114 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



few years run out. These bulbs need frequent trans- 

 planting, which should be done soon after the flower 

 stalk turns yellow. 



Biennial Plants. 



Many biennial plants like hollyhocks, foxgloves, etc., 

 are especially desirable for the home flower garden, and 

 like many of the perennials may be easily grown from 

 seeds. 



Growing Seedlings. The seed-bed for all hardy her- 

 baceous plants should be in a somewhat shaded place, 

 but not entirely shut off from the sun. The soil should 

 be firm and mellow, with a good supply of organic mat- 

 ter in it from either well decomposed manure, leaf 

 mould from the woods, or composted turf. The seeds 

 should be carefully sown in rows and covered with fine 

 soil two or three times the thickness of the seeds. Until 

 the seeds burst through the soil the principal care will 

 be to see that the surface of the soil does not get dry or 

 that it is not so wet that the seeds will decay. In case 

 of hot, dry weather, a shade of burlap stretched on a 

 frame, lath or brush will prevent too much drying, and 

 if heavy rains occur raised shutters should be placed 

 over the bed. A light covering of sifted sphagnum moss 

 on the surface of the soil will hold the moisture on the 

 surface with no other shade or covering. After the 

 seedlings are up much the same kind of care is needed. 

 If too wet, they will "damp off" (decay); and if too 

 dry, they will wilt down and grow slowly, or perhaps 

 die. If the seeds come up thickly they should be thinned 

 out, so that each one left may have space enough for 

 full development. With many kinds of plants the little 

 seedlings may be transplanted to other similar beds 

 until they reach the desired size for transplanting to 

 permanent beds. In transplanting in dry weather it is 



