The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-29
Alpine and Perennial Phlox.


is representative of the Alpine group
of pf1loxes. 1t is a moss-like evergreen,
with purple or ruSt-cOlored flowers,
having a dark center. When in full
bloom the flowers are so dense as to
completely hide the plant. It has
PROSTATE habit of growth, forming
matted tufts and is seldom more than
six inches high.
seed sown in the spring. and they root
very freely from cuttings which may be
obtained by sprinkling a portion of the
! bed with sandy soil in midsummer and
| so roots may grow from the stems into
the soil thus supplied. The following
spring these plants may be separated
and set out where wanted. They bloom
very freely early in the summer and
take a period of rest later, followed by
a second season of bloom which is not
as dense as the first
| Perennial phlox has great many
varieties and great range of color.
It is taller than the other groups. Its
season of bloom is late summer and
autumn. In many localities 1t will last
several weeks, while in hot, dry places
it blooms a shorter time. 1t is propa-
gated from seed, best sown in Septem-
Der so the plants may become we'll
| esta blished and ready for blooming the
following summer. A more common
method of propagation is by cuttings
or division of plants. Plants may usu-
ally be obtained from florists in the
spring, and this is more convenient
than propagating them, unless great
number is desired. The plants bloom
best when about three years old, and
will thrive for many years without
much attention. The clumps increase
in size. and in a few years should be
divided, the young vigorous shoots on
the outside being separated In the fail
and transplanted.
Elephants Ear (Caladium Eculentum)
The Elephants Ear is a tender her
bacious perennial with very large,
Sandwich Islands. 1t is very effective
as an ornamental bedding plant, par
ticularly useful for planting around the
corners of buildings and for screen
for some Objectionable object 1t is also
| effective in borders or beds and out on
the lawn. The size of It's foliage and
stems is remarkable. The height de-
ponds much on the fertility OF the SOIL
and the amount of moisture at the
plants disposal during the growing
period.
Often these plants grow to height OF
ten feet and the leaves are often three
to four feet long, while in poor soil they
may not be more than four feet high
with much smaller leaves. For subtrop-
ical gardening the tubers should be
planted out early in June into thorough.
ly drained, warm, light and rich soil.
A plentiful supply of water should be
applied especially in hot weather and
an occasional application of liquid
manure would do much to the vigorous.
ness of the plants. In dry, hot localities.
a mulch of well rotted manure Is OF
great benefit. When cold weather be-
gins or soon after the early frosts all
of the leaves should be cut down to
within three or four inches OF the
ground and a few days after this the
tubers should be taken UP and exposed
to air for few hours until they become
dry. They can be stored away in the
greenhouse or any other place where
they will be protected from frost and at
the same time in not too dry an at
mosphere. The elephants ear is easily
propagated by the division of tubers
which is usually done at the time OF
planting.
About Lawns.
After the seed has been sown for
lawn the ground should be rolled ana
watered regularly. 1t should not be
allowed to become very dry. and when
watered it should be thoroughly soaked.
| The rolling should continue every few
days after the grass has made some
| growth. Moving should follow at reg
ular intervals, never letting the grass
get beyond control of the lawn mower.
After the lawn has become well estab-
lished further application of some
fertilizer annually or at least every al
ternate season is very important.
with turf from other places. This is
desirable for immediate effect when the
| expense is not prohibitory and better
| results can be got than with sowing
seed when perfectly clean sod can be
had. Moreover sOdding is necessary on
terraces or other abruptly sloping
places where soil is liable to wash down
before a turf is formed. 1t is also a
good plan to have good clean sod for
the edges of the lawn along the walks,
or eh a
sodding the same as for seeding. The
sods are cut in convenient sizes and
about ia inch thick The ground should
be sprinkled with water just before the
sod is laid and Immediately after.
Perhaps the best time to SOW seed for
a lawn is early in the autumn, Septem-
Der or October. This will give time for
the grass to become well established by
winter and the following spring the
same area should be resown by thick
ening up the thin places.
He Knew.
A teacher in an isolated school stu
ated in the cattle country of Wyoming,
where the children learn their letters
from the brands on cattle before they
learn the alphabet. was endeayoring
to teach her pupils aa1 the d III fbs
marks above the letter:
Now, children she inquired hope
fully. pointing on the blackboard to
the letter ana the marx 6lSIl1yA1B IllC
long sound what is this 20
There was a long and discouragtng
silence; then an embryo COWBOY
cried excitedly as he waved his hand:
IT know, teacher; that's Bar A.
Lippincotts.
A Fix Indeed
w. Bourke Cochran. at a st. Pat
rick's day dinner, told a newspaper
"An Irishman," he said. was talk
ing about the case of Barring Gould,