TEE FLORAL WORLD 



5 



started this spring or summer. If they 

 are already growing in pots in good 

 soil, they will need nothing except to 

 keep the blooms picked off for a month 

 or two. This helps the plants to grow 

 bushy and vigorous. Keep them in a 

 cool place and do not over water. 



If you want to use the plants that 

 have been growing in the yard, do not 

 take up until cool weather. The later 

 the better, so that they do not freeze. 

 Lift carefully on a rainy day, if pos- 

 sible, and place in large pots or boxes. 

 Take them to their winter quarters, 

 and they will continue to bloom. 



Geraniums are not at all particular 

 about the soil, although a little care 

 in this line is well repaid. If you want 

 large plants and luxuriant foliage give 

 them a compost of leaf mold and well 

 rotted manure. If wanted especially 

 for flowers, give them a lighter, sandy 

 soil, and they do not care what kind 

 of a vessel they grow in — a tin can, 

 box, flower pot or anything that is con- 

 venient. Some of the finest plants 

 were grown in gai.on paint buckets. 



If you should be so unfortunate as 

 to have them freeze they are easily 

 saved by allowing them to thaw in the 

 dark. Pour warm water over the 

 roots and exclude the light. They will 

 thaw out gradually and will not be 

 injured. Here in the South the tem- 

 perature does not stay below the freez- 

 ing point very long. During a very 

 cold spell I do not water my plants 

 very much. They are so much easier 

 injured by cold if very wet. Sprinkle 

 the leaves often, and give them plenty 

 of sunshine and regular watering. 



Texas. Mes. D. B. Hill. 



BULBS FOR THE WINDOW GARDEN 



Selecting from the extended list of 

 the catalogues, a very handsome dis- 

 play may be had for a modest expen- 

 diture. These properly cared for will 

 yield a profusion of bloom the entire 

 winter. All bulbs should be ordered 

 early, and only the largest ones se- 



cured, as the smaller ones will only 

 bring disappointment. First among 

 all collections should be the freesias. 

 They are of easy culture, and their 

 flowers are borne freely. Order them 

 early and plant as soon as received, as 

 they are injured by being allowed to 

 dry out. For a succession of bloom 

 they should be planted at intervals of 

 three weeks until October; you are 

 then assured of flowers for the Easter- 

 tide. An excellent soil for them is 

 composed of wood's earth, sand and 

 loam, with a little well rotted manure. 

 Allow siK for a five-inch pot, covering 

 with an inch of soil. When growth be- 

 gins bring to the light gradually. Keep 

 well watered, with plenty of fresh air, 

 and you are assured of a sturdy 

 growth. Gradually bring into full sun- 

 shine, for to this is due that rare fra- 

 grance which characterizes the freesia. 

 When the blooming season is over wa- 

 ter sparingly until the foliage dies, 

 then set away until planting time 

 again, when repot in fresh soil, sorting 

 out the smallest for blooming bulbs 

 another season. 



Hyacinths come next in the list. 

 With ordinary treatment they will be 

 a success, and are most desirable 

 plants for a beginner. They delight 

 in a cool atmosphere and a light, rich 

 soil. The Roman hyacinths differ from 

 the Dutch hyacinths in yielding sev- 

 eral spikes of bloom to each bulb, and 

 they also bear closer planting, a six- 

 inch pot being large enough for three 

 or four bulbs, and for a mass of bloom 

 several planted in a pan or basket 

 make a beautiful display. A four- 

 inch pot holds enough soil for one bulb 

 of the Dutch hyacinths. The crowns 

 should be just above the surface and 

 the soil pressed down firmly around 

 the bulb. Then water freely and set 

 away in a cool cellar for five or six 

 weeks, then bring into strong light 

 and gradually into the sunlight. The 

 method which gives finest freesias will 

 also apply to hyacinths. 



Michigan. Mary Ferguson. 



