22 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



the pot upside down, with the fingers spread over the soil. 

 A gentle rap upon the bottom of the pot will cause the 

 plant to fall out uninjured. Then, with the hand, make a 

 small hole in the ground, drop the roots of the plant undis- 

 turbed into it, so that the soil is about level with the sur- 

 face ; press the loam gently around the plant, and the opera- 

 tion is finished. After all the plants are set out, smooth 

 down the broken surface with the fine iron rake, and sprin- 

 kle freely with water. 



If the plants are not in pots, but in clumps, defer tlie 

 planting till a cloudy day, or when the dew is falling in the 

 evening. Separate the plants carefully and set out one at 

 a time. If the soil is in order, one thrust of the forefinger, 

 or a small pointed stick, will make a hole into which the 

 tender roots of the plant may be dropped. A slight pres- 

 sure with the fingers will fasten the plant upright where it 

 is to grow. A shower of water and the use of the rake 

 will make all complete. Should the next three days be 

 clear, these plants must be shaded from the sun with old 

 newspapers, or anything else that is convenient. 



DISTANCES TO PLANT. 



This is something about which definite rules cannot be 

 laid down. No plant should stand nearer to another than 

 one-half its own height. A plant two feet high should not 

 stand less than twelve inches from another of the same size. 

 As the catalogues of the florists, or seedsmen, always 



