THE FLORAL IVORLTf. 



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SPRING ITEMS. 



Don't forget that June is the best 

 month for planting tuberoses and 

 gladiolas and for sowing perennials. 



The best time to start rose cutting 

 is in June and July. Put them in a 

 shady, moist place, protected from 

 the wind. Leave only a leaf and an 

 «ye above the surface. Do not use 

 sand for outdoor propagation; it dries 

 out too quickly. 



Many persons fail with tuberoses 

 because the bulbs have not been kept 

 warm and dry through the winter, or 

 because they have been planted too 

 early. The soil should not be wet or 

 cold after planting to have the best 

 results. None of the tender bulbs 

 should be watered freely immediate- 

 ly after planting in the soil. 



Lon't forget to include the Mout- 

 bretias in your spring order. It is a 

 line flower, graceful in growth, droop- 

 ing slightly, fine for bouquets, the col- 

 or a glowing orange red, and just 

 what we need in early fall. You can 

 grow it in boxes and then you can 

 take it indoors. Put a dozen bulbs 

 In one and see what a very pretty pot 

 full you will have for your window. 



Try Canna, Martha Washington, 

 Hosemawe, Shenandoah and Duke 

 Marlborough. 

 Missouri. . Mrs. John Erxst. 



THE USEFULNESS OF HOT WATER. 



No one thing, I believe, is so neces- 

 sary in the care of house plants in 

 winter as plenty of hot water. First, 

 I place among my pots each morning 

 several granite pans filled with boiling 

 water, before even I raise the window 

 shades. Next, I pour water from the 

 same teakettle into the saucers under- . 

 neath pots of calla, sword fern, Aspar- 

 agus Plumosa and Asparagus Sprengeri. 

 I fina no fertilizer to compare with it. 

 I spray or sprinkle all plants but 

 rough-leaved begonias and primroses. 



plentifully, at least twice a week, to 

 freshen foliage and keep off red spider. 

 For aphis, I dip the plant into hot 

 water (since cooking one plant I do 

 not use it more than 100 degrees Fah- 

 renheit), and for white worms I pour 

 hot water on the soil in the pot. When 

 amaryllis start, I use hot water in the 

 saucer to strengthen and hasten 

 growth. And my Olea Fragrans, when 

 budded, I give a hot foot bath, with 

 the result that it bursts into bloom. 

 Minnesota. Mrs. E. A. Taylor. 



GETTING BEGONIAS READY FOR SUMMER. 



My collection of begonias has out- 

 grown their summer quarters, ana I 

 am planning to get a new home ready 

 for them. I shall have a strip a foot 

 wide dug all along the north side of 

 the house, next the foundation, and 

 plenty of well-rotted manure dug in 

 it. Then I shall dig holes in it at 

 equal distances, in which to sink my 

 pots of begonias, and set them in 

 empty pots of the same size. Next 1 

 will go up to the woods and get 

 clumps of wild maidenhair, bringing 

 lots of wood earth along with the 

 roots, and plant them between the 

 pots, back against the foundation, 

 while to the front of the pots and be- 

 tween them I shall put bunches of 

 striped grass, and make a border of 

 myrtle vines — both the grass and 

 myrtle being plentiful. Then when it 

 gets warm enough, I shall lift out my 

 empty pots and set in the pots of be- 

 gonias, and that bed will be a thing of 

 beauty all summer — and many sum- 

 mers. 



New York. Mrs. Nelson Puff, Jr. 



MAY TO APRIL. 



Without your showers 

 i breed no flowers, 

 Each field a barren waste appears, 

 If you don't weep 

 My blossoms sleep, 

 They take such pleasure in your tears. 

 Indiana. Mrs. R. A. Houk. 



