Propagation of Plants 101 
because the little plants winter-kill. I have never lost a 
single one at this stage, even if they were growing astray in 
the walks, quite unprotected by mulch—but it is all due to 
the deep snow. In removing mulch in the spring, do it 
gradually, to avoid the results of heavy spring frosts at night. 
It makes considerable difference where certain plants are 
set. The Montbretia is quoted as a tender bulb, which 
requires lifting and storing in the cellar during winter. I 
have carried mine through several winters successfully, when 
planted in the main lower garden, in a sheltered position, 
though I have lost others twice when they were planted on an 
elevated terrace within a foot of the outside stone wall. 
Give tender things a sheltered corner, and perhaps a pine 
‘bough or two, or better still place a barrel or box over them 
filling it with leaves. I attempted this treatment with a Cher- 
okee rose brought from Florida, but I failed to place manure 
zbout the roots first, though the leaves were piled to the top 
of the box when I left in early winter; on my return they had 
melted down to four or five inches. The consequence was 
T lost all but a single shoot of my rose. I ought also to have 
put a cover on the box. I forgot to mulch it in any way the 
next winter, and lost it entirely, though I have carried Florida 
honeysuckle through three winters without much attention. 
As I look back I seem to have made every mistake possible 
toignorance. But, given every possible mistake, one is bound 
to learn considerable as the years go by. ‘Tender roses and 
shrubs should be tied up in straw, but I do not try to grow 
things that have to be coddled. 
Under the propagation of plants comes the very essential 
question of how close plants should be set together. There 
are different opinions about this matter, and I have tried all 
sorts of ways, and find ina dry climate such as mine, that 
close planting is a necessity. For annuals of tall slender 
