Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-05-04
sylonlhs' Column.
THE CHILDRENes GARDEN


space, about six feet square, to a
bed of mixed flowers, which attracts
attention, owing to its great variety
of blossoms and its peculiar beauty.
procure one packet each Costing
five cents packet) of zinnia youth
and old age,) well-known annual,
with large flowers of different colors,
white, red, and scarlet being the
best; lupin (sun-dials,) with very
pretty long blue spikes; collinsia,
beautiful plant with purple, blue and
white flowers candytuft, hardy and
pretty long blooming plants, flowers
crimson, purple, and lilac; petunia,
the well-known flower of many col
ors and phlox and portulaca. The
seeds are sown in the bed without
regularity, and when in blossom the
bed is beautiful beyond description.
We must not neglect to give the
beautiful asters a prominent place IN
our flower garden; the Convolvulus
minor, or dwarf morning glory, is
also one of the finest hardy ANIMALS.
1t is OF trailing or creeping habit,
like the portulaca, and deserves a
place in every garden. AS nearly
every one is acquainted with the
climbing morning-glory, some idea
may be formed from it of the beauty
of the dwarf species. The flowers
are of mixed colors, and the dwarf
plant has the same popularity of
closing in the afternoon as the climb
ing morning glory has.
The clarkia is a very fine hardy
annual of various colors and shapes !;
it is very desirable for early bloom
ing, and thrives in cool shady sit
uation. 1t is particularly recon-
mended for planting in England,
where the soil seems to just suit its
nature. Already it is very popular
there, and trust my young readers
in that country will plant few seeds
as am sure they will be delighted
with it. Space will not permit me
to do more than mention a few of
the many beautiful flowers grown
from seed planted in the garden ::
mignonette, pansy, calendula, or
calendar-fower (of the marigold
famiiy,) marigolds, and many others
are easy of culture and popular
throughout the world.
Plants grown from seed in the
open air require but little cultivation
and management, and that of SIM
pie kind. The beds must be kept
free from weeds and grass, the
soil stirred occasionally to keep it
moist and mellow. Regular water
ing, especially in the hot summer
months, is beneficial, and should be
done after sunset, or early in the
morning. Should the plants appear
sickly or of slow growth, they may
be helped by an occasional watering
with liquid manure, which, however
must be applied sparingly, Or it will
cause the plants to make tall spind.
ling growth, which is not desirable.
Among biennials and perennials
we have many beautiful flowers, and
as before stated, some of them bloom
the first season from seed. Unlike
ANIMALS, the majority of them bloom
but short time each season, yet sc
beautiful are the flowers when in full
bloom that the cultivator enjoys
them the more on account of thei
short duration. l find it a good pla1
to SOW seeds of ANNALS every spring
and with the biennials I have con
tinuous bloom through the spring
summer, and autumn months. Thes
kinds are not we'll adapted to bed
on lawns, and should be sown il
borders, straight lines, OF in beds re
moved from ANIMALS or other flower
ing plants. The soil is prepared an,
the seed planted as directed for tn
ANIMALS.
The aquilegia (columbine) is on
of the best of perennials; the flower
are of almost every imaginable colo
and of different forms it bloom
early in the spring, and is desirabl
on that account. 1t is probably bes
known by the name of wild honey
suckle. 1t grows wild IN ever
temperate country in the world
Alyssum (gold-dust,) a beautifl
plant, growing to the height of tie
inches, with small yellow flowers,
one of the best of perennials fe
massing in beds. Asperula odorat
Woodbury. is a pretty little plal
growing wild in parts of Gre:
Britain though cultivated almo
everywhere. 1t is one of the mo
fragrant of plants, very small
growth, with beautiful white flower
Its wild state is much improved /
cultivation, and 1 hope some of n
young readers will try it.
A beautiful bed may be made
planting carnations. This flower
familiar to most of us, and its fir
grauce and its beautiful rose-shap
flower are delightful; some of t
blossoms, with good care. W
measure three inches in diamett
1t is one of the easiest plants to CT
tivate, requiring but little attenti
beyond an occasional watering a
stirring of the soil.
Primula is beautiful plant, /
will not do well with The beginner
this country, requiring a northe