112 HARDY PERENNIALS 
an application of lime if such is deficient. Afford 
all the room possible, and attend early to staking, 
looping each branch loosely to the stake in preference 
to tjdng all the stems in a close bundle. Mulch the 
ground before hot weather sets in either with loose 
stable litter or spent hops, and never allow the 
plants to suffer from lack of water. Combat insect 
and fungoid pests by frequent spraying, and feed 
judiciousl}^ by frequent weak applications of a 
good fertilizer in liquid form, commencing as soon 
as buds become visible, and continuing until the 
flowers are nearing the fully-expanded stage. 
In regard to disbudding it is not usual to reduce 
to one bud per stem when the plants are to bloom 
in the open garden. Large blooms do not stand 
the Autumn dews, fogs and rains as well as the 
smaller flowers, and the greater quantity of small 
blooms creates a more effective display in the 
garden than a few big blooms will do. Nevertheless 
there is no reason why a few small side-buds should 
not be removed from crowded heads, and the correct 
time to do this is as soon as the buds are large 
enough to be separately detached by gentle pressure 
of the thumb-nail. 
Chrysogonum Virginianum. — Dwarf, and of semi- 
procumbent habit, with leafy stems and freely 
produced starry flowers of a bright yellow, this 
plant makes an admirable carpet between taller- 
growing plants with spiked flowers. The Chry- 
sogonum will continue to bloom from early Spring 
