356 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Most of our Other hardy perennial flowers increase rapidly 

 and readily by division or may be grown from seed. There 

 is a great variation in seedlings of some sorts, such as the phlox 

 and Shasta daisy. Others, such as columbine, pyrethrum, lark- 

 spur, oriental poppy, gaillardia grandiflora, yucca, etc., come very 

 true and are usually grown from seed. 



The choice varieties of phlox are sometimes increased much 

 the same as some of our shrubs : that is, by layering and from 

 green wood cuttings. If done in June and July, they will be well 

 rooted by fall and may be transplanted, or early the following 

 spring. The cuttings should be made about three or four inches 

 long, and all except a portion of the upper leaves removed. Hot- 

 bed frames make an ideal propagating bed, and if given a little 

 bottom heat from manure they will root more readily; otherwise, 

 if the soil is cold, watering with tepid water is beneficial. The 

 soil should be almost a pure sand and kept well watered, and 

 the beds covered with cloth or burlap to prevent too rapid evap- 

 oration until the plants become rooted somewhat. 



Nearly all flower seeds are very small, and hence it stands 

 to reason that they should not be planted deeply. The above 

 conditions mentioned for starting cuttings are also favorable for 

 the germination of seed. They may also be planted in flats and 

 covered w-ith burlap or glass or the flats placed in these frames. 

 Seed of hardy perennials may be planted in the fall when ma- 

 ture, and the plants given a light rhulch during the winter. 

 Phlox seed, especially, is much surer to germinate if planted at 

 that season; 



The seedlings grow slowdy while young, and hence it is best 

 to bed them out as soon as large enough to handle, transplant- 

 ing them in the fall or following spring to their permanent place. 



As people become better acquainted with this class of flowers, 

 the demand for them naturally increases. They are easily start- 

 ed, and many of them bloom the first season from seed. They 

 require the least possible care and spring up each season with 

 increasing thrift. Although they thrive even under neglect, 

 they richly repay for added attentions and encourage one to 

 take a greater interest in them and in having more of them. 



Mr. Henry Husser: Do you propagate cannas? 



Mr. Strand : I do not do anything with that class of flowers. 



Mr. Husser : Has any one tried to keep the roots in good 

 condition to plant in the spring? 



Mr. W. J. Moyle, Wis. : I would state that most of the French 

 hybrids and most of the varieties, in fact, are of such a nature. 



