ORNAMENTING HOME "GROUNDS. 



IO7 



The use of stable manure, unless it has been thoroughly 

 heated and rotted to kill all weed seeds, is to be discouraged. 

 Instead of manure, an application of concentrated fertilizer rich 

 in phosphoric acid is to be preferred. 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



While, as a rule, better results may be obtained for the same 

 expenditure of time and labor by using shrubs and perennials, 

 the old fashioned flower garden of our grandmothers is not out 

 of place on the farm. In many cases the taste — or lack of 

 taste — of the occupants of a home are here most vividly por- 

 trayed. 



Many genuine lovers of flowers fail to realize the difficulty 

 in securing a constant succession of beauty both in blossom and 

 leaf. Indeed there are very few collections which can be con- 

 sidered in any way satisfactory. 



The leading faults that are met in all of our flower gardens 

 are the want of proper selection in the plants and a faulty 

 arrangement. A flower garden should be rich and attractive 

 during the whole summer and autumn, hence the importance of 

 avoiding plants which from their coarse straggling habit, or 

 sparseness of bloom give a confused or meagre effect. The best 

 effects will be produced from the use of a few species or varieties 

 which combine beauty of form with the habit of perpetual 

 blooming. 



Among shrubs, such as will give a succession of bloom and 

 will present attractive foliage during the remainder of the sea- 

 son, should be chosen. For example, the old fashioned roses 

 which bloom but once during the season, should be discarded 

 for the hybrid perpetuals and Rosa rugosa. Among annuals 

 all short lived species should be rejected and instead, such 

 plants as portulacca, verbena, petunia, Phlox Drummondii, 

 calundula, asters, pansies, etc., should be used. 



The good effect from a careful selection of plants may be 

 enhanced by exercising- proper care in grouping or massing 

 colors and particular species of plants. Masses of white and 

 crimson, of yellow and purple, and other shades and colors 

 brought boldly into contrast or so placed as to form an agree- 



