May : Second Week 



FLOWERS FOR THIS SUMMER'S BLOOM. PLANT- 

 ING ROSES; BABY RAMBLERS; DAHLIAS; 

 ASTERS 



Probably no job in the year's round of work gives results 

 so certain, so immediate and so satisfactory as setting out 

 growing plants from pots for the summer's bloom. The 

 garden that is bare, brown and barren in the morning may 

 by the use of a few dozen geraniums and edging plants be 

 transformed into a beautiful spot by afternoon. But the 

 effects depend as much upon the way the plants are used 

 as upon the money spent for them. Setting out a lot of 

 beautiful plants does not necessarily make a beautiful 

 garden. In nine cases out of ten the most pleasing effects 

 are produced with the most simple use of materials — only 

 one or two colors in a bed and the most simple and natural 

 arrangement of the plants. 



In buying plants it is best to make personal selection, 

 if you have had enough experience to know just what kinds 

 of plants will give the best results. Most persons insist 

 upon having plants that are in full bloom, and go upon the 

 principle of "the bigger the better." For bedding purposes 

 a plant well set with buds is much better than one in full 

 bloom, and so long as it is stocky, shapely and thrifty, size 

 is of secondary importance. 



On the other hand, the condition of the roots, which are 

 seldom examined, is of the utmost importance. The roots 

 should be in about the same condition as in the case of 

 plants ready to repot — a good ball of active, light-colored 

 roots. If the plants have recently been repotted, so the 

 root balls have not formed, they will be checked consider- 

 ably in being set out. If the plants are so old that the roots 



123 



