CHAPTER III 



EAISING FLOWERS FROM SEED 



/^NE of the greatest pleasures to the gar- 

 dener is in raising flowers, both peren- 

 nials and annuals, from seed; and especially 

 is it interesting to gather and sow the seeds 

 saved from her own finest plants. I always 

 mark the plants whose seeds I wish to save 

 by tying white strings about the stems when 

 in full bloom as a sign to all that that blossom 

 must not be cut. My maid keeps me supplied 

 with a box containing little pieces, about 

 eight inches long and an inch wide, of white 

 muslin, black cambric, pink cambric and 

 turkey-red. I tie black upon the plants that 

 are to be cast out in the autumn; scarlet 

 upon the very bright red phloxes; a pink and 

 white string upon all those of pink and white 

 varieties; and a single white piece upon the 



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