The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-11
The Flower Gardens.

II is not too early 10 begin work In the
outdoor garden. although much too soon
for either plants or seeds. except OF a few
hardy varieties to be given 10 the outdoor
soil.
Some seeds, as the sweet peas, could
have been sown last fall, and would have
spent the winter in sending their roots
down deep. There would be some little
disappointment at first, that with the
bulbs showing their spears and buds the
peas would persist in keeping their lips
just at the surface OF the soil, but once
they made beginning OF growth II would
be strong.
The English plan has given the best
success. This is TO plant the seeds In
boxes indoors and to wait until the up
ward growth shows the roots to be well
established before putting them outside.
This saves from the cutworm. mice and
cats, and will give almost the plant for
the seed for transplanting.
The boxes should be at least five inches
deep and one inch OF this be given TO pots
herds for drainage. The soil should be
we'll shaken down I'm the box and be
thoroughly wet before the seeds are add
ed. The seeds may be soaked for an hour
before planting. Make trenches an inch
deep and four inches apart across the
close together Cover with the soil and
press IL firmly to be close about the
seeds Cover the surface of the box with
a wet paper or cloth and stand IL In
cool place. where II will have sunshine at
least part of the day.
The soil for this seed bed may be sand
or loan. There should be no fertilizer In
II nor should any be given until at least
four leaves have appeared, when a little
nitrate OF soda may be given I'm the water.
The very desirable thing is to have the
plant go to the garden soil with an
abundance of roots, and this IL will not
have IL the soil of the seed bed Is rich
and a few rootets can take In all the
nourishment the plant requires.
There need be no difficulty I'm trans
planting. Have the place I'm the garden
ready; make a hole with the dibber deep
enough for the root TO be at its full
length, pour In little water. put in the
plant so the lower leaves shall be Just
above the surface, and NIL I'm with the
soil, pressing It close about the plant. The
plants may stand two and one-half inches
apart I'm double row. six inches apart.
the wire net for the screen over which
they are TO climb coming between the mar
rows and made fast 10 posts at either end
In two years' trial with this method
not plant has been lost and the flowers
continued even through hot. dry weather,
due possibly to the continued culture.
keeping the surface soil loose TO act as a
mulch.
Putting seeds at once In the soil Is
another story and will be told at anoth-
er time. AS 10 seeds, buy OF an estab-
lished house and ask for the best. III be-
ginner. do not venture beyond old estab-
lished varieties. and with only a few
kinds. Half OF the enjoyment of flowers
In ones garden Is I'm knowing each by
name, and one can come TO this knowl-
edge only by beginning with a few kinds
and becoming familiar with their
peculiarities. There are 753 varieties
OF sweet peas, Il Is said, and there are
those who have a speaking acquaintance
with the entire family.