156 Growing Flowers 



that the work may be begun just as soon as danger 

 of frost is over. 



In planning borders, see that there is a back- 

 ground of shrubs, vine-covered walls, or tall plants, 

 with an abundance of bright colored flowers and 

 plenty of foliage. 



Soil 



Pulverizing the soil before planting seed and young 

 plants will make the task of cultivating much 

 lighter, as well as benefiting the plants materially 

 from the start. 



Soil containing more or less sand will grow warm 

 earlier in the spring than soil without sand. Sandy 

 soil is also easily drained, though too much sand 

 means little fertility. 



If the soil sticks together when rolled into a ball 

 by the hand, it is too wet to be cultivated. Soil 

 should never be plowed or harrowed unless it is 

 almost dry, otherwise there will be rough lumps 

 afterward. 



In localities where the soil is moist, plants that 

 require good drainage should have a specially raised 



