HARDY PERENNIALS 149 



for the seeds of annuals in the spring. Sow the 

 perennials in shallow drills about four inches 

 apart, thinning the seedlings as they begin to 

 crowd or transplanting to other beds. It must 

 be remembered that July sun is a good many 

 degrees hotter than the sun of early May. 

 Annuals planted at the latter time are not likely 

 to suffer greatly from scorching, but peren- 

 nials, submitted to mid-summer heat and 

 drought, have a hard struggle unless some shade 

 is provided. A covering of laths is good for 

 the purpose and these may be employed by 

 erecting a framework two feet above the seed 

 bed and upon this distributing the strips so 

 that intervals of two inches are left between 

 them. A shade will then be cast over the bed, 

 but enough sun also will fall upon the ground 

 to keep the seedlings in good health and the 

 soil sweet. Water carefully, using a spray, 

 and applying the moisture so gently that the 

 plantlets will not be washed from their hold on 

 the soil. 



In the autumn, if the seedlings have attained 

 a fair size and are healthy and vigorous, they 

 may be transplanted to their permanent places 

 in the border. Here they will come through the 

 winter unscathed if the usual protection is af- 



