EVERGREENS 



individual specimens, they should be given plenty of room, 

 so that the limbs will not be crowded and the tree become 

 misshapen. Whatever else is done to the spruces and firs, 

 the lower limbs should not be trimmed up, at least not until 

 the tree has become so old that the lowest branches die. 

 Some species hold their branches much longer than others. 

 The oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) is one of the best in 

 this respect. The occasional slight heading- in, which we 

 have mentioned, will tend to preserve the lower limbs, and 

 it will not be marked enough to alter the form of the tree. 



Everlastings are flowers which retain their 

 shape and usually their color when they are dried. Most of 

 them are members of the composite family. In order to 

 have them hold shape and color, cut them with very long 

 steins just before they are fully expanded, and hang them in 

 an airy place away from the sun. They are all annuals, or 

 grown as such, and are of very easy culture. Sow seeds 

 where the plants are to stand. Good kinds are Ammobi- 

 um, Gomphrena or Bachelor's Buttons, Bhodanthe, He- 

 lichrysum, Xeranthemum, and Acrocliniuin. Certain wild 

 composites may be similarly used, particularly Anaphalis 

 and species of Gnaphalium. Some of the grasses make 

 excellent additions to dry bouquets (see Grass). With these 

 dry bouquets, various seed pods look well. 



Fenzlia. Little hardy annuals, having a pro- 

 fusion of bloom through the entire summer. The flowers are 

 a delicate pink, with yellow throat surrounded by dark 

 spots. A charming edging plant or window box subject. 

 Sow the seed in boxes or where plants are wanted, and thin 

 to the distance of 10 inches. Height 3 to 4 inches. Now 

 classed with Gilia. 



Ferns. Probably the one Fern grown most 

 extensively as a house plant is the small -leaved Maidenhair 

 Fern (or Adiantum gracillimum) . This and other species are 

 among the finest of house plants, when sufficient moisture 



