378 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



Daisies and early Chrysanthemums for late summer and autumn 

 bloom than on Dahlias, and if these two splendid plants are well 

 selected and grown the Dahlias will never be missed. However, 

 we are far from saying that Dahlias are impossible suburban plants. 

 Given rich, moist soil and sufficient room, they may very well be 

 represented. A Dahlia lover who felt that he could not provide 

 reasonably promising conditions for the large double and Cactus 

 Dahlias might try the Pompons. They are very pretty, and they 

 will do with a poorer soil than the rest. Hints on culture and 

 varieties have been given. 



Pansies and Violas in Suburban Gardens. As confirmed lovers 

 of moist, cool soil, Pansies are not perfect plants for suburban 

 gardens, where the ground is often hot and dry ; but it is not 

 impossible to grow them successfully, as we have proved by our 

 own experience. We have even planted them at midsummer ; but 

 special precautions had to be taken in the way of shading. It 

 will be well for any suburbanist who wishes to grow Pansies 

 to thoroughly dig the soil in winter, and if possible work in a 

 liberal dressing of cow manure. Further, he would be wise to 

 plant early in spring, so as to give the plants a good chance of 

 getting established before the hot, dry weather of summer came. 

 Then, with hoeing and watering, he ought to get some nice flowers. 

 Until he had felt his way, it would not be wise to buy expensive 

 named varieties ; he should begin with seedlings, which he can 

 raise himself by sowing a packet of seed in a box in a greenhouse 

 or warm frame in winter, thinning, pricking-off, and planting out 

 in due course. Probably more amateurs will wish to grow Violas 

 than Pansies, and in this case named varieties may be selected 

 from the list given in a previous chapter and planted early in 

 spring. They will thrive if good soil is given, and a weekly soak- 

 ing of water is supplied. There should of course be regular hoeing. 



Irises for Suburban Gardens. The Great German or Flag Irises 

 are almost ideal plants for town and suburban gardens. They care 



