10 



THE FLORAL IVORLD 



pink; some of the blossoms measured 

 more than four inches across. 



The gloxinia, too, is a very desirable 

 plant, with its large, velvety leaves, 

 and beautiful, bell-shaped blossoms. 

 It requires about the same treatment 

 as the begonia, although I keep mine 

 in the house and the begonias on the 

 east porch. 



Ohio. M. C. Eyman. 



March is none too soon to plant the 

 bulbs of begonias and gloxinias for 

 the best results. I have found the best 

 soil to be leaf mold. If you can't get 

 that, use light, rich, porous soil. Both 

 these plants require plenty of water 

 while growing and blooming, but re- 

 sent stagnant soil. Use five-inch pots 

 and press the bulb gently into the soil, 

 leaving the crown of the gloxinia 

 above the soil, while the begonia may 

 have an inch on top of the bulb. 



Water well and set in a sunny win- 

 dow. Sprouts will show in a week or 

 ten days, if they are not already 

 sprouted when you pot them. When 

 danger of frost is over, you can set 

 the begonias in the yard facing the 

 morning sun and sheltered from the 

 afternoon rays. Nip off the tops if in- 

 clined to grow tall and spindling. 



Set the gloxinias on the north side, 

 where they can be cool and moist. 

 Mine bloom all summer in such a 

 place. Do not delay in getting and 

 starting these tubers. The sooner 

 they are started in spring, the better 

 will they succeed. 



Missouri. Mrs. J. P. Ernst. 



The tuberous-rooted begonias are 

 our most beautiful bedding plants for 

 partially shaded situations. I have 

 been growing them in pots and tubs 

 under shade trees, but last year I 

 planted them on the north side of the 

 house, where they only received the 

 very early morning and late evening 

 sun. They were much taller than 

 usual, with the brightest, prettiest 



foliage I have ever seen. The bright, 

 wavy flowers were exceedingly large, 

 some of the stems measuring over a 

 foot in length, and borne in the great- 

 est profusion. The beds had been 

 spaded at least two feet deep, and 

 made very rich, with leaf mold, sand 

 and well rotted cow manure. I start 

 the tubers early in March, pull off all 

 the old, matted roots, plant in light, 

 porous soil, and place in the sun until 

 well started. 

 Kentucky. Laura Jones. 



A NOVEL AND BEAUTIFUL WAY TO GROW 

 VINES. 



Plant a pole rather deep in the 

 ground, so the wind can not blow it 

 over. Then spade a circle two or three 

 feet from it, and of about the same 

 width. Set the vine plants, about six 

 or eight inches apart, on the inner 

 margin of the circle. Prom a nail in 

 top of the pole tie the end of heavy 

 twine, or light wire (making the thing 

 more taut), extending to the plant and 

 fastening securely in the ground back 

 of it, returning to nail and back to 

 plant, until every vine has a support. 



Morning glories make a fine vine to 

 grow in this manner. Most lovely in- 

 deed are the bells of all colors, flung 

 out so early each morning. Japan 

 Hop (Humulus Japonicus) is another 

 flne vine, making a very dense shade 

 and a most rapid grower. The madeira 

 vine will make you a bower of exceed- 

 ing loveliness. 



Low-growing plants can be grown 

 on the outer margin. Giant pansies, 

 forget-me-nots, sweet alyssum and 

 dwarf poppies are all beautiful and de- 

 sirable. They should be sown in the 

 fall, or a better way is to raise in 

 house in early spring and transplant, 

 all except the poppies, which should 

 be sown thinly in tne bed, as they are 

 very diflScult to transplant. 



Pennsylvania. Mrs. S. R. Welsh. 



