especially the rubrum
variety, are good bloomers and quite hardy.

The Planting and Care of Hardy Perennials.

MISS GRACE E. KIMBALL, WALTHAM. (SO. MINN. HORT. SOCIETY.)

The most important essential in the planting of hardy perennials is the
preparation of the ground. It must be deeply spaded or plowed and
thoroughly pulverized. While most kinds of plants will do well in any
good garden soil, most gardens need more or less fertilizer to make the
ground good garden soil. So it is well at the time of spading or plowing
to see that enough fertilizer is applied to insure good growth and
blossom. But care must be used that no fresh stable manure comes in
contact with the roots. If it must be used see that it is put in the
bottom of the hole or trench dug for the plants, and covered several
inches with earth.

When the ground is well prepared and properly fertilized comes the
planting, and as many plants need somewhat different handling, it is
well for one starting a garden to understand just how each kind should
be set. The iris, for instance, likes to be very near the surface of the
ground. In fact it seems to delight in pushing the earth off the fleshy
part of the root and basking in the sun, while the small roots lie very
close to the surface. The oriental poppy must be planted with the crown
well above the ground, or else when any moisture settles on it the crown
will rot, and the plant die. The gaillardia, larkspur and columbine
should be planted about as the oriental poppy with the crowns perhaps
not quite as much above the ground, while the peony should be set so
that the bud is covered two or three inches.

Since fall planting of herbaceous perennials has come into prominence
one can choose either spring or fall for most of their planting, as most
plants do well set at either time. But the oriental poppy does not ship
nor transplant well in the spring. It dies down after blossoming--one
may think they have lost their plants then--and starts up again in
August or September. Just as it is starting then seems to be the safest
time to plant.

August and September are considered the best months to do fall planting,
although some advocate setting peonies until it freezes. Still I think
it safer to plant earlier than that.

If I were beginning a hardy garden, one that I could add to from time to
time, I would try to set out in the fall plants that bloom in the spring
or early summer, and in the spring thos