New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
NOTES ON HORTICULTURE.
IMITATION OF NATURAL. CLIMATIC CON
DTTONs DESIRABLE

ITO succeed with the cultivation of flowers. the
first thing 70 have in mind is 70 make the plant
comfortable" says John ". Spencer in The Cor
nell Nature Study Quarterly This condition
should be not only the first thought but also the
last thought II you can DO this successfully the
plant viii 90 the rest Of the work, and your re-
suits Will be abundant
What plant comfort IS is e question more
easily suggested than answered for II ts A very
large subject-about as large the surface OF the
earth. As a guess, Will say that there are as
many different kinds Of plants there ara people
Il IS at least safe say plants have as many
different notions their conditions Of life as
have the people OF the different nations and tribes
OF the world Pansies from foggy England and
bulbs from the loWlands OF Holland should be
planted TO bloom in the cool days OF spring. and
the phfoI from Texas viii be quite happy the
heat and drouth OF July and August. With this
idea well fixed IN your mind you will easily see
mat when you know the country from which
plant has come a knowledge of the physical geo
graphy OF that country will be helpful in knowing
how 20 make the plant happy and prosperous.
we must also make the plant comfortable in
the soil There IS great difference in what plants
require 10 make them comfortable Some ike
thisties or mullen ragwee1 will thrive on al
most any soil, and are no more exacting as 70 food
than goat or q mule: but other plants are as
n9?{ionaI as children reared in the lap Of luxury
~ eartn IS not soil Soil covers the land as
thin skin covers an apple you would spread
or less plant food
When men erect buildings and afterward grade
the ground. they Usually turn a part Of me s9
upside down There Is also considerable r11bbisb
OF me builders left scattered about such as brick
pats chips OF stone, and the like that 20 10 make
the place an uncomfortable for notional plants
For this reason wish particularly 10 call your at
lentlon 10 me manner in which you should prepare
ne ground on which you intend plant The first
tnIng 10 90 Is 20 spade the soil very thoroughly 10
the depth OF al least ten inches All stones as
large as big boys fist should De thrown out and
al Jumps given bat with the back OF the spade 10
make al the particles fine This is 10 be a flower
ped, and should be soft Ike your own bed. Il would
De better 70 make it up more than once. After the
nrst spaolng Il would be well 10 cover the bed
with coat Of stable fertilizer a depth of six
or elght inches, which will give additional plant
food and in spadng the second time this fertilizer
VII! become thoroughly mixed with the soil. The
surface should next be raked smooth, and your
mower bed VIII then be ready for planting
We all admire the bright bulb flowers that are
among the first 10 blossom in the spring These
mostly come from Holland or ar least attain their
perfection there We have just spoken Of the i'm
portance OF planting flowers such a time that
they may live their career when our climate IL
most Ike that from which they come In the case
OF bulbs spring and early summer the most
favorable time for them IN this country, fall
the proper time for planting"