THE PRACTICAL FLOWER GARDEN 



number as the prescriptions for infants' foods, 

 and, in the seedsmen's catalogues, many dif- 

 ferent varieties are Hsted for the various 

 fruits, for vegetables, and for the flower gar- 

 den. Not all are necessary, but some knowl- 

 edge of the different requirements of the va- 

 rious flowers, of the food best suited to each 

 plant with which it will achieve the best 

 results, is one of the most interesting studies 

 of the modern gardener. 



Among our friends, there are some who can- 

 not eat red meats, uncooked fruits, salads, or 

 other foods. The fact is accepted without 

 comment, and the hostess provides such arti- 

 cles of diet for her guests as are best suited to 

 their conditions. Why, therefore, should not 

 the plants that reward us with such luxuri- 

 ant bloom for the care bestowed upon them 

 receive each the nourishment upon which it 

 thrives the best? Chief and best of all for 

 grass, vegetable and flower gardens, is cow 

 manure which should be at least five or six 

 months old before it is used; fresh and finely 



120 



