FOREWORD 



March snows, for late June bloom. Then again, one 

 person may have a knack in handling some plant suc- 

 cessfully where other gardeners invariably fail. A 

 woman I know can transplant a lot of Shirley Poppies 

 with few losses, whereas other gardeners in attempting 

 it, with even the smallest seedlings, probably lose ten 

 out of twelve plants. 



Many old-fashioned gardeners are loath to crowd 

 the plants after the manner prescribed in these charts. 

 This method undoubtedly requires a little more super- 

 vision to prevent the smothering of the smaller vari- 

 eties, but at the same time, the shaded soil holds 

 moisture longer and fewer weeds intrude. 



There is but little left to be desired in the way of 

 fullest bloom and harmony, if the charted plans in 

 this book are strictly followed. With beds of different 

 sizes, but slight variations will be necessary, depend- 

 ing only on the number of square feet to be utilized. 

 Doubtless for large gardens in moister climate there 

 could be added a few more favorites, some of which 

 are included in the list of "What to Plant," though 

 omitted in the charts. 



These eleven plans later presented are duplicates of 

 beds in several gardens where continuous bloom reigns 

 from the opening of German Iris until frost. An in- 

 telligent gardener, after a little careful study, and 

 trial, must surely grasp these plans, and, once accom- 



[xiii] 



