that I have mentioned: geraniums, verbenas, 

 heliotropes, and fuchsias, are those one must have for blossoms, it 

 seems to me, even if only one bed can. be had. 



The list can be increased indefinitely by adding carnations, tea 

 roses, bouvardias, abutilons, lantanas, hibiscuses, and others. 



There is a wonderful variety of bulbs, and tubers, too, that pro- 

 duce lovely foliage or flowers, but as I have had but slight experience 

 with them, I pass them to some one " who knows."' 



The name of beautiful foliage plants is legion. Very charming 

 ^ects are possible with these latter to the veriest amateur. For ex- 

 ample, alternate rows of mountain-of-snow geranium and some dark 

 coleus gives a very pleasing effect. Some varieties of centaureas, 

 commonly called " dusty millers," in alternation with a dwarf red 

 coxcomb, will be a handsome bed till heavy frosts come, but the cox- 

 comb seeds must be started in the house or hot-bed early in the 

 spring. 



The beauty of a foliage bed depends very largely upon the skill 

 with which it is arranged, and gives ample scope for the amateur's 

 ingenuity. 



Annuals of endless variety there are that can easily be grown, 

 provided one can obtain good seed. No one kind perhaps yields bet- 

 ter results than phlox drummondi, as its colors are many and bril- 

 liant, and it flowers so freely. A bed composed entirely of these 

 plants is a "thing of beauty and joy " until there is a killing frost. 



The last of July, or first of August, the geranium cuttings that 

 are intended for winter blooming should be rooted. Take these cut- 

 tings just below a joint, and from the end of a top shoot if possible. 

 A stocky cutting will make a pretty plant, while a long-jointed slim 

 one Avill be an awkward, gangling thing always. After taking off 

 all but two or three top leaves put the cuttings in a shallow box or 



