372 ANNUAL REPORT 



diciously and you will have all the flowers you want for yourself 

 and friends until frost conies. 



Sweet Peas should bs sown as soon as the frost is out of the 

 ground, the same as common peas, in double rows, with brush 

 between. Be sure and put the brush in before the plants 

 are three inches high, as they commence to run very soon and 

 will spread out on the ground unless the brush is there to sup- 

 port them, and so become stunted and will not cling to any- 

 thing readily. Do not plant them by the side of the house 

 or porch or around a bush, but give them the free and open 

 ground, well cultivated. If you want them to flower all sum- 

 mer, pick ott" the blossoms before seed pods begin to form, as 

 they waste the strength of the plant and it will soon dry up and 

 die. It is better to buy your seed than to sacrifice your flowers 

 by raising it. 



The seed of the Tropacolum or Nasturtium must be covered 

 at least an inch and should be four inches apart. Plant in one 

 long row allowi ug at least one foot on each side. They should 

 not be shaded by near or tall growing plants, or they will grow 

 too rank and run all to leaves. And last, but not least, a word 

 for the pansies. Give them a warm place both in the ground 

 and in your heart, for it is a dear, pleasure-giving plant, always 

 responding so freely in return for a little care and attention. 

 During the hot days of summer the flowers will be much smaller 

 and rather faded, but if not allowed to seed, when the cooler 

 days come in September, they will deepen in color and grow 

 larger, and they will never tail you until the ground is frozen 

 and long after all other flowers are gone. It is a gritty little 

 flower, too, for when spring comes, just as soon as the sun gives 

 it a chance, it is ready with its greeting of bright green leaves 

 and bads already started. It is no common thing to pick 

 some blossoms with the snow but a few inches away. The stem 

 will be real short, not more than half an inch in length, but the 

 little lace is so bright and happy at the chance obtained at last 

 of getting a peep at the sun and sky, that your face will beam 

 with corresponding joy and the words will spring to your lips, 

 "You dear, little, brave darling." And that is as it should be. 

 Talk to your flowers when among them, and you will be as- 

 tonished at the lavish manner in which they will bestow love and 

 sympathy upon you. And at the same time they will remind 

 you if anything is going wrong with them. 



