jHowe&sJSe&s anO JSorbers. 127 



planting. For large places the plants may be grown in a 

 greenhouse or warm frame; for smaller cottage and city 

 gardens a sufficient number of geraniums, heliotrope, Palis 

 daisy, coleus, verbenas, pyrethrum, pansies, and lobelia 

 may be raised in flat boxes in a light and warm cellar or 

 basement, or in a kitchen window, and where this is im- 

 practicable they can be obtained from a florist at a very 

 moderate cost. 



Of course the beds have to be prepared before the plant- 

 ing is done. Then the middle is first filled, row after row, 

 the border being left to the last. Large plants, such as 

 geraniums, are placed from eight to ten inches apart, and 

 smaller ones from three to six inches apart, according to 

 size. These plants require little or no care after planting, 

 except an occasional watering, pinching, or trimming. The 

 beds should be mulched with a thin layer of well-decayed 

 horse manure. 



Annual plants may also be used with advantage for 

 summer bedding; they are very numerous, and some are ex- 

 ceedingly fine. The most permanent ones are : Stocks, 

 Indian cress, asters, zinnias, phlox, three-colored convolvu- 

 lus, California poppy, Nemophila, scarlet flax, poppies, 

 lupins, Brachycome, the white rocket, larkspurs, marigolds, 

 and pinks of various kinds. None will form a permanent 

 display throughout the season. 



A beautiful effect may be produced by the proper use 

 of inexpensive foliage-plants such as Whitlavia, Solauum, 

 Perilla, Ricinus, Artemesia, Nicotiana, golden feather pyre- 

 thrum, and young seedlings of blue gum (Eucalyptus), ar- 

 ranged according to size in circular or oval beds and 



