4 



J. T. LOVETT. LITTLE SILVER, N. J. 



plaat or by putting 

 strawberry baskets over 

 them; and to water co- 

 piously. There is also 

 danger of heating in 

 transit if shipped in hot 

 weather. Therefore 

 spring and autumn are 

 the best seasons for 

 planting — some persons 

 preferring autumn plant- 

 ing and others claiming 

 spring to be the better 

 season. As a matter of 

 fact, neither spring nor 

 fall is to be preferred for 

 the entire list of varie- 

 ties. It is essential to 

 give a covering or 

 "Mulch" of some des- 

 cription to fall plantings. 

 Loose, light manure :s 

 perhaps the best material 

 though almost anything 

 which is riot too heavy 

 and soggy will answer. 



An example of Japanese Gardening. 



It should be applied as soon as the earth has become encrusted by freezing and forked into 

 the soil upon the approach of pleasant weather in the spring, when all danger of freezing is 

 over. Do not permit it to remain until the plants have become "started" or made considerable 

 ^rowth; for they will then be more or less damaged when the "digging in" process is per- 

 formed. The proper distance for placing each plant from its neighbor depends upon the 

 habit of the variety — whether it be a strong :,- nd vigorous grower or one of more dwarf 

 and compact habit — varying from a few inches to as much as two feet. Those in the front 

 line should be planted closely in order to cover and conceal the earth quickly. Plants of 

 creeping habit and with attractive foliage — such as the Moss Pinks — are frequently planted with 

 tall growing varieties to cover the ground. In planting, straighten and spread out the roots, 

 and press the soil down firmly; but place no deeper than the plants stood in the nursery. 

 The only culture needed is to keep the soil loose and free of weeds by hoeing, to stake here 

 and there, a plant that needs support, and to remove faded flowers. In hot, dry weather a 

 thorough watering is decidedly beneficial. If without conveniences to water readily, a mulch- 

 ing of lawn clippings or other loose, light material will produce results almost as good. By 

 giving the beds and borders an annual dressing of well rotted manure or compost in the 

 au+umn and forking it into the soil in the spring (as directed above for new autumn plantings) 

 the size, beauty and quality of bloom will be greatly increased. 



Quality of Plants — As in other things, there is a great difference in the quality of plants 

 of Hardy Perennials — so vast a difference that "comparisons are odious." For example, a 

 strong, vigorous plant of almost any variety will yield a wealth of bloom the first year; the 

 early flowering kinds, in a few weeks from planting. On the other hand, a sm.all plant of the 

 same variety, if it does not fail outright (the chances are more than even that it will) must 

 at best struggle along, producing but a few sickly flowers late in the season. Herein is the 

 Nurseryman's "winter of discontent." It is much less expensive to produce these small and 

 immature plants than strong, well developed ones; yet the poor ones come in direct competition 

 ill price with the high class grade — and the pity of it is that but few who plant or wish to 

 plant Hardy Perennials, are able to discriminate and determine of whom they should buy. Just 

 here I wish to state that I grow all my Hardy Perennials without using stimulants of any kind 

 and without forcing. At the autumn exhibition of the American Institute held in New York, in 

 competition with many prominent growers of Hardy Perennials, I was awarded first prize for 

 "Best 50 varieties" of these flowers; the highest prize given. Also at the Chrysanthemum 

 Show of the same Institute I was awarded "Two Special Prizes" for Hardy Perennials. These 

 prizes, however, I esteem of little value as compared with the fact that those who have bought 

 of me in years past continue to do so regularly and, in a great many instances, are so 

 well pleased with results obtained that they induce their friends and neighbors to order of 

 me also. 



