AFTER THOUGHTS 295 



from the hot sunshine. The north side of the house 

 Ls a good place for the Fern bed. 



One objection — in fact, about the only objection 

 that can be urged — against the Lilac, is its tendency to 

 sucker freely. If allowed to have its own way, each 

 old plant soon becomes the center of a thicket. This 

 can easily be prevented if one will apply the hoe vigor- 

 ously about the old plant, for a few minutes, once a 

 week, during the season of growth. Shave off the 

 sprouts close to the ground, and keep them shaved off, 

 and you will have no trouble in keeping your Lilacs 

 under control. 



Nearly all smooth-leaved plants are greatly bene- 

 fited by applications of water to their foliage, provided 

 the sun is not allowed to shine on them while wet. But 

 plants having hairy foliage, like the Gloxinia and the 

 Rex Begonia, are almost invariably injured by the 

 application of water to their leaves. Bear this in 

 mind, and be governed in showering your plants by 

 the peculiarities of their foliage. 



