50 THE NOKTH DAKOTA FARMSTEAD 



be dug up after their leaves have died down and then kept in a dry 

 place until planting time. The small early flowering bulbs as Scillas, 

 Snow Drops and Crocuses are very beautiful, when planted in natural 

 clumps in the lawn where they are left undisturbed to come up and 

 bloom each spring. All the spring flowering bulbs Crocus, Scillas, 

 Snowdrops, Tulips, Narcissus Hyacinths and Tiger Lilies are planted 

 late in September or early in October. The soil should be well pre- 

 pared but with no manure as this causes them to rot. Plant them so 

 that they are covered with soil to depth of about 2 or 3 times the 

 diameter of the bulb, the greater depth in sandy soils. All bulbs 

 need a good winter mulch for protection, especially the lilies. Good 

 bulbs can be secured from almost any seedsman. As practically 

 all our spring bulbs are grown in Holland and our lilies in Japan, 

 the location of the seedhouse matters little. When bought directly 

 from seedsmen the cost is not very great. The bulbs come up every 

 year so it is not an annual expense. 



USE OF ANNUAL FLOWERS 



For a large amount of flowers in midsummer and for the early 

 beautification of a new place, the annual flowers are best. Since they 

 bloom the same season the seed is sown and live only one year they 

 can be arranged as fillers and in temporary plantings. The seed can be 

 sown in the open ground, but more and earlier flowers can be secured 

 by transplanting the small plants that have been started in the house 

 during March. Some of the most satisfactory flowers of this group 

 are the Asters, Zinnas, Nasturtiums, Verbenas, Marigolds, Poppies, 

 Ten-Week-Stock and Sweet Peas. Sweet Peas will bloom most pro- 

 fusely if the blossoms are cut several times a week. 



USE OF HARDY PERENNIAL FLOWERS 



The hardy perennial plants which are so common in the old 

 fashioned gardens are deservedly popular. After they are planted 

 they continue to bloom every year but need little attention. They 

 are best fitted for flower borders along hedges around the house or 

 scattered along the edge of shrubbery clusters. Among the most 



