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local conditions, to write a series of papers upon the laying 

 out and maintenance of ornamental flower gardens. In spite 

 of our splendid climate, flowers which succeed admirably in 

 the country of tlieir production as a rule require especial care 

 and treatment in Hawaii. Such knowledge can only be 

 acquired by long observation and practical experience. There 

 are, however, a number of hardy plants which readily adapt 

 themselves to our conditions and flower profusely here with 

 a minimum of cultivation. 



The love of flowers is too often confined to the placid content 

 of admiring them in another's garden, but we would see Hono- 

 lulu a veritable city of flowers, and one in which every house 

 lot has its properly cared-for flowering plants. Foliage plants 

 are a valuable ornament to any garden, but one should not be 

 content to abandon one's whole yard solely to these. A prop- 

 erly directed taste for flowers should be an essential feature 

 in the education of the young, and is one of the best means to 

 beautify the home and render it bright and attractive. 



However small a house lot may be, it should be arranged 

 in some systematic plan in conformity with its general shape 

 and contour and in harmony with the house which it is to 

 ornament. Probably nothing adds so much to the attrac- 

 tiveness of a small home as a well kept lawn surrounded with 

 neatly trimmed borders. Beyond these, as space permits, there 

 should be first placed flower beds and then clumps of attrac- 

 tive crotons, dracsenas and other foliage plants, set out in such 

 a way that the larger are in the background. Care should be 

 taken not to cumber valuable space with unsightly or unseen 

 plants, but to have the fev/ so arranged that all are ornamental 

 and displayed to advantage. Shrubs should be pruned within 

 bounds, but this should be judicially done in such a way as 

 not to appear mutilated or dwarfed. 



Foliage pot plants are easily grown and should be made ex- 

 tensive use of. Of these begonias, caladiums, ferns, small 

 palms and orchids are among the most useful. It must be re- 

 membered that with these, as with every other gardening 

 operation, the degree of success attained will be commensurate 

 with the care and attention bestowed. In preparing soil for 

 potted plants, leaf mold, well rotted manure, road scrapings, 

 decayed or chopped cocoanut fibre, fine sand, broken charcoal 



