IN THE FRONT YARD. 171 



to their plumpness by putting tliem in wet moss, or 

 keeping in or planting in moist earth. This is a very 

 important matter. I got onto this process after a good 

 deal of annoyance and vexation. In planting, have 

 yonr ground in the best of order. I have deep, rich 

 soil, fertilized with hen manure when I can get it; 

 only prepare your ground beforehand, so the fertiliz- 

 ing will be assimilated. Make a deep, wide hole with 

 the spade, insert the root, press the earth close about, 

 put the bud two or three inches below the surface, and 

 be careful not to bruise it. It is a good idea to put 

 a coat of manure over them in winter. 



PLANTING FOR FLOWERS. 



You can raise roots and blossoms at the same time, 

 but you cannot multiply as rapidly as where you raise 

 solely for the increase. Of course you will raise many 

 flowers while you are propagating. The ready bloom- 

 ers will get in their work the second year, and at that 

 time we often have quite a burden of bloom. Some 

 sorts require time to come to their best. Usually the 

 largest and latest sorts need a year longer than the 

 others, while some kinds will bloom on the least provo- 

 cation. Victoria Tricolor is noted as an early, prolific 

 bloomer, and a ready multiplier. It often blossoms 

 the first year. 



To raise the largest and finest flowers, the ground 

 should be very rich. We often cart on soil and manure 

 to increase the depth. Hich, bottom land, well ma- 

 nured, is best. The ground to be planted in the fall 



