1236 YARD AND GARDEN 



No flower is easier of culture or less doubt- 

 ful so far as success is concerned than the dah- 

 lia. We have the single and pompon, the 

 show, the quilled and fancy, the decorative and 

 the cactus varieties. The hundreds of shades 

 and colors and the beautiful forms as well as 

 the grace of the plant and its value for cutting 

 give this flower an exalted position which it 

 well deserves. The roots should not be planted 

 in the northern states before the middle of 

 May and, when the growth appears above the 

 surface six inches or so, it is generally well to 

 pinch the tops, a process which produces a 

 bushy, comiDact, dwarf growth. 



Following the dahlia in popularity and 

 praise are the gladioli. They may be planted 

 either in separate beds or among perennials 

 where they will add gay colors to borders 

 which might otherwise be l^are. Gladioli 

 should be planted as early in the season as the 

 ground can be worked and every two weeks 

 thereafter until July first for a succession of 

 bloom. They prefer a sunny situation, a rich 

 soil and plenty of moisture and should be 

 planted six inches deep, seven or eight inches 

 apart. 



The tuberous-rooted begonia is valuable be- 



