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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL society. 105. 
succeeded. First, we set out in the large yard innumerable trees and shrub-— 
-bery to break the force of the furious winds. It was a rainy season, and ~ 
they all grew and flourished; and to-day we are living in almost a wood. 
We often think the winds do not blow as they used to, but going from 
home find them still ‘‘ on duty” on the prairie. 
After twelve years experience I am not afraid to try anything, and have 
had in perfection in one summer three hundred varieties of flowers. 
The soil when new is all that can be desired; so rich that even with care- 
less culture the growth is simply wonderful. After a few years it neéds 
enriching if you cannot make new flower beds. I enrich the ground with 
anything but crude manure, that from a spent hot-bed is excellent; a 
sprinkle of leached ashes is good; sweepings from the hen house; liquid 
manure from the barnyard; soot from the stoves, and wherever [ find extra 
good dirt some of it goes to the flower beds, until everything laughs with 
bloom and beauty. Spade the ground deep and rake thoroughly; but do 
not sow the seed until the ground is dry and warm. A few kinds need to be 
put in early. The seasons are very short with late and ungenial springs, 
and early autumn frosts. To remedy this I sow in a hot bed the seeds of 
such flowers as bear transplanting the last week in April or first week in 
May transplanting into the prepared borders the last week in May, or first 
of June, according to the season. A rainy evening is desirable, but, if 
ready, do not wait. I take up the plants carefully with as much earth as 
possible, having previously given them a good watering, and left the sash off 
nights to harden them. If very dry pour water in the holes, set the plants 
firmly, pour on more water and draw up dry earth around the stem, leaving 
a slight depression around each plant. 
Next morning cover with paper, leaves, or better still if I have them, 
invert small flower-pots or tin cans over them; in short anything that will 
exclude the sun is pressed into service, and the flower beds are ‘a sight!” 
Only water every second day, in the evening, unless the weather is very hot 
and dry. After the fourth day leave them uncovered until ten o’clock. In 
a week they are growing well and left uncovered all the time. With a push 
hoe I stir the ground frequently—keeping it loose and mellow, and killing 
any volunteer plants. With weeds, am not troubled, as none are allowed to 
seed. ' 
Chickens are excellent scavengers; they have the run of all my flowers, 
seldom harm anything, but do a world of good, as this ground abounds 
with ‘‘bugs and things.” One year some beds were infested with worms 
and insects eating the leaves and roots of the plants. I left all the dead 
flower-stalks until spring, raked the beds, burned the trash on them, spread 
and spaded in the ashes; the resu!t—not a bug or worm to be seen, nota 
plant destroyed. 
I give a list of some Annuals, the seeds of which are sown where they 
are to bloom: 
Abronia.—A pretty trailer; flowers in trusses like the verbena, but small- 
er; delicate fragrance. Looks best in a bed by itself. 
Alyssum (sweet).—Pretty for borders, and delicious in boquets or vases. 
Amaranthus, tricolor.—Very showy, but needs hurrying up to escape 
early frosts. 
Antirrhinum.—Blooms first season from seed; in warm countries is a 
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