1906] ADDRESS. 65 



is well prepared thej will withstand the varying climatic con- 

 ditions. 



In preparing a herbaceous border, remember it is not for a 

 month or a single year, but for ten or twenty years, and it will 

 pay to do the work thoroughly. In planting, the tall plants 

 should be used mostly at the back but not with too much for- 

 mality. They should be planted in irregular clumps, and where 

 different kinds come together they should intermingle with 

 natural effect. 



All flower stems should be cut back after blooming, for in 

 the case of delphiniums, a second crop of flowers will come. 

 Where the whole plant is cut and no further bloom comes for 

 that season, like the oriental poppies and hollyhocks, there 

 should be something started in advance to fill this space. Fre- 

 quently annuals can be used for this purpose. Lilies are also 

 valuable in this connection. 



One important feature in the care of herbaceous plants is 

 the mulching, which conserves moisture, adds fertility and pro- 

 duces a more uniform temperature of the soil. During the 

 present open winter, this has been veiy essential. Nothing 

 injures vegetation more in the winter than sudden changes in 

 temperature. Coal ashes are frequently used about the crowns 

 of plants to keep the slugs away. During their early growth, 

 and while they are making their flower stems, many of the 

 plants are benefited by frequent waterings. This is particu- 

 larly desirable with paeonies and Japanese iris. 



Each year it is necessary to thin out the plants that grow 

 rapidly, or the border will soon lose its original proportions. 

 The sunflowers and asters, for example, if left undisturbed for 

 a few years, would overrun their neighbors. Then the phloxes 

 are greatly benefited by division, while with some kinds, like 

 paeonies, they would be be'rter undisturbed. 



Twelve desirable herbaceous plants with time of flowering 

 are: 



Columbine, - ' - May. 



Pyre thrum, - - June. 



Iris, German and Japaa, June and July. 

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