MARCH ACTIVITIES 85 



CHAPTER VIII 



MARCH ACTIVITIES— THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER 



GARDEN 



THE women of other sections of our United States may cover 

 their gardens with wrappings of brown leaves and let them 

 sleep all the long Winter through tucked away under warm blankets 

 of soft, white snow, but not so may southern women rest from their 

 labors. Their gardens must be kept in blossom all the year. 

 The Violets and Tea Olives come with Christmas; January brings 

 the Narcissus and Snowdrops; February wakes the Hyacinths, 

 the multi-colored Japonicas and the pearly Camellias, and, by 

 the time the March winds blow, the garden is in its early Spring 

 attire. 



March is preeminently garden-waking and garden-making 

 time in the South. A month later is the rule for other sections. 

 The regular March work means the starting of the Summer garden. 

 The seed of Salvias, Verbenas and Antirrhinums must be planted 

 in boxes and also the vegetables. Tomatoes and Peppers. In 

 sunny situations, where they are to bloom, are placed the seed 

 of dwarf Nasturtiums, Morning Glories, dwarf Helianthus, Ager- 

 atum. Sweet Alyssum, annual Delphiniums, and Marvel of Peru. 



Of the Salvias, Ball of Fire and Bonfire are most reliable and 

 satisfactory, both as to quality of bloom and length of time of 

 flowering. The Salvias can be depended on in any situation, 

 whether sun or shade, provided the soil is rich and mellow. The 

 seed is rather hard to germinate, and needs especial care in plant- 

 ing and in seeing that it does not dry out after germinating. 



The Giant Antirrhinums and Mammoth Verbenas in white, 

 pink and red, should be planted in the seed boxes or beds and 

 transplanted later into permanent positions in the borders. They 



