GROWING FLOWERS 2OI 



Among the plants that do not need to be sown until the 

 weather becomes warm are the marigolds and cosmos. 

 Their blooms are wanted in late summer and fall, after 

 most flowers have ceased blooming. Scarlet sage is also 

 one of the most brilliant of the autumn flowering plants, 

 its tall stems being crowded with bright red flowers. Hol- 

 lyhocks are tall plants grown from seed, but not showing 

 their large, gaudy flowers until the second year. 



Window gardens. Many persons who have not room 

 for an outdoor flower garden find pleasure in a little window 

 garden. The flowers may be grown in pots or boxes, 

 inside a sunny window or on a shelf outside (Fig. 131). 

 Most of the smaller outdoor flowering plants may be thus 

 grown from seeds, bulbs, roots, and cuttings, and in ad- 

 dition, many less hardy plants, such as begonias, crab 

 cactus, and geraniums. To start geraniums or other soft- 

 wood cuttings, place the lower portions of the cuttings in 

 clean sand kept constantly wet, and in a sunny window. 

 If necessary, a pane of glass can be placed over them to 

 retain the heat, and thus make a tiny greenhouse. 



EXERCISE. Ask some grower of flowers whether the present is a 

 suitable time to start cuttings of roses and other flowers. If so, make 

 some cuttings and set them. Ask at home or at some neighbor's if there 

 is any flower from which you can get a start of bulbs, roots, or cuttings. 

 Before using them make sure they are free from disease or insect injury. 

 Write in your notebook a list of five of your favorite flowers. 



NOTE TO THE TEACHER. Catalogues are sent free by most seedsmen. 

 The illustrations in them and their descriptions of varieties will be of 

 greatest service to you in enlisting the pupil's interest in flowers. An 

 especially helpful publication is Farmers' Bulletin No. 195, United States 

 Department of Agriculture on Annual Flowering Plants. If not already 

 obtained, write to the United States Department of Agriculture for bul- 



