The Monitor., 1891-09-11
MOTHS FOR SEPTEMBER.

next summers blooming. They will
thrive best in rich, loamy soil in a sunny
southern exposure. The seeds being so
tiny it is essential that tie soil be worked
over until light and fine. Sow the seeds
che at time, not more than one-fourth cf
an inch below the surface and at dis
tanee OF three inches apalt 1t is a COM
mon mistake to SOW them too thickly, W hen
they jostle each other, and their growth is
less rapid than when they are allowed
plenty of room. 1t is unwise to depend
upon mixed seeds, which are apt to con-
tain only tie eommoner varieties. Much
finer flowers will be obtained by buying
several packages of special sorts, such as
the mammoth German, the Odier tricolor
Maxima, Trimardeau, pheasant's eye, etc.
There are seedsmen who make specially
of pansy culture, importing many rich and
striking novelties from abroad and one
will be likely to obtain the finest varieties
from them.
Water the seed occasionally until the
young plants appear. They should be-
come strong and stalky before hard frosts
come in order to winter nicely. All the
protection required through the winter is
light covering of dry leaves or straw
They should begin Towering in the spring
and yield wealth of blossoms all simmer.
II the first buds are nipped off the snbse-
quent blooms will be enough finer to repay
the sacrifice. If one is willing to devote
the additional time to them the seed NAV
be sown in boxes, then when the young
plants have made two or three leaves they
may be transplanttd, and the blossoms
will be larger for the extra labor ex-
pended.
Within few years many old. fashioned
garden favorites lave been reinstatcd IN
favor, and the stately hollyhock has been
much employed both in landscape garden
Ing and for household decoration. Each
season produces new varieties, many of
which are exceedingly beautiful. The
double ones are now seen in multitudinous
shades, ranging from the pure white
through the delicate tints of straw, lemon.
pink and lavender. to deep rose, heliotrope.
scarlet, crimson and wine that is so
dusky as to be almost black. A few valie-
gated oses are priced for their oddity
rather than for their beauty. The plants
are popularity supposed to require two sea-
sons. If sown now, however, they should
bloom next summer.
1t is best to plant crocuses where they
need not be taken up for several seasons.
as they multiply rapidly if undsturbed.
They should be set early in September in
this climate. If desired for border to a
waik-and this is an effective way to use
them and one quite popular abroad-sim-
ply cut out narrow strip of turf, loost n
the soil a little, set the bulbs about two
inches apart, pressing them well into the
soil, then replace tho turf and pound into
place. Water thoroughly as soon as plant
ed. No other protection will be needed
than the sod affords. Those planted in
beds should have light covering of straw,
leaves or litter, which should be removed
the latter part of March 0ftentimes
pretty devices are formed with them. The
name of cne's place is sometimes outlined
in yellow, lavender or white croeus. The
word "Graeelands stcod out very effect
lively in orange-colored blossoms upon one
lawn last spring. A design of this kind
will need the attention of the professional
gardener, however, as The bulbs multiply
SO fast the symmetry of the outline would
soon be lost. When used merely as bed
or border in lawn they may remain un-
disturbed, and so soon as the tops have
withered they may be cut of, then moved
with the lawn mower the remainder OF the
season.
A charming window-box for winter
blooming may be made OF rasturtiums.
Soak the seed in tepid water few hours
before planting them, and select both the
low and climbing varieties. The soil should
be only of moderate richness. Plant them
early in September, and about an inch be-
low the surface, taking care TO bring the
box indoors on frosty nights, as the plants
are more sensitive than pansies. Set the
box in south window If possible.
Geraniums and other plants which have
been in the ground during the summer
should be taken up several weeks before
bringing them indoors if wanted for win
ter blooming. Take them up carefully and
set them in shady place where they will
rest and grow strong. Cut them back a
little and pick OFF all buds Sara isedq
,oiek. in Chicago Daily Meas.