AMONG THE FLOWEBS WITH REXFORD 



19 



THINGS TO DO IN MAY 



Unless the soil is unusually rich in 

 nutriment fertilizers should be applied 

 liberally. Bone meal is good. So are the 

 commercial fertilizers prepared by the 

 great fertilizer companies. But old, rotten 

 manure from the cow yard is quite equal 

 to any of them in the elements of plant 

 growth. The only objection that can be 

 urged against it is its liability to introduce 

 the seeds of noxious weeds. 



I would advise sowing seed in small 

 areas rather than scattering them all over 

 the beds. Concentrate the seed bed to 

 small limits. Transplant from it as oc- 

 casion requires when the plants started 

 in it have reached the proper size. By 

 •doing this a good deal of hand weeding 

 will be saved, as the large beds can be kept 

 clean by the use of the hoe until the time 

 comes to fill them with flowering plants. 

 This can not be done if seed is sown in 

 them. Wherever seedlings are there must 

 necessarily be a good deal of hand work 

 done. 



* * * 



Transplant seedlings on damp or cloudy 

 days if possible. It is always advisable to 

 provide some kind of shade for them, for 

 the sun may come out and do severe dam- 

 age if the force of its beams is not tem- 

 pered considerably. After setting out 

 young plants water them well. 



* * * 



Plant gladioluses about "corn-planting 

 time.'' Set the corms about four inches 

 below the surface. To secure the best 

 •effect plant at least a dozen in a group. 



* * * 



Dahlias ought not to go into the ground 

 until it becomes warm and all danger of 

 frost is over. These plants must have 

 a very rich soil, and it must be dug up 

 well to the depth of at least a foot. A foot 

 and a half is better. Break the old tubers 

 apart. One tuber, even if small, is better 

 than more, if it has an "eye'' or growing 

 point. 



If the roses have not yet received atten- 

 tion go over them at once. Thin out the 

 old branches. Cut away all weak ones. 

 Shorten the leading ones at least half. 

 And be sure to make the soil very rich. 

 ^ ^ ^ 



Rake the lawn in order to get the old 

 grass out of it and give the sward a chance 

 to get a fresh start. If it has not been 

 fertilized this season do not neglect to give 

 it a liberal application at once, that the 

 grass may have the benefit of it in its early 

 period of growth. Bone meal is better 

 than barnyard manure for this purpose, 

 as it is free from weed seeds. Most florists 

 handle a lawn dressing which admirably 

 answers the purpose. 



* * * 



As soon as the lilacs fade cut away every 

 flower stalk. This not only makes the 

 bushes looh better, but it throws into the 

 plant a great deal of vigor which would 

 be wasted if seed were allowed to ripen. 



* * * 



Do not be in too great a hurry to put 

 the house plants out-of-doors. We may 

 have frosts late in the month. Better keep 

 them indoors until sure of the season. 



* ❖ 



If you want a most charming edging for 

 garden beds you can easily have one by 

 making use of old plants of Madame Sal- 

 leroi geraniums, if you have wintered a 

 few of these plants in the house. Cut off 

 two or three inches of the end of each 

 branch and insert it in the ground where 

 you want it to grow. Set the cuttings about 

 eight inches apart. Not one in fifty will 

 fail to grow. By the latter part of June 

 the plants will begin to make a fine show, 

 and in July they will have run together 

 sufficiently to give a good row of foliage. 

 By the last of the month they will form a 

 solid mass of green and white, quite as 

 charming as flowers. Indeed, I much 

 prefer this plant to any flowering plant 

 for edging, as it is attractive throughout 

 the season. 



