154 THE GOLD MINE 



large size. In short, as the result of that companion- 

 ship I found I had at least twenty varieties, and most 

 of them much finer than any I could import. A noted 

 florist came to see them. Of course, it was diflScult 

 for me to keep still after my discovery. He was de- 

 lighted. Taking out a silver dollar, he laid it on one 

 of the flowers of one of my new creations. He found 

 it would not cover it, and then, to be exact, he said 

 facetiously, ^'Tt would take just about one dollar and 

 thirty-five cents to cover that single bloom." While 

 that was the largest, there were several others which 

 would strain a dollar to cover them. Of course, this 

 opens a new chapter, and I am now on the highway of 

 other discoveries. I have sent for the largest I can 

 hear of and intend to follow this matter up. 



There is this difference between phloxes and paeonies. 

 You plant the seed of the former, and you get your 

 results within the year, often in ten months; whereas 

 with the latter it will take five to eight years. 



TIME OF PLANTING. 



I find it is best to jDlant in the fall. Have your 

 ground rich and friable — well pulverized so the plant 

 can easily assimilate the food. If you want a plant to 

 do its best, you must do your best by it. Always mulch 

 in winter. 



You may put the finest kind that money will buy 

 in the sod, and give it neglect, and the flowers will be 

 small. Then you say the florist has deceived you, when 

 if you would go to his grounds you would find every- 



