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A PLEA FOR HARDY PLANTS 



In a recent number of "Garden and Forest," Mr. Gerard has very 

 properly called attention to the possible field of the hybridizer in improv- 

 ing really hardy chrysanthemums for garden purposes; and in a later 

 number a writer takes exceptions to his remarks, claiming that the 

 flowers are always damaged by frost and that their habit is straggling 

 and poor as compared with the improved greenhouse varieties. 



Now, I think we have all seen chrysanthemums in farmhouse yards 

 and village gardens that have endured for years, and that have, with- 

 out any special culture, produced an annual mass of very satisfactory 

 flowers and foliage ; and there is no doubt that the flowers of these 

 sorts will go through considerable frost and snow without tarnishing. 



These chrysanthemums are certainly useful material for the hybridizer, 

 but for the present we shall be very well satisfied if some enterprising 

 nurserymen will collect from old gardens such varieties as now exist and 

 give us the opportunity of using them in our gardens. 



Before I conclude I wish to give a special word of praise to my 



BED OF SWEET WILLIAMS 



