SPRING IN 



plant it four or five inches below the surface, 

 about the tenth of May, and keep weeds from 

 crowding it, and it will ask for no more atten- 

 tion from you. Its range of colors is wonder- 

 ful. A bed of it will make your garden mag- 

 nificent. It combines the rich coloring of the 

 Orchid with the delicacy in tone and texture of 

 the Lily. Unlike many brilliantly colored 

 flowers, it is never coarse. It is most effective 

 when planted in groups of from twelve to 

 twenty. The long, slender flower-stalks will 

 need some support to prevent their being 

 broken down by sudden winds. I would not 

 advise staking and tying them, as that always 

 results in a stiff, formal effect far from 

 pleasing. I make use of a large barrel-hoop, 

 across which I stretch coarse twine, such as 

 is used for tying up wool or on harvest- 

 ing machines, in such a manner as to se- 

 cure a large number of meshes. I use this 

 twine because it presents a larger surface 

 to the stalks than small twine, thus doing 

 away with the danger of cutting into the 

 tender growth. I support the hoop on 

 three stakes, having it about eighteen inches 

 from the ground. It will be necessary to assist 

 the stalks in finding their way through the 



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