The Pulaskian., 1915-12-03
WITH THE FLOWERS
By E. VAN BENTHUYsEN.

Don't be too anxious to SOW flower seeds for next summers growth until you have studied what you want to have in your garden and how you are 10 obtain the best results.
 If you contemplate having a flower garden next summer, see to it that you reserve a place for some of the old fashioned flowers. Oftentimes bou- quet of these will bring more tender memories to your friends and awaken more of their gratitude for you than any amount of the newer varieties.
 February is a good month in which to start the cutting of geraniums and verbenas. Cuttings of verbenas start ed now will root in about ten days.
 Always remember that tall plants, like hollyhocks, castor beans, sunfiow- CTS and cosmos are best for back grounds.
 Protecting plants from cold drafts about windows is matter of much i'm portance. In case of severe winter weather certain amount of cold can be warded off by placing over them cones made or paper.
 Plants will seldom do we'll where gas and dust abound. Proper regula- ton of the heating apparatus will gen. orally eliminate the former and regu- lar spraying or sponging of the foliage of the latter
 In doing this the under side of the leaves should be looked after, for it is there that insects first make their ap- pearance and unless checked by spray ing they will soon spread.
 Such house plants as geraniums, be- gonias, petunias, azaleas, fuchsias, be- liotropes, snapdragons and the like do best if not watered too often during the winter. But when it is done the soil should be thoroughly soaked, and the temperature of the room kept little higher for few hours there after.
 The best time to water these is in the morning and on sunny day.
 For starting early flowers. SOW the seed in shallow boxes and plan to transplant the plants at least twice be- fore they are placed in the open ground. In order to have them do we'll 1t is also essential to put them where the temeprature is lower after each transplanting. In this way they will be hardened off" and made more ready for setting out in the open ground.
 Considering the small amount of care it requires, there is no flower more satisfactory and beautiful than the dahlia.
 Such hardy bulbs as hyacinths, tu- lips, lilies, crown imperials, phlox hises and the like do better, as rule, If allowed to remain undisturbed in .he ground for years.
 If you have any cold-frame plants, such as violets, roses and carnations, don't fail to expose them more and more to air for gradual hardening off before planting.
 Try growing geraniums this year. Next to cannas, they will give more satisfaction for the trouble expended han almost any other flower mention able. Be sure to get those, however, adapted for growing in beds.
 When your Easter lilies get through blooming water them until the leaves begin to fade, then withhold water un- til the tops die. When that occurs you can put the pots in the cellar and leave them there until autumn.
 Gladiolus bulblets will blossom year earlier if peeled before planting Being dry, the husk requires long time to soak up so the new growth can penetrate ir, but if 1t is removed growth starts at once.
 For a perpetual delight all summer