The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-12-12
HOME INTERESTS.
Next Years Garden.

rather curious text to write upon when the
ground is frozen several inches deep, all vegeta-
ton dormant, and tho boisterous wintry winds
are whistling around our homes; when Jack
Frost is ever oil the alert to find some crevice
or Granny where his icy breath can penetrate
to The destruction Of some of our floral pets.
As we gather around the genial hearth-stone
of this happy Home" let us look back with
pleasure on the beauties OF our gardens during
the summer now passed away, and then plan
our campaign for the coming season, resolving
to still more beautify our homes by decking
them with lovely flowers Some never had a
garden; then by all means get one the coming
spring, even if it be no more than box of an
nuals growing on your window ell. IL always
seems to me when pass a house where the
windows are filed with flowers that kind, IN
telligent Heople live there, for some way or an
other the two always seem 10 go hand in hand
together. Others, again, had the least little mite
OF garden containing some of the old-fash-
Toned perenoials. and these are better than
none, but for brilliancy of color and durability
of bloom the ANNALS deserve the first place
At some future time l propose to talk about q
number OF the choice st ANNALS with inetruc-
tons how to grow them.
Quite often inquiries come from beginners
They have seen something pretty somewhere
or other and want it, but do not remember
that the coveted flowers were brought to per-
lection by experienced growers. novice is
almost sure 70 fail with the small seeds such
az the Petunia, because they bury them in the
IL, while these very fine seeds should not be
covered at ALL Asters, Balsams, Pnks, Phlox
and Zinnia are some of the most desirable,
easily cultivated ANIMALS.
To me, and no doubt to many of my readers,
there is a peculiar charm in raising choice
plants from seed. How eagerly we watch for
the first appearance OF the tiny cotyledons or
seed leaves, and as eagerly observe their
growth from day to day until they still further
excite our admiration by producing lovely
fiowers am going to tell you of two kinds
you can raise this winter, and have them
bloom neyt summer. Get shallow cigar box,
fill il with sandy, porous coil, SOW the seeds
thinly, dust little sand over the seeds, just
enough to cover them Now pat on piece of
damp flannel Keep il there and moist until
the seeds germiDae; then you may put on a
pane OF glass, and az the seedlings. advance in
strength remove the glass and let them take
their course.
Geranium seed sprouts readily in the tenn
perature of an ordinary sitting room, and If
bloom is desired next summer, SOW them at
any time from now until February, and bed
them out in May. Seedlings are always ro-
bust and sometimes really good variety Is
produced, to say nothing of the economical
way our flower beds may be filed. paper of
seeds costing a dime will produce as many
plants, i'll careful hands, as one could purchase
for two dollars at some greenhouses. Verbenas
may be grown in the same way. The seeds
look like little pieces of sticks, and one lady re-
turned them to NE last spring under the inn
preston che had received sticks for seeds.
Sow them as l have directed, and, il you have
patience, in time you will be rewarded with
very thrifty plants and large, fragrant flowers.
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lance to secure good seeds and these can only
be procured from those who understand what
| flowers to raise the seed from. Like produces
like, hence the seeds should be sowed with al
eye TO producing plants which shall be the al
miration Of every beholder. Verbena seeds
take much trouble to save, and are not included
in the six varieties already spoken of.
As l have had some experience in the vege-
table garden as well as floral shall be glad &c
give my readers any instruction in my power
For any hints or helps you may desire, drol
me line and will do my best to assist you.
Mr.. RENNIE.
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