THE CULTURE OF COMMON PLANTS 



shall be so grateful, for I do dread going into the new home 

 with all its painful newness." 



So here are some simple suggestions for planting about 

 the new home. Let the new gardener, when planting the 

 lawn, put some oxalis bulbs in the edge of the grass plot. In 

 pinks, or yellows, or whites, they give a delightful spring-like 

 effect until late in the summer. For the unsightly fence — 

 you should not have one — but if you have — cover it with 

 quick-growing vines such as Mina lobata, which has a way 

 of covering up ugly places with its sprays of orange and red 

 flowers that is most effective. Where a quick-growing solid 

 green is desired, I know nothing better than the Australian 

 bean vine or dolichos. Were I wishing a "hurry-up" garden 

 I think I should "go in," as the Englishman would say, for 

 nasturtiums of every variety. Mrs. Theodosia B. Shepherd 

 of Ventura has demonstrated that one can use nasturtiums in 

 almost every conceivable way, for there are varieties that will 

 climb to the roof-tops in a couple of months, and there are 

 still others that are dwarfed and stocky, and make excellent 

 bedding-plants. They are all sweet-scented, the leaves are 

 handsome and the flowers showy. By carefully selecting 

 colors one can get either vivid shades of scarlet, or the pale 

 creams, browns or reds, and the cut flowers can be put to 

 many uses. 



The poppy family are "friends in need," and the Shir- 

 leys especially can be depended upon to make a good show- 

 ing. The exquisite colorings from white to pale pink, rose 

 carmine and deepest crimson offer much variety. 



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