96 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Color 
Plant in 
November 
"This is an ideal way to start plants for the hardy borders, to 
be transplanted when the danger of frost is past. Where a great 
number are needed to give a mass effect, the cold frame is much 
the most satisfactory way to propagate them, and very much less 
expensive than buying them by the dozens. 
"Seedlings in the cold frame become acclimated and develop bet¬ 
ter than plants shipped from a distance, so that often flowers 
may be had that have hitherto been thought impossible for a loca¬ 
tion because of the climate. 
"Seedlings must be thinned out by hand, that those remaining 
may grow strong and sturdy. Weeds, too, must be removed care¬ 
fully. 
"It is not generally known that Dahlias may be grown from 
seed. They will bloom the first year if started in March in the cold 
frame. Sow the seed thinly , in rows. Sprinkle sand over them, and 
tamp them with a small, flat board. 
"Another use of the cold frame is to secure bloom during the 
late Winter and early Spring. 
"Calendulas sown in September will begin to flower in Feb¬ 
ruary. 
"Dianthus started in this way are also much earlier than those 
planted in the open. 
"One of the dangers of a cold frame is dampening off of the 
seedlings. This may be controlled by watering sparingly.” (From 
notes contributed by Mrs. Edward Belsterling.) 
An interesting fact is that often the color of a blossom may be 
determined by the stem of the small seedling. This is especially 
noticeable with Snapdragons. 
All leaf-losing trees, shrubs, fruit trees, roses and hardy herba¬ 
ceous border plants are best planted in November. By Spring, the 
