Guide to Better Gardening — Flowers 
CALIFORNIA POPPY. Sow seed, early in spring, 
directly in the garden where plants are to stand. They 
do best if planted in a light, sandy loam. Cover seed to 
about*l4 inch deep. Thin to 6 inches apart when plants 
are 2 inches tall. Rows should be 1 ft. apart. Full sun 
and lack of water make plants bloom most freely. Good 
for borders or edgings. Mostly yellow tones. 
CANDYTUFT. Select a spot where there is full sun 
and plant after all danger of frost is past. Cover seed 
with 14 to \ inch of fine soil. Thin to 1 ft. apart when 
plants are 2 inches tall. Good bedder, edger and fair 
for cutting. Main insect pest is cucumber beetle which 
can be controlled with stomach poison such as arsenate 
of lead. Colors are white, rose-red, lilac and purple. 
CANTERBURY BELL. Biennial, blooms second year 
only. Can be planted up until mid-summer in sheltered 
spot and then transplanted in late summer to final loca- 
tion. Seed can be scattered on surface and raked in. 
Choice for cutting. Colors are white, pink, light-blue 
and deep violet. 
CARNATION. Requires long season to reach full 
bloom. Start indoors in boxes, early in spring. Does 
best in rich soil and stands considerable watering. 
Plant seed to a depth of about inch. Transplant out- 
doors when danger of a frost is! past. Set seedlings 
about 1 ft. apart in sunny location. Will stand some 
frost. Good for either bedding or for cutting garden. 
Colors include red, rose, salmon, yellow, white. 
Delphiniums are widely grown for cut flowers. In bou- 
quets, they add grace and charm to the indoor scene. 
Cosmos 1s one of the best Annuals for backgrounds and is 
very useful for cutting. 
COLUMBINE. Blooms from second year on. Start 
seed in spring or summer. Give plants some protection 
for first winter. Will stand some shade and cool soil. 
Flowers very graceful for cutting and plants are very 
neat for border. Cut flower stems off at top of plants 
after blooming is over and plants will remain compact 
and attractive. Mostly pastel shades. May require 
some arsenate dust for control of caterpillars. 
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COSMOS. Does best if sown after danger of frost 
where plants are to stand. Plant seed approximately 
14 inch deep. Thin to 14 inches apart. Early blooms 
can be had by avoiding frequent watering—late blooms 
by frequent watering. Will bloom most profusely if soil 
is not overly rich. Cosmos is one of the best annuals 
for backgrounds and is very useful in the cutting gar- 
den. Has few insect enemies. Diseases seldom occur. 
A favorite of the gold finch or wild canary after seeds 
start to ripen. Colors include delightful shades of golden 
or ‘‘butter yellow,’’ golden orange, bright crimson, rose, 
pink and white. 
DELPHINIUM. Plant early as delphinium germinates 
best when soil temperature is quite low. Cover with 
ly inch of fine soil. Needs good drainage. Thin seed- 
lings to 18 inches apart in the row. If flower spikes are 
tall, it will need support. Prefers cool climate and full 
sun. Will bloom some in first summer but second and 
third seasons are best. Mildew is worst enemy. Effec- 
tive for a tall background in the garden. Widely grown 
for cut flowers. Colors are white, blue. lavender, mauve. 
