The Flower Garden 



1427 



If the flowers are to be grown about the edges of the lawn, make sure 

 that the grass roots do not run underneath them and rob them of food 

 and moisture. It is well to run a sharp spade deep into the ground about 

 the edges of the bed every two or three weeks for the purpose of cutting 

 off any grass roots that may have run into the bed. If beds are made 

 in the turf, see that they are three feet or more wide, so that the grass 

 roots will not undermine them. Against the shrub borders, this precau- 

 tion may not be so necessary. It is often desirable that the flowers fill 

 all the space between the overhanging branches and the sod. 



Sow the seeds freely. Many will not germinate. Even if all do germi- 

 nate, the combined strength of the rising plantlets will break the crust 

 on the hard soils ; and in the thinning that follows, only strong and promis- 

 ing plants are allowed to re- 

 often obtained when the colors 

 if the flowers are thrown into the 

 bays of heavy shrub borders. 



main. Better effects are 

 are in masses, especially 



Jk vil. .,,'V-A 



Fig. 42. — Zinnias. Often known as " youth and old age " 



Plants continue to bloom for a longer period if they are not allowed 

 to produce seeds. The flowers should be picked, if possible, as soon as 

 they begin to fade. 



