irst, and they will bloom again in autumn. We had this
year a large clump of Madonna lilies and next to them a large bunch of
larkspur. The effect was stunning. Just before the larkspur came the
whole north end of the garden was aflame with Oriental poppies, hundreds
of them. No other flower produces the effect upon one that this great
proud, wonderful flower does. It is the queen of the show. We transplant
this in September in ordinary soil. Or we sow the seeds in August and
transplant the seedlings as soon as up. They need no protection, but we
protect everything with straw and branches. The branches to keep the
straw from packing too hard and keeping the air out. Protection of
roses is necessary, of course. We had a great collection this season.
Our plan is to cut them back to within a foot of the ground then fill a
box with leaves and turn over them. We never lose a rose thus protected.
Neither sun nor mice injure them.

Another grand flower is Digitalis, or foxglove. These gladden your heart
as the medicine made from them strengthens it. Get the mixed plants or
seed, Gloxinia flora. When in bloom, look into their little gloves and
note the wonder of nature's coloring. With us they grow six feet tall in
black, heavy soil. They self-sow, and the plants of the present year
bloom the next. A bed of these make a most gorgeous, dignified group in
your garden. They are hardy with a very slight covering. Many with us
self-sow and live through the winter without any protection. We made up
a bed of these self-sowed in fall of 1915. They were a glory this
summer. A few years ago every one said, don't waste your time on
Japanese Iris. They thrive with us and bear blooms fully as large as a
tea plate and of most exquisite beauty. We divide them every third year
and in the spring cover them with old fertilizer and water them well.
They grow in a heavy soil with some sand worked in. Our best varieties
are Oriole, Distinction, Alice Kiernga, Beauty of Japan and Blue Flag.

The Gladiolus is another bright and interesting addition to our floral
family. The best we have are Marie de Ruyter, a pretty blue; Badenia,
lavender; Golden King, a magnificent yellow; Florence, lilac blotched;
Mazie, corn color; and Dawn, shell pink. Plant these bulbs in
succession, three weeks apart, from April first, six inches deep, so
they will stand up, and eighteen inches between rows. In this way you
will have them until frost. For the house cut them wh