A GARDEN NOTE-BOOK 



best beauty of this fine thing by buying it as we 

 do afresh each spring, a plant from a cutting, low, 

 tiresome, fit only for the process of bedding-out. 

 The broadly branching habit of the geranium 

 when left to itself makes a little careful staking 

 necessary in the windy positions in which we keep 

 ours. But this can be done without stiffness or 

 apparent use of the wood. 



It is in early September, 1919, and in a dry sea- 

 son, that the garden looks actually frayed. Seed- 

 pods on all sides, the tall phloxes have a sj^ecially 

 unravelled look, but cosmos, pale calendulas, and 

 other annuals need daily experiences with the 

 shears if even a semblance of freshness is to be 

 preserved. A few fine things are still to bloom. 

 Salvia azurea is opening its perfect blue flowers. 

 Here these stand above the late white phlox, Mrs. 

 Jenkins, with nice effect. Aconites are in bud. 

 The pure white althea Wm. R. Smith has opened 

 its first bloom, and in the trial garden to-day I 

 found leaning against Campanula hmoinei, var. 

 Campanile, my own brilliant namesake in gladioli, 

 the most interesting companions for each other. 



September 26, 1920, and yet no frost; this 

 year the garden is magnificent in color. The tall 

 sprays of Wm. R. Smith hold out their moonlike 



120 



