GARDENING FOR LITTLE GIRLS 



satisfactory of all the hardy plants. It grows in 

 almost any soil, and any situation, but does best 

 in rich ground, with plenty of water. It may be 

 planted either in early spring or after August. 

 The dwarf varieties, from 6 to 18 in. high, bloom 

 during March, April and May; the German iris, 

 standing often 3 ft. high, in May; and the mar- 

 velous Japanese kinds, sometimes 4 ft., with blos- 

 soms 8 to 10 in. across, closing the season in July! 

 (In heavy soil they are not so tall.) When used 

 alone in beds, one prominent grower suggests that 

 the German iris be combined with hardy asters (set 

 in between), and the Japanese with gladioli, to 

 keep a succession of bloom until late fall. 



Lilies for the garden are of many varieties, re- 

 quiring different kinds of treatment. As a general 

 rule, however, when the soil is heavy, set your bulb 

 in a nice little nest of sand, and give a blanket of 

 the same before filling in with the ordinary earth. 



Lilies-of-the-valley will grow almost anywhere, 

 but do well in a half -shady position. They should 

 be planted in masses, and fertilized in September. 

 When too thick, they can be transplanted in the 

 early spring. They increase rapidly. 



The gladiolus (accent on the i, please,) can get 

 along in almost any kind of soil, — though it does 

 best in rich, — if only it is planted in the sunshine. 



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