102 THE BLOSSOM CIRCLE OF THE YEAR 



but what do we have in life that is worth having, without working 

 to gain it ? 



My Violets are planted on the edge of the flower borders, 

 separating them from the lawn. I also use them to divide the 

 lawn from the driveway and to edge my porch boxes. They 

 make a satisfactory evergreen border edging. Blooming from 

 October to April, at first not very freely, coming into full beauty 

 in December and blossoming by thousands from then until late 

 March, I know of no flowers that so well repay a minimum amount 

 of thought and care. If it is very cold the leaves may become 

 yellow, but the brave little plants seem to flower more freely for 

 the touch of Winter. To gardeners who can plant little and 

 give that little indifferent care, I should say plant a grass plot 

 and edge it with Violets. 



Chrysanthemums also must be looked after in May. They, 

 like the Violets, do equally well in sun or shade, and well repay 

 all care. They should be carefully separated, kept well watered 

 and shaded until rooted in the new positions, and then left alone 

 until August. By buying a dozen good plants to start with, and 

 adding a few each year, these will so increase that the garden will 

 be well supplied with this bravest and best of Autumn flowers. 



A dozen White Bonnaffon, a like number of Alice Byron, six 

 each of Major Bonnaffon, and six of Yellow October Frost, with 

 twelve Dr. Enguehard, made my May contribution to last 

 Autumn's blooms. They were a gorgeous gift to the family and 

 to the passersby. They bloomed from October until late frost, 

 which did not come until nearly December. In the Spring each 

 of these plants was the center of a clump which was separated to 

 secure strong, stocky plants for Fall bloom this year. There were 

 not less than four in the smallest clumps and as many as ten in 

 others. 



Do not mix the colors of the Chrysanthemum plantings. 

 Grouping the colors separately gives much finer effects. A long 

 border, closely planted, of golden yellow against the gray-green 

 of the foliage, masses of white intermingled with the shrubbery, 

 glowing crimsons, dainty pinks in beds and borders, deep rich 



