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HOME AND FLOWERS 



colors, and all with a background of wild Ferns, 

 the dainty Maiden-hair among them. 



Now I wish to tell our country friends of 

 another way I propose doing to retain a larger 

 number of ovTr wild wood flowers. A year ago 

 'we had a corner of our, woods fenced, inclosing 

 about half an acre. In this inclosure among 

 Oaks, Hickory, one Walnut and other forest 

 trees, a large Thorn-apple tree stands, whose 

 sweeping branches drooping to the ground have 

 protected a circle of wild flowers for years (even 

 from the depredations of our two little Jerseys), 

 making one of the "beauty spots" of our woods. 

 Last spring we transplanted some of the plants 

 from our "wild garden" back to their native 

 woods, and some of them rewarded us by blos- 

 soming the first year. This spring we hope to 

 add many more varieties to our "Wildwood 

 Park," and anticipate much pleasure in search- 

 ing for them where they seem to have hidden 

 away in the fence corners or nestled close to 

 fallen trees as if for protection. 



We have a pretty little modern country school- 



house pleasantly situated on the bank of the river 

 near us. The teacher and I have aroused the 

 interest and enthusiasm of the children in deco- 

 rating the grounds about the school with wild 

 flowers, Ferns, native shrubs, and vines. Directly 

 back of the grounds are dense woods, and, al- 

 though used for pasturing, many wild flowers 

 are to be found in nooks and corners, trying to 

 assert their rights. Get the children interested 

 and encourage their making wild beds of their 

 own. 



No amusement is more delightful than a 

 day spent in the woods. Let them take a 

 light lunch in their little baskets, also trowels; 

 then upon returning with their baskets filled 

 with the "wealth of the woods," direct them how 

 to set them. They soon learn the names, and 

 even the classes to which they belong, which 

 later leads to the love of the study of botany. 

 As a great help to a common knowledge of 

 flower study 1 would recommend Mrs. Dana's 

 "How to Tell the Wild Fowers," and "How to 

 Tell the Ferns." 



THINGS TO DO JUNE 



It hardly seems necessary to tell the readers 

 of Home and Flowers what to do this month. 

 There is the garden— a visit to it ought to be 

 sufficient to tell at a glance what attention it 

 needs. Every weed that is seen ought to be 

 a challenge to, you in itself to cut its head off 

 promptly. Every straggling plant and every 

 one that seems unable to stand alone should 

 appeal to you for the care needed to set it right. 

 There are a thousand and one little things to 

 be done in all gardens that I can not think 

 about now, but you will discover them if you 

 go out with "the seeing eye." 



* * * 



It may not be amiss to say something about 

 such plants as are , not inmates proper of the 

 garden. If your Chrysanthemums are in pots, 

 make sure that they never suffer from lack 

 of water. If they are not growing well apply 

 a fertilizer. You can not afford to let them 

 come to a standstill at this season, as that 

 would mean partial, if not complete, failure 

 later on. Nip the ends of their branches to 

 make them bushy. Be on the lookout for in- 

 sects. It is well to procure some Fir-tree oil 

 soap and keep it on hand for use whenever you 

 discover the Chrysanthemum bug or aphis. If 

 the foliage turns yellow and then brown and 

 looks scorched and rusty, use copperdine 

 promptly and persistently. 



Feed the Fuchsias well if you want many 



flowers. Also water well, and do not neglect 

 to shower their foliage. 



* * * 



Tuberous Begonias and Gloxinias ought to be 

 coming into bloom now. Give a weekly applica- 

 tion of some good fertilizer. Keep them out of 

 the hot sun. Do not let water stand on the 

 foliage of the Gloxinia. 



* «■ * 



Keep the Geraniums you intend for winter 

 use from flowering now. Go over each plant 

 and remove every bud as soon as it appears. 

 If the plants are not compact and well branched 

 make them so by pruning to symmetrical shape 

 and preventing the main branches from length- 

 ening until as many side branches are formed 

 as seem necessary to thicken up the plant welL 



•X- * * 



Look to the Koses. If no insects have come 

 as yet, they may put in an appearance at any 

 time. The soap insecticides heretofore recom- 

 mended will prevent injury from aphides anc* 

 worms if used energetically. 



* * * 



Go over the Eambler Eoses and cut out a 

 good many of the young canes. Allow not more 

 than five or six to a plant to grow. It is a 

 mistake to let all grow and prune away unneces- 

 sary ones in fall or spring. By pruning now 

 all the strength of the plant is thrown into the 

 few shoots left, therefore none of it is wasted. 



