THE GARDEN 19 



Itself evident. The drainage should be good and soil three parts fibrous 

 loam, one part leaf mold, some sand and a trifle charcoal. 



All through the summer the pots should be carefully watched, a fair 

 amount of water being given, and the growth kept in check until autumn, 

 when it will be found that the roots have become pot-bound. This latter 

 condition is the forerunner of prolific bloom for early winter, consequently 

 repotting is not advisable. 



Olivias have been greatly improved of late years; so much so that the 

 ordinary old-fashioned orange-flowering variety, I. miniatum, is almost 

 shelved. 



A good winter flowering variety is I. gardeni, sending up in the dark, 

 gloomy days marvelously lively stalks of brilliant red lily flowers, standing 

 often 18 inches high. 



Olivia nobilis is the old-fashioned spring flowering kind, producing 

 early in February great stalks of drooping orange-red lilies in umbels. 



After flowering, set the pots away for a time in the dusky coolness of 

 an unused room, but do not let the earth dry out. Always, even while the 

 rooting is taking place, see that the soil is sufficiently moist to provide a 

 constant modicum of food. 



FORGET-ME-NOT 



There is an ever-changing charm and constant delight about the pretty 

 forget-me-not that endears it to the everyday heart. Not only does it fill 

 all the demands that any lover of spring flowers may express, but it con- 

 tinues its good work, week in and week out, throughout the whole summer, 

 and, if the plants are properly managed, will continue to flower until the 

 frost comes. 



Of course, the forget-me-not, to be seen in all its perfect beauty, should 

 be grown in a border, allowing it abundance of room, plenty of sunshine, 

 and copious watering morning and evening. Producing, as it does, hundreds 

 of bright blue flowers and a perfect miniature forest of long, delicate green 

 branches, covered with narrow, tea-leaf shaped flowers, the food required 

 for such luxuriant growth is enormous. The moisture and nourishment to 

 be drawn from the earth, no matter how well enriched that earth has been, 

 is never quite sufficient for the needs of a good edging of these plants. 

 Unfortunately, the roots are very superficial, being composed of countless 

 delicate threads, mere strings that only penetrate a short distance under 

 the surface. 



Consequently, should the top earth be allowed to dry out ever so little, 

 the plants wilt to the ground. However, if this should happen, a plentiful 

 watering will restore them to their original freshness. But do not let such 

 carelessness happen often, or the border or bed will soon present a dilapi- 

 dated appearance. 



Used to carpet bulb beds, the fresh, delicate blue harmonizes delight- 

 fully with the more brilliant hues of the daffodils, or tulips, or whatever 

 the bed chosen. 



I do not know any other plant that will endure so well as many trans- 

 plantings as one may wish. Given abundance of water, and they will live 

 on, and, better still, bloom away merrily. 



Plants may be raised from seed, or from cuttings, or by root division, 

 or even from small slips stuck in the ground anywhere. 



Some of the newer varieties are greatly improved in size and coloring, 

 among them being some shades of purple, pink and lavender. But, then, 

 who wants purple forget-me-nots? 



The thing could hardly be tolerated. Purple forget-me-nots. Never! 

 One can scarcely imagine such a thing. 



