246 State Horticultural Society. 



stated the advantages of perennials are these: First, thej are 

 easily and cheaply procured; second, once secured thej last a long 

 time; third, they require but little cultivation. Starting early in 

 spring Avith a root system already formed, to draw upon, they can keep 

 abreast, if not in advance of the weeds, and hence require but little 

 intervention to save them from these horticultural outlaws. Fourth, 

 they are easily propagated by methods requiring no expert training. 



The list of hardy herbaceous ornamentals which I present to you 

 to-day could be duplicated many times over without exhausting the 

 number of really desirable sorts for yard and garden cultivation. The 

 native perennials of our woods and prairies are almost unknown in our 

 gardens, although many jDOSsess great beauty and could undoubtedly be 

 improved by selection. 



The first plant which I shall call your attention to is that old-time 

 favorite the Carnation or Pink. This flower is too well knoAAOi to 

 require any description — not the greenhouse form. It is one of the very 

 few herbaceous plants which retains its leaves through the winter. 

 The Carnation will grow in a great variety of soils, but it blooms best 

 in a soil not too rich. It may be propagated by layers, cuttings or 

 divisions, the easiest and most satisfactory where only a limited num- 

 ber are required being divisions. This should be done in the fall, as 

 should all transplanting — the Carnation resenting disturbance in the 

 •spring. This plant is both desirable as a cut flower and as an outside 

 •decoration. The Carnation should be planted either singly or in rows 

 where it will soon mat and form a clump as large as is desirable for 

 good growth. The named varieties of the Carnation are not quite 

 true from seed, but the seedlings nearly always possess merit and Ihis 

 method of propagation is very interesting. (Dianthus barbatus — 

 Sweet William). (D. Phunarius — old Pink). (D. Caryophyllus — 

 Carnation, Clover Pink, Picotee, Grenadine, etc.) 



The next plant on the list is the Phlox. There are a great many 

 ■species of this genus M-hich are perennials, ranging from four inches to 

 "four feet in height, with red, violet or white suiniiier and fall blo'ssoms. 

 The subulata type are low growing kinds, soon covering the ground — 

 these are commonly kii<^\vu as ]M(iss Pinks. The Phlox will otow best 



