Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-22
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
Correspondence ON topics Of interest othe ladie.
Il solicited. Address: Editor aOaEnAkEHA
FLORAL WORK FOR MAY.

CoLUN. oxford Democrat. Paris. Maine.
FLORAL WORK FOR MAY.
As rule dahlias, cannas and caladiums
should not be set in the open ground
before the middle of May, as the slight
est touch of frost will wilt the young
shoots to the ground. Therefore, it is q
good idea to wait until corn planting
time before setting them out doors in
their permanent beds. Dahlias and
cannas require a very rich soil and
it should be made mellow and fine.
Give them full southern exposure II
possible. Only one dahlia tuber should
be planted in a hill, as this one tuber
though small, will grow into large
plant in few months. Therefore, do not
make the mistake of planting whole
clump of the tubers together. Divide
them carefully and plant but one in a
place, setting them in root end down.
II a great many shoots spring up it will
be the best thing for the plant to thin
them out to at least three. This may
seem hard thing to do, but the plant
will produce much finer and more salts
factory blossoms than if the strength
were taken up by several superfluous
shoots. If you are buying dahlias for
the first time, choose the earliest flower
ing varieties from the catalogues. Be-
cause unless it is started early in the
house, and hustled along somewhat, the
dahlia often disappoints one by bloom
ing just in time for the fall frosts to
spoil it. Always provide the dahlia
with stakes to prevent it from being
blown over by wind or rain. Don't put
this off until too late. Provide some
support as soon as the shoots show
above ground.
A clump of Ricinus Zanzibarensis-
castor oil beans-will do much to add to
the appearance of ones yard, and the
seed should be sown this month. Pre-
pare box of mellow soil and plant the
seed over an inch deep in it. If late in
the month soak them in warmish water
for twenty-four hours before planting.
When up, give plenty of light and set
out of doors during the day. Transplant
to the open ground after there is no
danger from frost. The Ricinus is very
interesting plant to cultivate, through
all the stages of its growth. The Gamma
is another most valuable and satisfactory
plant. 1t is to the lawn what palms are
to the living rooms-a finishing touch of
beauty. When grown from seed, the
seed should be filed on one end, being
careful not to 60 down too deep, and
soaked in hot water for day. Japanese
morning glory seed should also be allow
ed to stand in water for some hours,
though they will not need to be filed.
This vine is quite satisfactory if enough
seed are sown and they are started early
enough. One should not be discouraged
if they do not prove a success at the
first or second attempt. The blossoms
are very pleasing and the vines afford as
good shade to porch or window as
the common morning glory. Vines add
greatly to the appearance of place,
and they should be always planted about
a home. Morning glories, variegated
japanese hop and other vines that come
from seed should be sown during May.
House plants should not be put out
doors to stay until the month is nearly
gone. Frosts may come along unexpect-
edly and rob you of your treasures.
Plants that need reporting should be
seen to now. Cuttings may be started
in sand or water, and old plants that
have bloomed during the winter should
be trimmed back quite severely to in.
duce new growth.
This is good month to begin prepar,
tions for next winters window garden
We cannot begin too far ahead if the
best success is to be realized. The per.
son who starts his winter garden in the
fall will wish that he had done so earlier
when he finds that his geraniums refuse
to blossom, and his other plants grow
sulky instead of floriferous. If gerani
ums are wanted to blossom in the winter
and they may be made to do 80, in
spite of the fact that many persons
simply can't make them blossom at that
seasOn-chOose plant that has reached
its first or second year, trim the branches
back severely, repot into dish little
larger than the one it has been growing
in, using fresh, rich soil, and encourage
into a slow, sure, steady growth
throughout the summer. Plunge it in
the open ground if you wish, but be
sure that it has a generous supply OF
water to nourish the forming buds. Dc
not let the plant perfect single bios
som until you want it to flower in
doors. This is the secret of success in
having them blossom in the living
rooms. They must be fed and encour
aged and cared for, but buds must be
picked off, else they will not bloom sat.
isfactorily in the winter. Cuttings may
be taken from large plants, rooted and
set in small pots of new soil, transferring
them once or twice through the season
into larger receptacles. After Septem.
Der LIST, however, do not disturb them,
as the buds will be forming now, and il
would be a mistake to change the plants
from one dish to another. Many persons
leave them in one dish throughout the
year, and this plan is all right
provided one is careful to see that the
soil is kept well enriched with plant
food, after the roots have drawn out all
the nutriment. Young plants should be
pinched back frequently to encourage
stocky, compact growth. The more
branches you can induce a geranium to
grow, the more blossoms the plant will
bear. A geranium consisting of only
one tall, straight stalk will, as rule,
produce only one truss of flowers, and
such plants are not satisfactory.
Seed of chinese primroses should
be sown now or in June; they will make
highly pleasing plants for winter win
dow gardens. Old plants of the Chinese
primrose need not be discarded, as they
are quite as satisfactory the second OF
third winter as the first. Re-pot in new,
fresh soil, and keep all buds picked of
until winter.
Verandah boxes and iron reservoir
vases for the lawn should be filled with
plants this month and got to growing
under shelter. Geraniums, fever few,
cOleus, heliotrope, fuchsias and Kenil.
worth ivy make a good combination for
such receptacles. Of course other
plants may be added or substituted
McCall's Magazine.
FOR YOUNG MARRIED PEOPLE.