MAY: SECOND WEEK 127 



they cannot be planted for some days make a shallow 

 trench in a cold frame or in some protected spot deep enough 

 to hold the balls of earth and cover them in, firmly with soil. 



Hybrid perpetuals are usually planted twenty-four 

 inches apart, and hybrid teas eighteen inches apart. In 

 setting them out the top of the ball of earth should be set 

 about two inches below the soil level. Be careful not to use 

 commercial fertilizers directly in the hole. A little bone 

 meal or ground bone may be mixed with the soil, although 

 it is better to do this a week or so in advance. 



Without doubt the greatest cause of failure, when good 

 plants are used, is careless planting. Three essentials to 

 success are: Have the roots in proper condition, neither too 

 wet nor too dry; set them out in moist soil put water in 

 the bottom of the hole before planting if the bed is very dry; 

 and set the plants in firmly. Press down round each one 

 with your full weight after planting. 



After planting, the only care necessary until blooming 

 time is to keep the plants well cultivated and well sprayed. 

 Every ten days or so use a combined fungicide and insecti- 

 cide, such as Bordeaux and arsenate of lead, or some similar 

 preparation that will not be so conspicuous on the foliage. 

 This spray will usually prevent mildew or blight, and 

 chewing insects. If the aphis puts in appearance spray with 

 some form of tobacco extract or with kerosene emulsion, 

 or use tobacco dust. 



Keep up with the Dahlias 



The dahlia is an old favorite, but one has to step lively 

 to keep up with it. Few plants have been developed into 

 so many new and really different varieties of merit during 

 the last few years as have dahlias. To make an intelligent 

 selection among the bewildering number of new sorts, 

 first fix in mind the different types: The cactus-flowered 

 section, which is the most popular, has long frilled or curved 

 petals, which are much more graceful and airy than the 

 older forms. The peony-flowered type is also open and 



