The midland journal., 1916-08-04


There is a certain delight one So
cures when showing ones friends
around the garden, pointing out those
plants that are truly our own, those
that we have grown from seed. Many
, Of the perennials left alone and their
seed allowed to drop around them, will
produce seedlings in great numbers
Such plants are usually so small and
come up so late in the season that
they are of little use to the amateur.
A much better way is to sow the
seed now in prepared frames or beds.
transplant them and give them the
best attention in order to grow strong
plants quickly.
First of all, prepare cold frame in
well drained place. Fill in good soil
and see that it is we'll pulverized
If the soil is not rich, add we'll rotted
manure and little sharp sand. Spade
up and work thoroughly, SO as to have
good seedbed. Rake and smooth
the soil, then firm lightly by pressing
down with a board. Sow the seeds
in rows four inches apart. To keep
the varieties separate, use small plant
labels. Insert a label on which the
variety is written, then SOW the seed
thinly. After sowing, cover the seeds
according to the size of the seed.
Large seed, like Hollyhock, can be
9oyered to a depth of half an inch.
Do this by shifting light soil over the
seeds. Fine seeds, like those Of ORR
entail poppies, want no covering what
ever. Merely press these down into
the soil. Water with a fine hose, so
as not to wash out the seeds. Now
place the sash over the frame. To
give shade, cover glass with thin
coat of white wash. A still simpler
method Is to wet the glass and throw
fine dry clay over the glass. This will
stick on the wet places, giving a good
shade. It has the added advantage of
being easy to wash off. Give the frame
little air on all bright days. Do this
by lifting one end Of the sash and
placing a four-inch strip under the
sash. Water carefully every morning.
When the seedlings appear, which is
usually in about weeks time, give
more air. Keep weeds pulled and cul-
tivate the soil between the plants fire.
quently. AS soon as the plants are
large enough they should be trans
planted Three to six inches apart
will be sufficient room for most of
them. Remove the sash altogether,
a 10 hou uNA fhA Go vro1t
to shade the newly set plants. This
can be done by driving down stakes
three feet long at each of the four
corners Of the bed and stretch sheet
Of burlap or similar material over
them. Keep the plants growing by
soil. By September, the plants will
be large enough to set out to their per-
manent places.
A few of the perennials that can be
sown now are:
Aconitum (Monkshood).
Alyssum (Goldentuft or Madwort).
Aquilegia (Columbines}.
Asters Hardy (Michaelmas Daisies,
Bells Perennis (English Daisy.
Boltonia (False Chamomile).
Callirhoe Poppy Mallow).
Campanulas (Bell Flowers).
Centaurea (Hardy Corn Flower).
Chrysanthemum (Sbasta Daisy).
Coreopsis.
Dianthus Barbatus (Sweet William)
Delphiniums Clark Spurs).
M pigitalis Cox Glove).
fGaillardia (Blanket Flower).
Gypsophila (Baby's BREATH.
Helianthus (Sunflower).
Hibiscus (Mallows).
Liatris (Blazing Star).
Lupinus Polyphyllus (Hardy Lu
pines).
Myosotis (Forget- -Me-Nots).
Papaver Medicanle Qceland Pop
pies).
Papaver (Oriental Poppies).
Platycodon (Balloon Flower).
Pyrethrum Roseum (Colored Daisy)
Rudbeekia (Cone Flower).
Saliva (Hardy Sage).
Seabiosa (Pincushion).