^ Perhaps you love lilies-of-the-valley, the mode^ 

 blue crocuses, Roman hyacinths side by side with 

 blue and white and gold Spanish iris. Start several 

 pots of heliotrope and white calla lilies, both the 

 tall and dwarf, bordered with gay golden crocuses, 

 dainty freesias, etc. Think of the friendliness, the 

 companionship and the cheer these blessed flowers 

 will bring, blooming all Winter long in the nursery, 

 the sick-room, the dignified library, indeed there 

 is no place they are unworthy of. Any room, 

 where many hours are spent, there they should be. 

 You may have them all, you know, not for one 

 month or two, but all through late Autumn, 

 Winter and early Spring. Let us begin by planting 

 lilies-of-the-valley, either in good soil or fibre. I 

 prefer the latter and I think you will, and I am 

 partial to bowls that are rather shallow, those 

 that are not more than four or five inches deep, 

 the plain blue ones, or the jade green, black or 

 French gray. They may be found in all these colors 

 in the china shops, for a mere song. 

 ^ They vary in size from eight inches across to 

 eighteen, with all the intermediate dimensions. 

 The fibre is obtained at any seed ^tore or florid 

 shop. It should be thoroughly moi^ened, allowing 

 it to swell. Then lay three inches of it in the bowl 

 and at intervals of every three inches place a lily- 

 of-the-valley pip all around the inner edge, then fill 

 in the centre with the pips arranging the rather 

 long flexible roots smoothly, it doesn't matter if 

 they cross, or touch, or crowd, and if the pips look 

 very dry, don't imagine they are dead. After you 

 have arranged the roots, fill the bowl to the very 

 top with the damp fibre, pressing it firmly upon 

 the roots. Then water carefully so that the fibre is 

 not washed away, and in a. few days the dainty 

 green leaves will surprise and please you by peep- 



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