AX EXQUISITE SHRUB. 



197 



these old favorite flowers it is best to sow 

 the seeds during- April in shallow boxes in 

 the house. The seed is so small that it must 

 not be covered more than one eight of an 

 inch for best results. Transplant as soon 

 as the young plants are large enough, to 

 small pots or flats. When planted where 

 they are to remain they should be at least 

 two feet apart each way. It is better, how- 

 ever, to plant more thickly, and when the 

 plants come into bloom weed out the poor- 

 est plants. There is always some poor 

 kinds will come from the seed of the ver}' 

 best strains we can g^et. 



Phlox Drlmmoxdii — Sow the seed as 

 early in spring as the soil can be worked, 

 not more than one quarter pf an inch deep, 

 when the young plants are about two inches 

 high transplant where they are to remain, 

 setting- them ten to twelve inches apart. 



Sweet Peas — Sow as early as the soil can 

 be worked in trenches four inches deep and 

 two or three inches apart. Cover two inches 

 deep, working in the balance of the soil 

 gradually as the plants grow. When they 

 they are four or five inches high they should 

 have a trellis of poultry netting^, brush or 

 twine. To get the best results they require 

 a well drained rich clay loam and thorough 



cultivation until they are a foot in height, 

 then mulch with coarse manure or straw. 



\'erbexas — Sow seed early in April in 

 boxes, and transplant as soon as they have 

 made three or four leaves to small pots or 

 flats, and, when the trees are starting out in 

 leaf, plant out of doors twelve to eighteen 

 inches apart. 



To grow good annuals the soil should be 

 made rich and given thorough cultivation. 

 Water with the rake, in other words culti- 

 vate often by stirring the soil frequently 

 with the garden rake. This prevents the 

 soil from drying out. Do not wait for the 

 weeds to grow, but rake over the soil at 

 least two or three times a week in dn*- wea- 

 ther. It can be done more quickly than 

 watering and gives better results. 



In case the soil should become too dr}- in 

 case of a long drought, water thoroughly at 

 night. The soil should be saturated to the 

 depth of a foot. Next morning, as soon as 

 it can be stirred without cleaving together, 

 use the rake again. If this method is prop- 

 erly followed up you will not require to wa- 

 ter very often, even during a dry summer, 

 and you will get splendid results. 



W. W. HiLBORN. 



Leamington, Ont. 



AN EXQUISITE SHRUB. 



jF THE Spireas there are many ; some 

 are shrubby, some herbaceous, some 



«. bloom early and some later. Their 

 blossoms vary in color and form. Their 

 foliage is commonly interesting. 



The Spirea Thunbergii is not much known. 

 It is a dwarfish elegant grower. Its beauti- 

 ful light green foliage comes verj- early, and 

 is almost linear. This narrow foliage upon 

 its fine slender branches is a very suitable 

 and elegant addition to a bouquet the season 

 through. 



As autumn approaches the leaves assume 

 many golden scarlet and bronze colors, and 

 there remain for weeks and weeks exquisite- 

 ly beautiful. Many trees and shrubs take 

 on beautiful colors for a few days, then we 

 see bare poles. The ver\- early scattered 

 white flowers of the Thunbergii are very 

 nice but are not remarkable. 



The coming flower lovers will plant a 

 clump of Spirea Thunbergii in their beds of 

 shrubs or flowers. 



Niagara Falls South. E. Mordex. 



