The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-31
ARusy Weman,sGarden.

Looking over my flower seeds to-day made
me think that ought to tell the busy wo-
men who read the Mirror, how easily they
NAV cultivate few flowers and thus beautify
their homes. Many busy housekeepers, who
are really fond of flowers, are deferred from
any att 3mpt in this direction simply because
they think it takes too much time, and they
have so little of that to give.
In the first place, one whose time is lin
tied cannot afford TO SOW fOwer-seeds i'll the
ground, for with the seeds comes up host OF
weeds, and it is slow process to pull out the
latter, but one which, if delayed, is sure TO
result in death to the plants.
The easiest way is TO have few boxes,
three or four inches Deep and sow the seeds
in them, and then it is very simple matter
to water and care for them. After they have
grown so as TO need 1t, you can thin them
out and transplant into other boxes. You
can keep them in the kitchen by window,
or, if warm enough, near the back-door, and
you will find a half hour spent on them will
accomplish much. While you are caring for
the plants in this way, you will find a most
luxurious crop of weeds has come up in the
garden, and, having no plants among them,
you can have it hoed and every weed killed;
and it is this first crop which is so hard to
get rid OF. When safely rid of these set out
your plants, and, if you have never tried it,
huOW 1Ou Will NC dSLOulSuSu 10 uLu now
much OF garden you can make in an hour
after tea some day.
Don't try, at first, to have too many kinds,
and choose those which bloom early and
continue late. In this class, nothing equals
the petunia and drummond phlox, and if
could cultivate but one flower; it would be
the latter with its rich color and profusion of
blossoms. The modest mignonette, the
pretty little sweet alyssom, and the well
known candytuft-though if you wish con-
tinual bloom of this you must sow seeds
more than once, its season of blossoming is
so short-must have place. The coreopsis,
with its rich yellow and brown, and its vel
vety crimson, you will find very striking and
effective, and the eschscholtzia more brilliant
and snowy than you would think after seeing
so many letters of the alphabet wasted in
spelling it.
The beautiful and fragrant sweet pea, the
gorgeous nasturtium, and the ever admired
verbena, must not be left out. All these that
1 have mentioned are continual boomers,
and will furnish you with boquet for your
sitting room and table from early spring urti
late in the fall; the most of them long after
the stately dahlia has succumbed to the touch
of Jack Frost.
If you wish more than these, there are the
asters and z;nnias in great variety though
many of the latter have too much of chip
Ply look to be really fine. I've had some my
self that thought l could accurately copy in
pine. with little dirt rubbed on.
shall not mention any more or you will
be bewidered with so much beauty and glo-
ry, but do wish 1 could convince you all,
that by three or four half hours work you
could secure very much real enjoyment.
If you have children they will soon become
interested, ahd will beg for few flowers "for
teacher" or some friend, and it is well to en-
| courage all kindly impulses. Be generous
with your scissors, for nature loveth cheer
full giver and amply compensates.
By sending to james Wick, Rochester, N.
Y, or B. K. Bliss, New York, you will be
sure of good seeds, and all these plants men
toned are of the easiest cultivation. If you
have never had a garden, begin now, send
one dollar to either of these gentlemen 1 have
mentioned, with list of these seeds and
make beginning, and let me assure you, as
one who knows, that you will find them at
them at once comfort and in inspiration. -
Casein in Mirror and Farmer.