igii 



BETTER FRUIT 



Page 4/ 



a class hy themselves in the man}' splen- 

 did improved varieties now so popular, 

 should always be planted in the fall — in 

 September, if possible. They start into 

 growth very early in spring, and one 

 year's bloom is lost if they arc moved 

 then. Planted now, they become well 

 rooted and ready for the season of new- 

 growth. The peony is, however, one' of 

 the flowering plants that most needs time 

 for its best effect; it is shy of being dis- 

 turbed and gains immensely as it becomes 

 a strong clump, massive both in flower 

 and foliage, and covered with buds and 

 blossoms by the dozen. It is no longer 

 the fashion to call the peony coarse. In 

 fact not only the most delicate tints of 

 soft color, but fine fragrance also is 

 found in these richly solid and most 

 ef?ective flowers. Entirely hardy and 

 free from insects and diseases, it is per- 

 haps no wonder that they arc often put 

 forward now as rivals to the rose. 



A common error in planting is to set 

 the crown too deeply; two inches of co\'- 



ering with soil is enough. Like the rose, 

 the peony should be well fed; rich soil 

 and abundant moisture are required for 

 the best results. 



Another favorite hardy perennial much- 

 recommenderl for fall planting is the iris. 

 r>iith the German and the Japanese varie- 

 ties m-Av well be planted now. but in ni}' 

 own experience I have found the iris 

 one of the most accommodating of plants 

 in this respect, submitting cheerfully to 

 removal at almost any time. If one has 

 a pond or stream on the place it is 

 a delightful plant for colonizing, growing 

 and increasing without care in a moist 

 situation. The German iris increases its 

 root stocks rapidly, and in a mixed bed 

 the more hardy and vigorous kinds are 

 liable to take possession, to the detri- 

 ment of the more delicate ones, so that 

 choice sorts are apt to disappear unless 

 gi^en a separate location. 



This is a favorable time for starting 

 or transplanting woody vines, like the 

 honeysuckle. The ease with which 



beauty and bhadc may De increased by 

 starting screens and covers for fences 

 and pergolas is not always recognized. 

 Wherever such vines are growing vig- 

 orously (without too much interference) 

 an abundance of rooted sections will 

 usually be found at the base, each one of 

 which, moderateljr cnt back, will make a 

 vigorous young platTt in a new situation. 

 Enlarging otir own stock and sharing 

 with friends and neighbors is one of the 

 constant privileges of having a garden. 



To mention the spring flowering bulbs 

 is to mention one of the greatest and 

 brightest opportunities for fall work in 

 providing next year's flowers. But even 

 to begin upon this subject would 

 lengthen this article too much. And, 

 then, October is the month for planting 

 tulips and hyacinths in the open ground, 

 though 'tis true that daffodils are thought 

 to do better planted in September. They 

 wake early to bring in the sweetness and 

 charm of April. 



