MARCH: FOURTH WEEK 79 



the subsoil broken up with a pick; then a layer of drainage 

 material, such as coal or cinder, several inches thick should 

 be put in and covered with sod; and on top of this a layer 

 of good garden soil, well enriched with manure or bone dust, 

 should be placed, extending within six inches or so of the 

 surface. It is well not to enrich the top layer of soil, so the 

 roots will be induced to grow downward rather than to 

 feed near the surface. (See directions on page $00.) 



The plants should be set in a little deeper than they have 

 been growing, as shown by the soil mark on the stem. The 

 union or collar should be two or three inches below the sur- 

 face. Great care should be taken to keep the roots moist, 

 well covered with moss or burlap, while planting. Do not 

 leave them lying round exposed to wind or sun, even for a 

 few moments. After planting, prune the plant back even 

 more severely than you would a well-established rose of the 

 same kind. 



Work with the Hardy Border 



Do not be in too great a rush to get the mulch off the 

 hardy border. It should be left on until all danger of a 

 premature start, owing to a false promise of spring weather, 

 is past. Do not, on the other hand, leave the mulching on 

 until the plants start beneath it and then expose the tender 

 new growth to a late frost. It is best to remove the cover 

 gradually. If manure was used, work as much of it as pos- 

 sible into the soil as soon as it is dry enough to fork. At the 

 same time add bone dust or mixed fertilizer. Borders or 

 beds for perennials should be prepared as soon as possible, 

 and if the plants do not come from too far south of their 

 permanent location they will bloom this summer. Potted 

 stock is usually a little more expensive than field-grown 

 stuff, but it will give much better results. 



Almost every spring the gardener will want to move about 

 some of his own old plants. This is desirable if he wishes to 

 increase his stock or has varieties that have become crowded 

 after a number of years. Some things can be increased by 



