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HARDy PLANTS 
u^nd Rou; to Qrou; Them 
HEN possible, the border or plot where the hardy plants are to be 
set should be prepared the previous fall by a thoroug'i spading 
of the soil to a depth of at least one foot. The soil tihould be 
thoroughly pulverized at the time of digging, and if inclined to 
be heavy, a good coating of air-slacked lime spread over the sur- 
face and raked in will lighten the soil greatly. As a rule hardy 
plants and vines should be set in the early spring as soon as 
nature starts forth the new growth. 
Fall planting is sometimes practiced in mild climates, but is not advis- 
able in latitudes of zero winters. Very little if any fertilizer should be used 
in new borders, and where used at all it should be spread over the surface 
after the plants are set. Severe losses often occur where plants are set in 
heavily-manured soil. A general rule for planting is to set the plant with 
the crown (the point at which the new growth starts) about one inch below 
the surface of the soil. There are some variations from this rule, notably 
those of the Peony. Bleeding Heart. Hibiscus, and Lilies, all of which should 
be set at least four inches below the surface. 
After the hardy border has become established, a very moderate amount 
of care is all that is required for a number of years, and yet this care must 
not approach the point of neglect. Early each spring the dead tops must 
be cut away and a light coating of well-rotted manure applied and forked in. 
Wood ashes or sheep manure make good fertilizers for hardy plants. Many 
hardy plants seed freely and for this reason the tops or seed-bearing portion 
should be broken off and carried out of the garden as soon as the blooming 
season is over or the seed may become a nuisance, and besides seedy plants 
are unsightly. The plants, however, should not be denuded of foliage, as 
nature requires this for winter protection. Some of the very best of our 
hardy plants increase very rapidly through root growths and in a few years 
will cover a large space to the exclusion of their nciglibors if permitted to 
irrow at will. Uut as these growths are usually formed in the fall, they can 
easily be removed while digging the bed over in the spring. The list of really 
good plants is too long to' be given here. It is not out of place, however, to 
say that there are plants suited to practically all locations. This class of 
plants is comparatively free from disease and insect pests, which renders 
them all the more desirable. They also covei- the entire season from spring 
to heavy frosts. Fall planting not recommended for the Middle West. 
IPhy Dealers Do Not Quarantee Plants 
HIS question is often asked, and yet it is a very easy one answered 
and the reasonableness of the answer is clearly apparent to all. To 
guarantee the life of a plant in the hands of another person is to 
make the dealer responsible for the errors and inexperience of others, 
not to mention freaks of weather and unfavorable seasons, cut 
worms, insects, bad soil, unfavorable locations and many other condi- 
tions, over which the dealer has no control. Then, again, there are 
customers who buy plants so late in the season that there can be 
but little hope of success. Most dealers are ready and willing to make good 
plants that are dead upon arrival, but it would be unreasonable to ask them 
to become responsible for the future life or conduct of a plant received in 
good condition. Fortunately the percentage of loss in liard.\' plants is small, 
as they are very tenacious of life. 
W. W. WILMORE, Denver, Colorado. 
The bulbs we bought of you la.st year gave us wonderful results. 
Such beautiful flowers I never saw. We were told that our flowers were 
more beautiful and larger than those exhibited at the Zoo. 
MRS. C. A. STOUT. 
Our collection has been very fine. Your Dahlias have always given 
fine satisfaction. Last year we had some extra fine specimens of Mrs. 
Jeffries, D. M. Moore and others. 
ROBT. II. KEMP. 
EAMES GROS,. PRINTCRS. DKNVCR 
