5 6 FLOWER GARDENING 



these really repay wonderfully the little care that 

 it takes to prolong their blooming season. Pansies 

 and sweet alyssum will stand the frost; the calen- 

 dula and scabiosa a great deal of it. Look out for 

 cosmos, dahlias and geraniums in particular. 



White cotton cloth laid over plants is the handi- 

 est protection. Frost conies when the wind has 

 gone, and the cloth is just heavy enough to stay 

 in place by its own weight. If it presses too 

 heavily anywhere, put a stake underneath. News- 

 papers are quite as good. Weight the corners 

 with small stones if the plants are very low; tall 

 plants may be wrapped loosely and the top of the 

 paper brought together with pins. Uncovered 

 plants that look dangerously frosted may often be 

 kept from being blackened by sprinkling them with 

 cold water the next morning, before the sun has 

 a chance to shine on them. 



Another way, and a very pleasant one, to get 

 the better of Jack Frost is to take up some of the 

 plants while they are in bloom, or just before. 

 Cosmos, and hardy chrysanthemums lend them- 

 selves to this purpose especially well. Dig the 

 plants up with a good ball of earth and put in pots 

 or tubs. The plants will be very decorative in- 

 doors, on the porch or set in the shrubbery or 

 hardy border and placed under cover at night. 

 Both plants have a long period of bloom. Cosmos 

 plants may also be placed in a shed or barn, or 

 the potting room of a greenhouse, and the blos- 

 soms used simply for cutting. 



