The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-05-13
PLEASANT SUMMER WORK.
Planting a Garden and Watching the
Flowers Grow.

Flowers Grow.
Not all flower lovers know how to raise
flowers and care for them, and a few in
structions on such matters will be &C
cepta bic to those who have tried raising
plants and have become discouraged
through lack of success.
To get slips and root them is a pretty
sure way to nave plants, If one under
stands them and attends faithfully to all
their needs.
There is no such thing as luck in
raising plants. They call for intelligent
care and will respond nobly. But there
is more pleasure and delight in sowing
the seed and watching them grow and
bloom than is to be obtained in any other
way. Abuti1x1s, begonias, lantanas. hell
otrope, vineas, lobeliaS. sweet alySsum
and ageratumS are all good window gar
den flowers and easily raised from seed.
Little boxes, about 8 inches long. or )
inches wide and inches in depth. or
even shallow cigar boxes, are the best to
SOW seed in. Any good garden soil is
suitable, although three parts sandy loan
to one part wood soil is better.
SIft the soil through 4 coarse sieve,
I'LL the box and rap Oh it gently 10 Sc tie
the soil. then press it lightly and evenly
space between the soil and the top of
the box. Scatter the seeds over the sur
face. and If very fine do not cover them.
II the seed Is coarse cover with a little
Of the Siftcd soil. Sprinkle with water.
but very gently, 50 as not to wash the
seeds out. and cover the box with piece
OF glass and set il where il will be warm
Troated in this way the seeds will
quickly terminate. Keep them moist. but
not wet. and when the plants have. at
tanned the third or fourth leaf transplant
them. placing them slightly deeper in the
SOL than they were before
hen they begin to grow give Il little
manure water once n week, and. as they
need It, transfer to larger pots or the
wlndow-hoXes where they are TO remain.
10 make good window box use half
men pine, and make it long enough and
Wlde enough to fit your window, aud
nlne or ten inches deep. Bore three
small holes at equal distances through
me bottom Of the box and place a small
nat stone at each end and lay on these
a piece Of lath exactly over the holes
Ihen I'LL IN a drainage of charcoal or
wood clnderS even with the Iath. and aft
eFWard the soil. Charcoal in the soil
keeps the earth from getting sour and
lmparts hriIliancy To the flowers
Growing plants must be shaded
through the hottest part Of the day End
should be showered frequently to keen
the foliage clean and bright for plants
breathe through their leaves and cannot
keep good health when they are covered
with dust
For back porch. or any other place
where vines are needed. wild cucumhers
grow quickly, and are exceedingly pretty.
Morning glorleS trained up porch or
wall, with sweet peas and nasturtiums
growing in front of them. are beautiful.
The gourd family. with the differently
colored leaves and fruit, make fast climb
ers, and are most interesting.
Where one has space which should he
filled with a tall, large, growing plant,
nothing Is better foI the purpose than
castor bean
\ handsome bower for backward, and
one that will delight the children. is made
by long poles or sticks set into the ground,
WlgWam fashion, with the ends coming
together and tied near the top Leave an
opening on the shady side Dig up the
soil on the outside to the depth of a foot
and the same in width; then morning
glory seed planted thickly around it and
trained carefully converts the wigwam
into a lovely and unique spot.
For flower seeds. to SOW out of doors
in May when the ground gets warm.
there Is nothing better than the old-fash-
loned ANIMALS, such as aStcrS. phlox. bal
sans. mdrgoliS yprhena, popDias. lark
garden pinks. These are all good flowers
for busy people. for they are sure to
come up and bloom early and late. and
once Well started will require but little
care
To save the trouble OF TRANSFORMING.
seed can be sown thickly. then thin ont
and throw or give away what is net
needed.
The flower beds can be made circular.
ohion@, diamond star or heart shaped
" hen limited rs To space circular bed
of panSics Is beautiful and easily cared
for, and is better the second year than
the first
Ageratum Lasscauyi, hordered with
sweet alysSum is lovely for a companion
bed and makes a charming combination
Of rose color and white.
Try ut least one novelty in flowers each
year: il is 50 interesting to watch tho
growth and blooming OF Il plant you are
acquainted with. Clcomc Alba is novel
and beautiful, and grow3 readily from
seed. some hanging plants and vines
viii he pretty, and for baskets try thu
moneyWort. oNaliS and santiago
Good bracket plants are fuchias. ivy
leaf g"ranIUn, the ordinary single pc
tunia and stroptoSolpn.
Seed planting and flower growing are
most fascinating pastimes and make old
Melancholy himself forget his legitimate
business.