62 GARDEN GUIDE 



Manure and a complete fertilizer should be well worked into a ne\v 

 border. All perennial borders profit by an application of bonemeal, 

 hardwood ashes and sheep manure every year or two. Perennial 

 borders which have been flowering year after year and to which much 

 manure has continually been added, become somewhat sour and an 

 application of slaked lime every two years is very beneficial. Many 

 of the perennials do not attain their proper maturity before the Winter 

 when they have been excessively fertilized and forced into continued 

 sappy growth. They then suffer from cold. All soils for borders 

 should be loose, so that they can be easily kept stirred. Soils are 

 made light or loosened by manure, sand or coal ashes. Clay soils 

 surely need some such treatment. 



PLANTING. Now that the questions of fertilizers and soils are 

 settled, let us consider the planting. A rule is given in setting peren- 

 nials to put them a trifle closer than half their height. For example, 

 Columbine grows two feet tall; for good clumps place young plants 

 one foot apart. This rule will not apply in subsequent years, for as 

 the plants grow they must be thinned out. A good, liberal planting 

 is always the better plan. Plants should usually be set a little deeper 

 than they were when growing in the nursery. Care must be 

 exercised not to bury them too deeply, however, for some perennials, 

 as Violets and German Iris, are almost surface creepers. In placing 

 the perennials in the soil, spread the roots symmetrically; do not 

 wad them and cram them into a little hole. 



SPRING PLANTING. The planting of perennials is best done in 

 Spring when the tops are just about to start into growth. There is 

 danger in planting when the soil is too moist, especially clayey 

 soils, which when they become caked are difficult to pulverize 

 during the whole growing season. 



AUTUMN PLANTING. In the Autumn most perennials can be 

 transplanted successfully if their roots get established before cold 

 weather. If perennials must be moved in full growth they should 

 always be cut back; especially is this the case when much soil is re- 

 moved from the roots. All newly set stock should be watered. There 

 is usually less work in Autumn than in the Spring, hence this season 

 is often preferred for planting. 



CULTIVATION. Through the growing season the surface soil should 

 be loosened so that air may enter in order to encourage root action, 

 as well as to conserve the moisture, and keep the weeds in check. 

 Under the heading of " Lawns " we have mentioned the value of lawn 

 clippings as a Summer mulch to conserve moisture. We very strongly 

 recommend nicely decayed stable manure and leafmold, where these 

 are obtainable. 



