THE DAWN OF SPRING 



push on soil preparation and sowing as rapidly as is March 

 consistent with good workmanship. IO-31 



Herbaceous plants may be propagated and planted. 

 Hardy annuals may be sown. The planting of Roses 

 may be completed. All fruit planting should be finished 

 before March is out. Most kinds of vegetables may be 

 sown. 



Flowers 



It is unnecessary to repeat what was said in the first 

 section of March about preparing and planting herba- 

 ceous borders. This task is one which will afford 

 pleasurable occupation in favourable weather at any 

 time in March. 



Chrysanthemums for Borders. — Florists' Chrysanthe- 

 mums form such a beautiful class that it is small wonder 

 that the flower gardener casts covetous eyes upon it, 

 and wants to know if he cannot make some use of it in 

 his borders. As a late summer and autumn flower the 

 Chrysanthemum has only two formidable rivals, the 

 Dahlia and the Michaelmas Daisy. The former is not 

 an ideal border plant ; moreover, it is tender. The latter 

 is of the highest merit. But fine as they are, there is 

 no reason why Michaelmas Daisies should monopolise 

 the garden in autumn. They have their places in the 

 border, and fill them worthily; but Chrysanthemums can 

 be added without displacing any other plant by adopting 

 the simple plan of growing them in a reserve bed, and 

 when early plants in the borders fade, cutting them to 

 the ground, and transferring the Chrysanthemums from 

 their temporary quarters to the neighbourhood of the 

 decapitated plants, whose good work they will carry on 

 most admirably. In view of the potential usefulness of 

 Chrysanthemums in this respect, it is satisfactory to find 

 143 



