The sun., 1919-04-20
CANNAS FROM SEED.
By w. Il, FAIRHURsT.

A bed OF cannas eight feet in dame
ter means an outlay of from 81 to Sc II
plants of the finest kind are purchased.
The same result may be accomplished
by raising plants from seed at a very
small cost. At the end of the season
there will be a good collection of bulbs
to store away for successive seasons.
BY planting seeds plants habits are
learned, and each succeeding year will
find the gardener more enthusiastic
over the cannas, from time to time add
ing to the collection from the dealers
choicest bulbs, collecting only the best.
The following is the best method of
starting propagation of the seeds:
Purchase one ounce of aseed from
any reliable seed house. An ounce con-
tains so to 100 seeds.
Tack a piece OF sandpaper on a
board, on which to scrape or rub the
seed opposite the germ. Break one
seed open for examination. The germ
end is the end with dent in surface,
where shoot starts, VILE the other
end is the smooth end. Rub on the
sandpaper until the seed shows n white
surface. Put seeds in glass Of hot
water and allow to stand for two days,
or until skin gets soft. The sandpa-
pering recommended quickens this
softening.
The soil should consist of three parts
Of ordinary garden soil to one part of
well rotted manure sifted fine. Put
soil into two inch deep fat or plant
box, planting the seeds one-half inch
deep and one inch apart. In the early
stage the seeds need plenty OF mois-
ture. The best method is to place the
fat in a tub, allowing the water to rise
just below the top OF fiat. When the
surface OF soil looks wet allow excess
water TO drain off. This should be
done every five days. Place the box OF
seeds in a sunny window.
Nine days after planting the seed
lings will show through the surface Of
the soil
When two or three leaves have been
formed transfer into four inch paper or
clay pots. or set them into four inch
deep flats four inches apart in good
garden soil.
On warm days allow the young
plants to, harden of preparatory to
setting ont by opening the window
gradually until outdoor conditions are
reached.
The middle to the last of May is the
time for setting out. For best results
in the bed the soil should consist of sod,
old manure and good garden soil This
mixture is best for holding moisture,
Tor the Gamma is moisture loving
plant. II it is difficult 10 obtain water
make the bed lower in centre to catch
and hold any rainwater or water that
may he given.
Plant the tallest in centre for best
effect. These may he distinguished by
! the quickest to terminate in tho fats.
The bed OF cannas obtained will far
exceed the gardeners expectations.
After the first killing frost in au-
funln and on warm day following dig
bulbs with fork, cut off the tops. allow
the roots to dry in warm sun, and then
! Pack in sand or good garden soil.
Place in cellar away from frost until
spring.
Tag the choicest cannas while in
bloom. so those considered worthless
may be discarded at digging time.
To THE GARDEN EDITOR OF THE SuN-
If there is any time of the year that
makes a person glad TO be alive II Is
spring, and the buds and blossoms Just
now remind me you want letters on
the garden.
have a wire fence running north to
south, seventy-five feet long. and a
border four feet wide, sandy soil, which
cause 1t is planted with perennials and
from early spring until the frost kills
them it is one beautiful delight of
blossoms.
As I've had such grand results am
giving list of the plants. Each year
l divide one or more and transplant to
another border am making.
! have hardy assorted chrysanthe-
NUNS, phloX, gillarda, delphinium,
hollyhocks. double assorted colors:
buddleya magnifica, lychnis chalce-
donica, aquilegis, golden glow and bee
balm.
Behind a clump OF white phlox
are tall spikes of crimson hollyhocll
and blue delpinium. Next TO the sic
bold phlox-vermillion~I have white
hollyhock and gillarda. Pen cannot
describe the beautiful effect and the
everlasting abundance of flowers.
The great comfort of having the
perennials planted all in one bed is the
convenience of covering with bundles
OF straw in the late fall and lifting it
In the early spring and finding the
plants all coming up TO greet me.
then cover with fine we'll rotted ma
nure and give them a good stand. Ny
Intention this year is to plant here and
there between the lowest plants as
paragus roots, and allow the first
stalks to grow, thus throwing the fine
mistlike fern over the other flowers.
The entire cost of this bed was about
$10.-Mrs. L. ]. Tamelyn, oil Noble
street, West Haven. Conn.
POTATOES AND CARRIAGE