354 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
OUT-DOOR FLOWERING PLANTS. 
MRS. ANNA B. UNDERWOOD, LAKE CITY. 
The past season in this locality was especially trying to all classes of 
vegetation. When large shade trees are perfectly bare in August from — 
lack of moisture, there is not much chance for the growth and develop- 
ment of plants and shrubs. Those flowering in the early part of the 
season did well, giving good blooms and plenty of them. 
In the flower garden, among the annuals, the petunias, marigolds, 
mignonette and verbenas made a bright showing. The gladiolas gave 
good satisfaction. I must mention especially a bed of Crozy cannas that 
reveled in the hot, dry weather, and looked with pity on their suffering 
friends. A bed of gaillardia attracted a good deal of attention. They 
are very showy for house decoration, as they last many days, ‘and fine 
for out of doors, as the period of blooming covers many weeks. 
Last spring I bought a dozen bulbs of the caladium; procured a half 
dozen kerosene barrels, cut them in two, painted them a dark green, 
filled them with earth, placed one bulb in the centre, and when it was 
well up sowed a few nasturtium seeds around the edge of the barrel. 
These were placed in different parts of asmall park in our cemetery, where 
they could receive a thorough watering once a week, and were very 
handsome. Being in such large tubs they did not dry out quickly and 
required but little care. 
I have been told that lantana can be grown in large tubs in this way 
until they become véry large shrubs, placing in the cellar during the 
winter to remain dormant. until spring. I have a dozen plants that I 
intend to try in this way. 
There is always the blissful anticipation that next season will be more 
favorable; and so, after a little rest from discouragements, the spirits 
rise, catalogues are consulted, plans made, and spring finds us as enthu- 
Siastic as ever. How fortunate it is that we cannot look into the future , 
