FLOWER GARDENING 125 



Sandwich Beds, with slight modifications, will 

 produce results of the most satisfactory charac- 

 ter. Because of depth of planting, the top layer 

 of the compost or street scrapings needs to be 

 about seven inches deep. Make this very rich by 

 the addition of manure. That from cow-stable is 

 preferred, as it is non-heating. The compost 

 should be prepared in early summer, and the ma- 

 terials in the heap should be thoroughly mixed by 

 shoveling over several times. Remember that 

 complete success depends upon having the soil 

 just right. In using street scrapings, be sure to 

 avoid streets that have been oiled, or that have 

 asphalt or tar in their make-up. 



Crocuses are used in masses, or " naturalized," 

 that is, they may be placed at random about the 

 lawn, or near shrubbery, and then be allowed to 

 remain for several years. They are planted in 

 September or October. In masses, plant them 

 three inches apart and two inches below the sur- 

 face. In lawns, make a small hole with a gar- 

 den trowel. They will finish blooming before the 

 lawns need mowing in the spring. Crocuses are 

 the first flowers of the season. 



Hyacinths. These should be planted six inches 

 deep, and six to eight inches apart, in beds pre- 

 pared as described above. They may be planted 

 any time during September or October, or even 

 later, in fact, any time before the ground is 

 frozen. A sunny location is best. Sometimes 

 when the bloom is heavy, the spikes blow over, 

 or break down. This can be prevented by tying 

 to light, strong stakes with a soft string. The 

 colors run in shades of pink, blue, yellow, red 



