98 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



out naturally. In using the budded plants set the plants so the bud 

 will be fully an inch below the ground — no matter how deep you put 

 the roots so the bud is under the ground. Be sure and have good, 

 rich earth under the roots. Now fill in, pressing the earth closely 

 around the roots. I learned when a child to always press the earth 

 well under the main stalk, or heart, I think my father called it, 

 of shrub or tree. Now press the earth firmly with your foot and 

 water. Do not water too much, as it keeps the earth too cool, and 

 the rootlets can not grow. 



We now uncover the clematis vines, which come through the 

 ground about fhe first of May. The clematis Jackmani will be full 

 of bloom the first part of June, but the clematis paniculata blossoms 

 in the fall. Some experience difficulty in getting the clematis to 

 grow. I have had none. I dig a hole plenty large for the root, I 

 spread the roots as near like nature had them as I can, I make the 

 earth very fine with my hands and fill in around the roots firmly and 

 then tramp it firmly with my foot. Planted this way I do not see 

 why they will not always grow, mine do. Sometimes the clematis 

 p. is tardy about appearing in the spring. Do not dig it up for 

 dead, but wait. I had one five years old which did not come last 

 spring until the 24th of June. Sometimes they come even later than 

 that, but this is not common. I wish every body would grow the 

 clematis p. They are hardy, very free growers, clean, never 

 troubled with insects and beautiful beyond description. 



The first thing I plant in the ground is my sweet peas. These 

 I plant in the ground as near the first day of April as I can work 

 the ground. I dig out the earth about a foot, often picking the 

 frozen ground with the pickax ; then I put in plenty of well rotted 

 manure and then earth to nearly fill the trench ; now plant the peas, 

 cover about two inches and firm the earth well over and around the 

 seed. Some will say, "Why do you plant so early? They will not 

 grow." They will grow, and even if snow and frost come it will not 

 harm them. The secret of growing sweet peas well is to have the 

 roots down deep where it is cool and moist, and by early planting 

 the vines make a deep root growth, which helps much in the hot 

 months of July and August. I have had peas planted in this way 

 grow eight feet high and blossom continuously from the 15th of 

 June to the 6th of November, when killed by frost. Always plant 

 early, no matter what the neighbors say. It is such a satisfaction 

 to have the earliest, largest and best of everything we grow. 



The hardy perennials are now ready for attention. The first to 

 be uncovered is the peony. The peony is the foremost hardy peren- 

 nial of the day. It is absolutely hardy, and its ease of culture sug- 



