PERENNIALS AND BIENNIALS 



flowers are large, brilliant in color, and last a 

 long time when cut. Its cultivation is of the 

 simplest, and it is readily transplanted in the early- 

 spring. As the plants are large and spreading, 

 they should not be set closer together than from 

 fifteen to eighteen inches. On the terrace the 

 plants attain a height of from two and a half 

 to three feet, and the flowers measure from three 

 to five and a half inches in diameter. It is 

 easily reproduced from seed, cuttings, or division 

 of the roots. The seeds are easily gathered, and 

 with little trouble one can obtain all that may be 

 desired. It is better to mark specially large 

 blossoms and save the seed from them alone. 

 The Gaillardia does not seem to require a very 

 rich soil, but I always scatter about the roots 

 in spring a little phosphate, ashes, and bone-dust. 

 It begins to bloom as early as June aoth, and 

 some blossoms may still be seen until frost, but 

 it is at its best during all of July and August. 



The old-fashioned Sweet William, Dianthus 

 barbatus, is a prime favorite with me. It is per- 

 fectly hardy, and survives the coldest winter if 

 reasonably protected with snow. The colors 

 vary considerably, and are classed generally as 

 dark or light shades, though it would be difficult 



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