HOUSE AND GARDEN | 
October, 1909 
MS 
or five feet high, every four or five feet along the row, and then 
run light jute twine from stake to stake, commencing a few inches 
from the ground and putting the twine about six inches apart on 
the stakes. The best support for the sweet pea vine, however, 
is brush cut from the ends of tree limbs or from young bushes. 
These when firmly planted in the soil allow the vines to grow in 
a more open way than the trellis made of either wire or twine. 
The support for the vines should be provided before or as soon 
after planting as possible so that the first tendrils may attach 
themselves firmly to the supports. Commence cultivation as 
soon as the plants are above the surface and continue it during 
the entire season. About the only thing to be done is to keep 
the soil loose and fine for a depth of two or three inches. Fre¬ 
quent workings keep out weeds and admit the air more freely to 
the roots, and keep the soil in the best condition for plant 
growth. During dry weather thoroughly soak the roots of the 
vines twice a week. Do not allow seed pods to form on the vines, 
and keep all faded or dried flowers picked off. Cutting the 
branches or tips of the vines back occasionally will induce th.m 
to branch and thus prolong the season of bloom. 
H VAT I KITH'-, Childhood recollections of spring flowers are 
usually associated with the fragrant hyacinth. 
The florists have not been able to supplant or even approximate it 
for early outdoor flowering. Delightful effect can be had by 
massing different varieties that grow approximately the same 
height and bloom at the same time. Now is the time to plant 
hyacinths in the open. They do best in light soil with sunny 
exposure, and where the soil is naturally heavy it should be light¬ 
ened by the addition of sand. Spade the bed to a depth of twelve 
or fourteen inches, letting it rise only very slightly above the 
level of the walk. Plant the bulbs evenly at a depth of about six 
inches. To plant them at uneven depths is sure to produce 
irregular blooming. The bulbs should be set from six to eight 
inches apart and care should be taken not to firm the soil too 
much around and over them. To set each bulb in a handful of 
clean sand is a guarantee of proper drainage. After the ground 
freezes cover the bed with a few inches of dry litter, ever¬ 
green boughs, or straw manure which should remain through the 
winter. 
The hyacinth is equally desirable for pot culture. For this 
purpose the large varieties should be chosen. They should be 
set singly in 5-inch, or smaller pots; a 7-inch pot will carry three 
bulbs very effectively. The best potting soil can be had by using 
two parts of fibrous loam to one part of pulverized sheep manure, 
with the addition of a little powdered charcoal. First fill the pot 
and then press the bulb into the soil, leaving about one-third 
of the bulb exposed. Bury the pot in the ground with its top 
about six inches under the surface and leave it in the open five or 
six weeks, by which time it will be well filled with roots. It can 
then be taken into the house where it will soon be brought into 
flower by the warmth. Continue to pot until the end of November 
for a succession of bloom. Supply plenty of water, and when the 
flower-spikes appear hasten development by the application of 
liquid manure. 
Till ipc for beauty of form and brilliancy of coloring 
there is no flower that equals the tulip. It is ad¬ 
mirably adapted for the border around the house. By the har¬ 
monious massing of contrasting colors the most gorgeous effects 
can be produced. Tulips are also invaluable for pot culture. 
The color of bloom and height of growth are usually given by the 
nurseryman and that makes it an easy matter to select just what 
isjwanted. The cultural directions given for the hyacinth are 
equally applicable to the tulip. However, as the bulbs are smaller 
they should not be planted quite so deep. Four inches to the 
bottom of the bulb set in the open is enough, while the distance 
between the bulbs can be to 
four to six inches. A 5-inch 
pot will contain satisfactorily 
from three to five bulbs. 
The double tulips generally 
come into bloom later than 
the single variety, though 
there are some late flower¬ 
ing single ones. 
o o 
NARCISSUS 
Add the nar- 
c i s s u s to 
your selection of fall plant- 
ing for spring flowering. 
They are very easy of culti¬ 
vation and do well in almost 
any soil and situation, but 
preferably in stiff soil and 
shaded location. See the 
first article in this issue for 
full particulars. The nar¬ 
cissus is grown extensively 
in pots for winter cut flow¬ 
ers and require practically the same treatment as has been sug¬ 
gested for hyacinths and tulips. The jonquil is related to the nar¬ 
cissus and is suitable alike for pot culture or planting in the open. 
Set out narcissus DulDs tins tall either 
to naturalize them or to get 
early bloom in the border 
Care of Begonia Roots 
Will you please tell me how I can best keep my begonias during the 
winter ? R. S. W. 
Detroit, Mich. 
As soon as the edges of the leaves and flowers become blighted 
by cool nights, the plants should be taken up, the tops and some 
of the roots cut off the tuberous-rooted varieties, and the bulbs 
carefully dried for storage. Do not dry too rapidly, else the 
bulbs will shrivel and lose their vitality. Some of the soil may 
be left on the plants when taken up and if placed in a cool airy 
shed will dry out gradually. When well dried, clean and wrap 
in cotton wadding to prevent moisture, and place in a dark closet 
where there is not enough warmth to cause them to shrivel. In 
the spring the bulbs may be planted about the same time the seed 
were sown the previous year. J. W. H. 
Perennial Peas 
Please tell me something about the habits of the perennial pea, how 
and when best to start them. R. C. H. 
New Bedford , Pa. 
Perennial peas (. Lathyrus ) are entirely hardy and attractive 
climbers when given proper support. The flowers are quite 
similar to sweet peas but are borne in large close clusters and are 
without fragrance. They commence to bloom early in the spring 
and continue to flower throughout the season. This is a good 
time to transplant the roots. If grown from seed, the seed should 
be planted quite early in the spring, about one inch deep in rich 
moist soil. They will always flower the first year when grown 
from the roots. While rather slow in growth from the seed, if 
planted in real good soil they will flower the first summer after 
planting. The second year they will grow more rapidly, attaining 
a height of eight or ten feet, and come into bloom very early. 
They make excellent cut flowers, retaining color and vitality for 
several days when supplied with fresh water and if the ends of the 
stems are cut off. J. W. H. 
