The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-27
FALL WORK I'm THE GARDEN
EVERY REAL FLOWER LOVER H0ULD LEARN THE DELIGHTS
FOUND IN THE HARDY DUTCH BULBS JAPAN IRIS
AND oLD-FAsHIoNED LILIES.

can be recommended for Minnesota in"
clude crocus, snowdrop, scilla and chin
odoXa. All OF these require much the
same treatment and are delight in the
spring, making their appearance almost
before snow Is gone. They may be plant
cd IN beds or borders, but give a charm
ing effect planted hit or miss in lawn or
in sunny corners. They will be through
poisoning and the tops will be dried up
by the time the grass Is long enough to
cut. For lawn planting, cut the sod with
spade and slip two or three bulbs into
each of the long Sits, pressing the soil
we'll into the opening.
The scilla Is a small spike Of tiny bells
just the color Of blue grapes. The chin
odoxa has spikes Of beautiful blue flow
ers with pure white centers. The snow
drop with Its pure white flowers and the
crocus with It's cheerful purple and gold
flowers are familiar through the literature
Of spring, oven to those so unfortunate
as to have been brought up in country
where they are not grown. Northerners
are just beginning to wake up to the
fact that they can have a liberal dis
play OF the eminently satisfactory spring
blooms and it will soon be possible for
the children Of the north to understand
the poetic sentiments that have been in
spired by these dainty harbingers OF
spring.
OF daffodils would say, if you are an
experimenter and enjoy trying things re-
CARELESS Of possible disappointments,
plant some. It is quite probable that we
have or soon shall have varieties that
will survive Minnesota winters, If they
get g. fair amount Of care. Among the
kinds 7 would recommend trying is the
poets narcissus, with its large white
flower encircling a crimson-edged cup.
This is splendidly effective in clumps in
17oIf h.
berry. OF the double narcissus or daffo-
dis the butter and eggs, orange phoenix
and Won Sion are probably the hardest.
Japan's Superb lrIses.
There are a number Of other things in
the garden that must be planted now to get
results next year. Among the finest
floral contributions Of Japan to America
is the superb iris Kaempferi, which comes
in the finest colors and the most exquisite
forms This is one Of the sacred flowers
Of Japan. The roots of these plants do
not reach this country until late in Octo-
Der, and it Is necessary to plant them at
once. They are perfectly hardy and thrive
best in a somewhat clayey soil. The clumps
should be given plenty of room, planting
from eighteen inches to two feet apart.
Good strong clumps will give fine flowers
next season. The iris blossoms late in
June, after most Of the perennials are
gone. If the blossoms are protected from
the suns rays by a canopy they will last
a long time. Just before the plants begin
blossoming they should be provided with
an abundance Of water either by flooding
| the soil or by frequent watering. After
the blossoming season the foliage looks
handsome in the border.
All Of the hardy outdoor lilies should be
planted now. These include the old re-
! liable day lily and lemon lily, the lilium
| candidum or old-fashioned annunciation
! lily, the lilium auratum or goldbanded
! lily Of Japan, the liliun rubrum and album.
All Of these should be planted about six
! inches deep, and the bulbs should be
| turned on their sides to keep water from
| sinking into the crown and injuring the
plant.
Before hard freezing comes, all bulb beds
| should be covered with leaves and litter to
| protect them from cold and especially the
| alternate freezing and thawing.
If you want to reset or divide any Of the
| hardy plants in the garden, it should be
| done at once. Phlox especially is improved
| by division Of the roots about once in
! three years.
Martha Scott Anderson.