196 .- HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS. 



Varieties The best varieties to grow in any one place cannot be 

 pointed out except by experiment, as there is no variety which does 

 equally well in all soils. When once the best sorts for any particular 

 soil are selected they should not be discarded until new and improved 

 or other kinds have been tested for at least a season. 



Carnations to Follow Chrysanthemums Where Chrysanthemums are 

 grown in large numbers on benches it is sometimes difficult to decide 

 what should occupy the space vacated by them. Carnations have been 

 tried with successful results. Boxes with easily removed sides and ends 

 are placed close together in the field, filled with suitable soil, and the 

 plants, six or eight, according to the width of the bench, put out in each 

 box. On the approach of unfavorable weather the plants are given the 

 protection of a frame until the indoor space is ready for them. The bot- 

 toms of the boxes are of stout material, and when placed side by side 

 on the frame work of the bench they may either be laid on the old bench 

 boards or take their place. Soil is added after they are in position, to 

 make the surface level. If necessary, rested roses may be substituted 

 for Carnations. Souvenir du President Carnot and Kaiserin Augusta 

 Victoria give good satisfaction by this method. 



MARGUERITE CARNATIONS These were introduced about eighteen 

 years ago as Summer flowering Carnations. They are very free in 

 blooming, fragrant, and quite varied in color. To have an early crop 

 of flowers seedlings may be wintered in frames, and another sowing 

 made early in March. In most places they may be safely put out in 

 April. 



DICENTRA SPECTABILIS (Bleeding Heart). One of the most beauti- 

 ful herbaceous plants in cultivation, flowering usually in May, splendidly 

 adapted for forcing. It is one of the first plants to push its growths 

 above the soil. In some localities it is apt to suffer from late frosts. 

 The time for propagating is just before the plant starts into growth. 

 Division of the crowns is the most reliable method. Dig up the plants, 

 saving every root; wash free of soil and preserve every piece of the plant 

 having a bud. Those pieces of the roots which are not necessary to the 

 buds should be cut into lengths of about 3 inches and put in boxes, keep- 

 ing them uniformly moist. While they will not all grow, a certain pro- 

 portion of them will pay for the labor. The divided pieces may be potted 

 or boxed, according to fancy, using sandy soil to induce a good growth. 

 Pieces of the crown on which there is a number of Jbuds, but not enough 

 roots to warrant further division, may be gently forced into growth, 

 and when the young shoots are of sufficient length, taken off and rooted. 



D. eximia is not so tall growing as the above named; the leaves are 

 more finely divided and the flowering period is much longer. 



DICTAMNUS FRAXINELLA (Burning Bush) A good, old-fashioned 

 border plant, growing 2 feet in height, with spikes of red or white 

 flowers. The plants should be given a good permanent position, as they 

 dislike removal. Increased by seed. 



DIGITALIS PURPUREA (Foxglove, Witches' Thimbles) One of the 



most stately of hardy perennials. The flowers, which are large and bell- 



