SOME MINOR SUGGESTIONS 



times when they are too tightly tied in the middle. 

 Let the main stem be supported by stakes, tied with 

 green cord, with the side branches free to spread as 

 nature meant they should, except those that need to 

 be pinched back to induce branching, or when they 

 are shading some plant requiring light. When Cosmos, 

 Sunflowers, Dahlias, or any of the plants with a strong 

 centre stalk are allowed to have "humped-backs," 

 then the garden begins to look neglected, and after 

 several days of such crookedness they are like Humpty 

 Dumpty, for nothing can make them right again. How- 

 ever, spreading plants like Petunia, Verbena, Ageratum, 

 etc., may sprawl freely without being ungraceful, only 

 take heed lest they sprawl over something that wants 

 to be left alone and free. Another sign of neglect is 

 when fading flowers are not removed. Zinnia, Helio- 

 trope, Ageratum, and some others will wear a very rusty 

 look when thus neglected, which is hardly to be toler- 

 ated in the garden that we love. 



When it is desirable to cut back part of a perennial 

 that has finished blooming, allow suflScient foliage to 

 remain to permit of continued breathing and feeding 

 through the pores of the leaves. 



PEONIES 



If a Peony plant is crowding other things, trim it 

 only lightly at first, and loosely tie the stalks together. 

 By mid-August it can be cut down considerably, as it 



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