AMONG THE FLOWERS WITH BEXFORD 



283 



should be kept moist, not wet, and warm. 



* * * 



If large chrvsanthemnms are wanted 

 next season^ it is well to start new plants 

 now. by taking the young shoots which 

 spring up about the old plants. Give 

 them small pots of rich soil at first, and 

 shift to larger pots as soon as the first ones 

 are filled with roots. 



* * * 



Tuberous begonias and gloxinias ijiay 

 be started now, for early flowering. 



* * * 



Pelargoniums will be making vigorous 

 growth now, preparatory to spring flower- 

 ing. Encourage them by frequent appli- 

 cations of a good fertilizer, and do not 

 let them suffer from lack of water. Keep 

 them near the glass, and in a low tempera- 

 ture if possible. And be very sure to keep 

 the aphis from injuring them, as he will 

 most certainlv do if vou let him alone. 



Use the soap bath on these plants at least 

 once a week. They are richly worth all 



the care you can give them. 



* * * 



Do not fail to give Primula obconica 

 and Bab}^ primroses plenty of water. Be- 

 cause of their thousands of fine roots they 

 extract moisture from the soil with great 

 rapidity. They will not bloom well if al- 

 lowed to get dry at the root. 



* * * 



At this season,, be careful about water- 

 ing the Chinese primrose. If the soil in 

 the pot is level, dig away some at the 

 sides, to allow^ the water to run away from 

 the plant instead of toward it. Water 

 about the crown of the plant is sure to 

 induce decay. 



* * * 



Look out for cold nights, when the wind 

 blows strongly. A thickness of paper be- 

 tween your plants and the glass may save 

 them from getting nipped. 



PLoto by Mrs. Hattie Hortoii; Marinette, Wis. 



A SUBURBAN LAWN 



