326 STATE ro:NrOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



First, a tliorongh preparation of tlio ground must be given. It sliould bo- 

 rich, made thoroughly so, by well rotted or well composted manures. The 

 ground should be well worked to a liberal deptli, not less than eighteen inches 

 to two feet — barn yard manures, if well rotted, are the best. The depth of soil 

 is necessary to carry you through a drouth which is sure to occur sometime 

 during the growing or flowering season, and, even then, many of our finest 

 blooming plants will suffer and amount to but little without watering copiously 

 at such times. 



My own flower-garden was of no greater extent than eight square rods, yet 

 there was hardly a time from the blooming of the peonies in May until late in 

 October that less than a bushel Ixisket full of flowers could have been cut at 

 any time, and many of tlie hardy perennials, like pansics, feverfew, etc., have 

 afilorded us a liberal supply until tliis last freezing of the ground. 



Many attempt too great a variety — taking too great care to give each sort the 

 special treatment that particular variety demands, and so fail by attempting too 

 mucli in this direction. 



Jjulbons })lants, tlie crocus, hyacinth, and tuli[), are the first in season and 

 last until peonies and roses come in to take their places. The former, if in the 

 open ground, should be planted in the autumn, and present the best effect in 

 masses each kind by itself, in circular or geometrical sliaped beds, cut from the 

 grassy lawn. Tlie coloring is greatly intensified and the effect is surprisingly 

 more beautiful by the green of the surrounding grass. If an effect is desired 

 to be kept up during the season with plats, as soon as the bulbs are out of 

 flower, fill in with foliage plants, such as coleus, cineraria, maratima, etc., with 

 some larger kind like calladium csculantum, canna indica or some robust grow- 

 ing geranium for a center piece. 



If you have not already a supply of bulbs when planting time arrives, any 

 seed store, or any of our commercial florists can supply you. Unless you are 

 over-fastidious, and have more money than you can well take care of, buy mixed 

 sorts — they are nearly as good on an average, and many of them superior to 

 the high-priced named sorts, and you get ten times more for your money. 



A little clean sand immediately around tlic l)ulbs of liyacinths and tuli2')S 

 often prevents rotting of the bulb. 



Cover the beds with four or five inches of manure or leaves for winter 

 protection, and no further attention is needed except to remove the covering in 

 the spring. 



The great varieties of Cliincsc peonies of late years have proved a great 

 acquisition to our flowering plants. 



I have been adding from year to year one or two to my collection as I have 

 found the colors to please me, and have now twenty varieties, and I must say 

 I have found few or no flowering jdants that please me better for the care 

 necessary than these. 



If, from any cause, it is necessary to neglect any of your ])lants you can do it 

 here. They ask few or no favors of you, but go right ahead, just the same. 



Roses come next. 



I used to think I got but little satisfaction from this class of flowering plants 

 for the amount of labor and care I gave them. I usually, from the perpetual 

 blooming class, got a fair show in June, and occasionally a jioor misshapen one 

 would apjiear half smothered by a cluster of sickly, abortive buds, as if it were 

 ashamed to be seen, and this was all, unless we take in consideration an ugly 

 mass of briers or thorns, everywhere a nuisance. They have behaved some- 



