Perennials 3^ 



The experiment was so satisfactory that I do not hesitate to recommend 

 it. Better plants can be secured with but little work, for only the largest 

 and most vigorous plants will furnish the required number. This alone, 

 if the saving of money is not considered, would recommend the plan, except 

 when one is bent upon having a particular variety of phlox, iris 

 or peony, or other species having many named varieties. Surplus plants 

 are available for exchange among one's neighbours, or for sale if one 

 is so inclined. 



It so happened that the year I speak of I had old plants of iris, peony, 

 phlox, ranunculus and bleeding heart, all of which I was able to propagate 

 by dividing the clumps. I therefore bought only seven kinds of seeds: 

 forget-me-nots, coreopsis, hibiscus, platycodon, ipomopsis, hardy carnation, 

 and one other kind, the name of which I have forgotten. However, some 

 of the best seed catalogues give a long list of kinds that are easily raised 

 from seed, and some catalogues indicate the kinds which will bloom the 

 first year from seed. 



IV. Our Hardy Flowers 



By Alice M. Rathbone 



Roses, lilies, daffydowndillies, and all the rest of the loved company 

 of old-fashioned flowers, we count as our very good friends. Distinguished 

 friends, too, are these of the hardy border, tracing their ancestry far into 

 the misty past, and they are cultured to a degree. We find them fascinating 

 from the time of the early spring greetings to the autumn farewells, when 

 the brave dears are made ready with snug coverings for their long rest. 

 What a pretty and comforting fancy about underground plant-life in winter 

 is this of George Herbert's: 



"Flowers depart to see their Mother- root when they have blown, 

 Where they together, alle the hard weather, 

 Dead to the world, keep house alone." 



With the coming of March we begin to look eagerly for the snowdrop 

 heralds to announce the approach of the procession. Stout of heart must 

 be these dehcate little heralds, that they should dare to "take the winds 

 of March with beauty," like Shakespeare's stronger daffodils. Perhaps 

 the remembered warmth of former welcomes helps them on. 



