CHAPTER VIII 



THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS — INSTRUCTIONS 

 ON PARTICULAR KINDS 



In the preceding chapter advice is given that applies to groups 

 or classes of plants, and many lists are inserted to guide the 

 grower in his choice or at least to suggest to him the kinds of 

 things that may be grown for certain purposes or conditions. 

 It now remains to give instructions on the growing of particular 

 kinds or species of plants. 



It is impossible to include instructions on any great number 

 of plants in a book like this. It is assumed that the user of 

 this book already knows how to grow the familiar or easily 

 handled plants ; if he does not, a book is not likely to help him 

 very much. In this chapter all such things as the common 

 annuals and perennials and shrubs and trees are omitted. If 

 the reader is in doubt about any of these, or desires information 

 concerning them, he will have to consult the catalogues of 

 responsible seedsmen and nurserymen or cyclopedic works, or 

 go to some competent person for advice. 



In this chapter are brought together instructions on the grow- 

 ing of such plants commonly found about home grounds and in 

 window-gardens as seem to demand somewhat special or par- 

 ticular treatment or about which the novice is likely to ask; 

 and of course these instructions must be brief. 



It may be repeated here (p. 115) that a person cannot ex- 

 pect to grow a plant satisfactorily until he learns the natu- 

 ral time of the plant to grow and to bloom. Many persons 

 handle their begonias, cacti, and azaleas as if they should be 



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