FLOWER GARDEN AND LAWN IN MARCH AND APRIL. 



97 



thing, no matter how hardy it is supposed to be, and when uncover- 

 ing I dig the good rotted manure in around the roots of roses, shrubs 

 and perennials. 



Now is the time to prune. I begin on the hydrangea first. That 

 I trim back fully one-half and take out all small, weak branches. 

 I then get fine large panicles of bloom instead of numerous small, 

 inferior blossoms. The lilacs, snowball and syringas we do not 

 prune in the spring, they having set their blossom buds in the fall. 



Now the hybrid perpetual roses are ready for their pruning. 

 These I prune to about a foot from the ground, as the blossoms come 

 on the new wood, and we want tO' have as much new wood sent out 



Residence of Mrs. A. S. Hanson, No. 3232 Harriet Av., Minneapolis. 



as possible. If you are a new hand at growing roses you will not 

 like to trim so severely, but it is roses we want, not bushes. Most 

 roses bloom on the new wood. It took me three years to learn that 

 the Persian Yellow bloomed on the old wood, and when I did dis- 

 cover it, such a shower of gold ! Instead of five or six blooms 

 I had over a hundred. The climbers we tie up to the trellises — but 

 do not trim any but dead wood, for they bloom on the side shoots. 

 We plant the roses when the ground has warmed, usually the 

 latter part of April. Roses are sociable people, they do not do well 

 planted singly, I plant in rows, and I prefer the budded stock. 

 Dig holes plenty large for the roots, do not crowd them, lay them 



