406 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The only particular attention it requires is plentj^ of water, a 

 -warm place when coming- into flower and an occasional sj^ring^ing 

 of the leaves to keep them free from dust. There are several species, 

 all requiring the same treatment. 



The Chrysanthemum, -well named the "Queen of Autumn," is not 

 the flower of our grandfathers' day, but so much improved bj' 

 experts in hj'bridization that it is now the acme of perfection, com- 

 bining wonderful size with remarkable vigor and splendid form. It 

 is indeed difficult to imagine anything more beautiful. Manj' bright 

 colors and intermediate shades have been added to the list in the 

 last few years. From the almost numberless varieties now grown, 

 it is not easy to select those which will give the best results, as those 

 which do well in one locality are often useless in another. All we 

 can do is to try, and in that way find out which does the best with 

 our soil. 



They are divided into three classes: Chinese, with large regular 

 shaped flowers; Japanese, whose blooms are large, irregular, 

 fringed and fluffy; and Pompon, with small compact flowers. 



We might mention manj' other plants grown in the greenhouse, 

 which are well worthy of more general cultivation, and the numer- 

 ous bulbs which produce flowers, which are highly esteemed by 

 all lovers of the beautiful. 



Bedding Plants. — It is not my desire to give a complete list of all 

 plants used in bedding, but only those most generally used and of 

 tried varieties. 



As to the selection of plants, it is best to tell 30ur florist what 

 kind of a bed you want, and let him use his own judgment. .Our 

 experience has been that the average purchaser is very much in 

 need of information, and is often misled bj' the glowing descrip- 

 tions annually pictured in man}' of the elegant flower catalogues 

 which are sent broadcast over the country with their wonderful 

 novelties. 



Our advice to buyers would be to let that neighbor of yours exper- 

 iment with the new varieties; to avoid the very common mistake of 

 planting too manj' colors in one bed; not to be afraid of getting the 

 soil too rich, or of giving them too much water, if j^ou have a sandj' 

 soil. 



Bedding is a term used bj' florists when plants are set out in 

 Avhat is known as " Carpet," " Ribbon," or " Massing- in Color." 



The carpet st3^1e is that of planting low-growing plants to form 

 carpet-like patterns, and must be made of such plants as present a 

 smooth, well-defined color, not to exceed four inches in height, set 

 close together, covering up the soil completelJ^ The plants most 

 used for this are, Sedum, Echeveria, and Sempervivum. 



Bedding in ribbon lines, is usually done along the margin of 

 walks, in different widths, from three to ten feet, as desired; the 

 plants to form a slope to the walk by planting the highest at the 

 back, with the lowest growing in front. Or, they maj" be planted in 

 a circular bed, the highest plant or plants in the center, and so on, 

 in circles of lower growing plants to the margin. To keep the plants 

 of each color well defined and smooth is the idea; they will need 

 constant care in pinching back and clipping. 



