THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



a plentiful supply of leaves to garnish the 

 bunches without robbing the Marie Louise 

 plants, which should be allowed to retain their 

 foliage all through the flowering season, as it 

 supports the blossoms, which are prone to 

 spring from the side of the crown (center of 

 the plant), and their own weight will bear 

 them on to the soil, if not protected by the 

 leaves. 



Of course, to establish the beds, plants old 

 enough to be set out had to be bought ; but such 

 extravagance is not permissible, nor advisable, 

 when there is a foundation stock to multiply 

 from. 



From the 1st of February to the end of 

 March is the time to start the nursery trays, 

 which we make out of laths and two strips of 

 board one inch thick, three inches wide, and 

 fourteen inches long for each end. Cut the 

 slats in half, and nail two, a quarter of an inch 

 apart, on to the strips of board. Then put on 

 two laths (one slat cut in half) for the sides, 

 and the tray is made. Spread a layer of pot- 



41 



