May, 1915 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
387 
Efficiency in the Flower Garden 
(Continued from page 351) 
nevertheless, remains that just as artistic 
and pleasing effects can be produced with 
them as witff any others. In determining 
what you will plant in any particular bed 
try to visualize exactly as you would in 
planting a hardy border or a landscape 
group tlie general effect which you desire 
to obtain, and then pick out the plants 
accordingly. The way a great many peo¬ 
ple plan tiieir beds is to go to the florist's 
or sit down with a catalogue, make out a 
list of things they think are pretty, and 
then try to ht them into such beds as they 
may have at their disposal. They think 
it saves trouble. As a matter of fact, it 
does not. It makes a good deal more. 
You can arrange your various flower beds 
on paper in just one-tenth the time that 
you would give to arranging a lot of plants 
which have been bought without a definite 
place in mind for each one when it was 
purchased. Make a rough sketch of each 
bed or part of a bed in which you expect 
to set out bedding plants, decide just what 
is to go into each, and then you can make 
out your order intelligently, giving full 
attention to such things as color-schemes, 
covers for ugly walls, low plants for beds 
which would otherwise cut off part of 
your view, etc. That is efficiency in gar¬ 
dening with bedding plants. 
But your efficiency should not stop 
there. If you order your plants by mail, 
you will, of course, have to buy “sight 
unseen,” with nothing but the reputation 
of the firm to guarantee that they will be 
satisfactory. On the other hand, if you 
buy of a local dealer, where you can pick 
your plants out personally, you are likely 
to have a very much less complete assort¬ 
ment, especially so far as the new varieties 
are concerned. In case you do select your 
own plants, do not be guided solely by 
size. 
The ideal plant for bedding purposes is 
a young, strong, rapidly growing one; 
its size is of comparatively little import¬ 
ance. An older plant, which may make 
two or three times as much show on a 
greenhouse bench, set out side by side with 
the former kind, although making a good 
deal more of a display for the first few 
weeks, or for the first few days, often 
will be far outstripped by the time the 
season is half over, and is likely to give 
much less satisfaction on account of lack 
of vigor of growth and of freedom of 
flowering. Of equal importance with get¬ 
ting vigorous, healthy plants, of course, 
is getting what you want — plants that are 
absolutely true to name. You should 
therefore procure them from some source 
upon which you can thoroughly rely. 
Even if bought from some local florist, 
where you can make a personal selection, 
it is not always possible to get every plant 
in flower. On the other hand, do not 
foolishly insist that every plant be loaded 
with bloom; no matter how carefully the 
On the Estate of Mrs. Douglas Alexander, Stamford, Connecticut 
From the^commonplace to the interesting is after all but a 
short step. *The ordinary garden can be given charm and , 
grace often by the addition of a bit of statuary, a sundial or 
bench. The photograph above owes much of its attraction 
to the statuary and simple floral vases furnished by us. 
Study the possibilities of your garden or estate. Our 
catalogue illustrating many of our models executed in Pom¬ 
peian Stone for use outdoors or in the hall or conservatory 
will provide valuable suggestions. 
To those desiring marble ornaments, we offer special facilities, insuring reasonable prices and prompt deliveries 
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The Largest Manufacturers of Ornamental Stone 
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Mr. Hopkins is known throughout this country 
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Photographs and diagrams illustrate practically 
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Illustrated. 7}ixl0 in. $8 net; postage 20c. 
McBride, Nast & Co., 31 Union Square North, New York 
May we visit 
your garden? 
Let us discuss the plants" in’which you 
are interested. Direct representatives 
of our nursery (expert plantsmen — we 
have no “agents’ ) travel widely each 
year; thus combining touch with your 
local conditions with our broad general 
knowledge of hardy plants which best 
meet those conditions. 
Advise as fully as possible regarding 
size and condition of your property. 
No obligation. We are glad to be of 
service. 
When preferred, our replies will be 
sent by mail. 
Thomas Meehan & Sons 
Pioneer Nurserymen of America 
Box40, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Our Summer Catalog shows 
what hardy plants to use before 
October 1st, to get quick, pleasing 
results. 
1 
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Our photo¬ 
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a valuable 
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Copies of 
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In writing to advertisers please mention House & Garden. 
