118 



GARDEN GUIDE 



Upon the approach of frost the corms are dug, but the stems are 

 not removed. They are then stored in an airy placed to dry thoroughly. 

 After several weeks the last year's exhausted corms and the old stems 

 may be removed and the stock cleaned. The best storage temperature 

 is from 40 to 45 deg., and in a rather dry atmosphere. If the corms 

 become heated they start prematurely ; if too humid they rot or start 

 into growth. A shallow tray three or four inches deep insures the 

 corms against heating. 



Propagation 



(1) By seeds. By this method new varieties are obtained, but the 

 standard varieties, being hybrids, do not come true when started from 

 seed. (2) By cormels, or "spawn" (the small, hard-shelled little cormels 

 borne upon the old ones) . These, if planted (preferably in a 3-in. flat) 

 during the Spring following the season in which they were produced, 

 will bloom one or two years later, or usually one year sooner than from 

 seed. (3) By the annual renewal of corms of which there are from one 

 to six, produced above the old corm each year. 



THE HIBISCUS • Marshmallow 



Blooming in August and September, the Hibiscus is one of the 

 hardiest of garden perennials and as it attains almost the dimensions 



of a shrub it is especially 

 effective when planted 

 along the shrubbery bor- 

 ders. The plants are very 

 vigorous, with ample fo- 

 liage, and produce im- 

 mense single flowers, rang- 

 ing in colors from pure 

 white with deep pink eye 

 to bright crimson. They 

 are easily raised from 

 seed and are rapid grow- 

 ers and free bloomers. 



THE IRIS 



Gould the real beauty 



of the coloring of the Iris 



be expressed in words, 



such a description would 



be a masterpiece. The 



word "Iris" has come from 

 Vear after year the^U^sesglveprodigalretum. ^j^^ ^.^^^^ ^^^j^^ 



