80 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



division of the old clumps, such as iris, hardy phlox and lily 

 of the valley. 



All surface soil in the borders should be forked over as 

 deeply as possible without injuring the plants, and then 

 should be raked or hoed fine and loose. In sections where 

 there is likely to be a long summer drought it is well to keep 

 the winter mulch handy to apply again as a summer mulch. 



Getting a Start with the Annuals 



Popular judgment is not far wrong when it comes to 

 picking out the best of the annuals. But, paradoxically 

 enough, some of the best-known annuals are the least known. 

 Take nasturtiums, for instance. Nine persons out of ten 

 still buy seed in collections. Why not buy a few of the 

 splendid new named sorts? The seed costs more. But 

 nasturtiums are almost always planted too thick to do well. 

 The dwarf sorts make good borders. They flower profusely 

 even in poor soil. . 



Sweet peas used to be bought almost altogether by the 

 " collection" also, but dozens of named varieties are now 

 well known. A little extra attention given to the planting 

 and care of your sweet peas will be amply repaid. For best 

 results trench the rows, forking in at the bottom a good layer 

 of rotted manure. The rows, if in a well-drained position, 

 may be made about six inches deep at first. Cover the seed 

 about two inches, and gradually fill the trench as the plants 

 grow. Leave a slight depression to help in watering. Pro- 

 vide a suitable trellis before the vines begin to climb. 

 Mulch with leaf mold, grass, or light manure as dry weather 

 comes on; the mulch is desirable even when water can be 

 given, as it prevents alternate drying and soaking of the soil 

 and keeps it cool. 



Poppies cover a wide range of form and color, and may 

 now be had in numerous named varieties. The seed of the 

 annual sorts is very fine, and care should be exercised to 

 make the seed bed as fine as possible. Unless the soil is 

 moist, water it thoroughly several hours before planting. 



