Evening star., 1897-03-13

Will TIE SOOu SOll. IufVeflZe the top SOIL
very finely with rake. or. If you are work
ing on a small scale. slit 1t through a coal
sieve. Moisten 1t several hours before
sowing seed. unless it has just been rain
ing. tls
The most convenient plan Is to have one
large seed bed prepared in which to sow
all the sorts that will bear transplanting
This saves time. labor and confusion Sow
in even rows scattering the seed sparingly
and making the depth according to size
Write the name of each sort on n clean
pine stake with pencil and insert at the
end of each row. Firm down" with II
thin board, and if you are addicted to the
hen habit or have neigh bors who are pro-
tect your seed bed with wire netting.
TrnnspInnting.
Water with a fine spray only n "A pnr,ic,-
larly dry spell sets in. When the young
plants two inches high or have made
four to six leaves, begin transpantng to
their permanent homes. Go about this
work seriousiy-even solemnly The care
lessness of an hour n.eans the loss of
everything. Choose dull rainy day. Or
very early morning or after sun down. OBJ
serve all the directions previously given.
and in addition arrange the plants with a
view to their size and habit of growth
and the effect you wish TO produce. Some
general cultural directions are printed upon
the packets, such the best time to plant
&c. The quantity required is a matter for
private judgment 1t should be added that
all transplanted seedlings must be pro-
tected rom tine sun for a few days by
covering with papers, boxes, or the like.
These should be removed at sun down or
during rain.
In selecting keep in view your special OBJ
ject. Do not forget that for decorative
pIented in lines OF one color or diff
ferent shades Of color. Jumbled to-
gether, without regard to shape color, or
height, the eye is irritated, the mind dis
GG g flH NV itICt {c
one gets into babel of sound, or a too
mixed company. And l fancy the flowers
feel this. and suffer under such cavalier
treatment. Set your tall plants in the
center of the bed, or against the house or
wall. in the rear of their humber sisters
Small clustering sorts like the sweet alys-
sum. candy:uft. lobelia, &c, should always
be set along the edge of the bed These
last are very difficult to transplant and 1t
1t Is better TO them where they are
TO remain. thinning out to about six inches
apart pack the earth up around the stalks
every few days, or the sun will burn up
the delca roots.
This matter of setting the plants well
apart cannot be too strongly insisted upon
You Will think your flower beds present a
pitiful appearance, with all those little
plants stuck around like pins in a cushion
but be wise, and trust those who know.
Overcrowding. too deep planting and let
ting the roots get uncovered by careless
watering are the chief causes of failure
~--- NAAN A'oiA' 6oiei any 5ctS tHe Dld1e.
Some Good Selections.
The following lists, arranged for the con-
venience of those having special purposes
in view. have been carefully prepared, Sc
lecting few of the best sorts
Climbing ANNALS. for porches fences
trellises, etc.-Ipomoea, especially the Bona
Nox, or moon flower. white pink or blue:
Convolvulus, or Morning Glory, the new
sorts-Brazilian and Imperial Japanese are
magnificent: Cobola Scandens beautiful
blue flowers; Thunbergia, all shades of yell
low and orange; Tropa eolium Major or tail
Nasturtium; Balloon Vine, Wild Cucumber
and Cypress Vine.
Tall ANIMALS. for hedges and screens
Ricinus, or Castor Bean, especially the
dark red and variegated sorts: Helianthus
or sun flower; Zinnia. the tall varieties:
Cosmos, and last and most beautiful of all
the Sweet Pea. for the culture of which full
directions will be given later on.
For constant bloom and decorative effect
in beds and borders-W hite-Sweet Alys-
sum, Verbena, Phlox Drummondie, Aster,
Zinnia, Candytupt, PetHnia, Swan River
Daisy (white sorp, Nicotana Affinis. Blue
Lobeiia, Larkspur Swan River Daisy
(blue), Bachelors Button or Corn Flower.
Aster, Pansy, Purple all shades-Verbena,
Ageratum, Pansy. Petunia Stocks. Aster
Red all shades-Nasturtium, tall and
dwarf; Zinnia Verbena, Poppy Portulaca,
Phlox D., Aster, Pink, all shades-Ver-
bena. Centranthus. Phlox D.. Early Cos
mos, Zinnia, Aster. Dianthus. Orange and
yellow-Nasturtium, Coreopsis, Calendula.
Marigold, Annual Chrysan themum, Zinnia,
California Yellow Bells.
The Astcr.
Some of these deserve special mention.
The aster. for instance. as now developed,
Is in the very front rank. For variety of
form, size and color it has but one su-
peror. and that is its aristocratic cousin.
the chrySanthemum which some of the
varieties so closely resemble as to deceive
any but an expert. Every color and com
bination of color found in the chrysan
themum is to be found in the aster. Even
a yellow aster,' which until recently was
not known to exist, except in the literary
world, has at last appeared. The colors
found in the aster, particularly the pur-
pies and pinks. are much purer than In
the chrysanthemum. From tiny daisy-like
clusters to great, loose-petaled beauties of
wonderful hues and shapes, they range.
BY careful selection and mingling of early
and late sorts, with eye to the artistic
massing of colors handsome bed with
succession Ct bloom may be had from
June until October. Start early In cold
frame, and transplant to rich soil; give
plenty of room, and water when needed.
The following Is list of some of the best
sorts. The packages may be bought mix
ed or with separate colors: Truffants
peony, f1owered. tall, twelve colors and
combinations; Ficks new branching, pink,
white and mixed. tall; La Superbe. tall,
blue; chrysanthemum-fiow dwarf.
colors; Burpee's new diamond, ten colors;
Cocardean or crown. white center. colored
border; new peony-fowered, all colors;
queen OF earlies, all colors; Betteridge's
yellow.
Good Boomers.
The improved zinnia is a brilliant and
useful flower especially for distant ef-
fects. 1t Is an early and constant bloomer;
very easily raised, and the pink and white
sorts are very handsome The cosmos is
another favorite; bears transplanting well,
ard. with Its elegant foliage and great
helght, makes fine summer hedge or
screen. There is an early Towering sort
now offered. blooming from June until
frost.
Another magnificent plant is the ricinus
or castor bean. Nothing finer for a hedge
or screen or for grouping on the lawn
can be selected. From the time the first
great leaflets start out of the ground it is
CONTINUOUS source of wonder.
Ihe nasturtium is SO well known as to
Ieeo no description. yet it is we'll to know
that II requires light, but not rich, soil;
the lattef causes 1t to run to foliage. Buy
II oy the pound, both the tall and dwarf
xmas. II expense is no special objection
select the colors, otherwise order a good
mixture and plant everywhere; you cannot
have too much.
A word about migrcnette. No plant Is
more disappointing II Treated in an off,
hand way. Even on the flower stands In
m ri