44 THE GARDEN 



SOME LATE BLO OMING PLANTS 



For instance, there is tlie larkspurs; not the perennial larkspur, which 

 grows to such a height in the full summer time; but the annual variety, 

 grown from seeds planted in April. Doubles and singles, blues, dark and 

 light; lavenders, pinks, whites, and the decicate feathery foliage, forming 

 such a background for the long racemes. What flower could be lovelier? 

 And, until late November one may be able to gather sprays for the house. 



Many people utterly despise the old-fashioned marigolds. Certainly 

 the odor is strong and rank, but the giant marigolds, with their great 

 double orange-gold flowers are sturdy and able to stand a certain degree 

 of heavy frost without any ill-health. We have seen so many carriage 

 drives bordered with scarlet salvia, but everyone knows how utterly and 

 finally destructive, both to foliage and flower, is the first frost. Leaves 

 withered and black, fiowers wilted and drooping. 



Now, the thought came to us to advise the planting of mixed varietiea 

 of the giant marigolds, instead of the scarlet salvias. These marigolds 

 bear bravely intense heat, drought and early frosts. Swirling dusts from 

 the streets do not affect the plants, and th^e flowers are borne in great 

 profusion. 



The old-fashioned Zinias, homely annuals of old-time gardens, will 

 bloom away as merrily as you please. True, the foliage is stiff, the flowers 

 are stiff and regular, and of fragrance there is absolutely none. But sow 

 the seeds in some odd corner and your late autumn days will be brighten- 

 ed rarely. 



Ten weeks' stock, of which there are so many varieties, double, single, 

 and every color imaginable, may be kept in bloom very late, by removing 

 the first tall flower spike, thus preventing seeding, and encouraging the 

 bushy growth of the plant. It is surprising how late in the season one may 

 have these sweet scented flowers, always so welcome an addition to the 

 table decorations. And, of course, there are the chrysanthamums. 



SEEDS TO BE GATHERED 



Yes, even in July, if you please. If you do not believe it, just take a 

 look around your beds. 



Some plants form seeds much more quickly than others do. And, do- 

 not forget that many have been in blossom since early March. 



Do you know that the forget-me-nots have seeded themselves down 

 some time ago? Look close around your patches of these flowers. Do you 

 see many tiny leaves just coming up? These are young forget-me-nots, if 

 you please. This is a plant whose seeds you will not need to gather. 



But there may be some especially fine plant you noticed, when in 

 bloom, whose seeds you want. Did you mark it? Or has it gone to seed 

 and you do not know which one it was? 



It is always a good plan where the plants are growing in clumps to 

 mark with a piece of tape or like matter so that it can be readily picked 

 out. Usually the first blooms are the largest, and those are the seeds 

 best saved. 



The Sweet Williams are seeding now. Some of the seed vessels are^ 

 now opening, and should be gathered, for altho falling on the earth they 

 will come up next year, still it may be desired to save some. 



Gather up in a special envelope and mark. It is best not to put these 

 seeds away until they are perfectly dry, else there is danger of moist oc- 

 curring. Let them remain on a paper in the sun, for a day or so, up in 

 the attic, or in a vacant room, where there is no danger of casual passer- 

 by upsetting them. 



Seeds are best left open to the air in a china or glass vesesl, until 



