166 State Horticultural Society. 



ft 



bouquets with the addition of a suitable ribbon, and no flower that grows 

 is superior for table or parlor decoration. The colors may be com- 

 bined effectively, or simply massed in one preferred hue. They are 

 always, and everywhere a graceful and popular annual. Their culture 

 is not difficult if three arbitrary rules are observed : First, deep plant- 

 ing in rich mellow soil ; second, early planting, as soon as the frost is out 

 of the ground ; third, a suitable wire trellis for them to cling to. 



In this climate sweet peas should always be in the ground early 

 in March. If it is not possible to get them in the open ground so early, 

 they do well started in boxes and transplanted. Put them in a trench 

 five inches deep, cover with two inches of fine light soil, mixed with 

 leached wood ashes. As the sprouts appear bring the remaining three 

 inches of surplus soil close to their slender green bodies. Cultivate 

 the soil same as for garden peas, hoeing them when needful to keep down 

 aggressive weeds, and grass. When the hot summer days come a light 

 mulching of straw or leaves is useful to help hold the moisture and to 

 keep the sun from burning them at the roots. Water freely and cut 

 all the blooms every day until you get tired of the blossoms. This 

 course of treatment will insure flowers until autumn comes. 



Pansies are such spirited, saucy little flowers that every one loves 

 them. They are the spoiled darlings of the floral world. When they 

 lift up their bright little faces for admiration you smile down at them, 

 no matter how world-worn or weary you may happen to feel. 



A flat bouquet of pansies half hidden among dainty fern leaves is 

 one of the prettiest forms of table decoration imaginable. They are 

 pretty to wear also, but droop very soon unless they are placed in water. 

 Pansies can boast the prestige of more sonnets than all other blossoms 

 combined, except roses and lilies, and these are not annuals. To cul- 

 tivate pansies, sow early in shallow boxes of earth in the house, or in a 

 cold frame ; if in the house, transplant twice to prevent spindling — the 

 last time to the open ground. Soil for pansies should be deep rich loam, 

 and the plants should be set quite close together, no more than two 

 inches of space should be allowed between them. They require plenty 

 of water ; under the right conditions nothing can excel them in profusion 

 of bloom. Like sweet peas, they must be gathered freely or they will 

 go to seed and lie down. To have good pansies is some trouble, but they 



