PROPAGATION 
91 
sired, and Dahlias for Fall bloom may be started out-of-doors at 
this same time. 
PERENNIALS 
The best time for planting perennial and biennial seeds in our 
section of the country is August, but some of them may be started 
in April or May. These are Foxgloves, Columbines and the Cam¬ 
panulas. Some perennials, like Pansies, Sweet William and Snap¬ 
dragons should be treated like annuals, but be planted in the later 
Summer or early Fall. We should make more experiments with per¬ 
ennial seeds, as many will grow here that have hitherto been con¬ 
sidered unavailable. 
DIVISIONS 
Those plants that do not set seed, or do not come true from seed, 
may often be divided at the roots to form new plants and to avoid 
overcrowding. This is also a short cut to obtain promptly bloom¬ 
ing plants. Whenever possible, gently separate the roots, using a 
spade or knife only when necessary. Some plants may be propa¬ 
gated by separating the stolons or suckers which are formed on 
the old plant as trailing branches underground. 
Bulblets are formed in the case of some Lilies, notably the Tiger 
Lily, in the axils of the leaves on the stems; bulbels within the root 
scales of the old bulb as in the case of Narcissi and others; and 
corms, in case of Gladioli. These may be removed, and brought 
to blooming size through several seasons of growth. 
Rhizomes, the underground stems which are formed on Iris and 
Lilies-of-the-Valley, bear roots and eyes from which the plants de¬ 
velop; and may be divided and planted, if care is taken to have at 
least one eye in each portion. Shallow, horizontal planting insures 
the best results. 
Runners which root at intervals are sent out above ground by 
some plants, and spring up as new plants. These may be divided 
and set out in other places. 
Some perennials, such as Violets and Coreopsis, form groups of 
new shoots. These need to be divided to secure new plants and to 
prevent crowding. 
Time to 
Plant 
How to 
Divide 
Roots 
