The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-04-22

Starting Plants for Early blooming.
There are some plants which mex
perienced persons cannot always proPa-
gate profitably, nor compete with the
professional florist either in the quality
of plants produced or the facility of pro-
ducing them. For instance, one who
knows but little of the methods OF in
creasing plants had better not try to
raise camellias without first trying some
of the more easily propagated varieties,
such as verbenas, heliotropes, geraniums,
etc. Such plants as the last named may
be propagated very readily with but lit
tie trouble.
No garden is complete without
good-sized bed of verbenas, and no
plant gives more show and profusion OF
flowers for the effort required to pro-
duce it. A small plant of perhaps three
or four inches in height will, if planted
in good mellow soil, cover yard square
before autumn, and afford continuous
succession of gorgeous bloom during the
season. When plants are propagated
from cuttings, of course the varieties are
the same as those of the parent plants;
but as the verbena is subject to almost
infinite variation by seed reproduction,
some amateurs will find it more interest
ing to raise their plants from seed.
Whichever method is pursued. there IS
no need of having the plants large or
old. Small, vigorous ones are much
better. If grown in pots, never allow
them to become pot-bound or the roots
hard, if you wish to have them make q
vigorous growth from the start. Also,
never allow the plants to grow tall or
spindling, but if necessary nip in the
long shoots. In purchasing varieties, if
only q few very desirable ones are
wanted, by all means get pure white,
deep crimson, scarlet with white eye,
maroon, light pink, and deep purple.
Lantanas are chiefly valuable on &C
count of their free-blooming qualities
and rich tints, the perfume of both
flowers and leaves being rather offensive
than otherwise. Still, a few of the high
colored sorts, at least, are worthy of a
place in every garden. They are easily
propagated from slips or cuttings, but
are impatient of being transplanted un-
less pot-grown. Heliotropes are as
easily and quickly grown, bloom as free
lv, and are so useful for summer bou-
Duets that they should be literally
planted in every garden. They do well,
and make good appearance, planted
either in masses or interspersed with
other bedding plants. Heliotropes de-
light in heat and moisture, hence never
allow these conditions to be wanting
either in propagating or growing the
plants. They also need plenty of pot
room, and when growing freely need
frequent shifting. In removing hello
tropes to the open ground, they should
be well-protected from the wind for
some time, .or it will be almost sure to
blacken and wither the foliage.
Of the ornamental-leaved plants, such
as are used for ribbon or carpet beds,
geraniums, coleus and achyranthes are
among those most easily raised at home.
Those varieties of geraniums having the
most clearly defined zonale marking on
the leaves are the most snowy for this
style of planting; but free-blooming va
rieties should always be chosen. The
General Grant is always desirable on
account of its rich color and free-bloom-
ing qualities. Notwithstanding the
many new varieties of coleus that have
been introduced of late years, the old
Verschaffeltis, dark, velvety, crimson
sort, is still regarded as one of the best
for bedding purposes. clip" cuttings
of coleus and all other bedding plants
are always preferable.
Geraniums propagated now will make
small plants for setting in the open
ground on the approach of summer,
after which they may be stored in the
cellar or kept in the house during win
ter. If wanted to bloom in winter, the
buds should be removed during summer.
Keeping geraniums in pots during the
summer is good plan when they are
wanted for early fall and winter bloom
ing. BY careful selection, cuttings OF
geraniums can often be taken from
plants without injuring their symmetri.
cal form, and sometimes with positive
benefit to the appearance of the plant
When new and vigorous shoots start out
from the base of the plant, the older
part of the plant may be cut away en-.
tirely. These new shoots will form q
fine shapely head. Geraniums that are
kept in the cellar during winter may be
brought up to the light and allowed tc
grow few weeks before setting out in
| the open ground. Window plants otter
suffer from lack of light, which cause;
them to grow one-sided and tender. TC
counterfeit this in measure they should
be turned occasionally, that the light
may strike all sides of the plant. Plants
of German ivy are very useful for filling
stands and baskets, and for other similar
purposes. Large plants of this and
other trailing and creeping plants may
be easily raised in small pots. Two and
one-hah inch pots are large enough i
kept plunged in sawdust, and the plant!
plentifully supplied with water.
These who raise annual Towering
plants from seed will do well to SOW
some of the seed early, in order to hav'
early bloom. Plants of these kind
should be grown in pots like other plants
for convenience in transplanting. Tn
extra care and expense required to pro
duce early ANNALS of the favorite varie
ties is well remunerated by the earl,
bloom. 1t is during the early part o
summer that flowers are most needed
hence the earlier ANNALS can be mad,
to bloom the better, especially whel