132 PLANNING AND PLANTING 



The dry roots of the canna may be planted in 

 beds two feet apart in May, after all danger of 

 frost is past, and the ground has warmed, but in 

 planting dry roots there is almost always bound 

 to be some bare spots where roots have rotted in 

 the ground, or they have failed to sprout from 

 some other cause. 



A far better method is to start the roots into 

 growth in shallow boxes in the greenhouse or win- 

 dow; setting them close together and using either 

 sand, sawdust or sphagnum moss. 



As the shoots develop a portion of the root hav- 

 ing both sprout and new root development may be 

 cut off and potted up, later to be set out in per- 

 manent beds. 



Plants about a foot high, grown in greenhouses 

 in four-inch spots may also be purchased at plant- 

 ing time for about a quarter dollar each for the 

 standard sorts. 



Three of our very popular varieties, each one 

 well worth planting as the best in their several^ 

 colors are these: 



First, the most popular of all cannas is the 

 KING HUMBERT, growing to a height of about 

 five feet, and its bright bronzy red foliage topped 

 with heads or large trusses of glorious bright 

 scarlet flowers. The King Humbert has never lost 

 any of its original popularity. 



Next, a newer sort, THE PRESIDENT. Ac- 



