BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN AMERICA 
Often when Peonies have been in bloom torrential rains 
have nearly ruined them. The greatest trouble with the 
summer garden is the extreme heat and dryness of the 
air. The earth can be kept moist around the plants, 
but many things wither in the dry air. With the greatest 
care a garden of annuals might be kept looking fairly well 
through July and August, but I am glad to get away from 
mine early in July.” 
The climate of these adjoining Middle States is prac- 
tically the same throughout, with possibly even more 
sunshine than in the eastern States. “In May and June 
there are frequent heavy showers, but rarely all-day rains. 
In the later summer and autumn cloudy days are excep- 
tional. The eastern side of Missouri is said to be slightly 
cooler than the western part; Kansas City averages a 
somewhat higher summer temperature than Washington, 
D. C., which is in the same latitude. Spring bulbs and 
many spring perennials appear three weeks earlier than 
near New York City.” The gardens usually look spent 
by September, but in the cooler sections, with an extra 
amount of summer care, there may be still seen flowers 
sufficient to adorn a garden during some weeks of autumn. 
The garden at Hazelwood, near St. Louis, is laid out 
with curving grass paths and broad beds. The bright 
display begins with Daffodils, and the beds retain rich 
bloom into the middle of June. In September, after good 
care, Marigolds, Zinnias, Snapdragon, Cosmos, hardy 
Asters, Chrysanthemum, and Helenium are the autumn 
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