2 



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



should be placed behind 

 the low growing ones ; 

 otherwise the latter would 

 be hidden from view. In 

 arranging for planting 

 these beautiful flowers, do 

 not fail to plan for enough 

 of them to furnish a goodly 

 supply of cut bloom for 

 the house, at all times, 

 without depleting the beds 

 to the extent of making 

 them appear meager and 

 sparce of color. 



It has been stated that 

 hardy perennials can be 

 successfully planted any 

 day of the year when the 

 ground is not frozen ; how- 

 ever, spring and autumn 

 are the best seasons for 

 planting them. It is es- 

 sential to give a covering 

 or "mulch" of some de- 

 scription to fall plantings. 



Loose, light manure is perhaps the best material, though almost anything that is not too heavy and soggy 

 will answer. The mulch 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 j when all danger of freezing is 

 over. The proper distance for placing each plant from its neighbor depends upon the habit of the va- 

 riety — whether it be a strong and 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. Varieties of creeping habit and with attractive foliage, are frequently 

 planted with tall-growing sorts 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 nurs*°ry. 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. By giving the beds and borders an annual dressing of well-rotted manure or 

 compost in the autumn and forking it into the soil in the spring, the size, beauty and quality of bloom will 

 be greatly increased. 



Border Planted With Hardy Perennials 



QUALITY OF PLANTS 



As in other things, there is a great difference in the quality of hardy perennial plants — 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 small plant of the same variety, if it does not fail outright, must at best struggle along, pro- 

 ducing but a few flowers late in the season. Herein is the nurseryman's "winter of discontent." It is much 

 less expensive to produce, 



dig and pack these small 



and immature plants than 

 strong, well - developed 

 ones ; yet the poor ones 

 come in direct competition 

 in 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 deter- 

 mine 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. 

 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 neigh- 

 bors to order of me also. 



Border planted with Hardy Perenniah and Shrubs 



