322 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Of blue flowers we have a generous number : platycodon, both 

 blue aod white, with balloon like buds and bell shaped flowers ; the 

 stately delphinium, monkshood, great lobelia, annual lobelias, forget- 

 me-not, plumbago, two varieties of campanulas, Stokes' aster, salvia 

 azurea, veronica and the dainty perennial flax. 



With the coming of cool weather pansies again delight us 

 with their immense size and rich colorings. Other plants continu- 

 ing in bloom, or beginning to bloom at this time, are petunias, ver- 

 benas, zinnias, scabiosa, asters of many colors and varieties, cosmos, 

 carnations, montbretias, pentstemon. the late planted gladioli, fun- 

 kias. hibiscus, hypericum of graceful habit and exquisite flowers, 

 achillea, pyrethrum hybridum, Shasta daisies ; Iceland poppies, 

 white, yellow and orange ; boltonia, New England asters and pom- 

 pon chrysanthemums ; hydrangeas, with their panicles of creamy 

 white flowers ; clouds of snow white clematis paniculata ; matri- 

 mony vine, covered with a profusion of tiny purple blossoms and 

 scarlet berries ; honeysuckles full of flowers and fragrance, masses 

 of maurandya vine, cobea scandens and passion vine, still with a 

 wealth of bloom. 



By the twentieth of October the number has considerably dimin- 

 ished, and November first there is little left save pompon chrys- 

 anthemums, matrimony vine and maurandya vine. 



Early in September the work of clearing ground, preparing soil, 

 sowing seeds, planting bulbs, dividing large plants and transplant- 

 ing begins, and is continued until late in October. Plants and leaves 

 as soon as withered should be removed from the garden and burned. 

 Division of plants is best done by using a sharp knife or spade^ 

 or by shaking off the soil and pulling the roots apart w'ith the 

 fingers. 



Of the planting of spring flowering bulbs there is no need of 

 mention here, as the leading dealers give reliable and explicit 

 cultural directions. 



After frosts have killed the tops of dahlias, the roots may be 

 taken up, dried in the sun and stored in boxes or barrels in a 

 dry, moderately warm place. Gladioli and tuberous begonias may 

 be stored in dry sand. Tender plants may be planted in boxes of 

 mellow soil, and placed in the cellar for winter. 



With the revival of the old-fashioned herbaceous garden, the 

 preparation of soil has become an important factor in our autumn 

 work. That this be thoroughly done is absolutely essential to suc- 

 cess. The soil should be well enriched, deeply dug and finely pul- 

 verized. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the necessity of 

 supplying plant roots with plenty of nourishment and a fine and 

 mellow soil and placed in the cellar for winter. 



