Teachers' Leaflet. 647 



proof that Columbine is persistent and has the ability to endure neglect 

 and hold its own against competition I would point to the fact that they 

 may be found about abandoned farm homes or lingering on the lawn 

 after a house has been burned. The plants under favorable conditions 

 spread out from the original plants by stooling. Children are greatly 

 amused by watching the bees wiggle in and out of the blossoms. 



Foxglove is another June bloomer and may be had by a division of 

 the plants or from fall seedlings. It, too, is persistent in holding its own 

 against competition. The shades of color of the flower may be called 

 soft. The flower spikes may be cut at the time of the opening of first 

 blossoms and the remaining buds will develop in a vase of fresh water. 



German Iris or Fleur-de-lis will succeed under many discouraging 

 conditions and it will hold its own in competition with chickweed, but will 

 show signs of weakening if there is a combination of chickweed, pigweed 

 and grass. It delights in a moist soil which at times may be wet, under 

 which conditions I have seen it persist season after season in a meadow. 

 It will accommodate itself to a gravel soil if kept moist and well culti- 

 vated. In my own planting this is the only location that I am able to give 

 it. The bloom is satisfactory in all respects and the increase in size of 

 plant goes on each year. I am careful that it has no competition with 

 weeds and has a mulch during the hot and dry periods of summer. 



The above four perennials with fall planted bulbs will make a fine 

 combination of an abundant supply of flowers from early spring until 

 school ceases in June. In my experience with their culture none of 

 them have insect or fungus troubles. 



The following belong to what I would class as a subsidiary list as 

 compared with the one given above: 



Pansies and English Daisy. These two mav be called comrades 

 in their sufferings from the heat and drouth. Both prosper in extra 

 fertility. Each belongs to the cool loving plants and are sure to give 

 abundant bloom in the spring when men wear overcoats and women 

 furs. The pansies are particular favorites of children. 



Lily of the Valley. One of the best to withstand shade. In fact 

 I should say it requires shade. It may be obtained by division of roots. 

 Its vigorous spreading of roots is a good illustration of Motherhood and 

 withstanding of competition. When a colony is once established under 

 favorable conditions it will drive a grass plot to the wall. Roots should 

 be planted three inches deep. 



Peonies. The old sort with its garish red is a favorite color with 

 boys and generally with girls. Of late years the newer sorts have softer 

 colors. The increase is by roots or " toes.' Under favorable conditions 



