Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-12-17
WITH THE FLOWERS
by E. VAN sENrHUYsEN.

Don't be too anxious to SOW flower
seeds for neA summers growth until
you have studied what you want to
have In your garden and how you ara
70 obtain the best results.
II you contemplate having flower
garden next summer. see to II that you
reserve a plrQ for some of the old
fashioned flowers. Oftenimes a bou-
uuet 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
cd now win root in about ten days
Always remember that tall plants.
like hollyhocks. castor beans, sunfiow-
ers and cosmos are best for back
grounds
Protecting plants from cold drakts
about windows is a matter OF much i'm
portance. In case of severe winter
weather a certain amount OF cold can
be warded Off by placing over them
cones made OF paper.
Plants will seldom do well where
gas and dust abound. Proper regula-
tion 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. he
liotropes. snapdragons and the like do
best II not watered too often during
the winter. But when 1t 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 20 have them do we'll
II is also essential to put them where
the temeprature Is lower after each
transplanting. In this way they will
be hardened OF" and made more
ready for setting out in the open
ground
Considering the small amount Of
care II requires. there is no flower
more satisfactory and beautiful than
the dahlia.
Such hardy bulbs as hyacinths. tu-
lips. lilies. crown imperials. phlox
irises and the like do better. as a rule.
II allowed to remain undisturbed in
the ground for years.
II 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 OF
before planting.
Try growing geraniums this year.
Next to cannas. they will give more
satisfaction for the trouble expended
than 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.
Ill the tops die. When that occurs you
can put the pots in the cellar and leave
them there until autumn.
Gladiolus bulblets will blossom a
year earlier II peeled before planting
Being dry. the husk requires lone
time to soak up so the new growth can
penetrate II, but IL 1t is removed
growth starts at once.
For a perpetual delight all summer
few vines are better to grow than the
Madeira and the Columbian climber.
Their foliage is of very rich
glossy green. and the delicate white
flowers, OF rich clusters. of the Ma
deira vine are not only abundant. bu
deliciously fragrant. Both vines ar,
easy to grow, and in fairly good sol
will attain height of 20 or 25 feet.
Although the asparagus sprenger
produces only tiny flowers, its foliagt
is so glorious, so green and restfu t
the eye, that it is a plant much to b.
desired. Not requiring a great amour
OF sun. It can be placed back of othe
plants and. II somewhat above then