The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-09-20
fnr the fari,ler.
FLOWERS AND FLowKR GA DRNING.

svvns Rrsr Sovx IN AuTUMN.-Nost people
have observed. no doubt, that self sown seeds,
that is seeds that have dropped from the grow
ing plants Of TIE previous season. scme.,mss
chat bloom the most freely. This 10 true Of most
Kinda and particularly Of those that suffer IN
der exposure to our midsummer. The reason %,
that self sown seeds get very healthy growth
in the spring. negotiating rs soon as frost is gone,
and are good sized plants at the time we usually
mt seeds IN the ground, even il they do not
start in the fall. They thus mature and flower
during the cool weather of spring. The Clarkias
and Nemopbias and Annual Larkspurs are
noted examples There are also several varie-
ties of Hardy Animals that do well with spring
sowing that will bear autumn sowing in the
ground, and reward ms with early spring flowers.
Sweet AIysum and White Candy tuft will give
abundance of white for early cutting, If sown in
autumn.
REPAIRING GRoUSDs.-Early autumn is the
best possible time for re-arranging beds of her
baceous plants, such as Hollyhocks, Delphini-
ums Peonies, &c. Roots can be divided with
out injury, and generally with great benefit to
the health of the plants Lilies and ell hardy
Bulbs, can also be removed and replanted rs
soon as the leaves begin to ripen.
Plants that are somewhat tender 10 thu North,
such as Tritomas, Psmpas Grass, &c, and any
other tender plants that it would be desirable to
save over the winter, may be secured in pits or
cool cellars. simple pit is made by removing
the earth for say two feet, over which is placed
hotbed frame and sash. Even boards or mats
will answer for . covering. Give air during fine
weather.
There Is no season 30 favorable as autumn for
making general improvements in tho garden.
All important changes in the garden should,
therefore, be made in pleasant, dry weather of
autumn. Dig up and put in order every vacant
bed, as it win not only facilitate spring work !,
but do the soil good and have q heater appear
snce than If left rough and weedy.
All bulbs and plants that die down to the
ground in autumn may be protected by cover
ing the surface of the earth with leaves or ma
nure of straw, but plants that retain their leaves
during winter will not bear this kind of protec-
ton. A few evergreen boughs thrown over the
bed, little straw between the plants, or some
light open covering of this kind, is all they will
bear without injury. We have seen more plants
smothered and rotted by heavy covering than
saved.
THE KIND OF SOIL TO Put IN POTs.-Where
good earth is used for potting, the plants seldom
need aug special manure. The best soil for
plants is found in old meadows, the corners of
fences, &C., where sod has grown q long time.
A pile of sod laid up to rot makes excellent pot
ting earth, and if taken from what we call here
chestnut soil, that is, with good deal of sand,
nothing can be better. Many persons think If
they can get little black muck from a swamp
they have the perfection of potting soil, while
it is the poorest sol, that can be procured.
About tablespoonful of guano in a pail of
water makes good fertlising material, but
must DO useu CAUTIOUSLY, 8no u not OFTEN needed
Manure water, just as good, can be made by put
ting little stable manure in a pail of water,
and using the liquid.
WATERING.-Keep the earth moderately moist,
about as it is observed in the garden in what
We call q growing time. Water not too fire.
quently, but thoroughly.
TEMPERATURE-Most of our plants are in
jured by too much heat For general collec-
tion of house plants, it is best to allow the
Thermometer TO be above seventy, and if they
could be kept in a room where the thermometer
would usually not range much above sixty five
it would be better. In the night time fifty is
high enough.
PLANTING BEDS OF BULBs-Autumn is not
only the best time for planting most bulbs, but
it is the only time that beds of Holland bulbs,
such as hyacinths, tulips, crocuses &C., can be
made Obtain bulbs in September or October,
and before winter sets in cover the beds with Q
dressing of leaves or cow manure, four or five
inches thick.
BEDS OF HARDY PLANTs.-All hardy plants,
the pDones, hollyhocks delphniums, perennial
phlox, day lily, dicentrs, and plants Of similar
character indeed all that will endure our winters
should be planted in the autumn, if possible, as
they get better start in the spring than if
planted at that time.-Pioks Floral Gside.