212 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



rain. It will not take much time and the whole community will appre- 

 ciate it. Nothing can be more unsightly than roadsides of sunflowers or 

 cockleburrs. They obstruct the view of the fields and besides it indicates 

 poor management. A good collection of smaller weeds, and weeds that 

 are not so harmful, do not make a bad effect, at least there is an air of 

 naturalness. But as a general rule, mow the roadsides. After this is 

 done go on the other side of the fence and mow the weeds between the 

 fence and field ends. 



In conclusion, I hope that every reader will try some of these sugges- 

 tions, at least clean up and paint the buildings. There is not much ex- 

 pense to what has been advised. Anyway, never think about how much 

 it is going to cost, but ask if it is going to be beautiful. If it is beautiful, 

 it will be a recreation to you — yes, an inspiration, by these means you 

 have have not only made the place beautiful and more homelike but you 

 have increased the value of the place over and above the cost of the 

 beautification. 



THE HOME BEAUTIFUL. 



C. S. HAKIUSON, YORK. 



It is a delightful thing for the home to have a procession of beauty 

 from early spring till the hard frosts of autumn. 



On account of the winter drouth which prevails in Nebraska and other 

 portions of the West it will not do to plant trees and shrubs in the 

 fall unless we except the lilac, which is one of the hardiest ornamentals. 

 The practice which succeeds so well in the nioister climate of the East 

 has been discarded with us. 



With perennials, however, it is different. Their tops always die down 

 in the fall while the roots survive. We have never found a raspberry 

 which did not kill to the ground while the roots would be uninjured. If 

 possible we always plant perennials in the fall and seldom lose a plant. 



PEONIES. 



If you note the structure of the roots you will find the buds which 

 are to produce the next year's foliage and flowers are perfedly formed 

 the last of August. In September we commence to plant. If the tops 

 are green mow them off and dig and divide the roots. Some of these 

 may be very brittle and snap like pipestems when handled. Let them 

 dry a half a day and wilt a little; toughen them so you can cut them up 

 in safety. Then you can put them in water or plant in moist earth and 

 you restore them to plumpness again. Often among valuable sorts there 

 is great loss in cutting up when freshly dug. You need a bud with a 

 root to make a success. Wilt them and you can divide with perfect 

 safety. Dealers will often dry them a little to i)revent the roots from 

 breaking while being packed and then use moist material to restore them 

 on the way. You i)lant the root while the bud is young and tough and 

 immediately il will thiow out tiny rootlets which by September will be 



