40 FLOWER GARDENING 



fully in a basket or wheelbarrow and protect from 

 the hot sun ; the roots dry very quickly. As a rule, 

 take up only what can be replanted before night- 

 fall; any held over may be placed in the barn or 

 cellar after being sprinkled lightly. Put all plants 

 that are not required for the garden scheme in rows 

 in a nursery bed, dividing them into as many 

 parts as you can. They will be useful there in 

 three ways for increase of stock, gifts to friends 

 and bouquet flowers. The greater part of the 

 spring flowers may be lifted with safety even after 

 they have begun to bloom ; give them plenty of 

 water. 



Plant always in a hole deep enough and wide 

 enough to a little more than take the ball of earth 

 that holds the roots. If the bottom of the hole 

 is hard, loosen it with the point of the trowel or 

 spade. Where the ground is dry fill the hole with 

 water and let this soak in thoroughly. Then 

 sprinkle the bottom with a little soil and set the 

 plant down, steadying it with the left hand to keep 

 it upright and filling in with the other until it 

 stands alone. As the remainder of the soil is filled 

 in, press it down with the hands or feet. Unless 

 there is a drought, a second watering will probably 

 not be necessary, but the plants must be watched 

 until the next rainfall. 



Many flower seeds cannot be sown outdoors 

 with safety until late in May, when, as the seeds- 

 men say on their little packets, "danger from frost 

 is over," April therefore ought to find a cold- 



