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The Gold Mine in the Front

Yard and How to

Work It

SHOWING HOW MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
CAN BE ADDED TO THE VALUE
OF PRAIRIE FARMS

By as. HARRISON

YORK, NEBJiASKA

President of the Nebraska Park of
Forestry Society

LIBRARY.

Dipjsion of Horticulture,
N. 0. Dep't of Agriculture.

ST. PAUL, MINN.
WEBB PUBLISHING CO.

1905.

COPYRIGHT FD 1905
BY

Webb Pctblishing Co.

INDEX.

Introduction 1

Beauty is wealth — The mission of beauty.

The Home 1^

"There's no place like home" — The boys' room.

The Discovery of Beautiful Gems 16

The Concord Grape— The Wealthy Apple— Carnations
— Paeonies. etc.

The Preparation of the Ground and the Preparation of

The Owner 22

Intelligence of the plant and tree world.

Don't Be Stingy 30

Laying Out the Grounds 36

Kinds of trees and shrubbery and arrangement.

Hints and Suggestions — Selecting Trees and Shrubs 42

Raising plants from seed — Dogs and flowers.

Planting For Foliage Effect 55

Trees of silver foliage — Golden foliage — Purple foliage
— Planting for Autumn effect.

The Lilac 62

The Persians — Emodi — Oblata — Japan — Tree Lilacs,
etc.

The Viburnum, or Snowball 74

Other shrubs of value.

The Syringa, or Philadelphus 81

Spiraeas 89

The Rose 94

Japanese Roses — Climbing Roses — The Hybrids or Per-

petuals — Preparing roses for winter.

- -J

iv INDEX.

The Lonicera, or Honeysuckle 105

Bush or Tree Honeysuckles — Planting a group — Propa-
gation— Climbing Honeysuckles.

Perennial Flowers 114

Tulips — Yuccas — The Filamentosa — The Iris — The
Golden Glow — Sunflowers.

Columbines 123

How to grow them — Delphiniums — The Lily — Time to
plant — The Gaillardia — Oriental Poppy — Phloxes.

The Paeony 160

Classification — Propagation — Dividing the roots —
Planting for flowers — Raising from roots — Propa-
gation by grafting — Raising from seed — Care of
seed and planting — Hardiness — Thoroughbred
flowers — Changes of soil and climate — Mistakes
and mixtures — Difllculties — Retarding for spring
selling — Late blooming — Nonblooming Paeonies —
Cutting from newly planted roots — Paeonies and
insects — Diseases — Freaks, etc.

List of Some of The Leading Paeonies 219

Gladiolus, The Sword Lily 242

Propagation — Flowers — Forcing — Cannas — Rais-
ing from seed — The Dahlia — Propagation — Varie-
ties, etc.

LABFlArlY.

Division of Horticulture,

U. 0. Dep't of Agriculture.

INTRODUCTION.

Often gold is foimd when least suspected. Miners
for a generation roamed over the Cripple Creek hills,
and did not dream of the millions beneath their feet.
The shepherds of Australia led their flocks over pas-
tures paved with gold and did not know it.

A poor rancher in the mountains found nuggets of
gold in the crop of a turkey, and found whence they
came and soon struck his millions.

But these are rare cases. Often I have known men
to trudge over the mountains for years and endure
all manner of privations and grow gray before they
find wealth.

But every farmer has a gold mine in his front yard,
where, least suspected, there are riches. Generation
follows generation and the case is rare where these
mines are worked as they should be.

It is generally Supposed that the money is all in the
back yard, the barn, the granary and the farm, and
yet the richest deposits are at the front ; and every
acre there is worth $1,000 at least, as we shall see.

BEAUTY IS WEALTH.

There are priceless values outside dollars and cents.
What does the rich man do? Does he put all his

rmtaCTY LIBIMKr

2 THE GOLD MINE

gains where they will bring back so much annual in-
terest in cold cash ? He does far better. There are
more beautiful things in this life than greenbacks, sil-
ver and gold. The man gets a piece of land. A
landscape gardener lays it out, then he has it planted
to the choicest trees, shrubs and flowers. These arc
well cared for, and that piece of brown earth soon de-
velops into a beautiful estate — and that is wealth.

That plat of ground, of little value in itself, be-
comes a garden of delight. As the years go by it
grows more and more beautiful — the joy of the owner
and the delight of all who pass by.

I^ow please tell me why the western farmer can-
not be rich. He has better land than the eastern
man who buys a worn-out field, and then pays $10
a cord for manure besides the hauling. The farmer
has plenty of manure in his yard. Trees and flowers
will grow for him as well as for others. Go to the
experiment stations, and you will see what vast num-
bers of things there are which do well all over the
West.

The farmer's wife belongs to the noblest race on
earth. How much of patience, fortitude and hard
work she has displayed in the homebuilding. Heaven
help him if his sons and daughters are not of more
worth than many of the children of the rich who live
in a band box and must be fed with a spoon.

Farmers complain that their children do not like the
farm, and as soon as they can they will leave it. What
wonder ! I knew of a man worth $75,000, with a

IN THE FRONT YARD. 3

large farm well stocked — not a carpet on the floor — not
a rocking chair in the house — no books, magazines
or pictures — not a tree in the yard — not a shrub or
flower. It was grind, grind, grind for dollars from
early morning till late at night. The three daughters
who might have been ornaments to society were lured
away to lives of shame. The five boys ran away and
all but one became vagabonds. You do not want to
raise a family of boors — awkward and ill at ease in
society. You want them to be educated and refined.
Surround them with refining influences ; let them asso-
ciate with beautiful things. Grive them a taste of the
real luxuries and entertainments of life. Make the
home so attractive that it will be the dearest spot on
earth.

My thoughts revert to the home of my friend, T. C.
Thurlow, of West :N'ewbury, Mass. His grandson is
the tenth generation born on the old place. Every
tree has a history. One Fourth of July we took din-
ner under a fine old elm his grandfather planted.
Back of the house is an artificial grove of spruce. The
rows are like columns in some grand cathedral. The
tops have woven a canopy of green that shuts out the
sun. The family are troubled with weak lungs. A
few years ago he planted some little white pines and
they are now a forest filling the air with healing. In
front of the house are thousands of the finest of
paeonies, and yonder such a field of glorious phloxes.
There are silver robed trees from the Kockies. Ever-

4 THE GOLD MINE

greens and deciduous trees gathered from different
parts of the earth. Everywhere there are things of
beauty. ''No wonder the children dread to leave home
and rejoice when they can get back again.

Take it all around, and no investment will pay bet-
ter than your gold mine in your front yard. ^'Well/'
says one, ^'I don't know how to work it. I don't know
anything about horticulture." We thought perhapis
that was the case, and so this book is written in the
hope that it will develop the immense amount of w^ealth
and beauty now idle, or existing only in thought.

Let us outline this matter. We visit a fine estate
in Massachusetts. There is a marvelous group of trees
dressed in silver and sapphire. Their sheen is like soft
moonlight lingering among the branches. Offer the
man $100 apiece for them. He would not take twice
that. You buy those same trees of silvery hue for
$2.00 each; then see them grow^ They will do as well
in Minnesota as in Massachusetts. Each little tree
will be ambitious to work out that $100 for you; and
it will be worth as much to you and your family as to
any one.

A little boy once planted a quarter, and a few days
after dug it up to see if it had sprouted. Another
little fellow who loved his grandma dearly moved with
his parents to a far Western home. He was terribly
homesick. How he did long for the kind arms and the
dear old face ! One day his mother found him planting
a photograph in the garden. It was the picture of
the dear old lady. He burst into tears and said: "I

IN THE FRONT YARD. 5

was plantin' daniiia so she would grow and I could
have her adin/^ Poor little fellow! Silver and
photos can't grow, but trees can.

I saw a beautiful lilac tree twenty years old. It was
thirty inches around and thirty feet high and all that
splendid crown was a mass of fragrant bloom. Would
$100 buy it? Yet for $1.00 you buy the same kind
of a tree, which is as hardy and thrifty as our native
ash and which in its native mountains of Japan is a
foot through and fifty feet high. Professor Green
has them growing on the University grounds. There
is one to match it — the Chinese tree lilac with charm-
ing foliage and drooping branches.

What a vast array of flowering shrubs. Besides 130
kinds of lilacs we have a splendid list of syringas,
spiraeas, viburnums, and many others.

Take the perennials. What a noble family — phloxes
blooming from June to ISTovember.

Get a dozen of them and this book will tell you how
to swell the number to a thousand so you can have a
field of splendor.

Plant a few paeonies and soon you have hundreds.

There are the columbines which have robbed the
rainbow of all its colors and woven them into bouquets
fit for kings.

Think of the enjoyment you will have. When you
are tired with your day's work just take a vacation
on your front porch, and any day from spring till the
hard frosts of autumn there will be a procession of
beauty on gorgeous dress parade before you.

6 THE GOLD MINE

If there were such a park as you might have ten miles
away you would hitch the team to the carriage, and
take your whole family to see it. Why don't you have
a park of your own and make your farm a sort of
Mecca to the lovers of nature?

Good old Mother Mature. What a heartache she has
had all these years because she could not get at you
and go to work for you.

She has a plan for fixing up, and just beside you in
the unseen she has a vision of loveliness which she
would like to make a substantial reality. She is ready.
to open the door into fairyland and let you see just
what is waiting for you.

You read these lines and ask, ^'Ts this possible for
me ?" Yes ! !N^ow won't you fix up ? That neglected
piece of ground is too valuable for rooting pigs and sick
and disabled machinery.

'Now every man who owes a debt ought to pay up.
The man who owns 160 acres of land is a king by
divine right. He owns down to the center of the earth
and up to the stars. With the warranty deed which
comes from the United States government and from
God there is an implied obligation to make the most
of this empire of yours. Every nook and corner of it
should be put to its best. The home should be like a
splendid picture set in a suitable frame.

THE MISSION OF BEAUTY.

When the whole world is so full of beauty why
should it be entirely ignored on the farm ? You see

IN THE FRONT YARD. 7

it everywhere. It sits on the bow which fronts the
storm. You see it in those mountains of cloud dress-
ed in gorgeous robes of ruby, and opal, of amethyst
and gold, as they escort the retiring day to his cham-
bers in the West. The vast prairies when unvexed
by man were gardens of flowers. You plant an or-
chard and it is clothed with fragrant bloom in spring-
time, and in autumn it is a bouquet of loveliness with
its fruit of red and gold.

God might have made the cherry, the peach, and the
apple the color of the stones, but he chose to feed the
eye as well as the palate. Through beauty he would
touch the soul. Put a man where you will, and there
will be some of the attractions of nature to welcome
him. The tropics are filled with flowers, and they
alternate in the hemispheres. They salute him in the
vast countries of the E'orth. How fascinating the
splendors of the aurora as they flash and flame on the
walls of the sky! The arch above us is kalsomined
with sapphire, and sprinkled with stars. Then the
gates of the future open before us on scenes of tran-
scendent loveliness.

Why on earth in these mortal bodies do objects
diminish in ratio to distance ? Can you look the noon-
day sun out of countenance as it is? Suppose you
could see all things now in their full proportions. You
take one glance upward into the empires of glory,
where vast cities of stars are blazing and monster
worlds lie along the path of vision, and a single glance
would paralyze the strongest brain.

8 THE GOLD MINE

But by and by we will awake in the divine likeness
and see as God sees. Then what prospects will open
before us as we are greeted with the salutations of
the universe. Each star has a mantle in color and
fashion all its own^ — no two alike; and the stupendous
empire stretching to the shores of chaos will rise as
endless fields of loveliness filled with the surprises and
astonishments of beauty.

Language labors and falters in the attempt to de-
scribe our home in the future, with jasper walls, and
opal sea, with gates of pearl and golden pavements and
foundations set with precious gems.

When we have such an inheritance of beauty in this
world and the next, why should the farmer, who is part
owner of this earth, ignore it altogether, especially
since God has made him a creator who, with a wizard's
wand, can call up visions, marvels in form and dazzling
in beauty ?

He can take an acre of somber earth and gather
upon it the colors of the rainbow, the splendors of the
sunset, the radiance of the gems, and it will be a land
Elysian — promise and prophesy of what lies beyond.

We are just on the borders of what is yet to be re-
vealed to us here. What changes have been produced
in a few years. The carnation of today was evolved
from a humble flower. The dahlia had a very inferior
ancestry. The phlox, with its marvels of brilliancy and
attractiveness, reaching out into hundreds of varieties,
was a humble flower born on our great prairies. The
paeony of today is one of evolution's miracles. And

IN THE FRONT YARD. 9

just before us are the most delightful possibilities.
How keen the zest of those who hunt for diamonds,
pearls, rubies and other precious gems. There is a
kindred delight for those in search of new and rare
floral treasures. When Kosenheld gave us Golden
Harvest among the paeonies he gave, not a single gem,
but one that will grow to cheer a million homes. When
Terry gave us his Excelsior, Clara Barton and Victor
paeonies it was as if he scattered gems that would grow
and cheer and gladden thousands.

In my own experience I have seen marvels of ^new
creations among the phloxes, and seedlings of my
own raising far surpass many of our choice importa-
tions ; and so with columbines. What delicate rays of
beauty are gathered into some of those newer forms.
How much awaits us among the paeonies. What sur-
prises for myself and the world must come from
thirty-five pounds of choicest seed. We have only
touched the great empire of beauty which stretches be-
fore us.

CHAPTER I.

THE HOME.

This should not be a kennel, a sty, a stable, or a
barn. It is the dwelling place of immortals. It
should be the most sacred spot on earth. The residence
need not always be elaborate. There is much of cheer
often in the lowly cottage. The spirit of the home is
the presence of the wife and mother. If this is lack-
ing the place is a desolation.

The new woman greedily seeks the new vocations,
trying by all means to avoid what she terms ^^domestic
drudgery." But there is no occupation more noble
than that which ministers to the wants of the loved
ones — no hand so beautiful as that from which fall the
benedictions of toil and cheerfulness.

People, of necessity, are often restricted in home ar-
rangements.

When our people moved West in '44 we lived for
years in a house 18x24 which cost just $50. It had a
chamber where our sleeping bunks were. We climb-
ed to it on a ladder. There w^ere nine of us. But as
means increased- home comforts grew. Times have
changed. Our farmers are well to do, or even rich,
and now^ can have home comforts and conveniences.

What tremendous influences are all the while going

12 ^THE GOLD MINE

out of our American homes. They are sources of
power.

From on© of them a boy goes to his life work as one
of the captains of industry. And mark you, most of
the Titans of today, mightier than fabled Thor or Vul-
can, came from country homes.

There goes a thoughtful girl with fertile brain and
facile pen. She was born and reared in the country
where she could get acquainted with herself and learn
to think and write and the world loves her.

From another home goes a boy with the soul of a
patriot. He enters a naval academy and sooner or
later you may hear of another Santiago or Manilla.

Another goes to West Point and becomes a Grant
or Sheridan.

We think too little of home. How few expect to
live and die on their farms. They hope to sell, and
what a shifting race in which the home instinct is al-
most blotted out !

What spot can be more sacred in its hallowed asso-
ciations ? In that room a little sister with starry eyes
and hair of woven sunbeans went into the open arms
of a waiting Saviour. Is that room a place for stran-
gers ? Should wooden shoes go clamping in places
touched by angels' feet?

In that room Grandfather passed away. How the
children loved to gather there and listen to stories of
the past. What a kindly soul he was and the little
ones loved to nestle on his bosom. When he died it

IN THE FRONT YARD. 13

was the death of the righteous. The gates were opened
and heavenly escorts bore him home.

There a mother passed away. I stood by her side
and saw and heard it all. Her eyes were closed to
earthly things and then there passed by her . on the
shores of light the processions of glory. I cannot for-
get the rapture and the gladness and the outreaching
and the last words, "Oh, beautiful, beautiful Jesus!''
Should that holy place be desecrated by those who
neither know nor care for any of those precious memo-
ries ?

In that room as a child you lay sick for weeks. At
the foot of your bed pictures were changed every day
to give your tired soul something new to think of.
Your mates came in to cheer you. You have a dim
remembrance of the long vigils of father and mother
and the good doctors wdio could not let you die.

What gatherings were in that parlor. Jane and
Sarah and Emma were married there. You remem-
ber where they stood and how they looked.

There is the dining room where the wedding and
Thanksgiving feasts were spread. What happy gath-
erings of friends and relatives. What delightful
memories linger there. Oh, don't sell the home !

In our great West there is hardly a farm but what
can be beautified and made homelike. You can build
bulwarks of noble trees to shut out the fierce blasts of
winter. Evergreens and deciduous trees are waiting
to come and defend you.

The choicest shrubs and flowers with continuous

14 THE GOLD MINE

bloom are ready to spring up at your beck and fill you
with cheer and gladness.

On the farm there is too often a lack of conveniences
and comforts. The woman should have a good toilet
room as well as her city cousin. The inconveniences
to which delicate women are subjected in going to out
houses in the piercing cold and through the deep snows
might be classed among the martyrdoms. I had seen
so much of this that when I built I made up my mind
to have a good bath and toilet room first and then
build a house around it. I cannot see why there
should be such cruel neglect and indifference on the
farm. I know a Western ranch where the wife is a
noble, motherly woman and she has daughters that are
teachers and the husband and father has never even
built a small out house for them.

The expense of home comforts is not great. - There
is little trouble in having a cesspool at a safe distance,
and as far as sanitary conditions are concerned a cess-
pool is no more dangerous to health than a common
vault.

If possible, water should be conveyed into the house.
The windmill can do this much better than the wife.
The woman has'} a hard time at best — often without
help, and she should have every possible convenience.

THE BOYS^ ROOM

Should be large and cheery and well stocked with
books and papers. I know a man who has trouble
with his boys. lie owns a half section of land and is

IN THE FRONT YARD. IS

well off. He built a store to rent in a new town with
liis surplus money. But the boys had to grope their
way to bed on all fours in the garret of a dilapidated
sod house. Treat a boy like a dog and he will be one.
Give him a good room and have him take care of it
and he will be a gentleman instead of a rowdy.

If possible he should have a shop with a good set of
tools ; not cheap gift affairs, but the best that money
can buy.

The best room is none too good for the family.
They are as good as the company you receive. The
largest and best room is often kept for the guest. This
may be occupied a dozen times in a year and the father
and mother sleep in a small room. They need the best
and largest, and a guest can take up with a smaller
one. Better for him to stand it a short time than
that the weary ones should use it all the while. Have
a good, roomy kitchen with every possible convenience.

j)\r o§ Hot)

CHAPTEK II.

THE DISCOVERY OF BEAUTIFUL GEMS.

If in the gold mine in the front yard there should
also be found a mine of gems what new zest would
be given to research.

Yet it is a fact that we are on the verge of the un-
known. Behind a thin veil the good Father has rich
treasures in store for us and we can fold the curtains
aside and take possession.

A man finds a precious diamond like the Kohinoor
or the ''Mountain of Light'' or ''Star of the South" and
his fortune is made.

Ancient rulers reveled in the possession of precious
stones. When Persia was invaded by the Mahometans
they captured a splendid carpet which was one of the
marvels of the world. It was 450 feet long and 90
feet wide, and had a border worked in with precious
stones to represent a garden of all kinds of lovely
flowers. The leaves were formed of emeralds and
other green colored stones, while the buds and blossoms
were composed of pearls, rubies, sapphires and other
gems of immense value. Along with this was a robe
of state thickly embroidered with the most beautiful
rubies and pearls. That splendid carpet was an imi-
tation of a garden of flowers. True the fabric of

IN THE FRONT YARD. 17

woven gems Avoiild last the longest, yet there was only
one of it, while millions of people can have carpets
of bloom radiant with a thousand forms emitting their
fragrance and displaying their loveliness.

There was the peacock throne. A marvelous col-
lection of jewels — fashioned into the form of that re-
splendent bird. It was worth thirty millions of dol-
lars. It was a most magnificent bouquet of splendor;
yet today the poor man or woman on intimate terms
with earth and nature can have collections of forms,
tints and colorings which might vie in appearance even
with this masterpiece of human skill.

Let some Emperor have his "Great Mogul" or "Or-
loff Diamond." But a hundred thousand people can
have their great, splendid Festiva Maximas and La
Tulipes — gems of the floral world. Men have gone
mad over the discovery of rich and precious stones.
But there are gems of lustrous beauty among flowers — •
gems which do not center all their value in a single
object.

I stood by the original Concord grape in that his-
toric town and said : ''You grand Old Mother ! You
know not the trainload after trainload of fruit and
plants which have gone forth from your branches, add-
ing millions to the nation's wealth."

Gideon discovered a gem in the Wealthy apple.
What a marvel ! 'No jewel uncovered in earth's rich-
est mines can compare with it. Go to any of our
Western states and you find this fruit growing by ship
loads.

18 THE GOLD MINE

Somewhere in the unknown are other fruits —
luscious, hardy and prolific, which will yet add millions
to the nation's wealth.

'No one can take out a patent on these discoveries.
The wide field is open to all. You can be an inde-
pendent mine owner, and perhaps some quiet farmer
may yet capture the prize for which all the Kortli-
west is longing.

In floriculture what marvelous changes have been
made in roses. The single rose is the product of j^a-
ture. The double rose is the product of ITature and
art. What marvelous crosses are being made. One
day in the East I rode on the cars with the noted Jack-
son Dawson, of the Arnold Arboretum, and he was
taking eight hybrids of the Wichuriana of Japan.
There is no limit here, and a wide awake boy or girl
can carry on the process.

What improvements in lilacs, spiraeas, and syringas,
or Philadelphus. This same Dawson showed me a
syringa of marvelous beauty and enormous flowers —
one of his own creations.

Some one crossed the delicate little Thunbergi Spiraea
with the Multiflora and that gave us the Arguta, which
blooms with the tulips — a snowdrift of white — the
earliest of all. And it has such persistent foliage
that in the autumn it is like a flower garden of itself
with its rich tints and marvelous colorings ; thus mak-
ing an attractive display at each end of the season.

Lilacs are all the while being produced from seed.
Plant the choicest kinds with the rich diversity of

IN THE FRONT YARD. 19

bloom and foliage and from the seed you will have
some surprises of loveliness.

How much has been achieved by the wizards of hor-
ticulture who have opened new gates to let us look on
broad empires of possibilities. And how much is be-
ing done all the while along the lines of private re-
search.

Take the carnation. Only a few years ago it was
a humble flower and now a glory fit for the dwellings
of kings. And the limit of its possibilities has not
yet been reached.

When Eosenfield gave the world his Floral Treasure,
and Golden Harvest, he discovered gems whose beauty,
soon to be increased to millions, will make glad the
homes of the great Northwest and cheer up the prairie
desolations.

Father Terry, of Iowa, has given us over one hundred
paeonies. Among them the Victor, w^hich is victori-
ous, and Excelsior which excels, and Morning Star
with delicate rays radiating from a heart of gold.
What a troup of loveliness to rise up and bless the old
man as he journeys to the land of the setting sun.

And see what gTeat work he has accomplished in
brinffino- cheer to so manv homes. It is said he is a
benefactor who makes two blades of grass grow in the
place of one. What shall we say of the man who in
the place of none shall clothe the brown earth with a
carpet of beauty on which the soul can feast — who dis-
covers o-ems that will increase to millions ? There is

20 THE GOLD MINE

altTuism here. It is like an almoner handing out
the richest gifts of Providence to a needy world.

What I -want to do is to awaken a zeal in your
hearts, so that you can go out and possess these new
fields. There is a charm in taking the flowers already
established and propagating them, thus clothing barren-
ness with beauty. But we have reached that point
where the ordinary man or woman, boy or girl, can
add to the treasures of the world and the delights of
society.

A quiet woman in Indiana a few years ago planted
some paeony seeds. One plant she named, on my ad-
vice. General Lawton. It had a splendid large flower.
She sold it for $100. Another, named for her de-
parted husband, brought $150. Another of her crea-
tions— Walter Morgan — has a delicate flower of lovely
fragrance, and of pure gold. There is no law which
forbids research along these lines. 'No warranty deed
on God's fields with signs up, "No trespassing here."

What wonder, when I see these things, that the fas-
cination comes over me and I am planting many pounds
of seeds of choicest paeonies and am willing to forego
the delights of heaven a few years to see the new
forms of loveliness they will unfold.

NOTE THIS FACT.

When flowers are first developed from the original
type, they easily revert back again. It probably took
a thousand tests to produce a double dahlia. Now the
family is so well established that the progeny retain

IN THE FRONT YARD. 21

the characteristics of the parents. A lady not long
ago saved some dahlia seeds and was amazed to find
an immense, symmetrical double white, which she nam-
ed Surprise.

Last spring I sowed a lot of seeds of choice cannas,
and was delighted to fine some of rare merit — fully
equal to many of the finest named ones.

I keep about fifty kinds of mixed columbines ; and
their product gives an almost endless permutation of
form and color, and I note many far superior to the
old named varieties. There is this about the colum-
bine family, — they use all the prismatic rays in mak-
ing their garments of loveliness.

Take the phloxes developed from our wild prairie
flowers. They have pushed ahead and branched out
into so many varieties their mother would not know
them.

This summer I have raised from seed of the best
some twenty new sorts — surpassing most of our im-
ported ones.

E'ow remember ! these gems are not like the precious
jewels which never multiply. You can increase them
rapidly and you can have a garden of delight all your
own; and standing there like a god among your new
creations, you can explain the petition, ^'Let the beauty
of the Lord, our God, be upon us."

It is delightful to stand as an interpreter to unfold
the divine plans and uncover His munificence to an
admiring world — to introduce God to men.

CHAPTER III.

THE PBEPARATION OF THE GROUND AND THE
PREPARATION OF THE OWNER.

People often have crude ideas about planting. A
lady bouglit some roses and went out with a case knife
and cut a small hole in the sod, stuck in the bushes not
as deep by two inches as when in the nursery, and then
said: ^Thank goodness that job is done." Of course
they died, and she blamed the rascally nurseryman for
sending out stock that would not live.

There is little use of planting till the ground is ready.
It should be in a well pulverized and friable condition
so that trees and plants can readily draw food from it.
If you leave a piece in grass, or break up the native
sod, the soil becomes granulated and does not pack close-
ly around the roots, and so cannot feed the plant. The
best way would be to manure well and summer fallow.
Then you have the soil in the best and most responsive
condition.

You may want to plant near where you have large
trees which you wish to save. Now here is a problem.
How can you make trees and plants grow in a domain
already pre-empted by great, ravenous trees which often
send out roots twice as far as they measure in length ?

You may talk about trusts and monopolies; there is

IN THE FRONT YARD. 23

no trust like a great, strong cottonwood, and you miglit
as well cut it down. It wants the earth and will have
all it can reach of it. If in town it will take your own
and your neighhor's garden.

Other trees you may wish to save, but they are not
so ravenous, and you can readily check their aggres-
sions. Suppose you have a row of elms or ash you
wish to keep and yet you want to plant near them. Dig
a trench three feet deep about six or eight feet from the
trees. You will thus cut off all the feeding roots that
are sapping the ground you wish to plant.

'Now prepare your ground thoroughly and do your
planting. Of course you fill up the ditch.

"Will not the roots cross the trench again?" Cer-
tainly; but it will take time, and thus give your new
trees and shrubs a chance to get started. Then if trees
are checked in one direction they have a tendency to
work harder in another direction, and by the time they
invade their old territory your planting will be so Avell
rooted and established that little harm can be done.

People who plant near large trees say it is the shade
that does the mischief. But in our Western land of
hot sunshine, what little shade there is would be helpful
to the young trees. The trouble always is with the
roots.

When you have your ground all ready you will find
it just hungry for the trees and plants, and will give
them a cordial home.

While the ground is being prepared you had better
prepare yourself.

24 THE GOLD MINE

I never could understand why the farmer considers
horticulture a sealed book which he never can open. It
is a part of his business, as much as raising wheat, corn,
cattle and hogs. It is easy, too, and intensely attractive.
Strange that a man will go by a tree or plant and know
nothing about it, and be a perfect stranger to his kind-
est neighbors. He shuts himself out of a wide world
of enjoyment.

The more one studies the more he is impressed with
the

INTELLIGENCE OF THE PLANT AND TREE WORLD.

We should regard the tree as an intelligent, hard
working, honest friend, endowed with an intuition that
is amazing. We talk of the '^cunning of the rat,'' and I
sometimes think a tree is endowed with the same keen-
ness.

I know a Cottonwood the roots of which plowed their
way through hard and compact ground two hundred
feet to a cistern and drank it dry. The people won-
dered what had become of the water, and there stood the
tree smiling in triumph, its leaves green and fresh, and
it was growing with the greatest vigor in a dry time.

I have a cottage in the Rockies where I love to be
with nature and watch things. One fall, on a very dry
mountain side I saw a lot of ponderosa pines which
seemed to be dying. I examined them closely. The
soil was poor, or rather no soil at all, only decomposed
granite, and it had been very dry for two years. Those

tf C. State ColU««

IN THE FRONT YARD. 25

trees seemed to have studied the matter and decided they
could not take the whole family through and so they
dropped over one-half of those long needles and had
strength enough to support the rest. In my yard was
this same variety of pine^ but the grove was fresh and
vio^orous and thev were holdino^ all their needles. I
wondered how it was. About 150 feet from them was
an irrigating ditch. I having occasion to dig near the
banks, I found a whole train of the roots drinking up
the water and sending it back to those trees.

Often I have noticed fresh and vigorous looking trees
on the brow of rocky hills where there was no soil and
the wonder was how they could thrive so well. Going
down the hillside perhaps one to two hundred feet, I
saw where the soil had washed away; there the roots
were running down to the stream and pumping the water
up the hill to the trees.

A neighbor had occasion to move some large cedars.
He did it well, exercising the greatest care. In a few
weeks he called me in and said his trees were dying.
I examined them. "''No, they are not, only they know
more than you do. With their root system partly de-
stroyed they know they cannot carry the foliage in full,
and so they are 'cutting the coat according to the cloth,'
and doing it, too, with the greatest nicety. You will
notice they are only dropping the foliage from the
tips and the branches just where you should have cat
them off to have the top proportionate with the root.
They are doing this, too, with mathematical precision.''
The event proved the trees were right. They under-

26 THE GOLD MINE.

stood their business and all lived. The dead limbs were
cut off and the cedars made a fine growth and are really
beautiful trees.

Trees will not only go after water but they will go
after food. I once lived on a place which had a very
rich piece of ground for a garden, which a former
resident had discarded. He said he could not make any-
thing grow there on account of the shade. Digging
down in the rich soil I found it so full of tiny rootlets
that it seemed like a piece of sponge. T dug a trench as
described, cutting off' the roots, and had the "finest gar-
den in town. When I left they invaded the ground
again and it was given up.

Some years ago I addressed the Horticultural Society
of Worcester, Mass., on this topic, ^^Intelligence in
Trees."

At the close of the meeting that venerable prince
of horticulturists, O. B. Hadwin, the president, said :
"1 am glad you spoke on that topic. I had a row of
apple trees that of course were throwing out their roots
as foragers in every direction to gather food for the
trees. One side of the row I dug a trench and put in a
lot of manure and made it very rich for pieplant. Two
or three years after I had occasion to dig up those trees
and I was astonished at the keenness of intelligence
displayed. I found the roots had all turned and made
for that rich food, some had gone past the trees, some
had gone under, and all with a keen scent aimed for
that trench."

Did you ever stop to think of the splendid civil en-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 27

gineering of a great tree out in the open Avitli its wide
spreading branches covered with dense foliage?

Present this problem to an expert : "Here is a tree
75 feet tall with branches having a spread of 50 feet
with an immense, well-rounded head. We want you
to brace this so that it will stand in a wind blowing 80
miles an hour and not fall over, and you must do it at
the base.'' It would take an immense amount of figur-
ing and an astonishing amount of bracing. But that
tree, never having studied mathematics or engineering,
goes quietly at work and solves the problem and does it
well. Such a tree left entirely to itself seldom blows
over. It sends down an immense tap root, and then out
go the laterals like tent cords, and as the tree grows, the
cords all grow stronger till they get to be immense
cables. Look at the base. How gnarled and toughened
and what a gathering of power there, as those mighty
arms of wood go out to clutch the solid earth, and
hold the tree in place. Years go by, the top becomes
heavier and the weight of the wind on that immense
leverage is something tremendous, but the tree seems
to have figured it all out and is prepared by additional
and stronger braces for every emergency.

Before me as I write tliis there stand a cherry tree
and a Japan tree lilac. Both are good friends of mine
and we think a good deal of each other. The lilac is
destined to be a large tree 6 inches through and 30 or
40 feet high. I take the best of care of my trees and
meet their wants as I would take care of a horse or

28 THE GOLD MINE

COW. What is the result ? The lilac was one great
bouquet of fragrant loveliness. We give yon a very
imperfect picture of it."^ And that cherry tree tries to
outvie itself both in a mantle of splendid bloom and
again in an immense crop of luscious fruit. The tree is
a massive flower of crimson and green as it is loaded
with its burden.

The poet prophet speaks of ^^the labor of the olive.''
That is a fine gem of poetry and opens before us a mar-
velous chapter on our relation to our trees. In winter
they are quietly sleeping — resting to get ready for a
hard summer's work.

Spring comes and they begin their labor. If we
could look through the soil we would see busy toilers
there by the myriads. Tiny rootlets go out in every
direction as foragers bringing in supplies. The flowers
are hard at work throwing out those thread-like roots
all eager to gather in something. They work like noise-
less hives of bees, and as busy bringing in their supplies.
Silently the trees, shrubs and plants partake of the
nourishment. They work like a prayer in secret which
is rewarded openly. Look at these mantles of ermine
and gold that cover the bushes.

See the emerald crowns upon these trees growing
fresher and greener. E^ote the immense amount of
quiet work in the gTOwing branches and in that thick
new circle which is embracing the trees.

Look at these flowers on dress parade before you and
all around you day and night in the front yard and in

*See page 63.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 29

the rear; among the ornamental and the fruit trees,
that intelligent host is at work for yon yielding tribute
as much as the horse does his strength or the cow her
milk. How much a man loses who does not have these
intelligent servants at work for him.

All around us in air and earth, in shower and sun-
beam, are the unseen treasures — thousands of bushels
of luscious fruits held in solution waiting for you to
give mediums for their crystallization so they can* ma-
terialize for you. Oh, the beauty of it and the pathos
of this noble army waiting to come as faithful toilers
to work for you, or to stand as faithful sentinels to
guard your home. And did you ever think that all the
rays of light in the air about you, all the gorgeous col-
orings woven into the rainbow, are just waiting to fash-
ion themselves in forms of radiant loveliness in the
tulip and columbine, the phlox and the paeony, and
that lovely army God created to cheer our homes ?

Just give the good Father a chance to see what He
can do for you.

But remember this, that the most stupid of these si-
lent servants knows enough to die if you don't take
good care of it.

CHAPTER IV.

DON'T BE STINGY.

One great drawback in adorning the home grounds is
pennriousness.

It is strange, when people are fixing np the house,
they will spare no expense in the building or furnish-
ing ; but the moment they go outside, the purse strings
are pulled tight, and anything costing more than 25
cents is considered an extortion.

For instance, a good strong rosebush, well rooted and
ready for business, is generally sold for 50 cents. But
the economical lady says : "^That is outrageous. I can
do much better than that. I have a catalogue and price
list of a firm that will sell 12 choice kinds for $1.00 ;
and they will come by mail, too, so I will save the ex-
press." She sends for them and gets 12 tiny little
things that need a microscope sent along with them.
She plants them out, giving ordinary or even careful
attention. If she saves one out of the number she will
do well ; and that will probably be a poor, sickly thing,
and it will take about three years to bring it up to prop-
er size. So she has paid out her $1, and lost three
years. This mail order system is a great drawback.
It is all right in its place, if you want house plants, or
small ones for the nursery, where they can have special

IN THE FRONT YARD. 31

care. A man wants an evergreen. If he gets a good-
sized one it will cost him something. But he hears
where he can get 100 seedling evergreens sent hy mail
for $2.00. He orders them, smiling in the meantime
at the way he has circumvented his nurseryman. He
plants them. But they are too small to go out in the
open, the reflection of the hot sun from the ground kills
them, or the dry weather, or the weeds take them. Per-
haps 4 or 5 will live, and they are little sickly things,
and the money is gone, and the time lost, and nothing to
show.

So for immediate use for outdoor planting the mail
order system is a delusion and a snare. But it is very
hard for people to see the difference between a chicken
that has just learned to peep and the fine fat fowl all
ready for market.

Another serious drawback is the tree fakir. He
was built without a conscience. He never comes to the
same place twice. It isn't safe. He sells an immense
amount of lip and cheek and very poor stock. I met
one not long ago, who told me how he worked it. Said
he: ^'T sell 7,000 roses a year at $1.50 each. I just
razzle dazzle them with big names and down they go.
I sell lots of picea pungens — Colorado blue spruce. I
always get $2 apiece for them, and then substitute Black
Hills spruce, which I can buy for 20 cents. They don't
know the difference."

The tree fakir is a hynotist. He gets his customer
in a corner and he is at his mercy.

My neighbor thought she would try a new man, and

32 THE GOLD MINE

he came along with abundant professions of double dis-
tilled honesty. That is, he said he was honest, and he
ran down those mean fellows who would betray the con-
fidence of their customers. For instance, he allowed
no man to plant his stock but himself. He wouldn't
trust them. He would plant them so as to be sure they
would grow. He had something brand new, which for
size, fragrance and blooming capacity put every known
variety in the shade.

He would sell his roses for the very low price of
$2.00 each. She said she would take three. He plant-
ed them that day, and she paid him $6.00. They were
nothing but wild rose bushes, and dead at that.

Such men discourage people. But they are a race by
themselves. I have known them to sell very choice
kinds of apple trees for 76 cents each, and then go to a
nurseryman's brush pile and pick out refuse trees and
tag them and palm them off .at such high figures. So
beware of the tree fakir.

On the other hand, there is no class of men who are
doing more for the material benefit of the country than
our hard working, enterprising nurserymen and their
agents. They are straightforward and honest. They
have to be. It gives them the heartache sometimes to
see their experience and integrity all set aside for the
fakir. With too many all that is needed to secure an
unlimited confidence in the dealer is that he is a perfect
stranger. Then he is trusted implicitly.

Your nearby nurseryman has his reputation at stake.
He has a sort of fatherly interest in every tree and

IN THE FRONT YARD. 33

plant that goes out. He wants them to live, and he re-
joices in your success.

Again, his advice is worth much. He can tell you
what will succeed and what will not. Every nursery-
man who does an extensive business has spent hundreds,
if not thousands, of dollars in finding out what he could
not do ; and he would give you the benefit of his experi-
ence. If you don't take his advice, you will meet some
fakir, or you will get some fine eastern catalogue, giving
a description of things that do well there, and you will
be tempted to buy. Perhaps you are attracted by the
charming pictures of the kalmias, azaleas and rhodo-
dendrons. You just buy the pictures if you wish, but
let the plants alone ; for you can no more raise them in
most parts of the west than you can raise peaches on
the north pole.

We will endeavor to give you a list of stock that will
succeed in your section, and if you are in doubt consult
the nearest responsible nurseryman or the superintendent
of your state experiment station.

But let us return to this penuriousness which strikes
a person as soon as he steps out of doors. He has built
a good house. Why don't he and his wife go to the sec-
ond hand store and hunt up the cheapest bargains and
buy some old rag carpets, and rickety chairs, and cheap
tables with broken wings, and bedsteads with those tell-
tale specks on them, just because they are cheap ? O no.
They must have nice carpets, good furniture, and every-
thing to match. A $50 rug is just the thing for the

34 THE GOLD MINE

sitting room and a $25 mirror is the thing and the
chamber suits must all be first class.

Now the outdoor furnishing will cost something. A
beautiful silver spruce is $2.00, a silver cedar about the
same, choice tree lilacs are scarce and cannot be bought
for a song, choice sjringas and spires will be Avorth
25 to 50 cents apiece. Tulips will be $2 or $3 per 100.
You should have as many as that. You can get lots of
paconies for $10 per 100, but you had better pay $1 each
for a few choice ones. Remember you cannot get some-
thing for nothing. Do keep away from the bargain coun-
ter. There is nothing so expensive as cheap, poorly han-
dled nursery stock. You should begin right. You go into
that new house and home, and the moment you enter it
it begins to depreciate in value. Use your carpets and
furniture a year and they become second hand goods.
But it is not so with youT front yard. Every tree,
shrub and flower you plant is at work developing your
gold mine. You lay out $50 and it soon grows to $100.
If you want to raise poultry to sell, it is cheaper to pay
$2 per dozen for a choice strain of Plymouth Rocks or
Brown Leghorns than to pay 25 cents a dozen for eggs
from common fowls. You can get all the old fashioned
lilacs you want for 5 cents apiece, but you cannot get the
best kinds for that. You can get a common soft maple
for 25 cents, and it will grow to -be a tree. You will
have to pay $2 for a Schwedlerii purple leafed maple
whose crown in springtime will seem like a brilliant,
mammoth paeony outlined against the sky, but the lat-
ter will pay the best in the long run.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 35

Your home should be like a beautiful picture, and
your gTounds should be like a fitting home for it.

Don't be satisfied with putting a thousand dollar pic-
ture in a ten cent frame.

CHAPTEK V.

LAYING OUT THE GROUNDS.

Much depends on a plan. Some plant in a haphaz-
ard way and if they find a space stick in a tree and there
is no system whatever.

You need a plan for the front yard as well as when
you built your house. We can give no definite rules or
formulate any definite plans; for in farm adornment
you do not want to run everything through the same set
of molds. You want diversity and to have no tAVO
grounds exactly alike.

This subject of laying out grounds is a broad one and
would make a book of itself. In fact a good many
books have already been published on this theme.

S. Parsons, formerly sui3erintendent of Central Park,
j^ew York, has lately written a work, which will give
you some valuable hints. But it is better adapted to
the east than to the monotonous west. Remember, how-
ever, that many things recommended, though they do
well in the east, are worthless in the west. The De-
partment of Agriculture has lately published Bulletin
'No, 185, ^'Beautifying the Home Grounds." Send for

IN THE FRONT YARD. 37

this. It is free, and though not very full, it gives many
useful hints.

I will, however, make some suggestions which I hope
will be helpful. I like what I term the amphitheater
plan. This is nature's plan. Often on the edge of a na-
tive forest you will see little parks surrounded by trees.
In the background tall trees. Then as they are more
scattering they branch out more, and do not grow so tall,
and then as if to hide the trunks and decaying limbs
there will be prickly ash, high bush cranberries and
hazel brush. You notice these grow taller next to the
trees, the shade comipelling them to climb toward the
light, and then as they come down to the border they
spread out more. This native park gives a good sug-
gestion for the home grounds, which of course will be a
little more formal.

Suppose you have one or two acres you wish to fix up.
To the right and left on the sides of your plat you plant
a row of elms. These are rank, strong growers, and you
can depend on them. 'Next plant a row of basswood or
native ash, which do not grow as fast. Perhaps next you
will want a row of white spruce, so hardy over Minne-
sota and the Dakotas. IvTow you are coming down. You
can back up against your trees circles, or semicircles of
shrubbery. If a circle, put in a spiraea opulifolia in the
center, for this is the rankest of all. Then Van Honti,
dropping in now and then a golden one. Then the
Arguta. Then you come down to the Collosa and Collosa
Alba. Then the Thunbergi, and lastly the Anthony

38 THE GOLD MINE

Waterer. You have here a mound of beauty with a
diversity of foliage and a succession of bloom.

For syringaSj put the strong grandiilora in the cen-
ter. Then coronarius. Then Gordons; next the old
sweet-scented of our mothers. Then put in the dwarf
Lemoine and Avalanche with their profusion of bloom.
Here, too, you have a wide diversity both in leaves and
flowers and a wide range of blooming season.

For lilacs, put a tree lilac in the center, either the
Chinese or the Japanese, then the Villosa of half tree
form, then the Bretschneider and the Josikaea, then the
Emodi and Oblata, then Senator Volland, Charles
X and others, and you will have one of the most
charming collections. Some of the leaves will be al-
most as large as your hand, and then there will be the
exquisitely delicate ones of the pekinensis and the cut
leafed Persian, while the time of blooming will range
from early spring till near the first of July.

Now your amphitheater is coming down toward the
arena. Bring on the perennials and back them up
against the shrubbery. There are the tall and showy
tiger lilies, then the rank growing delphiniums or lark-
spurs, with their immense spikes of bloom — hardy up
in Manitoba. You should not have formal or continuous
rows all the way. Make breaks here and there. Xow
put in the radiant phloxes. Then the oriental poppies,
with their flamelike splendor. Then Gaillardias. Some-
where in the background you will want cannas. They
vary. Pillar of Fire grows 7 feet tall, holding up a
bloom like a torch of flame. These go in the background

IN THE FRONT YARD. 39

and those more dwarfish in habit are placed at the front.
You have now come down to your walk. You can have
a patch of grass if you wish. You will probably have
two walks. Between them you can have grass or flow-
ers. 'Near the road will be the grassy lawn. Let this
be open unless you put in a Colorado Blue Spruce or a
White Spruce from your northern forests. If you have
trees on the roadway keep them trimmed up so the view
will not be obstructed.

I should have a large bed of tulips near the house to
give their early spring cheer and the promise of summer
unfolding glory. These bloom and wither, but you can
plant alternate rows of phloxes, which the last of June
will commence their work. By this arrangement you
can stand in your porch and receive the smiles and the
salutations of this field of loveliness and in the afternoon
your tired wife can visit with the best dressed and most
fashionable and aristocratic company on earth — those
that never gossip, that do their utmost to please her,
that fairly worship her as a goddess with their sweet
incense. This plan unfolds the whole scene at a
glance and enables the passerby to see it also. A man
does not make all this outlay for himself alone. It is
for his friends and neighbors and that lovely scene will
silently preach the evangel of beauty to all that pass by.
One beautiful yard in a neighborhood would be an in-
spiration to a whole community. The time will come
when the tired farmer will take a half day off and spend
it i^rofitably in the grounds of his progressive neighbor.

Flowers need not be confined to the front; there can

40 THE GOLD MINE

be some between the vegetable garden and the house
— ^companions of the wife as she does her work.

There is another system which is the opposite of the
open one. Your grounds are hidden by a hedge and you
have winding walks ; and as you turn you have altogether
new views and are in a sort of a labyrinth of beauty.
The house is hidden so that when you come upon it it
seems like a new discovery. The old English system
was one of seclusion. A high wall with coping of rag-
ged stone or glass from broken bottles, making it hard
to climb, enclosed the grounds. Thus secluded from
public gaze the owner had everything to himself and his
special friends. But this is rather a selfish plan.

If you go to the Shaw Gardens at St. Louis, you will
find that the founder brought this system from England
and enclosed a portion of the grounds with high walls
and iron gates.

If you can afford it, it would be well to consult a land-
scape gardener like Mr. Nutter of Minneapolis, who
makes this matter a life study. If you cannot, get what
aids you can and in the long winter evenings take your
rule and paper and make a plat, planning for every
tree and shrub and the distance apart, so when spring
comes you will know where everything belongs. You
will find this a delightful study, forecasting the future
and living on anticipation of a fair elysium which is to
front your home.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 41

CAUTION.

In all your plans do not forget that these choice
things must have constant care and good cultivation.
It is a sad sight to see grounds well planted left to
weeds, which like robbers delight in stealing the food
which belongs to the flowers.

Plant early in the spring. Do not wait for the trees
to leave out first. Serious losses result from late plant-
ing. The tree wants time to get ready for its summer
work and start the roots before the leaves appear. See
that the soil is pressed firmly around the roots. Plant a
little deeper than they were in the nursery. Always
plant in a slight depression, never on a mound or ridge.
Remember ^^eternal vigilance" is the price of beauty as
well as liberty. But working among these lovely things
and caring for them is one of the most delightful occu-
pations on earth.

CHAPTEK VI.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS— SELECTING TREES AND
SHRUBS.

You should choose for hardiness those that grow nat-
urally in your own neighborhood, and those that have
been well tested and are recommended by your nursery-
man.

For instance, I found in Manitoba that cottonwood
did well, and yet care must be taken to secure northern
trees. Those that came from Iowa or l^ebraska would
not answer at all.

Eastern butternuts are worthless in E'ebraska, and
yet they grow wild a hundred miles north of St. Paul,
and probably those would be all right anywhere in the
west.

Some one says ^^plant red cedar.'' That dejpends on
where you get them. Those growing in your own
neighborhood are all right. Those grown in southern
Illinois are tender in ^Nebraska, and the famous Platte
cedar will not do in E'orth Dakota.

That is one trouble Avith fruits. Apples that do well
in Illinois and Iowa are worthless in Minnesota, and
at infinite expense and patience a new race has been cre-
ated. It has taken a generation to move apples three
hundred miles north. Years ago I sent seed of the pon-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 43

derosa pine and concolor fir to Prof. Green. He raised
beautiful trees from them. But the winter of 1904 was
famous for its death waves which sought out the weak
spots of everything. It hit Nebraska and damaged many
things supposed to be ironclad, and then it hit Prof.
Green's plantation hard, and many pines went under
and others had a ragged look and many of the beau-
tiful concolor firs were killed outright.

What was the trouble? The seeds were gathered
from the foothills of the Eockies. Had it been taken
from the high altitudes where for ages the trees had
been inured to deep snows and intense cold they would
have been all right. The picea pungens and Engleman
spruce are taken from an elevation of 10,000 feet, and
they are hardy in Manitoba.

White spruce from Maine and [N'orthern Michigan
are worthless in ISTebraska.

But a portion of that great family have worked their
way down in the Black Hills about 300 miles north in
a dryer climate. They are the identical white spruce,
but as their habitat borders on the great plains they
are all right. White spruce from the northern part of
Minnesota can probably be moved down to any part of
the state. We can move the conifer of the Kocky
Mountain foothills down to almost any portion of iN^e-
braska and have it do well. But you cannot always
move it north with safety. A state will have many dis-
tinct districts. For instance, white pine and E'orway
spruce will do in our river counties, when west of the
100th meridian they are worse than Avorthless. The

44 THE GOLD MINE

Scotch pine is a good tree for the north, but it cannot
live where the hot winds sweep the great plains. On
the other hand the Austrian pine for adaptability leads
all the conifers in most of the states west of the Missou-
ri river. I have seen splendid specimens in Oklahoma,
and on the dry Kansas and I^Tebraska plains, x^orway
spruce and white pines do well in Eastern Minnesota,
Avhile in the western part of the state and in the Da-
kotas they would be very uncertain. Again there are
some foreign trees that surprise us by their adaptation
to most of our conditions. The European mountain ash
is a success if you can keep the body from sunscald.
European w^hite birch in most of the west does better
than the American type. The Russian olive is one of
the hardiest trees for the semi-arid west and northwest.
For 15 years under the 100th meridian in Nebraska it
took the lead for size and vigor of all the native trees.
After that it gave attention to producing seed in im-
mense quantities, which dwarfed it and allowed other
trees to get ahead of it. Eor a time it headed the list
as the best forest tree for the plains. The JSTorway
maples seem hardy in our Northwestern states. There
are often freaks also among our ornamental shrubs.

While in Manitoba I was surprised to see the spiraea
opulifolia, which I supposed the tenderest of the whole
family, doing well. We are a little fearful of things that
come from China and Japan, yet at Brandon there was
the villosa lilac, which I thought would prove the most
tender of all. The Japanese tree lilac is a great suc-
cess on the Minnesota experiment grounds and Prof.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 47

Green has raised them bj the hundreds from seeds
grown there.

As a general thing the deutzias are worthless in the
west and the syringa or Philadelphus is shy about cross-
ing the Manitoba line. They seem to be doing all right
on the experiment grounds of the agricultural college
of Minnesota.

So you see the need of consulting your nurseryman,
who has given years to patient research and experiments.
Don't trade off his experience for the alluring pictures
and smooth tongue of the tree fakir. It is of prime im-
portance to plant things that will live. It is sad to
think of the millions expended on failures. While out
lecturing for our university in a distant city, in an ad-
dress I noted that many things, especially azaleas, could
not be made to live in I^ebraska. A gentleman took
me to task. ^'You just walk three blocks and I will
show you one of the finest azaleas you ever set eyes
on.'' Said I: ^'I would walk ten miles to see a good
thrifty azalea growing in this vicinity for I lost 500 of
as fine plants as I ever saw and they were under a
screen at that. You cannot make them live in our soil."
^^Well, I'll show you and I have ordered 12 azaleas. I
am to pay $12 for them." He triumphantly showed me
a fine bush which he and the owner said was one brilliant
mass of bloom. ^'But where is your azalea ?" I asked.
"That bush is a wigelia." The man was crestfallen.
''Well," said he, ''I am in for it. But I'll let my order
stand." I told him he might as well plant oranges.

There are some things we cannot account for in

48 THE GOLD MINE

shrubs. We can only determine their adaptability by
actual test. For instance Prof. G-reen says that in the
genial climate of the Kew Gardens of England the
hydrangea grandiflora is not considered hardy, while
it grows to a tree in Minneapolis and laughs at 40 below\
I also saw it in Manitoba.

RAISING PLANTS FROM SEEDS.

In the west and northwest we often have strong drying
winds just at the time when we want to plant seeds.
Many of our perennials and annuals have very small
seeds. Even nurserymen do not attempt to raise colum-
bines, oriental poppies, gaillardias and phloxes from
seed, but get the plants from the east. Unless one is
short of means and has a little extra time he would bet-
ter not bother with seeds but get well established plants.

You must observe this rule about planting seeds : the
smaller they are the shallower. If you want to raise
celery (some of you have tried it) you have found it
could have only a slight covering, while if you plant a
black walnut it should go four or five inches deep.

Another thing : the ground must never dry while seed
is germinating. This is fatal. There may be moisture
enough to start them, then there comes a drying wind,
and that is the end of it. Often complaint is made
about the seeds when the trouble is with the grower and
the weather. Some extremely small seeds are best start-
ed in the house. Plant very shallow in a pan. Often
we just dust a little earth over them and then put on
sifted moss, which will retain the moisture. A piece of

IN THE FRONT YARD. 49

gunnjsacking or soft cloth that will keep moist will
answer; and this is kept damp all the while, and is
removed as soon as the tiny plants appear.

I have been troubled immensely in trying to grow
seeds out of doors in the uncertain climate of the west,
till with long and patient experiments I solved the
problem. Take boards about a foot wide and build a pen
4x16; or make your bed according to the number of
plants you want to raise. I often have 20 of that
size. 'JSTail laths together on crosspieces to shut out half
the sun. It takes about 16 laths for a square. Your
crosspieces are nailed on about two inches from the ends
of the laths. Push the alternate laths over a little so you
will gain a little more than four feet in the length of
your square. You will find this an advantage, for they
will catch on the boards more readily and will not be so
easily blown off. You must brace the square so it will
not get out of shape, ^ow prepare the soil in your pen
thoroughly. You can do it best before your pen is made.
Have the gi'ound perfectly level. Sow the seed and
cover according to the size of the seed. See that the
earth is moist and in good condition before you sow.
Having covered the seed put gimnysacking over them
and give them a good soaking every night. Your screens
are made so you can put them on and off readily. You
must take them off to water of course. Keep them on
all the time. When your seeds begin to come up (and
they cannot help coming up with this process) take
of the gimnysacking and water as the plants need it.
If you are raising oriental poppies keep the screen on

50 THE GOLD MINE

all summer. I lost 50,000 one year by taking off the
screen. It is different with gaillardias and columbines.
When they are well rooted take off the screens. They
do better in the full sunlight.

How $10 mn he made to groiu to $1,000. If I were
on a farm I know that in a few years I could accom-
plish it, and it is largely by the processes I am de-
scribing that I have succeeded in producing one of the
largest ornamental nurseries in the west in a short space
of time. If you only knew it, there is a whole bank of
money in your brain and hands: Six years ago I
found myself disabled, so I had to leave in a measure a
professional life which I had carried on for more than
forty years. My health was poor and nerves worn
threadbare by a strenuous life. I found myself without
money and the wolf of want was looking in at the door.
Too many under the circumstances would have been
appalled. But all along I had taken delight in horti-
culture and for years kept a state experiment station.
An important position in the east placed me in contact
with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, of which
I became a member, where I formed the acquaintance
with some of the foremost men in the nursery business.
Of course I got all I could out of them. I had a splen-
did opportunity to see the parks and private grounds
of Kew England, and get acquainted with the superin-
tendents and gardeners. I gathered and stored all the
items I came across, and when I must give up my life
work I had shattered health, no money to speak of —
just head and hands, ^^heart within and God overhead,"

IN THE FRONT YARD. 51

and good, kind old Mother Nature ready to take me by
the hand. I went to work and pulled a nursery out of
my head and hands which visitors tell me is the best in
its line west of Chicago, and I think they are correct.

Here are thousands of lilacs in 50 different kinds,
20 kinds of syringas and as many of spiraeas, a fine
lot of viburnums, $5,000 worth of paeonies in 400
varieties and perhaps 200,000 choice perennials. When
I talk of gold mines I am no parlor knight. I have
done most of the work myself at an age when most men
retire. I do not mention this in a spirit of egotism, but
simply to show what an old man thrown aside can do ;
and a young man certainly has greater advantages.

If we could call our powers into phay we could dress
up this dirty old world of ours so the angels would hard-
ly know it.

How it was done.

I planted a lot of evergreen seed, using the screen sys-
tem. Then a lot of perennials, and they grew. I
secured a few lilacs of leading sorts and grafted them,
a bit of scion on a piece of lilac root just as the nur-
seryman makes his apple grafts. I found that most
kinds of spiraeas, notably Van Honti and opulifolia,
would grow from cuttings like willows, and so with the
Philadelphus or syringas. One plant in a short time
would make 100, and then 1,000. I planted late in
the fall and mulched, or else early in the spring. I
secured a lot of choice trees when they were small
and then planted them on rich land, and looked on to
see them grow. Choice paeonies, some costing $2 to

52 THE GOLD MINE

$5, I found, if well cultivated in rich ground, mul-
tiplied fast. And now, my dear reader, if I can only
^^stir up the gift that is in you" and have your hand
know its cunning and your brain its power and re-
sources, I shall feel that I have done a good work.
We talk of waste and there is too much of it. For
two years the farmers of ISTebraska lost wheat enough
to easily feed the whole state, by just waiting for a
threshing machine so they could thresh out of the
shock. But the greatest waste is in our unused and
undeveloped powers and uneducated hands.

DOGS AND FLOWERS.

I sometimes think our boasted civilization lies along
the borders of barbarism, — a worthless dog preferred
to a winsome child.

^^E'us," said a little felloAV who was taking an air-
ing in his little carriage, 'Vho yas dat lady wid a
little dog dat tissed me?"

"Why, that was your mamma."

There are thousands of childless people who center
their affections on a contemptible cur.

A friend of mine was taking a ride on the cars.
Near Kansas City a girl got in bringing a little pug
in her arms. She coddled him and petted him and
then said: "Does the little darling want a drink of
water?" She took a beautiful gold lined cup, got it
full of water and gave the beast a drink. He took
half of it, slobbering all over the cup, and she drank
the rest of it. Miss Dilletante, living down east, said

IN THE FRONT YARD. 53

with a sigh, ''I must go to Florida this winter, for
Fido is ailing.'^

Could such things cultivate flowers and dogs, too?
Here in l^ebraska a banker sent for quite a bill of
choice stock. He was willing to pay a good price. A
year after he wrote me that though the stock seemed
fine, yet it was not doing well. I went to see him,
and a more woe-begone and bedraggled lot of stuff I
never saw. The beautiful evergreens which should
have been a pride and a joy were sick and dying.

^'How many dogs do you keep?" I asked.

^^Six."

^'I should think so, by the way they have got in
their work."

I was angry to see the finest trees that money could
produce ruined in that way.

I heard J. W. Manning, the leading horticulturist
of Massachusetts, say in the Horticultural Society of
Boston, '^that dogs ruined more evergreens and choice
shrubs than all other causes combined. The dog, like
death, loves a shining mark, and his peculiar system
of irrigation is death. So if you are bound to culti-
vate dogs you might as well give up flowers. On the
farm a good shepherd dog is often a necessity and he
has generally enough to do to keep out of mischief.

I am often annoyed by great worthless dogs rushing
in among my flowers and breaking or tearing them
down. A dog has no more right to run at large than
has a cow or horse.

It is sometimes pathetic to see a lady try to cul-

54 THE GOLD MINE

tivate dogs and flowers in the same yard. She plants
a bulb and the dear little doggie digs it np to see
what it is. She has a choice bed of flowers and he
makes his bed among them, tearing them down at his
pleasure. Some people will persist in keeping a dog
to keep off chicken thieves, and his bark will keep
people awake for several blocks and he will rob the
neighbors out of a thousand dollars worth of sleep to
save a 50 cent chicken, when the chicken wasn't in
any danger. Well, take your choice, dogs or flowers;
but I would infinitely rather take the flowers.

CHAPTER VIL

PLANTING FOR FOLIAGE EFFECT.

Landscape gardeners differ in taste and also in ad-
vice. Some plant a large number of trees with dif-
ferent shades in their leaves and some discard them
altogether and insist on the universal green. But ^Na-
ture loves variety and gives it to us and we may as
well use it.

TKEES OF SILVER FOLIAGE.

The Bollearm Poplar is a charming tree, in form
much like the Lombardy only more compact. The
upper side of the leaves is green and the under side is
white. I do not know how long lived it will be. It
does not seem as vigorous as some others, and though
hardy enough in resisting the cold it seems liable to

disease.

The Ahele also belongs to the poplar family. This
was brought from Europe and though quite hardy it
seldom makes a good straight tree, and sprouts as badly
as the black locust.

The Nivea, more recently introduced, is a desira-
ble tree. It is a more rapid grower, has larger leaves
and a much better form.

The Russian Olive is hardy all over the northwest. It

56 THE GOLD MINE

is very attractive where you can get it into shape. But
growing it is the terror of the nurseryman. It re-
quires more training, trimming and scolding than
any other tree. It is inclined to sprawl and branch
and grow bushy. But once they get it in shape, it is
one of the finest we have. It has four silvery tints,
one on the upper and another on the under side of
the leaves. ' The growing twigs have yet another and
the fruit is burnished silver. You watch it when the
breeze is playing with it and mingling all these shades,
and you will deem it one of the finest you ever saw.
In the spring it is covered with little golden flowers
and each one seems a tiny phial uncorked to fill all the
air with a delicious fragrance. It is a delightful bee
pasture and a grove of them is filled with the hum
and roar of the delighted honey makers.

The Buffalo Berry belongs to the same eleagnus
family. They have an affinity and I have grafted one
onto the other successfully. It does not become as
large a tree as the other. In some localities it bears
enormously. This also has sweet scented flowers. The
fruit is excellent, fully equal to our currants, with the
advantage of holding on till midwinter. In some lo-
calities they are shy bearers, but on the University
experiment grounds at St. Anthony Park the limbs
were bending with their burdens of fruit.

The Regalis or Regal Willow is the most beautiful of
all the willow family. Two kinds bear this name, but
the real one has leaves burnished satiny silver, delicately
veined. I think it will prove hardy anywhere.

IN THE FRONT YARD.

GOLDEN FOLIAGE.

The Van Gertii Golden Poplar seems to be related
to the Carolina poplar and the cottonwood family. It
is quite yellow while young but as the tree gets age the
leaves turn to a pale green.

The English Golden Oak is a very popular tree.
But I fear '^lardy as an oak" will not mean much with
it. I noticed it killed back some with me last win-
ter.

The Golden Elm has very striking foliage. The
color is clear and good. Most of these trees do not
seem hardy when quite yoimg, but as they get age I
think they will be all right. These trees of rare foliage
should be sheltered a little from our burning suns. I
once secured some variegated catalpas. I saw them
growing in Waukegan, 111., and they were so charming
I must have them. I planted them under the 100th
meridian in Nebraska. No sooner did those beautiful
leaves appear than they were burned to a crisp by the
hot sun and drying winds.

A tree seems sometimes gifted with reason, and these
seemed to say, ''You don't like our style and we will
try something else." They put out no more variegated
leaves. The foliage was like the other catalpas, only a
shade lighter. But they stayed on and the trees grew
and kept up w^ith the others.

There is a Golden Leaved Ash, but I have not tested
it. There is also a golden variety of the silver maple ;
but I fear it would not be hardy in the west, for this

58 THE GOLD MINE

species of maple is sensitive on being moved north
very far. And the red maple, so popular in the east, is
worthless in Nebraska.

The Golden Hop Tree is a success in most of the
west. It is a variety of the great hop tree family.
These grow wild in the Rockies and in many parts of
the United States. They bear great clusters of hops.
It is said they will take the place and do the work of
the vine hops. They have a strong hop-like odor. The
yellow type is fine, only it is somewhat difficult to get
the tree up into good shape. It prefers to sprawl and
grow bushy.

Among shrubs we have the golden elder, the yellow
spiraea and syringa. IsTature seems to love the gold.
Along the foothills and up in the Rockies there is a
marvelous prodigality of this color, as if they were hang-
ing out the sign to tell of the rich gold fields beneath.

TKEES OF PUEPLE FOLIAGE.

The most conspicuous and attractive of them all is
Rivers Beach. I secured some choice ones, for which
I paid a good price and had them well sheltered. I
bought also 500 common beach to bud the purple ones
on. These were under a screen of lath. They all got
up the worst strike I ever saw. They utterly refused
to grow and every one of them died. They joined the
great procession of azalias and rhododendrons which
had gone on before.

So you see the need of consulting your nurseryman
if you would avoid serious losses.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 59

The Norway Maple is hardy in the west and this has
three sports or variations that are worthy of all praise.

The Schwedlerii or Scliwedlers Maple is a glory,
in springtime unfolding a massive head of purple
like a giant flower projected against the sky. It hard-
ly seems possible that it could be only a tree. After-
wards the leaves turn to a dark green, while the new
shoots are all the while showing the purple.

Geneva is another distinct variety of nearly the
same color.

Then to match the Schwedlerii and balance up the
seasons, we have the Reitenhacli Maple, an excellent
and striking variety of pyramidal form. The foliage
is beautiful green in the spring, changing to purple
in midsummer and then to glov/ing scarlet in the
autumn. Here then we have three charming varieties
from this one family of ^NTorways.

The purple leafed birch does well also in the west.
I have seen some fine specimens in N^orthern Nebraska.
Tliere are two forms of elm that have purple leaves.
In one case the leaf is a solid color and in the other
case the foliage is edged with purple.

Among the shrubs we have the purple leafed bar-
berry. Justly or unjustly the barberry family is
charged with generating wheat rust just as the red cedar
is accused of generating the apple rust.

PLANTING FOR AUTUMN EFFECT.

Our forests and mountains are famous for their
splendid coloring after the first frosts have come. We

60 THE GOLD MINE

have seen our western mountains clothed with marvel-
ous tints and colors. Often excursions are planned
from the Atlantic cities to the mountains of Vermont
and 'New Hampshire for the magnificent nature paint-
ings seen nowhere else. The whole landscape is like a
canvas broad and vast on which pictures are painted
which thrill the soul.

Said a gentleman to an English visitor as they were
standing before a scene of surpassing beauty, when
such glowing colors under the clear sky made the whole
glorious mountain seem a vast bouquet of loveliness:
"Did you ever see anything like that ?" "Well/' was the
reply, "don't you think it is a little tawdry?'' Thus
insulting nature in her glorious temple. He was
probably brother to the man who stood by l^iagara,
when the thundering waters were making the earth
tremble. "Did you ever see anything like that? Such
mighty volumes falling into such a tremendous abyss."
"Well, what's to hinder?" was his only reply. But
people are not all kickers and cynics. We love the
beautiful. And when I^ature puts on her autumn
dress we can but admire her. It is like the wild rol-
licking festival of the Latin countries just before the
world sobers down to Lent.

It is well to plant for this color effect. There are
many things that will greatly, aid us and our grounds
are large enough. We can have much enjoyment along
this line. Where the hard maples can be made to grow
you will see them with their crowns of gold. The wild
cherry is dressed in red and crimson. The black haw

IN THE FRONT YARD. 61

is very attractive in its coat of many colors. The
spiraea arguta, the first to bloom in the spring, makes
its exit into winter with sumptuous garments of gold,
red and purple. This great show is IvTature's last at-
tempt to enliven the world when the flowers are all
gone and the leaves begin to fall, and it is well to help
her with her last carnival of colors.

CHAPTEK VIII.

THE LILAC.

The name comes from the Persian word, lilag, a
flower. The common kind has been in cultivation for
ages. It probably originated in Persia. ^N'urserymen
and botanists now call these syringas, and the syringas
are classed as Philadelphus ; but as we are Avriting for
the common people we wilfuse their terms.

If one should ask the ordinary observer how many
kinds there were he would answer three, the common
purple, the white and the Persian. There are over 130
kinds now in cultivation, and the number is increas-
ing by hybridizing. Why this great family of hardy
ornamentals has been ignored and neglected all these
years, it is hard to understand, for they are exactly
what is needed to cheer up the great northwest. They
are among the hardiest things we have, and there is
hardly one in the lars^e collection but what will thrive
in Manitoba. The time of flowering reaches from ear-
ly spring till about the first of July, and the variety
of foliage is something wonderful, varying from the
large corrugated leaves of the Bretschneider to the
delicate foliage of the Pekinensis and the feathery
leaves of the cut-leafed Persian. We have secured a
photo of half a dozen kinds to show the rich variety.

^^ ^ l^"

1$ ^"

IN THE FRONT YARD. 65

In color the blossoms range from snowy white to pur-
ple, and if you have a good collection you will have
continuous bloom till the last of June.

The Vulgaris is the kind generally used in the west.
It is rather a shy bloomer in most places. They are
notorious for sprouting, and wander out from the pa-
rent plant almost as bad as the Canada thistle. Peo-
ple put up with their vagaries on account of their sweet
and generous blooms, but in this respect they are far
surpassed by some of the more modern sorts. Charles
the Tenth ranks among the best as a great bloomer.
Belonging to the Vulgaris family it is inclined to
sprout, however. There are manj striking variations
in this Vulgaris family, and, if growing near others,
seedlings from them will show quite a variation. We
have known parties to raise plants from seeds of the
common ones, but there is little chance of improvement,
for ''like begets like." At the Brandon station in
Manitoba the superintendent has a hedge raised from
the seed of Charles the Tenth, and I noted quite a
variation in the size of the bushes and in the foliage
also, showing that there was a mixed parentage some-
where. Mr. Bedford said that there was quite a dif-
ference in the blossoms also, that some were even
superior to the parent, which was saying a good deal.

The Persians. These have slender branches and are
sure bloomers. They do not sprout like the Vulgaris,
yet they multiply from the stool, and if these are taken
up and pulled apart a single clump will often produce
a dozen.

66 THE GOLD MINE

There are three kinds : The cut-leafed, the common
purple, and the white — the blossoms are not pure white,
but nearly so : they have a slight tint. The cut-leafed is
one of the most delicate and beautiful plants in exist-
ence. The foliage alone is of such a peculiar type that
of itself would be a sufficient recommendation, but added
to this it has sweet purple blossoms. Closely allied to
the Persian, and hard to distinguish from it, is the Eoth-
mogensis, sometim.es called the Eouen lilac, because it
originated there. There are two types of this, the purple
and the white. They are hardy and vigorous, as well as
profuse bloomers. I imported quite a lot from France.
One trouble with the whites is, they are very tardy
bloomers. The common white, the virginal, and gTan-
diflora alba, all want to take their time. But the Roth-
mogensis alba commences almost at the ground. The
first year from France some of them showed bloom
when only twelve to eighteen inches high, and the next
year they were covered with flowers when only two
feet tall. I am highly pleased with them.

The Emodi is from the Himalayas. It is a strong,
vigorous shrub, having enormous leaves for a lilac, and
blooms in June. There is a species of this called the
Variegated. I secured some, and am highly pleased
with them. In the dry climate of the west, with hot
winds and hot suns, most trees and shrubs of variegated
foliage are sadly affected. However, this does not seem
to mind it, but preserves its rich coloring through it
all. I think this is a fine acquisition, and there will
be a great demand for it.

IN THE FRONT YARD 67

The Ohlata is from China. It has large, thick,
hesLYj, heart-shaped leaves, which never mildew. It
blooms several days earlier than any of the rest, head-
ing the whole procession by at least a week. It has
another attraction : it holds its foliage a long time, and
in the fall takes on a rich, dark russet color. Like the
Spiraea Argnta, it has attractions for both ends of the
season. We have two other remarkable ones from
China. One is the Ligustriana, resembling the Privet.
It has long, slender branches and rather small leaves.
It grows fifteen to twenty feet high. The flowers,
which are yellowish white, hang in large clusters, usu-
ally in pairs. This is quite hardy, and seems easy of
propagation. There is a variety of this called Argentia,
said to have silver leaves. I have never seen this, and
do not know how the foliage would stand our climate.

The Tree Lilacs. Securing these has been one of
the triumphs of horticulture. They are perfectly har-
dy all through the west.

The Pehinensis. Some fifteen years ago I planted
some of these under the 100th meridian, in Nebraska,
where we have one of the most trying climates in the
world. We had three consecutive years of terrible
drouth, and the American siroccos, the hot winds of
the plains, prevailed to such an extent that many trees
Avere wiped out of existence. Six kinds of poplars and
as many kinds of willows were entirely killed. I left
the place, and the lilacs were left to the weeds. Yet
the Pekinensis was cheerful and smiling with bloom
through it all, and when the mercury dropped to 35

68 THE GOLD MINE

below it was all the same. I have a fine grove of these
trees, now six years old. Some of them are about a
foot in circumference, and. fifteen feet tall. They
are trees, not shrubs. They do not bloom as early as
the bush lilacs, but make up for lost time when they
get at it. They have great spikes of snow white, honey
scented flowers. If they never bloomed at all they
would be worth planting on account of their gracefully
drooping branches and fine foliage. The leaves are
small, and those on the young shoots have a purplish
tinge. They are yet scarce and high, but it pays to
have them. In the future they will be used for ave-
nues, where their splendid bloom and pendulous bran-
ches will be very attractive. They propagate readily
by grafting them on the root of the common lilac.
Only note this : If you use the lateral roots of the Vul-
garis they will sprout like the mischief. If you lake
the tap roots, they cannot sprout. You graft just as
the nurseryman grafts his apples in winter — a piece of
scion and a piece of root to match. Make a splic? or
lip graft, and wind with waxed thread. Sometimes,
when compelled to use a lateral root, I have taken
them up after the first year and cut off the Vulgaris
root, leaving only those thrown out from the scion. By
doing this you have them on their own roots. Grafted
trees should be planted deep, so you can get roots from
the scion of the tree itself. Otherwise if you depend on
the Vulgaris root your tree will be dwarfed. I much
prefer to sow the seed and draw^ on my friends east for
it. Then we have a tree on its own roots.

JAPAX TREE LILAC ON THE GROUNDS OF C. S. HARRISON, OF YORK,

Nebraska.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 71

Eight liere let me say that the root of the Persian
lilac is the best to graft on of anything I ever tried.
Both the tree lilacs, and almost all the other kinds,
take ^vell on it, and it does not sprout like the Vulgaris.
You must train these trees to a single stem. If not,
they will branch too low, or be bushy. It is not a hard
matter to do this. They will grow about as fast and as
large as our native ash. They require rich ground and
good cultivation. I know several people who got small
trees, and put them in the sod, and then complained
that tliey did not do well. If any one doubts tlie ability
of the lilacs to make trees, let him see the splendid grove
of them here in York.

The Syringa Japonica or Japan Lilac. When this
was first introduced into the east it created quite a
furor, and the trees rapidly sold for $5 each. The
Shady Hill ISTursery sent to Japan for a bushel of seed,
and commenced growing them on a large scale. One
grcAv from seed, in the Arnold Arboritum, of J^oston,
in twenty years, to a height of thirty feet, and it was
tl-irty inches around three feet from the ground. I
measured it myself. It is said that in tlieir native
mountains of Japan they gTOw to be a foot through and
fifty feet tall. I judge this tree would not stop till
it reached those dimensions. They are hardy in the
north. Prof. Green has some fine ones on the experi-
ment grounds of the Minnesota University, and he has
raised hundreds from the seeds gathered from them.
They can readily be grafted on the root of the common
Persian lilac.

72 THE GOLD MINE

The Villosa is a large, strong growing lilac from
Japan. You might call it half tree. I supposed this
would be the tenderest of all, but I found it growing
and thriving at Brandon, Manitoba. It has a purple
blossom in June. I wish some one would graft these
on tlie tree lilac and then plant the seed. I am sure
desirable results would be secured. At first this one
does not impress you. You see a few blooms, not ex-
tra large. But some summer you will be astonished
to find the whole bush turned to bloom, one great bou-
quet of fragrant loveliness. This does not graft well,
not even on its own roots, any more than does the snow-
ball ; but you can layer it just as you would the snow-
ball, with the same results.

Double Flowers. Following the order of develop-
ment we now have many lilacs with double flowers.
The same results are reached here as with the rose, car-
nation and dahlia, and we really know but little of
what is before us, but from what has been accom-
plished along these lines we may expect great things.
We have ' among the doubles Senator Volland, Jean
Bart, Emile Lemoine, De Humbolt, Linne, Madame
Lemoine and many others.

The Best Kinds. From my own experience at the
York experiment station, I would recommend all the
Persians, the two Rothmogensis, Dr. Bretschneider,
Josekae, the Emodi, green and variegated, Villosa,
Charles the Tenth, Pyramidalis, Senator Volland,
Glori d' Croncles, Ligustriana, and the two tree lilacs.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 73

It is a shame to let the front yard go imadorned when
such splendid things are waiting your beck to take their
places as part of the family. They are ready to do
their utmost to cheer and enliven the home.

CHAPTEK IX.

THE VIBURNUM OR SNOWBALL.

This is quite a numerous and interesting family.
Most people suppose there is only one, and that the
old kind with which we are so familiar.

This is called Viburnum Sterilis. There are no seeds
following the great double flowers which appear in
spring time. It generally takes the bush form, though
with a little care it can be trained into a tree, and
when it is 15 feet tall, with massive head, covered with
a profusion of snowy blooms, it is exceedingly attrac-
tive. These are ordinarily propagated by layers.

Some keep bushes for that purpose. Pull down the
lower branches and cover them with six inches of
earth. Allow no weeds to grow near and in the fall
you will have nice, well rooted plants. These are cut
off and planted by themselves. I 'have sometimes
raised a dozen from a single bush. 'No home should
be without these snowballs. They are hardy and great
bloomers.

Viburnum Opulis is the high bush cranberry so com-
mon in the Minnesota forests. I well remember in the
early days that it was our delight in winter to come
upon clumps -of these berries in that northern land
when fruit was scarce and high. One trouble in rais-

IN THE FRONT YARD 75

ing this kind has been this : They grow in Europe and
in some of the eastern states and for a long time I
was disappointed in them for they were not hardy;
but, securing them from the north^ they were all right.
I never saw a finer collection than Professor Green has
at St. Anthony Park. He went into the woods and
secured the most prolific he could find, and propagated
from these, and they were very attractive. There
were great clusters of bright red berries hanging on
the bushes wherever there was a chance; in some
cases bending down the branches and making the
little trees graceful weepers. They do better shaded
from the sun, and will do best on the north side of a
grove. The Sterilis is a variation from this species.
They are alike in foliage and the habit of growth is much
^he same. Here you have a plant highly useful as well
as exceedingly beautiful. You have blossoms in the
spring, and the whole bush in the fall is a splendid
bouquet, with its glowing red, and the foliage of both
species in the fall has the richest of tints, making a
combination of effects which cannot but be appreciated.
You secure these by sowing the seeds and letting them
remain two winters. Or buy the bushes ready grown.

Viburnum Cassinoides has branches covered with
white flowers in June, followed by black berries in the
fall.

Dentatum or Dentated Leafed Viburnum proves to
be very hardy in I^ebraska, and I presume will be all
over the IsTorthwest. The leaves of deep green are
large, dented, wrinkled and corrugated, making them

76 THE GOLD MINE

very attractive. They have white flowers in the spring,
followed bv great clusters of berries of shining blue.
They prove hardy in Manitoba.

Vihurnum Lentago is a native species, growing from
Maine to Georgia. It is a handsome, low growing tree
of great beauty. I do not know whether it has been
tested fully in the West. This is called the sweet
viburnum or sheep berry. Its flowers are creamy
white, and very fragrant. The foliage is light glossy
gTeen, It has a profusion of berries in the fall.

Laiiianoides is another small and shapely tree belong-
ing to this family.

Prunifolium or the black haw also belongs in this
list, and it is interesting to know that two of the impor-
tant branches of this family are natives of the I^orth,
and ^'hardy as the oak.''

With w^hat avidity the schoolboy strays from the
direct path going home to regale himself with the ripe
rich fruit of the black haw. Plant masses of them.
Flower and fruit are attractive, and the autumn color-
ing is simply gorgeous.

Plicahwi is from Japan or ^orth China. It is a
marvelous bloomer, rivaling, if possible, the old Sterilis.
I have seen these bushes with great massive mounds of
snowy bloom in the East; but I have never succeeded
with them in the West unless they had shelter from the
sun. How far north they have been tested I cannot
say. Many things will thrive in northern Minnesota
which cannot endure the heat of ^N'ebraska and Kansas.

The Tomentosum is a beautiful sins^le form of the

IN THE FRONT YARD. 77

Plicatum. *I was in Boston when a bunch of these
was brought into Horticultural Hall. It created quite
a furor. The branch w^as one mass of bloom of pure
delicate white. '^What is it?" "What can it be?"
were the queries which surrounded it. N^o one knew.
Just then Jackson Dawson, superintendent of Arnold
Arboretum, came in. He knows everything. Few
plants of the temperate zone ever escape him. He told
them what it was. T. C. Thurlow is a prominent florist
and keen as a briar. He went home and examined
his foreig-n catalogues and found a lot listed over in
France. He sent and bought the whole lot. He sold
quite a quantity to some florists who cut a large amount
of them green to propagate in a gTeen house. I remem-
ber I was there and helped cut great basket loads for
the purpose of propagation. This was some years ago.
They are now very well distributed.

I have not yet tested them, but will try to do so.
I am sure, however, that like the Plicatum, they will
need some shelter from the sun.

Both these last, like the Sterilis, are produced by
layering.

OTHER SHRUBS OF VALUE.

The Eiionymus. This is also called burning bush
and spindle tree. The American species is the Wahoo.
There is a town of this name in ISTebraska, so called, I
believe, on account of the fine clumps of burning
bush near it. In the eastern part of Nebraska you
often see them gi'owing wild along the streams. There

78 THE GOLD MINE

are some beautiful specimens in my garden across the
road from where I write. The limbs are covered with
scarlet fruit. They are desirable as shrubs, with their
flowers in the spring, their rich foliage in summer, and
their showy berries in the autumn. When the leaves
fall the whole tree is simply ablaze with its profusion
of berries, giving a cheerful cast to the somber tints
and falling leaves. It is propagated from seeds, which
lie in the ground two years, and also from root offsets.
The European variety is worthless in the West. I
have had them kill to the ground. There is a creeping
type of the Euonymous extremely beautiful in the East,
with its richly variegated leaves, which, in favorable
localities, will stay on all winter. But it is of no use
in the West. T have tried it carefully under screen
of lath. It is bound to die.

The Hydrangea. There are several species of this,
some of which make valuable house plants. But the
only one of any merit for out doors is the Paniculata
Grandiflora.

There is probably no plant, shrub or bush that yields
such a profusion of immense flowers as this in propor-
tion to the height of the bush. The curious thing about
it is, it is not called hardy at the Kew gardens in the
mild climate of England, and it cannot endure the in-
tense heat and dry winters of our western plains, and
yet in Minneapolis and St. Paul it will grow to a small
sized tree, and be glorious with its great burden of
flowers. No yard is complete Avithout it. It seems
to do better planted in masses than when set out alone.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 79

There are many things inanimate which appear to be
of a social nature, and they love company of their o^vn
kind. So now these are set out mostly in clumps of
from six to twelve, and you have a perfect bank of
flowers. If the ground is good, and they have the best
of care, the flowers will sometimes be as large as a
man's head. They are white at first, and, as they get
age, they put on a slightly reddish tint. They seem
to know how to continue in bloom a long time, and then
die gracefully.

They are usually propagated in the hot-house from
green cuttings. They can be increased, however, by
layers.

You can take quite a branching bush and plant it
deep so the branches will be under ground, and they
will all take root, when they can be cut off and planted
by themselves. They are generally propagated on a
large scale in France and sent from there in immense
lots when they are small. I have often used these im-
ported ones. There will be some loss, and it takes time.
It is better to get good strong bushes from your nursery-
man.

The Sambucus or Elder. If we had to import our
Elder from Europe, and pay a high price for it, with
its great, massive blooms in spring time and flat masses
of dark berries in the fall, almost as large as dinner
plates, we would think a good deal of it; but as it is,
it is generally neglected. If, however, you have room
enough and wish a large wild garden, then you will
have a place for it. There are twelve varieties of

80 THE GOLD MINE

Sanibuciis in cultwation. Some, like Pyramidalis, are
too tender ; also the fern leafed. The weeping form is
also tender. The cut leafed seems hardy, and a rank
grower. Very attractive with its peculiar leaves. One
type, with red berries, grows in the Kockies. The
Golden Elder is hardy and desirable. The variegated
leafed is very striking. It does fairly well in Ne-
braska. I do not know how far north it can be moved.
Plumosa is a cut leafed, weeping variety; and then
there is the golden cut leafed.

The whole family are as easily propagated as wil-
lows, gTowing readily from cuttings. This is not gen-
erally known.

Some use the golden for hedges. It makes a good
windbreak, but, of course, is not strong enough for a
fence. This and the cut leafed are rapid growers, and
would make quite a hedge in a short time.

CHAPTER X.

THE SYRINGA, OR PHILADELPHUS.

Philadelphus was an Egyptian king in the long ago,
and in some way his name is fastened on these shrubs.
Whether he wore the flowers on his hat or in his button-
hole, or decorated his house with them we cannot tell,
but it has stuck to them ever since, and will probably to
the end of time. They are sometimes called Moch
Orange, because the flowers have the perfume of orange
blossoms.

They are an exceedingly vigorous and hardy race,
and as they are very reasonable in price, no farm or
house lot should be without them.

The little old sweet scented syringa is most generally
known. The flowers are small and bear no comparison
with those of more recent introduction.

There are several distinct families of these shrubs,
and as they grow readily from seed they have a ten-
dency to hybridize, and so new varieties are coming to
the front. They have fine foliage, and often grow to
the height of t^^'elve or fifteen feet, and when they are
covered with their snowy bloom they are very attractive.
Some have an early and some a later time of flowering,
and so there is quite a succession of bloom. Some of
these shrubs are natives of Central Europe; some are

82 THE GOLD MINE

from Japan; some come from the Himalayan moun-
tainSj from whence we derive so many choice shrubs
and flowers; some are found growing in the Virginia
mountains ; and in the Rockies Ave have the Rubus Deli-
ciosus, which is closely allied. Its form is like the
syringa, though it bears berries. In the spring it is
like a snowbank of beautiful white roses. It is ex-
tremely hardy ; but its place is by a pond or stream of
water, or if on high ground it must be well watered.
It is not a success unless it can have wet feet. We give
a list of some of the varieties:

The Coronaris or Garland. This is a pure white
flower of peculiar form — four full blossoms and on the
top of them another, making a minature crown — hence
the name. Give it good cultivation and it has glorious
sweet scented blossoms.

Floi'e Pleno is a variety partly double, and very fra-
grant.

Nanus is of a dwarf habit ; a low, compact bush and
very shy bearer — used mostly as a border plant.

Zyheri. I secured some of these last spring and am
watching them closely. They seem quite vigorous, and
well adapted to our climate, and the entire family stood
the terrible heat of summer without flinching. This
has a large odorless flower, and is very late — making it
very valuable in lengthening the procession.

Golden Leafed Syringa. This is a beautiful plant,
somewhat dwarfish in habit. It retains its golden color
all through the season. Last summer the leaves
scorched a little in the burning sun. It is well to keep

IN THE FRONT YARD. 83

a treasure like this a little in the shade, when it will
be all you can ask. Aside from the golden color it has
lovely white flowers. These should be planted where
they can show marked contrast with the green of others,
or where they can stand by some purple leafed shrubs.
We must learn to plant for color effect.

The Gordoiiianus is a yery prince of the family, a
vigorous grower, slightly fragrant and blooms late.

Speciosissimus is of dwarf habit, forming a bush
about three feet tall, Avhich is covered with large white,
sweet scented flowers.

Laxus has an upright habit of growth. This also
has good sized flowers, richly perfumed, and it is a
very valuable sort.

Avalanche. This was sent out a few years ago as a
new variety. A dwarf loaded and smothered with
flowers. I sent 50 cents for one and got a dwarf sure.
It was so much of a dwarf it could hardly be discov-
ered with the naked eye. But I planted the little thing,
and it has done well, and though it has not flowered yet,
I have great hopes of it.

Lemoine's Dwarf was a companion of the Avalanch,
and much like it in form and in the promise of flowers.
That was very small, but the best of care has brought
it out and it is a plant of promise.

Lemoincs Ereda Syringa is a charming variety of
upright growth. It has small fragrant flowers of yel-
lowish white, completely covering the bush.

Microphyllus h'as very small leaves, which show well

84 THE GOLD MINE

in contrast with the larger ones of other kinds. This
is a dainty little thing v/ith tiny white hlossoras.

Nivalis has scentless flowers, the stamens of which
are cream colored, and this gives the entire blossom an
almost snowy white appearance.

Penhinensis is, of course, a Chinaman. It has
creamy white bloom which is very fragrant.

Primulaeflorus is remarkable in that the flowers are
well nigh double and are delicate white.

Hoary Leafed Syringa has large downy foliage as
well as large white blossoms, which are late, thus length-
ening the season.

Willow Leafed Syringa is very unique in that it has
borrowed the leaves of the Avillow for its clothing. The
leaves are curled at the edges. It is of a dwarf habit.

Speciosus is of distinct and well marked habit with
late flowers.

Yohohama is from Japan. It is of upright and com-
pact form, with a sort of plaited foliage. Flowers very
odorous, making a very desirable plant.

We notice that quite recently there have appeared
important additions to this family. I have just re-
ceived a catalogue from a large nursery in France and
have sent in an order for the following to test them in
Nebraska :

Ketelors Syringa, which is double flowering. Flow-
ers by nature are single. Dbuble flowers are the work
of nature and art. The tendency of improved flowers
is to grow double and larger.

Glorious as syringas are, we believe there is a splen-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 85

did future for them, and Avlien bees are plenty to mix
the pollen, and you have the full group by planting
the seeds, you stand a good show for something new
and fine.

We notice next Sutzman's Syringa, then Silver Bell,
which comes out with great promise ; also Candalabre,
noted as being a very free bloomer. Then there is the
Mantle of Ermine and Mount Blanc.

G-randiflorus has a very large pure white flower,
somewhat fragrant. It is a very vigorous grower.

Years ago I was on the grounds of T. C. Thurlow,
of West E"ewbury, Mass., and there I saw a new kind
with immense blossoms. They had been imported from
France. I got him to send me some cuttings the next
winter. But two of them lived. They prove to be the
strongest growers of all. I saw one sprout had made
ten feet in a single year. The flowers were two inches
across, and they hung in chains from the branches. I
never saw anything like it. They were not the Grand i-
fiorus. They were much larger. I named them
French Mammoth. They will do in ^N'ebraska, though
the tops killed back some. I may send some to Pro-
fessor Green and have him test them.

In the Arnold Arboretum I saw one, the blossoms of
which were very large, and, in giving the origin, Mr.
Dawson told me he had raised it from seed. It bore
striking resemblance to the French one, only the bush
was not quite so vigorous.

Lemoine of France has been a very successful horti-
culturist alonsf manv lines. He is almost as much of a

85 THE GOLD MINE

wizard as our own Burbank. He originated Ava-
lanche Lemoine and Lemoine Erecta, all of dwarf habit,
and now I have just secured for testing newer kinds.

Boule df Argent, with flowers quite double, with deli-
cate fragrance.

Candelahre is a dwarf plant, very prolific bloomer,
with large white flowers.

Coulteri is another new kind — short, erect habit, flow-
ers large, solitary at the ends of the branches, pure
white, and of great substance'.

Fantaisie is described as an altogether distinct variety
— a very prolific bloomer, flowers pure white, pale rose
in the center, and delightfully fragrant.

Fimbriatus is a very unique variety, "branches
arched, covered with large white flowers deeply toothed."

Gerhe de Neigo has flowers very large, and so many
of them the branches bend beneath their weight.

Manteare d'Hermine has flowers double and semi-
double, creamy white, spread up and down the branches.

Perle Blanch forms a dense shrub with large double
pure white flowers.

So we see the evolution under human skill of the
single transformed to the double, and in time these will
grow fuller and larger.

From this review what a splendid family we have
to chose from, and what an addition to parks and home
grounds.

Spirea Arguta.

CHAPTER XI.

SPIRAEAS.

Just as I am writing this chapter, Bulletin 47, on
trees and shrubs tested in northwest Canada, comes to
me from the director. Dr. Saunders. I am very glad
to welcome it, for we want the benefit of their patient
research, and things that will thrive in those cold re-
gions will do further south.

Their experience corresponds with that of the York
Experiment Station in that we cannot raise any of the
Deutzias.

We have been at great expense in testing these, and
have to throw tliem out altogether. The result is the
same with the Beeches. In no case have they passed
the w^inter in either station.

With the Spiricas it is different. There are about
fifty varieties of this family. There is a wide range
both in foliage and bloom. Planted for a succession,
we have flowers nearly or quite all summer. They are
very easily propagated. Many grow from cuttings, and
the rest multiply by ofF-shoots very rapidly. So there
is no reason why they should not be had in abundance.

The first to bloom is the Arguta, said to be a cross
between Thunbergii and Multiflora. This blooms with
the tulips. It is in such haste to blossom that it does

90 THE GOLD MINE

not wait for the leaves, but opens a perfect snowdrift
of white. Having quite a hedge row of them the
passers-by in the spring would stop to admire them
and ask what they were. They are the heralds which
head the procession of beauty. The leaves are fine and
delicate, and remain on the bushes till December, and
before they fall they change into garments so rich in
the varied colors of autumn that a row of them seems
to be the last of the flowers.

'No collection should be without them.

The lliunhergii is very delicate in appearance — the
leaves are small and the tiny white blooms make it
^^a little daisy'' among the group.

Prunifolia^ or Bridal Wreath blooms next. This is
sometimes called the button flower, for it is shaped like
a small white button. It has a double blossom like a
tiny rose. This is a profuse bloomer, but is not quite
as hardy as some of the rest. They bloom about the
first of May, the flowers hanging in clusters along the
stems before the leaves appear.

Van Houttei. This is deservedly a great favorite.
It seems hardy everywhere, and is such a wholesale
bloomer it is one mound Oif beauty. It propagates
readily, both from off-shoots and cuttings, and can
be had for hedges. It is much used by the railroad
gardeners of the East to cover embankments and hide
rocks, and when in full bloom it is like riding beside
snowbanks of fragrant beauty.

Callosa has great masses of pink flowers growing in
large flat heads, in shape much like the blooms of our

IN THE FRONT YARD. 91

native elder. The blossoms appear early in June and
continue several weeks.

Callosa Alba lias white flowers much the shape of the
latter, but not quite so large. It blooms later, and
retains its beauty a long time. This is a very desirable
plant.

Superha belongs to this same Callosa family. It is
dwarfish in growth, with pinkish white flowers that
appear in June.

Bumalda is a vigorous little dwarf from Japan. It
often kills to the ground, but does not stop for a trifle
like that, but is up and at it again, and in June is
clothed with a profusion of pink flowers in flat clusters,
and then it keeps at it all summer. It never grows very
tall, and is useful for the border and placing in front of
the taller ones.

ANTHONY WATERER.

There is probably a greater demand for this than
any other, unless it is the Van Houttei. It is a seed-
ling of the Bumalda, and is much like it in form and
habit and shape of the flowers. While the former are
pale pink, these are crimson in the bud and continue
so some time after opening. Then they turn to red or
deep pink. If the floAvers are removed they will con-
tinue to bloom nearly all summer. These, like the
parent, often kill down in Avinter, but throw up new
shoots and are ready for business in June and on till
frosts.

92 THE GOLD MINE

Rotundifolia has round leaves of dark green color,
Avith a graceful habit of growth and cluster of white
flowers in June.

OpulifoUa is indeed opulent in its foliage. This is
the giant among the spiraeas, and seems hardy every-
where. I saw it growing all right in Manitoba. This
is called the tree spiraea. It is an easy matter to train
it into tree form, when it presents a fine appearance.
At this station we have had them grow six feet the first
year from cuttings. The flowers are white at first, and
are in the form of hemispheres. Put two together and
you have a ball about one and a half inches in diameter.
Eventually the blossoms turn to gold. They hang on a
long time, seeding heavily. These seeds grow readily.

Aurea is a variety of the Opulifolia. It is not
q^uite so rank a grower. Its golden leaves contrast
richly with the neighboring green. The flowers are
of the same color and form as those of the parent.

Sorhifolia, or ash leafed, is a unique and cliarming
shrub about six feet tall. The foliage is very fine, and
the bush is surmounted by massive spikes of flowers of
grayish Avhite.

Reevesii. This grows to be four feet tall, and has
beautiful clusters of Avliite floAvers the last of May.

Double Reevesii. While the last-named are single,
these have double Avhite floAvers, Avhich appear a little
later. Both varieties are compact in their habit, and
have slender branches.

Billardii has spikes of rosy pink flowers and Doug-
lassi is much of the same form.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 93

The Duniosa grows in the Rockies. It has massive
spikes of grayish white flowers.

A MOUXD OF SPIKAEAS.

Where you have room you can phmt with fine effect
in the following manner : Put Opulifolia in the cen-
ter. The next in vigor of growth would Be the Aurea.
Then Van Houttei. ^ext Bridal Wreath. Then a circle
of Arguta. I^ext a rim of Thunbergi. Then Bumulda
or Anthony Waterer. If you have room you can put
in other sorts. Then you have a beautiful mound with
a rich variety of foliage and also a succession of flowers
from early spring till fall.

Herbaceous Spircecus. These have strong roots, but
the tops are annual, and kill down like those of the
paeony. I think you can count on their being hardy
everywhere. If there is any doubt about it, mulch well
in winter.

Lohaia, sometimes called Queen of the Prairies^ is a
stately plant. It grows in the meadows of Pennsylva-
nia. The flowers, which are of peach color, are very
fine. It is much improved by cultivation.

The Astilhe is from Japan. A fine plant, with pure
white flowers, in large branching panicles. We have
tested this, and it is all right.

The Aruncus or Goafs Beard, is a fine species, grow-
ing wild in the Catskill and Allegheny mountains.

Palmafa is a fine variety, and then there is the Ul-
maria, a double sort. The Humholdtii has greenish
blossoms.

94 THE GOLD MINE

Other Plants, The Hibiscus kills down in winter,
but comes up in the spring. It has broad leaves and
large, white flowers, with crimson ejes. This race is
distinct from the other Hibiscus family, which is called
the Althea. The kind we are describing has strong
roots, which push up their sprouts with gi-eat vigor in
the spring. They bear immense masses of blossoms.

The Polygonum is somewhat of this habit, making
a vigorous growth in summer, giving quite a profusion
of bloom, and killing down in winter. There are two
varieties on the Minnesota experiment grounds.

The common name is the Mountain Fleece. One
species was introduced from the Himalaya mountains,
Avhence we derive so many of our choice shrubs.

Incidentally, I would say that neither the Altheas nor
Wegelias are hardy in the great E'orthwest.

THE ROSE.

Personally I do not pay so much attention to this
flower as to the paeony, which is rapidly taking its
place, being much hardier, much more easily cultivated,
and as satisfactory every way. Yet there are thousands
of people who will prefer the rose to every other flower.

1^0 other flower has had such a history. It reaches
back into the far-off ages, and you find it in writings
both sacred and profane.

The Romans made much use of it in their social
gatherings. Roses were placed over the principal en-
trance, and he who passed under them silently bound
himself not to reveal anything that was said or done

IN THE FRONT YARD. 95

at the feast. Of course, if wine flowed freely, there
might be scenes and sayings which wonld not look well
if given publicity, and he that passed under the rose
must not gossip. The ''Sub Kosa" now used means
"keep mum."

There are about 100 native species. You find them
in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Even in Iceland and
Greenland, and other parts of the far north, they are
foimd. In our own land we have many members of
this great family, — the Avild ones always of the single
type.

The Ccntifolia (hundred leaves) or Cabbage Rose
is one of the oldest members of the family. It is a
native of eastern Caucasus, and is supposed to be the
one mentioned by Pliny, the old Koman historian. A
very numerous family have been produced between this
and the Gallicia, or Provence roses. These are all
beautiful and fragrant, and the flowers have a compact
and cabbage-like form.

The Moss Rose is supposed to be a sport of the Prov-
ence rose, for seedlings of this variety will often be
found of that type.

The Damascus Rose is an old favorite, having been
introduced from Syria. It is now extensively culti-
vated in the gardens about the ancient city of Da-
mascus for the purpose of making rose water and the
Attar of Koses.

The 8weet Briar is a native of England. This has
a delightful fragrance of foliage as well as of the flow-

96 THE GOLD MINE

ers. It has been crossed with other varieties so that
we have now many of a double form.

The Banhsinia Rose was introduced from China in
the early part of the last century, and Avas named
in honor of Lady Banks.

THE JAPAIS^ESE ROSES.

We have three of the single type that are marvels of
beauty.

ROSA RUG OS A.

Probably no recent introduction has had a larger run
than this. There are two varieties, the white and red.
Though the flowers are single, yet they are very large
and clear in color, and they are perpetual bloomers.
If you have a row of them you will always, from spring
till the frosts of autumn, find flowers on them.

If the bush had no blooms, it would pay to plant
it for ornament alone. The leaves are glistening pol-
ished green, large, deeply wrinkled and corrugated.
The bush is strong, vigorous and hardy, thriving as
far north as Manitoba. There is a gTcat demand for
this flower. Planted singly, in masses, or hedges, it
is very satisfactory. One peculiarity is its enormous
bright red seedballs, — like red crab apples, — which
hang on a long time, making a fine display even after
the leaves have fallen.

Ruhifolia has reddish leaves. It is a strong grower
and a prolific bloomer, the foliage contrasting beauti-
fully with the neighboring green.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 97

MuUiflora is a marvel in blooming time. The bnsh
is literally covered with a flood of light pink flowers.
I have been watching these three varieties in our ex-
periment station in York and find them every way sat-
isfactory. All of them are hardy, vigorous and pro-
lific bloomers.

They are easily raised from seed. Get a few plants,
take the seedballs and rub off the pulp, put them in
sand and let them freeze, or plant in the fall. Those
in sand you plant first thing in the spring. They come
up readily, and you will soon have enough for masses
or hedges. They are so easily raised no one should
be without them.

CLIMBING EOSES. ■

These are a numerous famih\ We have Queen of
the Prairies, Seven Sisters, Baltimore Belle, Tennessee
Belle, and many others. But far transcending all
others, and worth more tlian all put together, is the
Crimson Ramhler.

Some winters I have had twenty other kinds of roses
killed to the ground, and this would be unharmed. I
presume that in our extreme north it would be well
to take them down and cover in the fall. As a bloomer
there is nothing like it, unless it be the multiflora.

Every stem and twig seems ambitious to do all it
can. It is no uncommon thing to find thousands of
flowers on a single bush. Though they have no fra-
gTance, they make it up in the wild, rollicking prodi-
gality of bloom. Other kinds have borrowed the name

98 THE GOLD MINE

of this rose to float into popular favor. The White
Rambler and the Golden Rambler have been sold by
the thousand. With us they are utterly worthless,
killing to the ground in winter, and if with care you
nurse them over till spring they are very shy bloom-
ers, and they have been consigned to the brush pile in
disgust as frauds.

The summer roses bloom in June and July. The best
of all is Harrison's yellow, which originated years ago
in Maryland. It is extremely hardy, an early and pro-
lific bloomer, and I have never known it to be injured
by any degree of heat or cold. It would probably be
hardy anywhere. The moss roses are very popular.
They are not quite as hardy.

Then we have Madam Plantier, which is white, and
a very prolific bloomer. In fact, there is quite a fam-
ily of these June roses, which are hardier as a general
thing than the perpetuals.

THE HYBRID OR PERPETUALS.

These have been extensively planted in the West, and
people have been sorely disappointed with them, and
why ? In the East and in England they have a milder
climate. When the hot winds are raging, scorching
everything they touch, roses cannot bloom. I have
seen at Rochester, N^. Y., in AugTist, great fields of
roses in full bloom, where the same kinds planted in
^Nebraska some dry seasons would not show a single
flower. If, however, the fall is moist there will be a
good many blooms. I will name a few of the most

Harrison's Yellow Rose.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 101

popular sorts of the perpetuals, as I have seen them
in the Boston flower shows, and also in the West :

American Beauty is of a large, globular, deep pink
form. It is especially adapted to the greenhouse, and
there are j)robably more of this kind raised under glass
than any other.

Baroness Rotlischild is light pink, very symmetrical,
very distinct, with a character of its own, but, unfortu-
nately, with little or no fragrace.

Genl Jacqueminot, abbreviated to Gen'l Jack. This
is one of the standard sorts, and very popular. It is
brilliant crimson, large and fine. It also forces well
in the greenhouse.

Mahel Momson. This is white, with a blush tint,
which makes it exceedingly beautiful.

Margaret Dickson is of fine form, white, with pale
flesh center, very fragrant, and fine every way.

Marshall P. Wilder is another favorite. It is a
seedling from Gen'l Jack. It is vigorous in growth,
flowers large and hemispherical in form; color, cherry
carmine.

Paul Neyron. This is probably the best of the
hybrids. It is the largest of all. The flowers are im-
mense, and of deep rose color. The wood is nearly
free from thorns, and it is the hardiest of all the per-
petual family.

Ulrich Br Liner is brilliant cherry red, flowers of fine
form. It is very vigorous and hardy for its class.

VicVs Caprice is a striking sport. It is large, pink,
striped with white and carmine.

102 THE GOLD MINE

PEEPAKING ROSES FOR WINTER.

This is an important item in rose culture, for, if left
to themselves in the bleak I^orthwest they would soon
die. There are four systems of winter protection :

First. Put a headless barrel around your bushes and
fill it with leaves. If too tall, cut back. Take your
climbers down and cover those with leaves or straw, or,
better yet, with earth; or wrap with straw and burlap.

Second. Many lay them down, putting on a sod to
hold them in place, and then cover with leaves, straw,
sods or earth, to be taken up in the spring.

Third. Cut all your hybrids down to the ground and
burn up the brush. Then throw heavy mulching or
earth over the stubs, and take it off in the spring.
Gardener Hadkinson had five acres of roses under his
care at the St. Louis exposition. He pushed them the
first year, and they made a remarkable growth. His
idea was to develop a strong root system. In the fall
he cut them all to the ground without mercy, and
mulched the stubs. In the spring this was removed and
those strong roots were ready for business, and you
might have seen the finest rose display on earth.

This system removes the slugs and insects which
might be lurking in the bushes, and every spring you
get a new and clean start. Koses always form on new
wood, ynd not on the old. If you have the bushes
standing you will note that they must throw out new
branches before they can bloom.

Fourth. This system is my own, discovered in the

IN THE FRONT YARD. 103

following manner : Along in the 80's I was connected
with Franklin Academy, in western ISTebraska, lying
under the lOOtli meridian. This was a difficult place
in which to raise choice flowers. I had a quantity of
Madam Plantier, wliich are white roses. They suf-
fered much, and killed back with the winter drouth, and
then by no device could I propagate them. They would
not root from layers. Again, they would bloom about
two weeks before commencement, to the disappoint-
ment of the girls, who wanted white roses and plenty
of them for that day. So I put all these things to-
gether and sought a solution of the difficulty, and found
it. In the fall the bushes had made a splendid growth.
I must save them from winter killing. I Avanted to
propagate them, and also retard their blooming for two
wrecks. I laid, the bushes on the ground like the spokes
of a wheel, and put posts on them to hold them in
place. The soil was rich and mellow. I put on six
inches over the whole and did not allow^ a single bud
or tAvig to show^ itself. The earth was not taken off in
the spring. There lay the tw^igs uninjured by winter.
I watched that not a branch or bud should be exposed.
They were compelled to come up through the 'ground,
and they did, great masses of them. Of course those
twigs were perfectly healthy and the bloom was re-
tarded two weeks, and the young ladies were delighted
Avith having all the large fragrant white roses they
needed for commencement. That was not all, when
cold weather came and the leaves fell I dug up the
plants and found twenty well rooted bushes Avhere I

104 THE GOLD MINE

had one before. Instinctively the twigs as they came
through the earth put out roots.

This system is the best of all. Only it takes room,
and you must have just the right kind of soil. But
try it as you will ^^eternal vigilance'' will be the price
of roses in the Northwest. You cannot depend on fall
blooming, and so paeonies are far preferable. Usually
they are longer in bloom if you plant for a succession,
and they give you no trouble.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE LONICERA, OR HONEYSUCKLE.

These, which comprise the upright and climbing vari-
eties, were named from a noted German botanist, Loni-
cer. They are a very numerous family, with a wide
variety of form, foliage and bloom. In the main they
are extremely hardy and will thrive most anywhere, and
they are quite a success all over the I^orth.

THE BUSH OK TREE HONEYSUCKLES.

There is quite a family of the Tartarian group.

The golden herried makes a fine symmetrical bush.
The flowers are fragrant, and when it is covered with
golden berries it is quite attractive.

Grandiflora has very large pink flowers, which ap-
pear in May. It is vigorous and compact in growth,
something of the Lombardy poplar shape. It is one of
our best.

The 7'ed hcrried belongs to the same grouj) and has
been planted more than any other.

The Ruprechtiana is from Manchuria. This is more
bush-like than the Tartarians. It is a bountiful bloom-
er, and is overwhelmed with a profusion of red berries
in July.

The Philomelae has rosy pink flowers which appear

106 THE GOLD MINE

in pairs in each leaf axil. It blossoms about the last
of April.

Orientalis was sent out hj Thos. Meehan & Sons, of
Germantown, Pa. This has pink flowers, and is
worthy of a place in the collection.

The Chinensis is much like the above, being a very
vigorous and hardy shrub.

The Marroioii. This is very popular in the East.
It is of a broad spreading habit, and is used largely
on railroad embankments and hillsides to cover rocks,
and for this purpose is quite effective. It has light-
colored flowers and a profusion of amber fruit. It is
very hardy.

Siberica has pinkish white flowers, which appear iri
pairs. In form it is much like the Tartarian group.

Alherti has violet, bell-shaped flowers. It is very
hardy, and of creeping habit, and is a sort of a cross be-
tween the bush and climbing families.

Fragrantissima. This is from China. It retains
its leaves nearly all winter, and might be classed among
evergreen shrubs. The flowers are very sweet scented,
and continue in bloom a long time. This is the only
one I have found that was not quite hardy. In fact,
I have not yet found an evergreen shrub hardy in cen-
tral or w^estern E^ebraska, on account of the winter
drouth, which seems to burn the foliage. Many plants
will endure any degree of cold which cannot survive
the winters of this section.

Standishi much resembles the above, but is rather
more dense. It has ripe red berries in June.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 107

PLANTING A GROUP.

For mound effect, where yon have room, pnt the
Tartarian Grandiflora in the center. Then the red ber-
ried. Then the golden berried, Avhich is not quite as
vigorous. Then form circles of those of more bushy
habit, like Ruprechtiana and Morrowi, and you have
quite a contrast in form and in the shape of the leaves,
quite a succession of bloom, and a rich variety in the
size and coloring of the fruit.

PROPAGATION.

I once visited the grounds of W. B. Whittier, a
nurseryman of progressive stamp, at South Framing-
ham, Mass. There I saw a very remarkable honey-
suckle. It was simply glistening with immense masses
of red berries, and seemed fairly staggering under its
burden.

''Mr. Whittier, where did you get that V

''1 raised it from seed.''

It was a notable hybrid — a sort of a combination of
the excellencies of them all focused in that one plant
by the enterprising bees, which are our most efficient
aids in generating new varieties.

So it turns out that the Loniceras have three modes
of propagation :

First — From seeds. Wash off the pulp and plant
the seed, which will probably come up the next spring.

Second — By off-shoot. In a short time heavy stools
are formed, like currants or lilacs. Dig them up and
tear them apart and plant.

108 THE GOLD MINE

Third — By cuttings. Late in the fall or very early in
the spring. Plant as you would cottonwood or willow
cuttings. If you wait till spring you must be quick
about it, for they are among the first things to start.

CLIMBING HOXEYSUCKLES.

The Belgica. This is about as popular as any. It
blooms from May till December. Always at it, and
never tired. It has bright red fragrant flowers. It is
quite hardy.

The TIalleana is from Japan. It is quite a thrifty
vine. The leaves of bright green hang on till Decem-
ber. Flowers are pure white, changing to a yellow
tinge. They are very fragrant, scenting all the air.
Where you have them in profusion, as when they cover
an arbor, in the still twilight of a summer evening they
seem to load all the air with a delicate fragrance.

The Chinese Fragrant. This is a vigorous grower,
having a profusion of flowers in spring time, very use-
ful ^\\\e\\ you wish to cover a trellis or shelter a porch.

Canadensis. This grows wild in many of the forests
of the interior. It is a very robust, hardy and thrifty
gTower, with white on the under side of the leaves, and
large yellow flowers.

Common Woodbine is a strong native, with showy
flowers, red outside and buff within.

Japan Golden Leafed is quite showy in foliage. It
does well in the eastern states, and perhaps would do
Avell in the West if it could be sheltered from the hot

IN THE FRONT YARD. 109

sun which, with our dry air, is so fatal to many things
with delicate foliage.

Variegated Euonymous is exceedingly beautiful in
the East. Its foliage is a flower of itself, but it cannot
be made to live in the West. This is a creeper, and
would be very desirable if we could make it live. But
even under a screen it refuses to grow.

OTIIEK CI.IMBERS.

In eastern catalogues you will find glowing descrip-
tions of Actinidia Arguta, a strong growing Japanese
vine. Let it alone. It is worthless in the West. I
tried 100 under screen and in the open. They all
killed down to the ground till in disgust I hunted out
and dug up the last worthless root. Let your experi-
ment stations and nurserymen test these things. You
cannot afford it.

The Japanese Ivy is very popular East. In Boston
it creeps up the sides of and covers buildings of stone
and brick. It succeeds in some favored locations in the
West, but we cannot recommend it for general planting
for the 'Northwest.

Quinquefolia or five-leafed ivy, often called Vir-
ginia creeper, grows wild almost everywhere, and is
very hardy. You can get it in the woods or of your
nurseryman. If you want something coarse, vigorous
and hardy to hide some old buikling, or to climb a dead
tree, or cover an arbor, you can depend on this. You
can grow it from cuttings or from layers.

Dutchman s Pipe is a popular old favorite that does

110 THE GOLD MINE

fairly well in most locations. It has large leaves and
flowers like an old-fashioned pipe.

Clematis. These are very popnlar climbers, and are
planted in immense quantities.

Ere da. This is very hardy and satisfactory. It is
rare, and there are hardly enough for the demand. It
is herbaceous, like the paeony, and blossoms about the
same time. In fact, the two go well together, and the
great groups of snowy white flowers do nicely for the
backgTound for a boquet of these charming blooms.
It grows about three feet tall, and bears immense
masses of white flowers. It is increased by root divi-
sion and from seeds, which are borne in gTeat profusion.

The Paniculata. This is a marvelous bloomer, and
pours out its beauty in a flood of white. I have them
growing beside the hardy Virginia creeper. The leaves
of the latter are killed by the first hard frost, and then
is the time for the Paniculata to get in its work. When
most of the other flowers are gone these come on in
the greatest abundance. I have cut large armfuls for
church decorations and for weddings. They are very
effective where you want massive wreaths or wish them
to adorn large rooms for festive occasions.

The Jachmanni is one of the most beautiful, and at
the same time one of the most aggravating things I have
ever known. Once in a while thej^ will live and grow
and cover the side of a building ^yith a profusion of
rich violet-purple flowers. But as a general thing you
have to plant about a dozen to get one to live. I have
had them do well and groAv eight or ten feet and be

Clkmatis Panic llata.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 113

covered with bloom, and then they would take the sulks
about something I never could find out and die. Yet,
where they do succeed, they are all that you can ask for.

Graveolens. This is a vigorous, hardy vine. It will
often spring up from seed and groAv on its own account.
It is a late bloomer, and has beautiful golden flowers
and these are followed by great masses of feathery and
fluffy clumps to which the seeds are attached. These
last are about as interesting as the flowers themselves.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has great masses of double
white flov/ers.

Madame Edward Andre has large flowers of beauti-
ful bright velvety red. It is said to be a prolific and
continuous bloomer.

Trwnpet Floiver Radicans. This is a vigorous
climbing plant, generally hardy. It will kill back
sometimes, however, but the root is of such vigor it
will push up again. It bears trumpet-shaped red flow-
ers in August.

Wistarias. The American purple is a very hardy
vine ; in fact the hardiest of all. It is not quite as free
flowering as some of the foreign sorts. There is a white
variety of this vine.

The whole family was named from Wistar, once a
professor in the Pennsylvania University.

The Sinensis is from China. It was introduced in
1818. It has long pendulous clusters of pale blue flow-
ers. There is a white variety of this same species.

There are Japanese wistarias, also very beautiful,
but not having tested them I cannot vouch for their
hardiness.

CHAPTER XIV.

PERENNIAL FLOWERS.

In spring the great Northwest lies at the busy end
of the world. The plowing and sowing must be done.
The success of the crop often depends on the seeding,
which must be done early. The winters are long and
when warm weather comes every moment seems crowd-
ed, and so if one is to have a fine yard it is a great help
to have an abundance of choice perennials. These stay
planted. You do not have to put them out every
spring.

Farmers are waking up to the importance of flowers
for home use. 'Not long ago a man asked a nursery
agent what he had that would do for cut flowers. ^Tlie
young folks must have them for their parties and so-
cial gatherings and they must be ordered from the
city, and the team must be stopped to go to the depot
after them, and they cost a good deal,'' and he did not
see why they could not raise their own and have them
fresh, and when he showed his bills, the agent said that
for what he paid out in one year he could have a pro-
cession of beauty all his own and an abundance for
all occasions from early spring till frosts came. Let
me name this procession.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 115

FIKST^ TULIPS.

You plant these in October about four incbes deep
in well prepared soil. When the ground freezes
put on some well rotted manure. Plant a lot of them ;
get the double rose and double white, and some mixed.
You ought to have $5 worth which would get two or
three hundred. They fight their way up through slush
and frosts and are the glorious harbingers of spring.
You can take them up after they bloom or let them
stay. Mr. Terry of Iowa 30 years ago planted tulips
on a hill and had not touched them and they were
blooming last year. It is perhaps as well to take them
up and replant once in a while.

I^ext come the columbines, which begin before the
tulips are through.

The pansy is the last to bloom in the fall, and be-
gins with the tulips or before. They are easily grown.
In a mild winter I have seen them bloom in the open
ground in Massachusetts in January.

Before the columbines are through you have the orien-
tal poppies and paeonies. Then the gaillardias begin,
and keep at it all summer. In the meantime the irises
begin their work along with tlie lilies. Then come the
glorious phloxes and tlieir time of blooming can be
regulated from June till October or N'ovember even.

Running parallel with your perennials your hardy
flowering shrubs are in continuous bloom.

The Delphiniums and the foxgloves come on with
their magnificent display.

116 THE GOLD MINE

There are over 100 kinds of perennial asters and
only a few of them have been cultivated. They get in
their work after the frosts.

Many annuals come to their blooming in the middle
of the summer when it is hot and dry, and they are
not well enough rooted to stand the severity of the
climate. Again most of the seeds of the annuals are
very small and it is difficult to make them germinate.
Among these, however, we must place the modern
white asters which closely resemble large chrysanthe-
mums. As they come on in August and September
they are very important factors in keeping up the pro-
cession.

YUCCAS.

There are many varieties of these plants, some of
them not hardy in the ^North. I saw some growing in
Alabama that were natives there. They were six inches
through and eight to ten feet tall. They are said to
be very beautiful in bloom.

The two kinds in ordinary cultivation are the Rocky
Mountain or Spanish bayonet and the Filamentosa.

The former is by far the hardier. It grows not only
in the mountains but comes down in the plains as far
west as the 100th meridian. It seems to delight in
dry situations, but nevertheless grows well in rich soil
and responds to good cultivation. It has a long stiff
leaf which is pointed by the sharpest kind of a needle.
As it grows, the root lifts itself out of the ground like
a large beet. This is the soap weed of the Mexicans,
who often use it at the present day. The. roots also,

IN THE FRONT YARD. 117

pounded up, are used for a hair wash, which is said to
be excellent to keep it healthy and from falling out.
It has a stiff spike from which pure white flowers hang
like lights about a chandelier. This species I think
would be hardy anywhere. Thej^ do not seem to mind
any degree of heat or cold. They would seed plentiful-
ly and do, when they have a chance, but the cattle
which roam over the mountains and plains, though
they cannot eat the tough and leathery leaves, are sure
to take the flowering stem as soon as it appears.

In my trips to the mountains I often gather seeds
which readily come up and the plants make rapid and
vigorous growth. The leaves are compact masses of
tough fiber quite useful for ropes and cords.

The Filamentosa is so named from its filaments or
threads. These leaves are very tough and are used for
cordage or tying, much as rafia is now used, only it is
not as long or as pliable.

There are three forms of this — the common and
Filamentosa Recurva. The leaves, instead of growing
erect, curve downward. There is not much difference
between the two, though nurserymen often make quite
a distinction in favor of the curved leafed ones.

Bicolor is probably a sport of the Filamentosa
Erecta. It was sent out and recommended as hardy,
but it is tender and utterly worthless outside of the
greenhouse.

THE FILAMENTOSA.

The Filamentosa has an immense flower stalk with
branches, and in good rich ground it will grow to be

118 THE GOLD MINE

six or seven feet tall, and when it is covered with a
great mass of white blossoms like lilies, it is one of
the most imposing flowers we have. Both have ever-
green leaves which have a fresh color all winter.

THE IRIS OR FLEUR DE LIS.

This is "the rainbow deified." These are also called
flags. There is a remarkable family here, varying from
the little blue dwarf beside the walk, that blooms with
the tulips, to the majestic and imposing Kgempferi
from Japan. These last have flowers of immense size
and imposing beauty. Unfortunately I have never
succeeded in raising them in JSTebraska. I am now
testing some under screen. They are growing finely
and I have some hopes of them.

THE GERMAN IRIS.

These are hardy everywhere. I saw them flourish-
ing in Manitoba. I think there are over 50 kinds of
this family alone. These should be planted in full
clumps. They multiply rapidly from the root and
should be taken up every few years or they will begin
to crowd each other.

THE SPANISH IRIS.

The Spanish Iris is quite hardy and beautiful. But
1 think one of the finest we have of recent introduction
is the Siberian. I note that it is hardy everywhere.
The leaves are narrow and long, the flower stalk is tall
and slender and is surmounted by flowers of the most

IN THE FRONT YARD. 119

intense blue. I am liighlj pleased with it, and saw it
growing at Brandon, Manitoba, so you can depend on
it anywhere. There is another branch of the family
with snowy white flowers which are exceedingly beauti-
ful. These I am sure will give satisfaction.

The Digitalis or Foxglove should not be omitted.
They have long flower stems, blossoms are purple and
white. The grandiflora has yellow blossoms.

The Dicentra or Bleeding Heart is a very hardy
plant with a profusion of heart shaped flowers in the
spring. They are beautiful in the morning when, in
full bloom, the sun shines on them.

The Exima is everblooming, while the first men-
tioned bloom early and then the foliage becomes dingy ;
the latter keeps fresh, growing and blooming all sum-
mer. It is very hardy and as it multiplies from the
I'oot rapidly one root would soon give an abundance.
Yon take up both kinds either in the spring or fall and
divide and replant as you would paeonies.

THE EUDBECKIA OR GOLDEN" GLOW.

This is a native of Xorth Carolina, but is hardy every-
where. Care must be taken to keep it in bounds or it
becomes a weed. The clumps should not be allowed
to become too large for then the flowers will be small.
The tall stems need some support. These should be
set in the background of the border. They are too large
for tlie front.

The Campanula or Bluebells should not be forgot-
ten.

120 THE GOLD MINE

The hardy pompon chrysanthemums should not be
left out. There are now about 100 kinds of these.
They are very effective when you most need them.
They are in their full glory about the time of the first
frosts and continue to bloom like hardy asters some
time after, or until the killing frosts come.

COREOPSIS LANCEOLATA.

This is very hardy and takes good care of itself with
but little attention after it is once established. It has
beautiful double white flowers, small but fine.

COREOPSIS GRANDIFLORA.

has golden yellow flowers on long stems.

THE SUNFLOWER.

This is an annual, but it has been so improved that
we would hardly know it. The latest is an immense
head and instead of a rim of yellow around the outer
edges the face is one grand full glorious flower. This
can be used in the background along with castor beans.

The Coerelia, or Rocky Mountain Columbine^ the State Flower
OF Colorado.

" CHAPTEE XV.

COLUMBINES.

It is strange that such attractive and hardy flowers,
so radiantly beautiful, should receive so little atten-
tion. They are easily grown, require but little ef-
fort, and repay all care and labor needed a hundred
fold. Light itself has been dissolved, and all its pris-
matic rays have been woven into their bloom. I think
one trouble has been they have not been planted on a
scale large enough and in generous masses, so that
their charms could be seen to advantage. People per-
sist in getting a lonely flower and giving it the task of
enlivening dreary surroundings, and the poor thing
cannot show to advantage. Then no single one, beau-
tiful as it may be, can represent them all.

Before my window as I write there is a large bed
of them. Does one realize what a great family they
are, over fifty native species ? I have at least as many
sorts. No flowers hybridize more readily. You se-
cure a large variety, and then sow seeds from these,
and you have a marvelous permutation of beauty.
'No two flowers of this second cropj Avill be entirely
alike. The bumble bees especially delight in their
nectar. They seem almost intoxicated as they revel in
it. Of course they carry the pollen from one flower to

124 THE GOLD MINE

another, and the result is something new. There is au
intense fascination in watching the various changes
wrought, and to see the bewitching loveliness of some
of the new arrivals. If one could sort out some of
these and name and describe them, he could give some
rare treasures to the floral w^orld. By this process you
would have the pleasure of forming new acquaintances
whom no one else has yet met.

Let us take a look at some of these before us. That
tall one, so striking in appearance, is the Chrysantha,
the golden. Tlie color is yellow, and not only that,
there is a good deal of it. It is intense, as though the
flower had secured all it could and had packed and
pressed it together in the most lovely form imaginable.
What long and delicate spurs it has ! We saw it grow-
ing wild in the Yellowstone [N'ational Park. There
it was small and comparatively insignificant; but
transported to our rich prairie soil, with good cultiva-
tion, it gives grateful response to our kindly attention.
A flower does not blush as well unseen, while it ^Vastes
its fragrance on the desert air,'' as when there are
admirers to appreciate its beauty. Many a flower,
comparatively unattractive in its wild state, will bloom
in a i^rodigality of loveliness under the influence of
cultivation, and where it can be seen and enjoyed. The
Picea Punges, the king of beauty among the conifers,
nowhere in all the mountains does as well as when trans-
planted in the rich soil of the prairie, or the eastern
states, and receives the attention it deserves. Then the

IN THE FRONT YARD. 125

needles are longer and the slieen is far brighter and
more radiant than in its own habitat.

Here is another of attractive appearance, with long
and delicate spurs. The petals are snowy white and
intense blue. It seems a photograph of the sapphire
of the sky and the fleecy clouds. This is the Coerelia
of the Rockies, and the state flower of Colorado. We
often see these in masses at an altitude of eight or nine
thousand feet. In many places they grow to great size,
as some localities seem better adapted to their develop-
ment than others. When taken down to the plains they
need some shelter from the burning sun and hot winds.
This variety readily hybridizes with others, and its
motherhood is seen in many types in recent years. So
readily does it cross that though the original plants
will be all right, yet the progeny varies so readily and
to such an extent that pure seed must be secured from
the mountains if you would be sure. I keep a remote
nook in the further corner of the nursery, as far re-
moved as possible from the others, for their exclusive
use; and even here there is some danger that the bees
may find them, and I cannot be absolutely sure of all
those grown from them, so I make it a practice to secure
fresh seed every year or two.

There is one of deepest, darkest blue, so much so it
is almost black. It is a large, solid flower. It has no
spurs whatever. It is quilled like the Dahlia. An-
other is salmon pink lined with white, a gorgeous flower,
and the blooms hang like lamps in a chandelier aroimd
the parent stem. Here is one that is a large, compact.

126 THE GOLD MINE

snowy white. It is a full and prodigal bloomer, and
near it is a single white, well spurred. In close prox-
imity is one of deep blue, a single flower, with long,
slender spurs, much like the Coerelia, to which it prob-
ably owes its parentage. In the crossing it doubtless
got enough of the blue from one of those of deep azure
to eliminate the white.

Yonder is a double maroon on a strong stem, and its
color blends well with the garments of its neighbors.
Here is a large, double pink of curious form, shaped
like a tiny barrel. One is lilac color and semi-double.
In short in color there are samples of almost all the
shades known to us. There is a tall, independent
one, a sort of a blend of blue and maroon, lilac and rose
color, showing that the pollen of several different ones
had entered into combination to form one so fresh and
rare.

Time would fail to describe them all. The Golden
is less liable than others to enter into crosses. One
reason is that it is so much later, and yet there are
several that show its influence, and many of the golden
ones have been somewhat swerved from their distinct
form. These flowers commence blooming with the Tu-
lips, and continue to flower for two months, while the
Chrysantha will break out now and then all summer.
Imagine if you can a blend of these charming colors
in a mass of several hundred, some early, others late,
some single and many double, many of them tall and
others dwarfs. In color from purest white to deepest
purple.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 127

There is a Columbine Society at Boston, hard at work
to have these adopted as the national flower. Tliey are
Aquilegia, related to our bird of freedom. They are
Columbines, which sounds something like our own
Columbia. Then we have quite a number of native
varieties. So the society is making a strong plea.
Many designs in decorations are taken from these
flowers. And as one of the states has adopted one
of the family as its own flower, this may be the begin-
ning, and 2>erhaps ultimately the Union may follow one
of our richest states.

HOW TO GROW THEM.

Get a quantity of mixed seed and sow early in the
spring. The seeds are small, and of course must be
planted shallow. But here is the trouble, especially in
-the west — the ground dries before the seed can germi-
nate. Contrive some way to keep the surface wet all
the while, day and night, till they come up. But you
would better trust to experts, who make it their business,
and buy the plants, which can be had at very reason-
able rates, three to ten dollars a hundred, and thus save
a good deal of care and vexation and a year's growth,
as they will bloom some the first season. Put in rows
eighteen to twenty-four inches apart, and twelve to
eighteen inclies in the row, and they will soon stool out
and cover the ground. It is best to mulch well with
coarse manure after the ground freezes, and in the
spring rake it between the rows. I do not always take
this trouble, for they are very hardy. If the season

128 THE GOLD MINE

is wet, some of the seeds, as they fall, may grow, and
thus extend the area. The seeds have great vitality.
Some sow them in the fall. Columbines are used a
good deal for cut flowers, though they are not as good
keej)ers as Paeonies. They are in season on the nation's
great flower day, when we decorate the graves of our
dead. Some late springs they are about the only out-
door flower we can use, as was the case in 1904, when
they were in the full glory of their bloom in great
mass'es.

So plant Columbines. There should be a flower
procession from the opening of the Tulips to the hard
frosts of autumn, and these should have a prominent
place. The more .you have of them the more you will
admire them, and when you get well acquainted with
them you could not get along without them.

DELPHINIUMS.

In our search for hardy perennials we have found
this among the most showy and beautiful. If you
travel in the Rockies you will meet these flowers in all
their glory. In the rich valleys you often see them
six or seven feet high, and the tall, strong stem lined
with a covering of flowers of deepest blue.

This flower, sometimes called the Larkspur, has been
much improved. In the Boston flower shows I have
seen gorgeous sj^ecimens of grand, radiant flowers which
seemed at gi-eat remove from our native plants. These
tall ones are clothed with the splendor of sapphire, and
so intense is the color it would seem as though all the

IN THE FRONT YARD. 129

shadings and tinting which conhl be extracted were
there in a marvelous blending. I have some very rich
specimens, which draw the attention of visitors. They
are about six feet tall. Some are like great posts fres-
coed wdth bloom ; others are branching, and all are
grand. They follow hard after the Paeonies, and
bridge the chasm between them and the Phloxes.

Over in England they have made great improvements
in these flowers, l^j careful selection and hybridizing
they have secured a race far superior to our native?
sorts ; but thoua'h these choice strains mav do well in
the milder climate of that country, they do not winter
well with us. But we have such a rich variety there
is no reason why we also cannot improve, and thus
secure hardiness w^ith beauty.

I give the following as an English tribute to this
flower :

Delphiniums — As permanent subjects in the hardy
flower garden we have few plants more worthy of special
attention than the Delphiniums. For producing a
striking display over a long season they are probably
unique. Eor general effect in groups or beds they are
extremely valuable as a whole, but one is easily carried
away on closer inspection by the exquisite beauty of
their flowers, particularly those with clear, sky-blue
shades. Indeed, they have many points of excellence,
any one of which alone should entitle them to popu-
larity. But to appreciate their beauty one must see
them growing, for it is almost impossible to convey any-
thing like an adequate idea of their worth by mere

130 THE GOLD MINE

description, and it is equally impossible to place their
towering and densely-flowered spikes before the public
at the summer exhibitions in a manner worthy of them.
Those who have not the opportunity of seeing these
plants in flower, or a collection of them well established,
may form some idea of a group with the flower spikes
five to eight feet high, and densely clothed for about
half their length with exquisitely beautiful blooms. Of
course the plants do not reach such perfection in the
first year, but in the second year they certainly con-
stitute the grandest possible display. While making
the garden gay for a long season, they are in the great-
est perfection in June and July, but a judicious selec-
tion of them may somewhat extend that period. Where
seed is not required the plants should be cut down as
soon as flowering is over, and in the late summer months
many of them will yield another set of spikes, not so
fine, of course, as the first ones. The shades of blue,
both light and dark, are very numerous; others, again,
have flowers of the deepest indigo and violet, while less
numerous are those with bronzy and metallic hues com-
bined with other shades. — Gardening Illustrated.

I here give place for an excellent article from
E. Hemming, in Florists' Exchange of July 9, 1904:

Among hardy perennials the Delphinium, or Peren-
nial Larkspur, has held front place for the past two
weeks. Closely following the late varieties of Paeonies,
they stand out as the most showy border plants bloom-
ing at the present time. A good, large collection of
these plants is a sight to be remembered, especially

IN THE FRONT YARD. 131

when well grown and cared for. The exquisite shades
of blue have to be seen to be appreciated. While the
named kinds grown so extensively in England soon die
out and require great care to perpetuate them in this
country, they are so easily grown from seed, and so
invariably give good results if a good strain of seed is
procured, that they should be better known among flor-
ists. A visit among the gardens along the Hudson
revealed the fact that they grow exceptionally well in
that locality, and spikes towering up to eight and nine
feet high were not at all uncommon.

Delphinium Elatum, or Exalatum, is a native of
x^ortli America. This is supposed to be the origin of
the tall garden varieties, often called English Delphin-
iums, that have been so much improved by Kelway and
other nurserymen.

Delphinium Formosum is of more branching habit,
seldom exceeding the height of three feet, but a prime
favorite, owing to its beautiful color, which is a combi-
nation of indigo, violet and sky blue,

D. Grandiflorum, or Chinensis, as it is often called,
is a very fine cut-leafed kind, having several varieties.

All the above are good, and well worth growing, be-
ing useful for cutting and attractive in every way, and
the same treatment will suit them all.

Of course it is necessary to propagate named kinds
by division or cuttings. This should be done in the
very early spring. Growing them from seed, however,
is the most satisfactory way. D. Formosum and D.
Grandiflorum come fairly true from seed, producing

132 THE GOLD MINE

very few poor forms if the seed is. procured from a reli-
able source. The seed should be fresh, as it seems to
lose its germinating power very rapidly. Sown in early
spring, it will produce plants that will flower the first
year. Of course the flower spikes are not very large,
but sufficiently so to select the best to plant out in the
position they are wanted to fill. When in a young state
care should be taken to keep a sharp lookout for snails,
as these pests seem passionately fond of the plants, and
will make sad havoc of them in a short time.

Quite a percentage of Kelway's hybrids will come
double from seed, but it is an open question if the
double forms are superior to the single ones.

As regards the after treatment, or when they are
planted in the open ground, deep, generous cultivation
and good, rich soil is what they like; and, when plant-
ing, see that the crowns are well below the surface of
the soil; one and a half to two inches is not too much.
As soon as the plants have done flowering, unless they
are wanted for seed, the flower stems should be cut
down. This will induce a second crop of flowers.
While perhaps not equal to the first crop, they will be
found to be well worth looking after.

The seeds of this plant are quite small, and it is very
difficult to germinate them, as the ground dries up
while they are sprouting. It is perhaps as well to get
the plants in the spring and give them the best of care.
They will bloom in good season.

Intense blue among flowers is a striking color, and
is needed to cover the range of beauty. Many of our

IN THE FRONT YARD. 133

choicest families, like the Paeoiiy and Rose, avoid that
color altogether. But when you see the Delphinium
in all its glory, with those rich tints, and all the delicate
penciling and tracing done with nature's most skillful
touch, you will feel that you have the link you need in
the chain of beauty.

I was delighted in a trip to the extreme north to find
these glorious flowers in their perfection. They were
in evidence in the parks of Winnipeg, and in many
private grounds. It was encouraging to see them like
posts, six feet high, covered in their robes of blue.
Their extreme hardiness is a matter of great encour-
agement. In the border, set them back near the shrub-
bery, for they are too rank to place them near the walk.

When you can have such imposing flowers as these,
you need not wait long to surround your home with as
much beauty as can be found anywhere.

THE LILY.

There are about fifty species of this glorious flower,
ranging in size from the attractive little Tenuifolium
to the immene Giganteum, which must have five years
to complete bulb, which throws up a stem six inches
through and ten feet high.

There is also a wide range in the time of flowering,
which covers a good portion of the summer. It is not
practical to secure the whole of this family, but enough
of the leading kinds can be planted to have a cheering
variety.

134 THE GOLD MINE

One trouble has been in nnclerstanding tliem — their
nature and needs. Siberian lilies are covered deep with
snow in winter^ so are those of the Kockies, and the
natives of Minnesota and the E'orth. There are fine
ones growing in the woods of Canada. All these are
carefully covered up with the snow mantle in winter,
and this is the best covering ever devised. JSTow,
take these same plants from their OAvn habitat and
plant them on the open, bleak prairies of the West and
many of them will perish. The bare ground freezes
deep. They are often planted shallow, and so they die
for want of protection. Many are so hardy they will
endure anything.

This is true of the Hermorocallis family and some
others. ■ ^

Generally, the soil is not prepared thoroughly enough,
and they are not planted deep enough.' Some dig a
trench, put manure in the bottom, then some fine earth,
then plant a foot deep, and cover with sand or light
earth, so the plant can readily push its way up.

C. L. Allen, in a recent work, gives the following
directions: ^^To prepare a proper home for the Lily
the soil should be thrown out to the depth of two feet.
Then, in the bottom of the trench, put six inches of cow
manure ; then put on twelve inches of well rotted sod ;
on this put two inches of clean sand; then plant the
bulbs and cover with fine earth. But for the western
prairies this is not deep enough.'' From my own expe-
rience, I think a depth of eight to twelve inches is
preferable. Only be careful of the kind of earth witli

IN THE FRONT YARD. 135

which YOU cover them. If jou put on stiff clay it will
be hard for them to bore their way through. Light
earth, mixed with old and thoroughly pulverized
manure, should be used. In no case allow the bulbs
to touch fresh manure. Then, when winter comes, put
on about six inches of coarse manure. In this way you
will obtain protection for your bulbs, and, though the
ground may freeze, they will not be near enough to '^all
out of doors" to hurt them. The bulb, like that of the
Paeony, carries the life and sustenance of the plant.

Cared for in the way described, the lilies will retain
their vigor, and all up and down the stem new bulbs
will form. [N'ever plant them on wet ground. Though
they need water in a dry time, they cannot endure wet
feet.

I think tliere is no soil better for their propagation
than our rich, light, prairie loam. Here they bloom
gloriously, and propagate freely.

THE TIME TO PLANT.

The Candidum, or Annunciation Lily, with its bloom
of purest white, should be planted in its dormant con-
dition, which is the last of Augiist and the first of Sep-
tember. After a brief period of rest it begins to grow,
and produces quite a tuft of foliage before winter sets
in. We cannot speak too highly of this exquisitely
beautiful flower. It is often used for forcing, to pro-
duce flowers for Easter. Its purity of whiteness and
delightful fragrance make it a favorite. It does not
seem to be a hard plant to raise. I have planted them,

136 THE GOLD MINE

when badly grown, as late as October, and they did well,
in spite of the shock of moving at the wrong time.

The Lily should not remain out of ground long before
planting, and must never be allov/ed to dry. Tliere is
a great advantage in securing home-grown instead of
imported ones, for, unless properly packed, they must
suffer for being so long out of ground.

Some kinds do best with partial shade, while others
flourish in the open. I have a grand one from the
^orth Carolina mountains, sent out by Fred Kelsey.
It does not do well in the open ; it does not grow^ so tall
or flower so freely as those under partial screen and
good surrounding shelter. These grow to be seven feet
high, with glorious clusters of freckled yellow flowers.
They have a rich, soft coloring, and give them forest or
native conditions, with plenty of water in a dry time,
and they will be all you can ask for.

The beautiful Golden Funkai, or Day Lily, is an
early one. It has a clear, yellow color. There is an-
other, much taller and later, which is very satisfactory.

One of the hardiest, most showy, as well as attractive,
is the Elegans. It blooms along with the Paeonies, and
goes into the wholesale business, covering the whole
plant with a mantle of bloom. These propagate read-
ily ; the stem under ground has a string of bulblets on it.
Dig up the whole ; plant the larger ones for next year's
flowering, and the small ones for another year's growth.

Then come the double and single Tiger Lilies.
These are very robust, hardy and prolific of bloom.
Up and down the stem tiny bulbs are attached, about

IN THE FRONT YARD. 137

the size of blackberries. Do you wish to multiply them
as rapidly as possible? Then cut off these stems as
carefully as possible, so as not to shatter off the tiny
bulblets, and plant them in good, light soil, covering
about two or three inches deep. The embryo bulbs
seem to feed on the stem, and in the spring they come
up good and strong. It takes a couple of years or so
for them to be large enough to flower.

The Pardanthus Chinensis or Leopard Flower rather
belongs to the Iris family, yet it is called the Black-
berry Lily. It is rather late, blossoming in mid-sum-
mer. It has a very pretty little flower, and when that
is gone a blackberry takes its place, continuing the
attraction of the plant. These berries hang on a long
time. If you wish for more of these flowers, plant the
blackberries in the spring, and they will grow readily.

The Plantain Lily grows to have very large stools
of beautiful foliage. They have snowy white blossoms,
very much like the Candidum. They bloom in August.

The Homerocallis are strong plants. These do not
have bulbous roots, but are propagated by root sepa-
ration, and also by seeds.

The Tenuifolia is the sweetest and daintiest of all.
Charming; blooms hano- like chandeliers around the
stem. These roots are edible, and the traveler in the
woods of Siberia finds a plant with a charming flower
at one end and a potato at the other.

Many kinds do not multiply rapidly, though the root
makes it up by producing seed, Avhich can be planted

138 THE GOLD MINE

in the spring, care being taken not to allow them to
dry during germination.

J. Wilkinson Elliot, of Pittsburg, Pa., gives this
description of a garden of lilies :

^^A correspondent complains that we have told him
too often of the lawyer's garden; but it is still the
best garden in this vicinity, and a good garden cannot
be told about too often.

^^Our friend, the lawyer, has a garden of Lillies. Many
other things he has in his garden — great banks of Mol-
lis and Ghent Azaleas that are worth a long journey
to see ; an entire hillside is covered with hybrid Rhodo-
dendrons and Kalmia Latifolia; Tulips, Daffodils and
Crocuses are everywhere in the spring, and the glori-
ous show of Japanese Irises in June is a sight not easily
to be forgotten — but he has Lilies by the hundred and
by the thousand, and in so many varieties that from
June until November there is always a fine display of
Lily fiowers. Such a garden ! By daylight it is splen-
did, by moonlight it is fairyland, and the air is filled
with fragrance. Such a garden to visit, as we do visit
it, and travel forty miles a dozen times a year, and
come away wdth our arms filled with great stalks of
Lily bloom; for this is a garden in which there are
always flowers to cut and to spare. It is not the mis-
erable garden of bedding plants in which its owner finds
it difficult to cut a little nosegay to give to a friend.
We wish you who are content to grow such common-
place things of so little beauty as Cannas, Geraniums,
Coleus and Alternantheras, could visit this garden of

Gaillardia Grandifloea.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 141

Lilies, and then say what excuse you have to offer for
your poor taste. Xot that of cost, for Lily bulbs are
to be had for as little money as bedding plants, and as
Lilies are hardy, their first cost is their only cost, while
bedding" plants must be bought every season.''

We are to remember this was written of the east, and
that Azaleas and Kalmias will not grow in the West.

THE GAILLARDIA.

This perennial is beginning to receive much atten-
tion, and with reason. There is no plant so susceptible
of improvement. In England the Ivelways have made
marvelous success as regards size and color. They have
produced some five inches across. A bed of them pre-
sents a very lively and brilliant appearance. They are
l)rodigal bloomers. I doubt if there is any flower
which can give such an abundance of continuous bloom
as these. Commencing in June, they are clothed in
beauty until the hard frosts of Autumn. They endure
dry Aveather well, and seem hardy every way. As cut
flowers they are brilliant and showy and among the
longest keepers.

They need heavy mulching with coarse manure when
the ground freezes. It would be as w^ell to leave the
tops on and throw the mulching on them, thus giving
ventilation as well as protection. The seeds grow read-
ily. A portion can be started in the house and then
set out after danger of frost is over. Of course it is
better to get the plants, but the roots are small, com-
pared to the upper growth, and seem insignificant.

142 THE GOLD MINE

Seed sown in the open germinates readily, and the
plants become very vigorous and commence to bloom
as soon as large enough. These flowers you can de-
pend on. Others, like Eoses, Paeonies and Lilies, have
their season and pass on. But the Gaillardias take all
the season, and when others fail, you can count on
them. Though new to most people, I find they take
well when ordinary floral displays are needed.

The Grandiflora is a fine, large flower. In color it
is a madder, maroon and gold, often with other tints.
Some will have very open faces and others will have
petals compressed at the base and expanded in the
outer rim. It is easy to see how, with such a variety
of form and color, selections can be made, and they can
be increased in size. The English have pushed things
so far that the most highly developed ones are not
hardy. I think perhaps if these gorgeous ones were
crossed with our own natives, we might have some of
hardier strains. Should you ever get imported ones,
I would advise you to take up the roots in the fall
and store in boxes of earth till spring. I had quite
a quantity, and even heavy mulching did not save
them.

I had for some time supposed that all Gaillardias
were perennials, but I find they are not.

Lorenziana is a double with a full cushion richly
variegated.

Amblydon is blood red. Sow these early in the
spring and they blossom in June and keep at it all
summer.

Gaillardia Lorenziana.

Okiental Perennial Pop^y.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 145

A native Gaillardia grows in Western l^ebraska
which flowers freely. This also seems to be an an-
nual, blooming freely in the summer. Grandiilora is
perennial.

THE ORIENTAL POPPY.

Years ago, visiting one of the eastern parks, I saw
a marvelous flower. It was a very blaze of splendor —
dazzling in its effulgence. The blossoms were of im-
mense size, and of flame color so brilliant as to amaze
you. They were often seven inches across, and within
a seed pod of exquisite symmetry, and set around it
were featherj^ and delicate stamens. The inner sides
of the petals were adorned with the most remarkable
tracery and pencilings, and all this inside work was
done in ebony. Taken as a whole, its immense size
and exquisite workmanship made it a marked flower.
I had tried so many choice things from the east and
found them failures in the west, I was a little afraid
of this. The next year I secured some, and found to
my delight that they are well adapted to all the West
and Is'orthwest. Since then I have seen them grow-
ing without winter protection in the Yellowstone Park
in a garden near the Mammoth Hot Springs. They
prove hardy in Minnesota, and I saw them in Mani-
toba, so that there is no doubt of their hardiness.

The root is in shape and color like a small parsnip.
The seeds are so small it is a diflicult matter to raise
them. You must put them under a screen, and put
burlap over them, and water that every night till the

146 THE GOLD MINE

plants begin to come np. Then take the cloth off at
night, and water carefnlly with the sprinkler, care
being taken to keep the screen on. I lost abont 50,000
at one time by taking off the screen. The sun burned
them up. It is as well to get the plants. They can
be sent by mail. Get good one-year-old roots, and
some of them will bloom the next year. The best time
to plant is in the fall. If you cannot do this, plant
early in the spring. A gentleman visiting our place
from Illinois said that he had plants bloom twenty-five
years in succession without any covering; but I think
it is well to throw some coarse litter over them. After
they bloom in June, the tops seem to droop and then
die, and 3'ou might think the whole thing dead, root and
all; but they are only going into a dormant condition
for rest after producing those enormous flowers which
seem to exhaust them. But about the first of Septem-
ber they begin to revive and send up new leaves and
the roots put on new vigor for the next summer's work.

They bloom with the Paeonies. The individual flow-
ers last but a few days ; but if you have a good sized bed
of them, there will be a succession of .flowers for weeks.

Of recent years there has been great improvement
in them. The Orientale is bright scarlet. The Brac-
teatum is deep crimson, and with a double set of leaves
— a grand and stately flower. There are sometimes
sports or variations; for instance, last summer I found
one of salmon color, which I am saving with great
care. Silver Queen is silver blush. Pilosum is pale

Seedling Phloxes in York, Nebraska, in Bloom Nov. 1st,
^Several Severe Frosts.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 149

lurid scarlet, very showy and distinct, and of a cop-
pery hue.

We are probahly on the eve of great advance with
this flower. As soon as they begin to turn from the
original type, you may expect rapid and wide varia-
tions.

I have recently secured a few of the newer sorts and
will soon see what can be done in the way of crossing
them.

This flower is a native of Armenia.

PHLOXES.

I once gathered a lot of seed for planting and laid
them in a vacant room upstairs. A few nights after,
in the stillness of the night, we heard a noise much like
popping corn. Going up to find out the cause, there
was another sharp snapping sound, and I saw a phlox
seed shoot across the room. Then I learned another
lesson on the intelligence of N^ature. I found out
afterwards that in the garden the ripe seeds would
snap out quite a distance from the plant. Of course
the design is to extend their scope and area and gradu-
ally possess more ground. This opened my eyes to
the possibilities of their improvement in raising them
from seed.

This is not a difiicult matter if you know how. If
you don't, you will make a failure.

An old and careful florist who had rare success on
other lines told me he never could raise phloxes from
seed. I asked him Avhat his method had been. He

150 THE GOLD MINE

said lie sent to the best florists for the very choicest
seed, and he planted ^t time and again and not a seed
grew.

"Did you plant in the fall or spring?"

"In the spring, of course."

"Well, there is just where you missed it. If you
will watch N"ature, you will see that she throws the
seed on the ground, where it lays subject to the heat
and cold, lying in the slush and snow and freezing
and thawing, and then the seeds will come up like
hardy weeds in the spring. If the winter has been
wet and cold Avith a good deal of freezing and thawing,
you will see hundreds of little ones coming up all
around the parent plants."

Sometimes these are hoed up for weeds, sometimes
the gardener thinks they will amount to nothing; that
they will be nothing but scrubs, and so he hoes them
up, and thus thousands of promising little plants have
been destroyed. The w^ay is to pick the seed just be-
fore they are ready to burst from the pod ; put them in
a basket or large paper box with a cover on so they
will not pop out. Sow them in the fall under a screen
or where you can water them well in the spring. See
that they do not dry when germinating, and you will
have a fine bed of strong plants which will begin to
bloom the first of July and continue till the hard frosts
of autumn. The accompanying picture shows a group
of seedlings in bloom jNTovember 1st — of course, after
several frosts.

Ckepuscule Phlox.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 153

A DISCOVERY.

It is a well known fact that some fruits and. flowers
have a marvelous degree of motherhood. The Con-
cord grape, the Wealthy and Duchess apples have a
numerous progeny. This is true in the floral world.
For years I had been raising seedling phloxes. I found
no deterioration, and often improvement. If you plant
a choice kind away by itself, it will be reproduced
from the seed to a large extent, and often when inter-
mingled the progeny will surpass the parents.

Of course, it was necessary to have a mother with
the choicest of characteristics. What was needed was
a full head, large flowers and continuous bloom.

This was found in the Crepuscule of French origin.
The flower is as large as a silver dollar. It has a com-
'pact, massive head, as though it was one large blossom.
The bloom is white with violet shade and a large bright
carmine eye. It is rather dwarf in habit, for it prefers
to make bloom rather than stem or wood. Every way
it is an ideal flower.

I planted this in the midst of others. Right by the
side of it was the Coquelicot, also of French origin.
This has blossoms of intense flame color, but unfor-
tunately the flowers are small, and they sunburn badly.
In themselves they are worthless. But Mother Cre-
puscule imparted both size and hardiness to the ofl^-
spring of these jolants. On the other side there were
those that were red, some magenta and others of various
colors. Seeds of these gave fine distinct flowers and

154 THE GOLD MINE

large size. In short, as the result of that companion-
ship I found I had at least twenty varieties, and most
of them much finer than any I could import. A noted
florist came to see them. Of course, it was diflScult
for me to keep still after my discovery. He was de-
lighted. Taking out a silver dollar, he laid it on one
of the flowers of one of my new creations. He found
it would not cover it, and then, to be exact, he said
facetiously, ^'Tt would take just about one dollar and
thirty-five cents to cover that single bloom." While
that was the largest, there were several others which
would strain a dollar to cover them. Of course, this
opens a new chapter, and I am now on the highway of
other discoveries. I have sent for the largest I can
hear of and intend to follow this matter up.

There is this difference between phloxes and paeonies.
You plant the seed of the former, and you get your
results within the year, often in ten months; whereas
with the latter it will take five to eight years.

TIME OF PLANTING.

I find it is best to jDlant in the fall. Have your
ground rich and friable — well pulverized so the plant
can easily assimilate the food. If you want a plant to
do its best, you must do your best by it. Always mulch
in winter.

You may put the finest kind that money will buy
in the sod, and give it neglect, and the flowers will be
small. Then you say the florist has deceived you, when
if you would go to his grounds you would find every-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 155

thing as he represented. Now if a pL^nt like the phlox
is to do its best work, it must have the very best chance.
Pnt them about two feet apart each way and give them
the best of cultivation, and you will have your reward.
If you were fitting a lot of choice cattle for the show,
rino', you would not feed them on straw and treat them
with utter neglect. Your great Holstein must have
something besides rotten and mouldy hay if you ex-
pect a good flow of milk. So if your flowers are ex-
pected to go on dress parade, you must give them some-
thing to make their beautiful garments out of.

It is not wise to send for seeds. People often ask
me for them. I refuse. It is hard to separate them
from the pods. The better way is to get the plants,
if only a few, and raise your own seed. You can have
the time of blooming under absolute control from June
till November. If you have a large bed, when they
are six inches to a foot high, mow off a portion. This
retards them, and you can vary this method to fit the
time you wisli them to flower. Again, you may have
a bed a year old. These, if undisturbed, will bloom
early. Then will come the fall planted ones, a little
later in blooming. Then those planted in the spring..
Lastly those grown from seed will take the remainder
of the season, till the hard frosts of autumn.

It is well to take up and separate the roots every
fall. Under good care they readily double every year,
and some plants will give you three or four. Do not
plant them in heavy clay lands, for the fibrous roots

156 THE GOLD MINE

are very tender and will break as you separate the stiff
earth from them.

THE NAME PHLOX.

The signification is flame, on account of the bril-
liancy of the flowers. In the early days of Illinois, we
used to see great fields of these plants in the fullness of
their beauty. Along in the fifties I used to ride over
the vast prairies of Minnesota, where there would be
great flower gardens of thousands of acres, which filled
the air with their fragrance ; and the tonic of the fresh
air laden with perfume, and the immense fields of grow-
ing beauty would bring a new zest to life.

In the Yellowstone Park there is a beautiful creep-
ing Phlox, which blooms in spite of the frosts. It
spreads out in clusters, often covering the rocks. It is
flesh, or light pink, in color, and a very attractive
flower.

The Phlox is a native of I^orth America. It was
taken to Europe, and in the hands of florists there, it
has shown variations of form and color that are amaz-
ing. Its cultivation has great possibilities for the am-
ateur. The family is so large and the variations so
extensive that hybridization is yet going on. Their
improvement and development have reached that stage
where, with a little care, we can have a marvelous di-
versity in form and color. Plant the choice varieties
by themselves ; save the seed, planting it under a screen
in the fall, and you stand a chance of securing the
same. Of course, if vou raise for the market vou

IN THE FRONT YARD. 157

should wait till thej flower, and eliminate everything
not np to the parental pattern.

The Paniculata. Is a strong growing native variety.

The Maculata. Is of a more dwarfish habit. These
two have been hybridized by European florists, till now
we have perhaps a hundred choice kinds.

The Divaricata. Is yet another variety of our na-
tives.

Phlox Dnnnmoncli. Was found growing in Texas
by a botanical collector, Mr. Drummond. He sent the
seed home, but soon after died of the fever, so this va-
riety, which is an annual, was named from him. This
has been greatly improved, and it is claimed that some
of the finest perennials have a strain of the Drummondi.
The plants should have the best of care. They need
Avater in hot, dry weather. I have known them to
stand up well under 110 in the shade, with the hot wind
raging, provided they had plenty of water.

SOME OF THE VARIETIES THE WHITE.

Independence. Is a full, snowy white, one of the
early ones. It is a free bloomer and quite attractive.

Jeanne d' Arc. Is massive, fine and late, a great
mass of purity.

The Pearl. Is another very fine one.

But the grandest of all is Praulein Gr. Von Lossburg.
This is far in advance of any white one yet produced.
The flowers are of glowing, sheeny whiteness, and are
of immense size, sometimes measuring nearly two inch-
es in diameter. These are very rare, and so are quite

158 THE GOLD MINE

expensive. But in this superb variety you have tlie
very triumph of horticulture, showing the Avide contrast
between this new creation and the original stock.

Coquelicot. Is French for poppy. This is flaming,
bright, orange scarlet, almost the color of the brilliant
oriental poppy. They are the brightest of all, but our
hot suns are almost too much for them. They should
have some shelter from the fierce heat of July.

Crepuscule. Has a flower larger than a silver dol-
lar. It has a compact, massive head, as though it was
one large blossom. The blooms are white, with violet
shade, and a large, bright, carmine purple eye.

Huxley. Is violet purple, with a large center of
pure white.

Esperence. Has a lovely shade of light lavender
pink, with great lustrous eyes of white; compact, a
free bloomer, and very beautiful. The head is like a
great, solid, symmetrical cone of beautiful shadings.

Cross of Honor. This is not a large flower, but is
very peculiar, on account of each petal having a clearly
defined cross.

Eclaireur. Has flowers of immense size. They are
bright violet purple, dazzling in their splendor. In the
center are marks and stars. This, by some, is consid-
ered the finest of all. It is one of the earliest. The
stem is dwarf, but not the flower.

Amarante. Is dark violet amaranth.

Bacchante. Has enormous flowers, deep rosy car-
mine, with purple eyes.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 159

DUCHESS D OELEAXS.

This variety is remarkable in that it has variegated
foliage^ the leaves being bordered and mottled Avith
^vhite. Flowers are salmon color — a very distinct va-
riety.

Emanuel. Is very rare and of unusual color — vio-
let blue, with purple center.

Le Soliel. Is light rose, shading to white near the
center.

Lord Kelvin. Is very large bright red.

Lothair. Is salmon red, with carmine eye.

Ornament. Is bright clear rose, with very large
pyramidal panicles.

LIBRARY.

Didsion of KorticuKure,

N. 0. Dep't of Agnoi^lture.

CHAPTEK XVI.

THE PAEONY.

This flower is the highest triumph of floriculture. It
is the hardiest and has the widest adaptation of alL
It flourishes north and south, east and west, and thrives
up to the Artie circle.

Many varieties have the fragrance of the rose, often
surpassing it in form and loveliness. Some have the
odor of the pond lily, others the perfume of the helio-
trope, and some are cinnamon scented. With a proper
selection of early and late varieties they continue in
bloom from six to eight weeks.

In handling them they are so hardy that losses can
seldom occur, and invariably you plant a success in-
stead of a failure. They multiply rapidly instead of
growing less and less and going out entirely as is the
case with many valuable plants. They are seldom
troubled with disease, and they do not suffer' from in-
sect pests such as often destroy the rose.

They are both patrician and plebeian in character.
They will grow and bloom as well in the gardens
of the poor as in costly estates of the rich. They are
the joy of the poor girl as well as the lady of fashion.
Their cheerful faces are an antidote for the blues.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 163

Every blossom is a smile of Providence, sliowing that
God is near, giving choicest gifts to men.

They are the interpreters of the unseen love which
is lurking in the shadows waiting for a revelation to
the toilers and the despondent.

'No more heroic flower ever bloomed.
In the great prairie empire, so dreary and vast,
Where roses are slain by the terrible blast.
Where sirocco and blizzard in tournament vie,
And flowers of the Eastland grow homesick and die ;
Where gardens are lonely and homes are forlorn,
There bravely our queen lifts her beautiful form
And laughs at the tempest and smiles at the storm.
And mothers whose eyes have grown weary with wait-
ing,
And girls whose sweet spirits for beauty are aching.
Shall smile on the march of our glorious flower.
And souls that are hungry her beauty devour.
Xo more shall the homestead be sad and forlorn.
An invasion of beauty the land shall adorn.
How sweetly her blossoms the senses beguile,
And the weary revive with the breath of her smile.

What tremendous strides have already been made,
and the successes of the past are only prophecies of the
future. Fifty years ago there were only twenty-five
varieties. Now there are over 2,000 named, besides
thousands of others in the background. An interest
is being awakened unknown before.

One man has recently planted 35 pounds of the
choicest seed he can gather, and hundreds of others are

164 THE GOLD MINE

endeavoring to call out of the unknown, clioicer ones
than have jet been discovered. 'No flower so richly
rcAvards the propagator. Among a thousand seedlings
there may be only one of superior excellence, yet each
one will be distinct from the rest, and not a poor or
worthless one among them all.

To show the awakening interest in the fall of 1904
the leading papers of the West, aggregating a circula-
tion of over 300,000, have given special illustrated is-
sues awakening an interest in the great empire of the
N^orthwest, where such flowers are so much needed and
where they succeed so well.

There is no plant or flower on earth which gives so
much pleasure and profit and so richly rewards its
friends.

CLASSIFICATIOZ^ OF TPIE ORIGINAL VARIETIES.

I have spent much time in the endeavor to search
out the original families of this remarkable flower.
From the number we judge that there is yet great room
for progress, and perhaps we have only just begun with
our hybridizing. By permission I quote from J. W.
Manning, in ^^American Glardening,'' of March 5th,
for which I tender grateful acknowledgment:

''Until the forthcoming Paeony list of the American
Paeony Society is published, I believe quotation of va-
riety names should be used with great care, and believe
that the best interest may be served by giving the fol-
lowing list of species and their distinctive characters:

IN THE FRONT YARD. 165

Paeonia Albiflora, Pallas. A Siberian species in-
troduced about 1756, and one of the forerunners of the
hybrid herbaceous forms, two to three feet high, with
deep, rich green, often veined red, leaflets, and bearing
clusters of three or more very large, broad, overlapping
petaled white to light pink single flowers, and showing
globular masses of golden anthers in the center of each.
June. Reevesiana, Fragrans, Whitleyi and Festiva
show close affinity to this species.

Paeonia Anomala, Linn. From Europe and Asia,
with finely dissected, smooth foliage. Solitary, single,
bright crimson flowers, and distinct in the large size
of the petals and the peculiar compound, leaf-like sepals.
Two feet. May. Its varieties, Insignis, Peter Barr,
Smoutti and Intermedia are now recognized, being more
distinct in the character of foliage than otherwise.

Paeonia Arietina, Anders. A tall south European
species, distinct in the stems, being hairy toward the
top; the foliage quite glaucus and downy beneath. The
flowers are large, dark red and solitary, and the seed
pods are prominently covered with hairs. The varie-
ties range through shades of pink and red.

Paeoni Browni, Dougl. A northwest American
dwarf species with glaucus foliage and dull, brownish-
red flowers, borne on re-curved stems.

Paeonia Broteri, Boiss and Beut. An early-bloom-
ing, European species, similar in foliage and habit to
Paeonia Officinalis, with red flowers varying to white.

Paeonia Coccinea. A reported species in the Royal
Botanical Gardens at Glasnevin.

166 THE GOLD MINE

Paeonia Corallina, Retz. Asia Minor. A vigor-
ous species, two to three feet high, with dark green
foliage, the lower leaves of which are only twice divid-
ed. Bright crimson flowers, with short, rounded pet-
als and seed vessels of a bright red color.

Paeonia Coriacea, Boiss. Similar to Paeonia Albi-
flora, with even broader leaflets, bright crimson flow-
ers, purple stigmas and smooth seed vessels.

Paeonia Corsica, Sieber. Closely related to, if not
the same as, the last.

Paeonia Decora, Andees. Prom southern Europe.
A close species to Paeonia Arietina, with peculiar hori-
zontal foliage diminishing toward top of the stems,
which are two to three feet high. The crimson flowers
are small, with few narrow and small petals. Pallasii,
with narrow leaflets, and Elatior, with broadly oblong
leaflets, are recognized varieties.

Paeonia Emodi, Wale. A Himalayan species, two
to three feet high, closely related to Paeonia Anomala,
with smooth, finely cut foliage, pale beneath. Flow-
ers pure white, borne in clusters of four or more.

Paeonia Humilis, Retz. A French species of low
growth, with somewhat velvety foliage, and with bright
red flowers on short stems, and borne in clusters of three
or more, with smooth seed pods.

Paeonia Lutea. Recently discovered species from
Yunnan, and introduced by Abbe Delavay, growing
about two feet high and bearing small, bright yellow
flowers. The plant is somewhat shrubby in habit, and

IN THE FRONT YARD. 167

allied to Paeonia Moutan. Not sufficiently tested as
yet as to hardihood.

Paeonia Microcarpa, Boiss and Keut. Closely al-
lied to P. Humilis, with even dwarfer habit and more
downy foliage. Presumably a native of France.

Paeonia Mollis, Anders. A dwarf Siberian species,
with dark green upper surface to foliage, and distinctly
glaucous and velvety below. Plowers pink or red, and
borne singly.

Paeonia Moutan, Sims. The well-known Tree Pae-
ony, a native of China.

Paeonia Officinalis, Lixn. The oldest cultivated spe-
cies, first grown in 1548, with dark green foliage above,
pale green beneath, growing two to three feet high and
producing single, dark crimson flowers, and with re-
curved crimson stigmas. Early blooming, and a par-
ent of many double anemone-flowered and semi-double
varieties. A native of Europe.

Paeonia Paradoxa, Andees. A very dwarf, almost
tufted, Turkish species, with three-lobed incised foliage
and purplish red flowers borne singly, and with seed
vessels closely pressed together. There is a variety,
fimbriata, with double purple flowers and projecting
purple stamens.

Paeonia Peregrina, Mill. A European species
similar to Paeonia Officinalis, but with very smooth,
deep green foliage above, pale green, hairy beneath.
Flowers bright crimson. This has given rise to two
good double forms and a number of varieties witli
single whorls of petals.

168 THE GOLD MINE

Paeonia Obovata, Maxim. A little known species,
with ^%wer leaves not more than twice ternate; flow-
ers large, red-purple, and glabrons seed vessels."

Paeonia Pnbens, Sims. Allied to Paeonia Arietina.
Leaves hairy below, margins red.

Paeonia Riissi, Bivo^^i. A Sicilian and French
species varying from Paeonia Corallina in decidedly
hairy undersnrface of foliage.

Paeonia Sessiliflora, Sims. Nearly related to Pae-
onia Mollis; very low; flowers short-stemmed, pure
white.

Paeonia Triternata (Daurica) Pallas. Three feet.
Differs only from Paeonia Corallina in the rounded
leaves, greener stems and rose-colored flowers. A na-
tive of Caucasus.

Paeonia Sibrica. A little known species in the Glas-
nevin Ex)yal Botanic Garden list.

Paeonia Tenuifolia, Lixx. (Abbreviation of Lin-
neus.) A Caucasus species eighteen inches high, with
light, soft green, very finely divided foliage, and dark
crimson, yellow anthered flowers and spirally recurved
stigma. The earliest blooming species. There are
double and semi-double types of this.

Paeonia Wittmanniana, Stev. A Caucasian and
north Persian species about two feet high, with coarse-
ly divided, dark green foliage, downy beneath and bear-
ing showy, incurved, pale yellow flowers, one to a stem.
Rare.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 169

PROPAGATION.

It is liigHy important to know how to mnltiply these
vahiable flowers, for the process is slow at best.

You buy a choice Syringa or Philadelphus, and you
can divide the roots and phnnt cuttings and increase
them very rapidly. You can, in a few years, run a
new kind of a fruit tree up into the millions, but you
cannot rush the Paeony. One of the best on the list
originated in 1835, and it is impossible now to sup-
ply the demand. If you raise from seed you never
reproduce the original, and it takes from five to eight
years to know what you are getting. But with care,
by root division alone, you can secure from one to two
thousand in ten years. There are three modes of prop-
agation,—by division, from roots and from seed.

We have a different system, where we raise for roots,
than where we propagate for flowers. By the best of
care on the richest ground you can hurry them consid-
erably. But there is a great difference in them. L'Es-
perence and Victoria Tricolor multiply rapidly, while
J. Discaisne, though a glorious flower, wants about four
years to double itself. Others equally as good in bloom
are much more profitable. From Baroness Schoder,
• La Tulipe and Richardson's Rubra I have cut thirty
roots in four years from one. By dividing every two
or three years you have perfectly healthy and vigorous
roots. I have bought those that must have stood twelve
or fifteen years. The buds were partially decayed, and
they had great, club-like roots. There is no advan-

170 THE GOLD MINE

tage in such large roots. A two-jear-old plant, sound
and vigorous, is mucli to be preferred.

A neighbor wished me to do something for his Pae-
onies. They had been twenty-five years in grass and
weeds. They were crowding and exhausting each other.
They would bud, but had no vigor to expand the bloom.
I took up great clumps, and found them much decayed.
I cut them up, planting the buds and what little root
I could secure with them, and in two years had as strong
and vigorous stock as I ever saw. My land consists
mostly of city lots, so I must plant closely in rows,
about eighteen inches apart, and eight inches in the
row. Of course they could not stay long. I have the
advantage of irrigation if necessary. I have often
planted buds alone, with no root whatever. One fall
1 put in thirty, and the next year had twenty-seven
fine plants.

DIVIDING THE EOOTS.

This is difficult, and requires patience and judgment.
Some have a distinct cleavage, and are easily separated.
Others, like Marie Lemoine, have no cleavage, but are
gnarled and twisted. Some, like Princess Ellen, have
roots like a ball. Many are very tender, and as you
begin to divide, they will snap like pipe stems. This
is bad, for there are the roots, and you need them to go
with the buds. If you lose them it will take a year or
two to replace them. Let them lie in the shade a few
hours and wilt. This toughens them and does not hurt
them a particle. You can immediately restore them

IN THE FRONT YARD. 171

to their plumpness by putting tliem in wet moss, or
keeping in or planting in moist earth. This is a very
important matter. I got onto this process after a good
deal of annoyance and vexation. In planting, have
yonr ground in the best of order. I have deep, rich
soil, fertilized with hen manure when I can get it;
only prepare your ground beforehand, so the fertiliz-
ing will be assimilated. Make a deep, wide hole with
the spade, insert the root, press the earth close about,
put the bud two or three inches below the surface, and
be careful not to bruise it. It is a good idea to put
a coat of manure over them in winter.

PLANTING FOR FLOWERS.

You can raise roots and blossoms at the same time,
but you cannot multiply as rapidly as where you raise
solely for the increase. Of course you will raise many
flowers while you are propagating. The ready bloom-
ers will get in their work the second year, and at that
time we often have quite a burden of bloom. Some
sorts require time to come to their best. Usually the
largest and latest sorts need a year longer than the
others, while some kinds will bloom on the least provo-
cation. Victoria Tricolor is noted as an early, prolific
bloomer, and a ready multiplier. It often blossoms
the first year.

To raise the largest and finest flowers, the ground
should be very rich. We often cart on soil and manure
to increase the depth. Hich, bottom land, well ma-
nured, is best. The ground to be planted in the fall

172 THE GOLD MINE

should be prepared in the summer. It should be spad-
ed two or three feet deep. Plant in rows four feet
apart and three feet in the row, so you can cultivate
with the horse, if necessary. Sometimes I have pre-
pared ground in this way: On an eighth of an acre
there were scattered eight loads of hen manure, and
a strong team plowed it two furrows deep and too^
the whole day for it. This thorough preparation is
necessary for the best results and the largest blooms.
Of course you do not have to be at such expense. They
will grow, thrive and bloom on good corn ground. By
this process you are raising roots as well as flowers,
and at the end of ten years you will have an enormous
crop of the former, but they will be large and not so
easy to handle.

In planting to raise flowers, be sure to take good,
strong roots. Such will come into bearing much soon-
er than small ones. I should not plant clumps, but
heavy ones, and they will make the clumps soon enough.

I have gone into detail because I deem the Paeony
the queen of flowers, and it should have the best pos-
sible chance.

RAISING FEOM ROOTS.

I have watched this process closely for years, and
have found one thing, perhaps not discovered by oth-
ers. The root is small where it joins at the top; it
swells in the center and then tapers. ^Row if a root
is broken at the center, the lower portion never can
form a head. It will try hard. A callous will be formed

IN THE FRONT YARD. 173

at either end. The poor thing will do its best to put
a head on itself, but cannot make it. At the end of
the first year the root will jet be sound, the second
year the top will begin to decay, and the third year it
will be rotten. The upper portion of this same root,
where it breaks from the plant, will have a good show
for forming a head. Kinds differ. The Edulis Su-
perba and others of its class are stored with vitality.
I have often stripped off roots, like fingers from the
hand, and planted them, and almost invariably a bud
would form the first year and be ready for business
the next spring. Sometimes it will take two years to
form a head, but in the main you will succeed better
to carefully divide and plant root and bud together.

A good way to accelerate the development of roots
and latent buds is to pack in moss or moist earth, and
keep them over winter in a cellar which does not freeze.
I have often known roots to develop twice the buds
they had before, and those with no buds at all by spring-
would have some fairly well started.

PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING.

The propagation of the pacony as compared with
fruit trees and shrubs is slow at best, so grafting is
often resorted to.

Understand, every paeony root is anxious to live.
We show elsewhere how a root will work three years
forming a callous at either end in the effort to live.
Take a root far enough removed from what we term
the crown, so it cannot develop a bud of its own, and

174 THE GOLD MINE

by the cleft graft system insert a bud of some choice
variety. The root will rather rejoice that a head has
been given it, and will throw out roots to match it,
while there will be no danger of its reproducing itself.
Thus the roots of common vigorous sorts can be made
to accelerate the production of the costlier kinds. Graft-
ing should be done late in the fall or winter. The
grafts and cleft in the root should be carefully waxed
and laid away in damp moss. Then place in a cool
cellar till spring. It would be better not to have them
freeze, though freezing Avould not seriously injure
them.

A paeony si>ecialist just writes me, ^'I have some
plants the eyes of which alone are worth $1 to $2,
and what shall I do with them V^ I gave him the
foregoing process, which I am sure will succeed.

Suppose you get a choice root of some variety for
which you pay $3 to $5. It has only one good vigor-
ous root, and perhaps half a dozen eyes — ^more eyes
than the root can carry to advantage. I^ow you can cut
off the eyes and put in moist earth in the cellar, and
each one will throw out tiny roots, and in the spring
you can put it out carefully. Shelter it a little from
plunging rains, and it will make a plant. It may take
two or three years to make a saleable plant of it. By
grafting you would have speedier resiilts.

RAISING FROM SEEDS.

We must pay more attention to this. There is no
I'eason why we should not produce more rare sorts.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 175

There is a fascination here. Yon never know what
is coming. Jnst beside you, in the nnknown, there is
a rare, lovely and fragrant flower waiting to surprise
you. You wish to give it a chance to materialize, so
you are on the alert to welcome your new creations.
One in a hundred will be fair ; perhaps one in a thou-
sand will be superior.

How about hand pollenization ? I should let tlie
bees attend to that.

^ote this fact : You must • secure seed from the
VERY CHOICEST KINDS. Here we are handicapped.
Great, splendid ones, like Festiva Maxima, Tecumseh
and Richardson's Rubra Superba, can go no further.
Those grand, double ones have reached their limit. It
is well-known that the single and semi-double are very
prolific, and yield any amount of seed. When Terry
and Rosenfield, in the west, commenced their work,
they secured seed from the very best. Thirty years
ago Mr. Terry began with seeds from the choicest flow-
ers that would yield any, and he has given us some fine
ones. So with Rosenfield, Avho gave us Floral Treas-
ure and Golden Harvest, that now stand well at the
head of the procession.

Other propagators I know of have used, I am sure,
seeds from inferior plants;, and as like begets like, they
have very inferior strains. One grower, by a good
deal of enthusiasm and fulsome praise, has sold sev-
eral which prove to be a disappointment. The whole
stock, with a few exceptions, is coarse and cheap, and
does not sustain itself. It is remarkable that vou mav

176 THE GOLD MINE

raise a thousand seedlings, and there will he no two
exactly alike.

What shall be done with the thousands of rejected
ones ? We have too many named ones already, about
two thousand. Shall wei throw them away? By no
means. If you had never seen a Paeony and were intro-
duced to the thousand left behind, you would call them
fine flowers, and so they are. In the hosts of these
common, ones I never saw a really poor one. They
are all good, but there are the better and the best. I
would say keep them. They can be used for parks
and in masses. Put them on your cheap list and clas-
sify them in colors. There are many people who in-
sist that a "piny" is a "piny,'' and that is all there
is of it, and they will insist that you keep a "bargain
counter," for they think they are terribly cheated if
they have to pay more than twenty-five cents for a
"piny." They are much like the young darkey who,
by mistake, got a license to marry Lucinda, when he
had agTeed to marry Katie. It would cost him some-
thing to get a new license. He proved equal to the
occasion, "Dere ain't no $1.75 difference between dem
two niggers, and I'll just marry Lucinda."

W^e are glad to note cheering success in originating;
new varieties in America. We need to go in on a larger
scale. Mr. Kelway, of England, and Mr. Terry, of
Iowa, have given us over 100 each. The main differ-
ence between them is, Kelway has used the most ink.
I think Terry has never photographed one of his grand
creations. We are happy, however, to present some

IN THE FRONT YARD. 179

in this Manual. I think it would be much better to
go heavily into the business of propagation than to send
so much money to Europe and import so many disap-
pointments.

There is a future for this industry. For instance,
the new Japanese, with their peculiar stamens, are
very unique. I have about twenty-four kinds. They
seed readily, and, having them hemmed in with other
fine varieties, I have great hopes of a new race of hy-^
brids. I also intend this fall of 1904 to plant about
two quarts of the very choicest seeds that I can secure.
I have large quantities of my own and have engaged
more, and from the coming thousands I hope to see
some of superior merit. As to those which will not
be named, keep them. The great empire of the North-
west will need them. Most of those raised by Western
growers yet go East, and the bleak E'orthwest is ^vak-
ing up to their merits, and will yet absorb millions.

CARE or SEEDS AND PLANTING.

It is better to gather the seeds before they get thor-
oughly dried, and plant immediately, or mix them with
moist sand and plant just before the ground freezes.
In the West, often our falls are so dry that seed, at
the ordinary depth, would dry out. Those can be
planted that are thoroughly dried, but it takes two, and
even three, years for them to germinate. They should
be planted in rows about two inches deep. If, in the
spring the ground should incline to crust, it may need
pulverizing with a rake, so that the little plants can

180 THE GOLD MINE

come lip readily. If sown in a seed bed they can be
removed when a year old. Though the roots will be
small they will be full of vitality. If far enough apart
so they can have a fair chance to develop, it is better to
let them remain till they bloom. But it takes some
years for them to fully show their individuality so you
can know what to depend on. Don't be in a hurry.
I have known rejected ones to develop flowers equal
to almost any, and I have one which was discarded while
young, which is now near the head of the procession.
Young plants do not often go back, but show up better
as they grow old. The Paeony has almost infinite pa-
tience, and you must have a little even in this age of
steam and lightning.

THE HAEDINESS OF THE PAEONY.

We know of nothing in the vegetable world which
has the vigor and hardiness of this plant. The root
is like the gripsack of the traveler, which contains the
supplies for his journey. It will come to us from
Europe and bring in compact form foliage, flower and
life. We know of nothing that will stand more hard
treatment, exposure and neglect. It may be left on
the ground, exposed to the sun, for days, and be badly
withered, and yet it will revive and grow. Often we
find, where we have cut up plants in the fall, that tiny
buds, so small as to escape notice, after freezing and
thawing all winter, will throw out shoots and tiny root-
lets, and we have often saved them. One spring two
roots of La Tulipe were left in the barn two months,

IN THE FRONT YARD. 181

till, to all appearance, they were dead. They were
planted the first of Jnne, and they immediately revived
and grew.

One winter we had several boxes stored in a root
cellar. They were poorly packed. 'Some one left the
door open and they were all frozen solid. The door
was closed, and they remained frozen till spring, when
they were planted, without the loss of one. It is no
uncommon thing to keep a lot in boxes seven months
at a time with but slight packing. I once had a re-
markable experience with a lot from Kelway, England.
They came over in reasonable time, but were delayed
in a warm office at Lincoln, 'Neh., a month before T
was notified. The box was dried out and full of cracks,
and the moss was dry as powder. The roots were black,
and snapped like sticks. The buds were shriveled.
I had the expressman look them over, and all pro-
nounced them dead. There were thirty roots, some of
which cost $2.50 each. Of course the express com-
pany had to pay damages. Taking them home about
the first of November, I cut off the dead roots and
planted the buds in moist earth in a box in the cellar.
At the end of a month the buds began to swell. De-
cember 1st, they were planted out, and were frozen all
winter. They all grew but one, and one of them
bloomed. Of course it took an extra year to form
new roots. They seemed much like the Mexican resur-
rection plant.

They are like the Eocky Mountain burro that bears
any amount of misuse or neglect, and yet patiently

182 THE GOLD MINE

plods along. Often for years they must bear neglect
in grass, or the hard earth tramped solid about them.
And yet they hang on, doing the best they can. Yet
while they patiently endure so much, there is nothing
that responds with more grateful alacrity to generous
treatment. A neighbor had an Alba Sulphuria, which
had bloomed in utter neglect for twenty-five years. I
bought the clump, he retaining a couple of roots. He
planted his in the grass and hard earth, digging but
a little space for them. In four years they have not
bloomed or grown. They could not. They could only
live. I planted my part in. the richest ground, and
how they increased and blossomed. In about four
years I had nearly one hundred plants.

All the great West and E"orthwest are well adapted
to them, and, it should be a rnatter of encouragement
that the finest flower that blooms will give its cheer
to a vast region VN^here other flowers cannot grow. They
are hardier than the pieplant. We pay out millions
for choice roses, and other things which cannot endure
our winters. It is much better to plant an absolute
success than a sure failure.

Possessed of sn marvelous patience, this plant will
often bide its time, and seem dead, when it is only gath-
ering its forces for a vigorous push.

One fall I planted quite a row of the splendid Prin-
ceps. l^exi spring not one of them came up, nor did
they show any signs of life during the summer. I was

IN THE FRONT YARD. 183

preparing to use the ground for sometliing else, when,
after lying dormant for eighteen months, the whole
row pushed up' and commenced a vigorous growth.

When you dig a lot from the gTound, there will
be many spring up the first year, and often more will
show the second year, having taken so long a time
to form a head. It is my custom in cutting up, to re-
plant the same row to the same kind, to avoid any
mixture, and if I cannot do this I am careful to plant
between where the rows were, so the strays will not
come up in the same row with those I am planting,
but between them.

THOROUGHBRED LIVE STOCK AND THOROUGHBRED
FLOWERS.

I used to keep thoroughbred Jerseys and Shorthorns.
Though I enjoyed it they were a constant care. One
nidit I was awakened bv a fearful crash. I wakened
the boys and told them to bring the lanterns. Bush-
ing out, I saw in the barn two balls of fire. They be-
longed to the Shorthorn. He weighed a ton, and ev-
ery pound of him was in fighting trim. Aiming a
pitchfork a suitable distance below those blazing orbs,
I caught him in the nose. Then the lights came. We
secured him and led him back to his stall. It seemed
the Jersey got loose and thought it a good time to take
revenge. The Shorthorn tore himself loose, drove the
Jersey back to his stall, and, with one tremendous
thrust, hurled him through the side of the barn. I
was younger then, but I don't want any more. I have

184 THE GOLD MINE

seen men who had built up a fine, choice herd of hogs ;
then came the cholera and wiped them out. Beautiful
flocks of fowls melt away with disease, become the prey
of sneaking beasts or the chicken thief.

It is different with thoroughbred Paeonies. They
do not tear themselves in wire fences. You know where
they are nights. They do not eat their heads off in
winter. The food costs nothing. You can go off on
your summer vacation, and they will be there when
you come back. They multiply as fast as live stock.
There is more money in them, legitimate, honest gain.
Sixteen years ago a man laid out $50 for choice strains.
For some time he has been selling $1,000 worth a year.

I bought a fine plant for $1. In five j-ears I sold
$18 worth, and had eighteen roots left. One choice
variety in the same length of time brought in $34, and
I had fifteen roots left. One fall I had an order for
500 common mixed sorts for $6 per 100. It took but
a small piece of ground to furnish them. My man,
who had worked on the farm, was astonished. ''Here,"
said he, "we have dug $30 from a few rods of ground,
and if we got that from two acres of farm land we
would do w^ell.'^

Is Paeony raising a fad, that will soon pass away ?
It cannot pass; people will not allow it. In staid old
Europe the interest has fairly commenced. In our
Eastern states, where they can raise Azaleas, Kalmias
and Rhododendrons, the demand is on the increase.
Most of the stock of Western growers yet goes East.
In the West we cannot raise the flowers above men-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 187

tioned. They will have nothing to do with us. Thej
are aristocratic Easterners that will die before they
will live with us. I thought our hot suns and drying-
winds too much, so I got 1,000 of the hardiest kinds
I could hear of, and put them under a screen. Kal-
mias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, all died in a year, de-
spite the tenderest care. Do you wonder that we love
a flower that will step in and take their places, one
that never grumbles or pines, and is never homesick,
that is more fragrant and lovely than the best of them ?
I have attended some of the most famous flower shows
of the East, and here in E'ebraska we can raise as fine
Paeonies as anywhere on earth. We plant roses, and
they kill down and dwindle away, but the Paeonj^ stays
by, us. Millions are needed for our Western states.
Billions are needed for the Dakotas, Minnesota and
Manitoba, where they do as well as in England. When
the finest flowers on earth are fitted for such a vast
empire, and they will grow and thrive where other
things will not, you can depend on them.

Talk about Ginseng for profit! Go to raising Pae-
onies. This is work for ladies. Already many are
going into it. There is much less care and expense
than in raising chickens, though as light work the two
go together. The hen is mightier than the sword.
She seems insignificant, yet her produce and progeny
every year are greater than the output of all the gold
mines, and the more eggs and chickens you raise, the
higher they get. The two enterprises are in woman's
realm. Mrs. Pleas, of Indiana, has raised some fine

188 THE GOLD MINE

new sorts. One she sold for $100, and another for
$150, besides having thousands of dollars' worth of
enjoyment from her floral friends.

When you take into consideration the growing value
of cut ftowers, you have three harvests from your Pae-
ony bed, one in the spring, the blossoms in summer,
and again root sales in the autumn. This delightful
and profitable employment, together with the fascina-
tion of raising new kinds from seed, will give a zest and
joy to living which cannot be found in any indoor em-
ployment. There is the delight of seeing a transform-
ation going on, the brown earth putting on robes of
beauty while you are calling forms of loveliness out
of the unseen, taking the rainbow and moulding into
shapes of wondrous fascination.

ADAPTATION.

The Moutan or Tree Paeony does remarkably well
in England and in our Atlantic States. It blooms
grandly and grows to be quite a bush. I have grown
them in 'JSTebraska for more than fifteen years, and find
them very shy bloomers. They will grow and increase
all right, but I think the buds are sensitive to our try-
ing climate. It is possible these will do well where
the herbaceous ones are not satisfactory. I think, as
you go south into the Gulf States, especially into the
sandy soils, the Chinensis will not be satisfactory, and
perhaps those regions will be just the place for the
Moutan.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 189

I understand they can be used successfully for forc-
ing, and think this would be feasible. The trouble
with those grown out doors is supposed to be the se-
vere spring frosts. This difficulty would be obviated
by bringing them into the greenhouse. In those sec-
tions where you can depend on them, the blossoms are
of resplendent beauty, some of the newer sorts almost
as large as a dinner plate.

They are usually propagated by putting a slip into
the fleshy root of the herbaceous kinds. It will use
this for a time and then discard it for its own. The
stools can be readily separated, and if you wish to in-
crease faster, graft the tops on their own roots much
as the nurseryman does his young apple trees, using
the lip or splice graft. Care must be taken, however,
to let them knit well before planting out. But if you
have patience you can wait for the root division.

The Tenuifolia are the earliest of all. They are
single and double. They are not quite as hardy as
the Chinensis, as they need mulching in the West in
winter, where the cold will be excessive and sometimes
there will be no snow\ I have had them bloom as early
as May 5th. The blossom is like a rose, seated in that
delicate, soft, fern-like foliage. The only drawback
is, it is not fragrant. Yet it has an important place
to fill.

The Officianalis is the ^'piny" of our mothers. I
remember with a shudder the steeping of the ''piny
toes" for the ills of childhood. For years I looked
with contempt on the whole family on account of the

190 THE GOLD MINE

rank and disagreeable odors wliich came down out of
the past. Tliougli this has been one of the mothers of
the new and fragrant race, yet much of the indifference
regarding the modern flower dates back to the mem-
ory of the sickening odor, so indelibly impressed on
childhood.

Again, they are not hardy in the West and N'orth-
west. Thousands have planted them and failed, and
think the whole family a fraud. We get letters from
Minnesota, telling of failures, and in every instance
you trace it back to the same old "piny." Six years
ago I planted a dozen good, strong roots. The first
winter eleven of them died, and it took the survivor
six years to furnish one bloom. 'No wonder, when peo-
ple judge from these, that they are prejudiced against
the whole. The Officinalis multiplies slowly. Others,
beside this lone one, have blossomed gloriously and in-
creased rapidly.

• I know there are clumps here and there in !N^ebraska,
and when once established and not disturbed, they
give early blossoms, following hard on the Tenuifolia.
Both these kinds have an entirely different system of
roots from the Chinensis, — something like clumps of
sweet potatoes. In separating them, as in case of the
dahlia, you must have a bud go with the root. So
please bear in mind, if you live in the bleak ISTorth-
west, that you are never to order the Officinalis.

The Festiva Maxima.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 193

CHANGES OF SOIL AND CLIMATE.

Some kinds are more sensitive to their conditions
than others. Many varieties of fruits which do well
in one locality are worthless in others. Some of these
flowers will do hetter in certain, soils and climates than
others. Baroness Schroder is called flesh colored in
England. In Massachusetts, sometimes, instead of be-
ing pure white it has a grayish tint. In ^N'ebraska it
is of snowy white, and one of the most perfect flowers
that ever bloomed.

Charlemagne is called an enormous flower in Roches-
ter, but it has been something of a disappointment in
other locations. We must not condemn a variety as
a fraud if it does not meet our expectations, for it may
be a success elsewhere. While we say this, there is
probably no flower that does so well under varied con-
ditions. Difference in soil will have something to do
with it. Of course it cannot do as well in light sand or
stiff clay as in the rich loam of the West.

For instance, some apples which do well in the East
are of no account in the West. It is so with all kinds
of hardy fruits. So we must give a little chance for
the Paeony to show its preferences. Giganthea is a
fine, early pink, producing an enormous flower. It is
popular and satisfactory in the Atlantic States. Test-
ing it three or four years, it does not come up to its
Eastern standard. A large single one said to be nine
inches across and a splendid flower in Indiana has ab-
solutely done nothing for five years in ISTebraska. It

194 THE GOLD MINE

may rally in time. Generall}^, Paeonies will do the
best tliey can, but some do seem a little sensitive to their
conditions.

MISTAKES AXD MIXTUEES.

There has been no end of trouble from these causes.
As we have had no Paeony society till recently, we have
had no check on loose methods. So one name has been
given to several diiferent sorts. Often the choicer the
kind the more substitutes it has. At least six kinds
have been sold for Pestiva Maxima, and one of our
best firms innocently sent out Grandiflora Alba for
jT-ars for this varietv. There has been no end of con-
fusion regarding the genuine Humei or Thorbeckii,
one of our very best. I have bought from many of our
leading firms those bearing this name, which were not
even distant relatives of it. It is so with the Duke of
Wellington.

Holland firms are notorious for their carelessness.

I bought of . They were not what I sent

for. They insisted that they were, when I returned
their own labels and my order. Then they were not
true to name. About that time I bought quite a bill
of an American firm, and they proved the worst mix-
tures I ever saw, though they were packed with the
greatest care. I notified them. They supposed they

were all right, for they got them of . So many

of the Dutch firms are so unreliable that we are sure
of nothing. Before me lies a letter of one of our lead-
ing gTOwers. He has had no end of vexation. Such

IN THE FRONT YARD. 195

methods are in wide contrast to most of our American
firms. Visiting the grounds of Rosenfield, I found he
had the different kinds in beds by themselves, and while
blooming every plant was watched, and if perchance
there was a stray, it was marked with a stake.

A noted firm in England, which has done more to
bring this flower to the front than anyone else, has
fallen into careless ways. So one dealer says, ^'We get
only the sweepings of their fields." This is bad, for
we supposed we had a firm Ave coukl absolutely depend
on. Their' prices were very high, but we did not care
so much for that, provided we got pure stock. Some
time ago I sent for Iavo roots of Lady Alexander Duff,
supposed to be the best Paeony on earth. They were
five dollars a root. I watched them grow, and had my
friends look at those plants which were to surprise us
with the grandeur of their bloom. When the flowers
opened we looked on in a daze of expectancy, when lo,
they showed us some inferior single blossoms, on stems
about a foot high. They were very short lived, the
petals falling in two days, along with our expectations.
They were just fair 10-cent plants. When I ordered,
I charged them to return the money if they did not
have the genuine plants.

What is the lesson from all this ? Patronize Amer-
ican growers. They are responsible. They keep as good
kinds as the world produces, and will gladly correct
mistakes. They do not hide behind an ocean. We
must o-o to raising new varieties on a large scale. Our

196 THE GOLD MINE

growers have now hundredsj soon to go on the market,
as fine as we import.

DIFFICULTIES.

Where one has several hundred varieties it is hard
to keep the stakes all right. The weather will wear off
the names in a few months, and they must be re-marked
with care. Sometimes the stakes will be broken down.
Perhaps an inquisitive visitor may pull one up to read
the name and set it back facing the wrong way. So,
with the greatest care, mistakes are inevitable. I have
bought of the leading firms of America and Europe,
and have never yet found one which did not have
more or less mixtures. Of course, among the most care-
ful, the strays would be insignificant. Anything seri-
ous, of course, is corrected as soon as possible. This
goes to show that very few of us are infallible. One-
of our western growers was sick, and hired a man to
plow out his plants, and he, like a ^Svild bull in a china
shop," knocked down most of the stakes, so the plants
had to be sold as a mixed lot.

THE PKOPER WAY.

is to wait till the plants bloom before stock is put on the
market, unless you have it from some reliable firm. If
mistakes occur, rectify them as soon as possible. I find
the best way is to have good, strong stakes, at least two
feet tall, painted, with the bottoms dipped in coal tar.
I know one dealer who received a very abusive letter
from a purchaser who bought two years before, and

IN THE FRONT YARD. 197

claimed that in quite a bill thej were all spurious, and
he wished he could find an honest man to deal with.

Tlie dealer replied he supposed he had received the
stock from a reliable firm, and was sorry for the dis-
appointment. He told his customer he could not afford
to and would not receive any more such letters, and
he immediately packed and sent quite a bill of choice
varieties which he had tested, amounting to twice as
much as the original bill. Of course confidence was
established after that.

I^ever denounce a man till you have given him a
chance to rectify mistakes. I have bought certain
kinds from four different dealers and every one of them
were different, though the dealers may have been
honest. You might send to three men for Queen Vic-
toria and each would give you a different kind, and
honestly, too, for there are three bearing that name.

KEEPING THE PAEONIES BACK IN THE SPUING FOR
SELLING. -

We do not all of us have cold storage, and unless very
cold, they will start, if kept moist, at a very low tem-
perature. I have kept boxes of Paeonies frozen, and
as soon as the frost was out they began growing. It
will not do to leave them in the field if we expect to
sell them, for buds grow rapidly and are very tender,
and often orders come in when the plants are two feet
tall. Of course it is not a good time to plant, yet ens-

198 THE GOLD MINE

tomers want them as late as May, and are disappointed
if they cannot get them.

It is very easy to keep them back. Instead of pack-
ing them in wet moss, which would bring them forward
immediately, keep them cool and dry ; even if wilted a
little it will not hnrt them. One spring I received a
lot from France. They came late, and were packed
dry in an open basket. They were badly wilted.
Placing them in water a short time revived them.
They lived and grew, and some of them bloomed the
same season. Of course it is not necessary to keep them
very dry. They can be placed on a rack, like cannas
or dahlias.

LATE BLOOMIISTG.

If you wish to continue the flowering season into
July, take large roots with plenty of buds, and keep
them partially dry, as noted above, or in cold storage,
and plant out from the middle of May till the first of
June. But there may be this trouble about July
blooms: In Kansas and !N"ebraska the sun gets very
hot, and delicate flowers might have the sun scald. I
have seen this sometimes in the case of Madam Chaumy,
which is a large, late and very beautiful flower; also
with Richardson's Perfection. Where there is any
danger, set up stakes and stretch gunny sacking over
them. It is well to plant those for late flowering in
groups, so they can be easily protected.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 199

IN PLANTING^ THE CONDITION OF THE BUD MUST BE
TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

This is very important. Tlie Paeony usually goes
into a dormant condition about the middle of August.
I have had excellent success in planting at that time,
for the buds that form for the next spring are small and
tough, and they can be handled Avithout danger of in-
juring them. As a general thing, however, Septem-
ber is the best time, for if very hot in AugTist it will
not do to ship. If packed too moist they might rot.
When planted at this time little rootlets begin to grow
and the plant is all ready for its spring growth. You
will notice that those left in the ground and apparently
dormant are making a fine growth of fibrous rootlets,
and the longer they are left the more numerous they will
be. The buds are growing too, and often old roots will
have a net of rootlets around them, and the buds will be
much larger and more liable to damage than if planted
earlier. Of course Paeonies can be planted any time
from the first of September till the middle of the fol-
lowing May; but we are speaking of the best time.
I have often planted strong, left over roots from the
first to the middle of May, and if the ground is rich
and in the best condition, have cut good crops of flowers
from them a few weeks after planting.

There are various ways of lengthening the flowering
season. A lady had occasion to dig a cellar, and eight-
een inches of dirt were thrown over a strong clump.
She supposed of course they were dead, but two weeks

200 THE GOLD MINE

after the rest were up these came on, blooming so much
later than the rest. It would not do to try this, save
on strong, well established clumps. I have heard
that mowing off the tops when they are a few inches
high would retard them, but never wished to try it.

This plan works well: Suppose you have a row ten
•rods long. At one end you have no mulching; then
you put on a little, increasing it till you put it on a
foot deep at the farther end. The covering should be
put on when the ground is frozen solid. You will note
quite a difference in the same row in the time of bloom-
ing. On the other hand, up in Minnesota, some Pae-
onies that were not mulched were very late in coming
up, after a severe winter. What was the trouble ? One
fall in that state T had occasion to dig up a large clump,
to transplant for a friend. The previous winter had
been bare of snow, and very cold. I found that the
exposed buds had all been killed. But the plants would
not give up. They had absolutely formed new buds,
and of course that took time. Though as far north as
Manitoba they come out all right with just a snow
mulching, yet it is much safer to put on a covering,
because some seasons the snow may be light. When
I can do so I mulch in this latitude. It is not neces-
sary for root protection, and yet a good coat of manure
pays. Many are at the trouble of using liquid manure ;
but if you have plenty on the ground, every rain will do
the work for you, and if it is dry, irrigation will serve
the same purpose.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 201

NON-BLOOMING PAEONIES.

The following is such a characteristic letter that I
insert it here. It is a sample of the scores of inquiries
that come to me along the same line :

"Mr. Harrison : — What is the matter with my Paeo-
nies ? They will not bloom. I surely paid enough for
them,— a dollar for six. I have had them five years,
and only one bloom all this time, and that a little, infe-
rior thing. I bought them for different kinds, but
from the looks of the foliage I believe they are all one
kind, and I guess they are afraid to bloom, because of
the deception. The most aggravating thing is, my
neighbor has some of the most beautiful ones I ever
saw. They are loaded with the choicest flowers every
season. I have had manure spaded around mine, and
have mulched them in winter, with no result save great
clumps of leaves. What shall I do, and what is the
trouble V

ANSWER.

''My Dear Woman : — I am afraid you have been pat-
ronizing the 'bargain counter.' If you paid only one
dollar for six plants, you could not expect to get good
ones. You have what you bought, a cheap lot. What
will you do with them ? Dig them up and throw them
away. Be sure you dig deep enough to get out all the
roots so you will not hear from them again. You
have probably been insisting that a "piny was a piny,"
and that was all there was of it. ISTow you see your
mistake. There are thoroughbreds in flowers as well

202 THE GOLD MINE

as in cattle. A $15 scrub cow bears no comparison with
a choice, thoroughbred Jersey, which costs ten times as
much.

^'Think what economy there would have been in start-
ing right. Had you bought one glorious Festiva Maxi-
ma with your dollar you would have had blooms worth
while, and fifteen or twenty good roots by this time.
You might have bought the beautiful I'Esperence or
Andre Laures for 50 cents each, and had early and late
blooms, and a wholesale lot of them. Your experience
was worth all you paid for your worthless roots, and
remember there are many dealers who keep just that
kind of stock for just such customers. It pays to get
the best. We have several that cost $2.50 a root, whole-
sale, in England, and some that cost $5 a root; but it
pays.''

Is it not strange, that in fitting up a home, one is so
lavish on the furnishings and so parsimonious on the
outside adornment? I have known a man with large
and beautiful grounds and a home that cost thousands,
to throw up his hands in horror at having to pay $40
for choice trees, shrubs and flowers for the lawn. You
build a costly house, and the moment you enter it, it
begins to depreciate in value. You fill your yard with
choice things, and they begin to increase. There is a
gold mine there. Work it, and you will be rich in the
beauty it gives. Don't be content with a single flower.
Get masses of them.

I look out on thousands of glorious columbines, ming-
ling their beauty ; hundreds of the oriental poppies, that

IN THE FRONT YARD. 203

blaze in their splendor ; a host of gaillardias, that are
always in bloom, from June till I^ovember; and there
are 5,000 phloxes vieing with each other. Why not
be generous Avith yourself out of doors as well as in the
house ? If you were furnishing a new home, you Avould
not go to a second hand store and get old rag carpets be^
cause they Avere cheap, and rickety chairs and other
furniture, AA-ith a lot of old bedsteads.

In fixing up your front yard, Avliy not haA^e the best,
and plenty of it? A 25 cent Paeony does not match
that fine parlor set, and a lone floAver or tAvo Avill look
cheap compared AA^th the $50 rug. It is much better
to put less in the house, and more on the outside, where
it Avill groAv in A^alue, Avliile the house and everything
in it begins to deteriorate as soon as you enter it.

CUT FLOWERS.

More and more choice floAvers are groAving in favor.
It is amazing hoAv great the demand is for roses, carna-
tions, lilies and others. The Paeony stands among the
best. Properly handled, it keeps a long time. They
should be cut in the cA-ening, just as the buds begin to
open. Use a long stem. Strip off the lower leaA^es and
put the stems in Avater over night. They absorb mois-
ture enough to feed the flowers and keep them from Avilt-
ing. These are carefully packed in a box and sent to
their destination. If there are too many in the box
and the floAvers are Avet they Avill heat in a few hours.
In Avet Aveather it is hard to get the remaining blooms
and leaves dry enough to ship any distance. We have

204 THE GOLD MINE

found the safest way is to put moss and oiled paper
around bundles of twenty-five, packing them as care-
fully as possible, and leaving the box a little open.
When the flowers reach their destination they are put
in cold storage, where they are kept dormant till needed.
White flowers are much used for weddings and funerals.
When Mark Hanna's youngest daughter was married
the house was most beautifully decorated with white
Paeonies. There is a great difference in the' keeping
qualities of these flowers. The single ones are much
admired while growing in the garden, but they are much
more short-lived than the large double ones. Then
there are some that grow old gracefully, like La Tulipe,
Baroness and Festiva Maxima. Others are very dilapi-
dated and ugly in their dotage. Richardson's Rubra
Superba and Tecumseh are fine keepers. . So is Grand-
iflora Rubra. The former can be kept in cold storage
a long time.

Usually the first flowers of a plant are the best. If
you wait for some to bloom, and then cut the buds of
those that follow, you do not get as good specimens. If
you are shipping, watch them closely, and the first har-
vest will prove to be the best.

This is the most popular of all the flowers for Decora-
tion Day. Some seasons they are then in their full
glory. There is much call in our northern cities for
those raised further south. In most of our northern
states early bloomers can be secured. L'Esperence, a
lovely, fragrant, French pink, is generally on time with
great masses of bloom. Florists should especially draw

By Courtesy of W. A. PetersoNj Chicago.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 207

the attention of their customers to these flowers for
decoration, and create a demand bv giving their names
and cliaracteristics. I know of one florist who secured
a fine lot from Euroj^e, but lost their names, and when
he went to sell them he called them "pinys," which of
course recalled the rank odors of childhood.

Let the florist keep the finest. What rose can put
the Solftare to blush, or shame the Thorbeckii, with its
cinnamon fragrance, its sumptuous beauty, grand in
size, with its rich coloring varnished into its petals ?

CUTTIXG FROM XEWLY PLANTED ROOTS.

Where you have strong roots, planted in the fall in
very rich ground, on some varieties there will be quite
a crop of flowers. Some growers carefully nip off all
the buds the first year, thinking it will exhaust the
})lant. Others will cut them close. We are to remem-
ber, however, that it is impossible foT a plant to do its
liest the first season. It takes three and sometimes
four years for some varieties to show what they can do.
I often receive pitiful letters from ladies who are so
disappointed that their Paeonies have not done better,
when they had been planted but a few months. One
lady, hearing this Manual was to be published, hastened
to order it in the hope that it would throw some light
on her trouble. Inquiring what that was, we found
she had j^lanted some Paeonies a few months before and
the foliage was not as rank, or the flowers as large, as
those of her neighbors. An excellent remedy in such
cases is to wait.

208 THE GOLD MINE

Beware of cutting your flowers too close. I have
known plants to be killed loy cutting off every flower
stem with all the leaves, and others sadly injured.
Don't be too greedy. Always leave some foliage to go
with the plant through July and August.

PAEONIES AND INSECTS.

It is said truly that these plants have the fewest in-
sect enemies and diseases of any of our flowers. Yet
complaints come in regarding ants. These often cover
the bud, and sometimes, it is said, injure the flower.
What is the reason for this ? I once forced some Paeo-
«iies, and had a chance to watch them closely. I found
the buds exuded small drops of purest honey. Tasting
it, I could not tell the difference between it and the
genuine article. After that I noticed that ants and
bees and all sweet-loving insects- were very busy in
blooming time. Perhaps it is not generally known that
a field of Paeonies is one of the finest of all bee pastures,
and for weeks the air is filled with the hum and buzz
of honey gatherers. This honey is what the ants are
after. They are in evidence mostly before the buds
open. Sometimes they invade the flower for the nec-
tar hidden there. The bee is busy then mixing the pol-
len, so that we can have a larger variety. One remedy
is to have more flowers, so the insects will not concen-
trate on the lonely few. Those who grow them in quan-
tities are never troubled. Another remedy is to put
an old saucer at the base of your plant, with syrup mix-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 209

ed with a solution of arsenic. But as this is hardly
fair for the bees ; you had better try the first remedy.
Perhaps in time people will learn to plant in masses.
Have a few choice ones ; and then you can always get
cheap ones that will flower, too, for $6 to $10 per hun-
dred. Flowers need company. They are social things.

DISEASES.

While remarkable for robustness and health, yet
sometimes when it is very wet, the foliage will rust
badly. This was the case in Nebraska in 1903. The
remedy is to spray Avith Bordeaux Mixture. I did not
do this. It is only a transient affair, and the next
spring and summer I never saw more vigorous foliage.

Eecently there has come to us an account of what is
called the "drooping disease." A white mold forms on
the diseased stem and clings to the root over winter.
The remedy is to remove the stems and the earth and
put fresh earth around the plant. Lime would prob-
ably be of assistance. We know, nothing of this in the
west.

THE FIVE POIXTS OF EXCELLENCE.

A first-class Pacony should be: Pirst, symmetrical
and beautiful in form; second, fragrant; third, a good
keeper as a flower ; fourth, a prolific and ready bloomer ;
fifth, the plant, to be profitable, must be vigorous, and
propagate readily. We have many that score well on
all these points.

210 THE GOLD MINE

MISSION OF THE TOPS.

It is a wise provision of JSTatiire that the tops should
fall down and shelter the roots and buds in winter.
Thej make a good covering in the absence of other
mulching. If they grow in the open the snow naturally
drifts in, detained by the fallen tops, and so you have
a snow bank for additional protection, and also spring
irrigation when the snow thaws. Yet in a visit to one
of the finest Omaha cemeteries I found they mowed
oif the tops, to have the surface uniform, and to pre-
vent the snow drifts, and the plants were blooming
beautifully. This might do in our present cycle of wet
seasons, but when years of consecutive drouth return,
it would be better to leave the tops.

FEEAKS.

Though generally sedate, yet this flower is sometimes
erratic. I just received a severe censure from a man
because his Rubra Triumphans, blooming a few months
after planting, came singly instead of double. He
bought of me because he thought I would be reliable,
and he didn't buy any single Paeonies, and wanted the
wrong righted. E'ow this flower, as well as many oth-
ers, is ambitious to show bloom as soon as possible, and
not having strength to produce a great, double flower,
gives a single one. Victoria Tricolor will bloom any-
way. If the root is small and out but a few months
it is bound to bloom. That seems to be its mission.
But it always cuts the coat according to the cloth. If

Kblway's Paeonies.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 213

it has material to make a great, double flower, it will
gladly make it. If, however, it is short of capital, it
will do the best it can. Seedlings will often bloom single
for years, and then turn double. We have the record
of one that blossomed single for twenty years, and then
bloomed double. It is not wise to discard seedlings till-
fully tested. Absolutely the finest crimson I ever saw
was found in a lot of rejected seedlings. After a hard
freeze in spring some floAvers will refuse to bloom at
all, and others, damaged in the bud, may have inferior
blossoms. Others, like Floral Treasure, will do their
very best after the worst abuse. Very often the last,
out of season blooms of our best double ones will be
little, inferior, single flowers.

Do not sit in harsh judgment on flowers at their flrst
blooming. You can tell little about them except their
color. A white one should not be red or 'crimson. As
to form and size, suspend judgment. There is such a
confusion in names. You buy a genuine Humei, an
M. Valliant and a Thorbeckii, and you have one and
the same flower, yet one of our very finest. You get
Bryant's Ilumei, Andre Laures, Fragrans, Fragrant
Rose and Late Rose, and if you don't get the same thing
every time, you come very near it, and all the parties
honest in it, too. Our Paeony society is very busy
getting the tangle out of all this confusion.

AVILL ANYTHIXG KILL PAEONIES ?

They are called hardy as paving stones and as tough
as Scotch thistles. Yes, it can be done if you know

214 THE GOLD MINE

how. Plant them in low, wet ground, where the water
can stand on them, and you will succeed. Put them
in wet, undrained soil. Let the snow drift on them
before the ground freezes, and then it can be done. I
have known some in grass and weeds during three years
of consecutivei drouth to be absolutely dried out and
killed. It has been done by driving over them or
tramping on them till the earth is like a brick bat. But
they will stand all that any plant can and offer patient
and quiet resistance as long as possible, and let go of
life reluctantly.

The spring of 1903 gave them the hardest test I ever
knew, and showed the diiferent degrees of hardiness.
April had been prematurely warm. There was a pros-
pect of very early blooming. The stalks were some of
them two feet tall and the buds were swelling rapidly.
Then on the night of the 29th there came a genuine,
wintry, sleet storm, and the plants in that tender condi-
tion were frozen solid in a coat of ice for two days.
When they thawed out they all looked tired, drooping
and water soaked ; but to our surprise a few days after
they stood erect and went right on with their prepara-
tion for blooming as though nothing had happened.
But I noticed that some varieties on low ground took
such treatment to heart. After the freeze came floods.
Fifteen inches of rain fell in May. Ground usually
well drained became a quagmire. Some kinds could
not endure it. The Duke of Wellington could survive
Waterloo, but not such treatment. Why the name of
a grim, old warrior should be given to such a flower I

IN THE FRONT YARD. 215

cannot understand. Little, delicate Purity was too
tender for such a world. Drop White dropped white,
and everything else. The loss was not heavy, — ^just
enough to show that they could be killed.

Right beside the tender ones were La Tulipe, Thor-
beckii, Alexander Dumas, Model of Perfection, Bar-
oness Schroder and fifty other sorts. The main planta-
tion was in a rich, well-drained valley, but the railroad
built a bridge, which proved to be a dam, and this gave
way, flooding the field four feet deep. So you see what
they had to go through. Sleet storm when near bloom-
ing, a flood and three terrible hail storms, and yet there
was no loss of plants in that field, but a good crop of
flowers.

A GOOD LIST FOR BEGINNERS.

We often receive letters asking for advice on the
best kind to plant, something hardy and vigorous, that
will increase rapidly and that will bloom freely. Vic-
toria Tricolor, Peine Victoria, Victoria Modesta, Thor-
beckii or Genuine Humei, I'Esperence, Edulis Superba,
Rubra Triumphans, James Vick, Andre Laures, Late
Rose, Grandiflora Alba, Compte de I^antuel. These
should be had at quite reasonable rates; good, strong
roots. One need not be entirely confined to this list
There may be an abundance of others as good.

WHAT OF THE FUTURE IN PAEONY GROWING ?

Evidently the cheaper sorts will remain at about the
same price, for the number will be swelled by rejected

216 THE GOLD MINE

new ones. The standard varieties will remain about
as they are, with a slight advance. The new or rare
sorts of especial merit will keep up at the present high
rate, or even advance, for thousands of people will be
found who will have the very best, and the high priced
ones will be as sure an investment as a poor man can
make. An invalid lady can engage with success in this
industry. If you go into carnations or roses you will
need costly green houses. If you wish to raise Paeo-
nies, which will be just as profitable, the directions in
this book will give you just as good a chance as the
millionaire has. There is probably no industry so im-
portant and profitable that can be carried on with such
little expense as this. You may be poor, with only
a little home and a small garden. You have a baby
girl, and you look forward to the time when she will
enter on womanhood, and shudder as you think she
will have nothing with which to begin life. Buy a
genuine Baroness Schroder, or Lady Alexander Duff,
or Marguerite Gerard; one good, strong root, and let
it grow, and take care of it. One thousand in ten years.
How many in twenty years ? A thousand multiplied
by a thousand. You would in fifteen years have enough
to retire on. This is not counting chickens before they
are hatched. There are no broken or addled eggs
among them, and they will grow for the poor man as
well as the rich. ^^The business may be overdone in
twenty years ;" then all the flower business will be
done for, and there will be no more call for carnations
or roses. Festiva Maxima for more than half a cen-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 217

tury has been on the market, and the market is hun-
gry yet, and will be. If yon are a young man and have
a little ground, and want to insure your life, buy a
Paeony, the best you can hear of, or take what you
would require for your first payment and purchase sev-
eral, and they will take as good care of you as the
insurance companies could. These companies live on
lapses, and those securities don't lapse. Should you
die, you are sure of what you paid in, with compound
growth, which means compound interest.

The English say this is the flower for the "millions
and the millionaire.'' I think they would grow better
for the poor man than for the rich, for he would regard
liis bed of choice plants as his gold mine, and would
take the best of care of it. It takes years to learn a
trade and learn it well, a trade that will lay up money
for old age. It takes a good deal of cash to go into
business which will bring in adequate returns. But it
takes but little time, or cash either, to get a few of
these choice plants, and then love them and care for
them. A little capital invested in this way can be kept
sacred for the future, and insure comfort in old age.
There are no doubtful and uncertain board of trade com-
plications about the business. Set a little aside, and
how much incidental enjoyment you would reap from
it. Those worshipful flowers in queenly garments sa-
luting you, and they are all your own, and their num-
bers increasing as the years go by ; an income from the

218 THE GOLD MINE

blossoms and a greater income in the way of princely
enjoyment. And thougli poor and hard working, your
flowers will treat you as well as if you were rolling in
wealth, swelling with pride and riding in an automobile.

CHAPTEK XVII.

A LIST OF SOME OF THE LEADING SORTS.

In giving this list we have aimed to give some out of
the 2,000 named, so the reader can have an idea of
the marvelous variety in this great family. The fra-
grant ones have not all been marked fragrant. We
have not always given the names of the originators.
Most of these we have tested ourselves ; others we have
taken from leading French, English and American cata-
logues.

It may not be satisfactory to the connoiseur — prob-
ably will not. The idea of this book is to introduce this
flower to the masses.

I confess we have given some prominence to western
productions, because their merits have not hitherto been
brought to light. Eaising them for years, side by side
with imported ones, we feel they should have a fuller
recognition. All honor to Father Terry, now 78 years
old, who, in a quiet, patient way, for over 30 years, has
been hard at work, giving us the best results of his
persistence and skill, from which, as yet, he has reaped
but little benefit.

DESCRIPTION or OVER 200 CHOICE KINDS.

Admiral Dewey — Guard petals deep rose, with cen-
ter of pink and cream.

220 THE GOLD MINE

Alice — Blush rose, changing to white, center with
straw shadings; fine flower.

Agnese Marj Kelway — Guard petals of light rose,
yellow petaloids.

Andre Laures^ — Perfect rose in form and fragrance.

Alba Sulphurea — Fine white with sulphur center.

Alexander Dumas — Mixed pink, double center, very
double, quite fragrant. This is every way satisfactory,
scoring the fine points readily.

Baroness Schroder — In England this is called flesh-
colored; in Massachusetts it is sometimes grayish
white; in !N'ebraska it is the purest, softest white. In
the central petals there is the faintest lingering of gold-
en tints. It is as sweet as the rose, and in form and
grace of outline surpasses' any of the rose family.
Withal, it is so fluffy, sprite-like and ethereal, it seems
as if it might float aw^ay. It is vigorous, and a ready
bloomer. After it had grown two years I cut one root
into eight, and six of these bloomed the next spring.
They are very scarce, and spurious kinds are put on the
market. This exquisitely beautiful flower scores the
five points easily.

Beauty's Queen — Is a large white ; outer petals blush
rose.

Bunch of Perfume — Full double, vivid rose, very
sweetly scented. This does not do as well in the west,
probably, as in England.

Bioni — Guard petals light blush, with thread-like
petals ; not as vigorous as we could wish, though a love-
ly flower.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 221

Bicolor — Outer petals white, with rose tinge; cream
center, fringed; crimson blotch on center petals.

Belle Hough — Large flower, light crimson, late and
fine.

Bertha — Brilliant crimson, full double and late; a
very satisfactory flower.

Belle of Crescent — Bright rose, free bloomer, large
double, very showy.

Belle of York — Large, flesh-colorod, a strong, robust
flower, new.

Baron James de Kothschild — Semi-double pink.

Bridesmaid — Fine, semi-double, fragrant, white.

Blushing Maid — One of Rosenfield's latest, fine blush
and sweetly perfumed ; not yet fully tested.

Canisto — A large lovely flower, light flesh in color,
fading to white ; fragrant.

Carnation — Bright crimson outside petals, broad in-
side finely fringed, very fine. Grand, late bloomer.
Very striking in appearance.

Clara Barton — This is one of the earliest. It is of
purest white, like the spirit of its namesake. Its petals
are delicate and almost transparent in their tissue-like
form, not quite full double, but exceedingly attractive.

Crimson Queen — Both petals and petaloids are of the
same deep color. It is finely fringed, but the whole
flower is of that solid, intense coloring.

Commodore Dewey — Is deep, dark rose, of intense
color. It is a large and attractive flower, one of our
finest new ones.

222 THE GOLD MINE

Col. Wilder — Is bright rose, very double, blooming
in clusters.

Compte de Paris — A vigorous and imposing plant.
Flower on strong stem. Guard petals pink. Yel-
low center. A mingling of pink, cream and gold with a
dash of red.

Charlemange — Very large flowers, double;, flesh white
center, tinted lilac and chamois. This does not always
sustain its reputation, being, apparently sensitive to soil
and climate.

Compte de j^antuil — Blush white, center tinged yel-
loAV. Having tested this for years I can commend it
for beauty of bloom and vigor of plant.

Chrysanthemefolia — Rosy white guards, with a deli-
cate chrysanthemum folded in the center.

Comptesse de Montalivet — ^Flesh, fading to white.
Fragrant.

Cardinal Richelieu — Solid red, no stamens, large
guard, very fragrant.

Carnea Elegans — Large, variegated pink, rather light
color, with rose guard petals. A strong plant.

Duke of Devonshire — A very large flower of striking
appearance, crimson in color, with satiny finish. One
of Kelway's best.

Delicatissime — Very beautiful, light brilliant crim-
son.

Due de Wellington — Soft white, with pale, creamy
white center. Very lovely, fine form. Plant not
strong and vigorous.

Delacheii — Fine, dark crimson.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 223

Drop White — Pure white, splashed with crimson,
fragrant and full double.

Double Decker — Is a fragrant and beautiful two-
storj flower, named Pallas by Terry, the originator.
First it appears single; in a day or two another blos-
som sits in the lap of the first — a charming and unique
flower.

Duchess of Orleans — Pale rose, with salmon center.

Defiance — Brilliant crimson, tall and fine. Single.

Dr. Lindley — Large flower, tall and strong. Dark
crimson.

Ella Adams — Light crimson. Very attractive.

Etta — Bright, satiny, light rose. Strong grower,
late bloomer.

Euphemia — Flesh colored, with crimson blotches.

Excelsior — Dark crimson, large, fine, symmetrical
flower, very striking in appearance.

Esther — Outside petals deep rose, inside Avhite, rose
tinted, a full bloomer.

Edulis Superba — One of t4ie standard varieties.
Shell pink, large, well formed, fragrant flower, and a
very rapid multiplier.

Emperor of Russia — A magnificent, deep crimson.
Very handsome.

Edulis Plena, or Albiflora Plena — White.

Eclatante — Is deep rose.

Fragrans — There are three that bear this name, ono
named by Kelway, a light purple; another is solid
pink, with rather full petaloids, all the same color, and

224 THE GOLD MINE

yet another, Avliicli is the late rose Paeony, nearly, if
not quite, identical with Andre Laures.

Francoise Ortegal — A striking French crimson.
One of the popular old sorts.

Fulgida — Is another purplish crimson.

Formosa Alba — White, with cream center. Very
fragi'ant, and one of our fine ones.

Faust — Is rosy white, large and full double. An
exceedingly attractive flower.

Festiva Maxima — Is the queen of all. Almost with-
out exception it is placed at the head of the list. It
has every point of excellence. The plant is one of the
most robust. You can usually tell the genuine by the
shape of the large leaves. This, we understand, was
introduced from Belgium in 1835, and all this time it
has been propagated, and, it is impossible to supply the
demand. The Joliet Paeony farm, one of the largest
in the world, wholesales them at $1.00 each, or $60 per
100. I am informed that the flowers bring $2.00 per
dozen, wholesale, in Chicago. The flower combines
great size with wondrous beauty. I have raised them
seven inches across, a glorious form of purest w^hite,
flecked here and there Avith crimson, which seems to
bring out the w^hite in clearer relief. This flower seems
to have reached the ultimate, beyond which we cannot
go. It is so full double it seldom, if ever, produces
seed. ^Rature. all along the line seems intent on repro-
duction, but in a case like this she seems to say, ^^I can
go no further." This is a good pattern to' work by.
Feed this grand flower. Let it do its best. And the

IN THE FRONT YARD. 225

resplendent form of beantj seems to saj, ^^Beat this if
jou can.'^ Men liave tried for seventy years, yet we
will keep on trying.

Festiva — Is fragrant, pure Avliite, globular in form.
A beautiful flower.

Floral Treasure — This is one of Rosenfield's, and it
reveals the fact that we need not always go to Europe
for choice ones. It was first put on the market for
$12.00 per 100, but as soon as people found out its mer-
its it shot up to $50.00 per 100, and the supply was
short. It is a splendid hemisphere of fragrant loveli-
ness, a good keeper, and has a long, strong stem to up-
hold the splendid bloom, which will sometimes be nearly
seven inches across.

Fairy Queen — Is one of Terry's. Outside petals
broad, inside fringed, full double, large flower, regarded
by Mr. Terry as one of his best.

Fragrantissime — Beautiful white; very fragrant.

Grandure — A very fine, large, semidouble lilac rose,
fragrant. We have had this several years. It has pe-
culiar tints and shadings, which add materially to the
attractions of a general collection.

Grizzel Muir — This is among Kelway's best. Pure
Avhite, good fonn and very fragrant. We are well
pleased with it.

Grandiflora — There are several wearing this name,
of different colors. The most striking among them is a
late, immense, full double flower, blush in color, very
solid and compact, with a stem not strong enough to
hold the immense weight of beauty. These should be

226 THE GOLD MINE

planted in a mass and should be sheltered with a screen
from the burning sun. This is probably one of Richard-
son's

Glori de Doual — Deep crimson, semi-double.

General Jacqueminot — Color like the Jack Hose.
Large flower, fragrant and a good keeper.

General Grant — One of Terry's fine ones. An im-
mense flower of dazzling red. The only trouble is it
does not furnish stem strong enough for the flower.

General Sherman — Another of Terry's. A strong,
vigorous grower, rose color, tinged with purple. Late
bloomer.

Grovcr Cleveland (Tecumseh) — This in another of
Terry's. It is a little freaky. One year it was de-
scribed as follows : ^Tt is a system of deep colored, rich
flowers, packed and pressed together into a shapely ball
of dazzling red, the solidest of all. You could almost
stone a dog with it. It is one of the best keepers we
have." Cut while the bud is opening, it retains its
beauty a long time. Sometimes it is more open in form,
but always a splendid flower. Another season it will
open v^ith a broader bloom, but wh<atever form it as-
sumes, it is fine.

Grandiflora Carnea Plena — This is one of our best,
and hard to describe. It has pink guard petals, with a
mingling of many tints in the center. It is fragrant ;
globular and compact in form. It gives a long suces-
sion of bloom, and the flowers are fine keepers. The
early ones grow lighter with age, and new ones come on,
clothed in their showy tints, so that a single row gives

IN THE FRONT YARD. 227

such a variety of shadings that one might think there
were several kinds in one fine blend of loveliness.

Golden Harvest — Rosenfield's. The more you see
of this the better you like it. It is a free bloomer.
You can depend on flowers the first spring after plant-
ing, even in six weeks after spring planting. At that
stage of development it shows a center of pure gold.
The next year it shows the same, only more. In the
center is a miniature, snowy white flower, like a con-
densed Festiva Maxima, with dashes of carmine. The
next year the whole plant seems to break from all ante-
cedents and give you a wild, rollicking prodigality of
beauty, in blush and white, in cream and gold. The
flowers are large and almost smother the plant, so great
is their profusion. The bloom may not keep as long as
some others, yet it will score all the points, as it is very
fragrant withal. This and Floral Treasure are Eosen-
field's advance guard. He has fifty to one hundred
more in the procession, and we can take off our hats
as they pass by and cheer for beauty and l^ebraska.

Golden Wedding — We have long been looking for a
pure golden flower, and here we have it. It is fragrant,
semi-double, with extremely delicate bloom, and a very
attractive flower. It is a very vigorous plant. Singles
and semi-doubles do not keep as long as full doubles.
This is the only drawback to this lovely flower.

General Cavignac — Very fragrant, rose pink, of solid
color, compact head, imbricated with a deeper shade,
like a carnation.

General Lawton (Pleas) — Bright rose pink, edged

228 THE GOLD MINE

with white, often triple headed, which gives it a mas-
sive appearance. It is very robust, flowers large and
sl'ghtly fragrant.

Globosa Grandiflora — Large, globe-shaped, white and
very fragrant.

Grandiflora Rosea — Is a host in itself. The enter
and center petals are red. It is slightly fragrant. It
is a very prolific bloomer, robust and vigorous. The
flowers turn lighter in a few days, and remain on the
stem a long time. Looking at the bed you would say
there were several kinds. In this respect it is much
like the ^"^Seven Sisters" among the roses.

Grandiflora Alba — There are several kinds that bear
this name, but the best is a strong, vigorous plant, with
a good stem, and a large, fragrant flower. Pink guard
j)etals, sulphur center, splashed often with crimson, the
whole changing to snowy white in a short time. It is a
good keeper and a prolific bloomer. These have been
sold by the thousands, innocently too, by some of the
best firms, for Festiva Maxima, which in full bloom
they closely resemble.

Humea Alba — A very fine and rare variety. It has
the beautiful blush of the morning. The guard petals
are light pink. The center has a thread like collar
of light flesh petals. It has a delicious fragrance.
There are two Paeonies which bear this name.

Humei Carnea — There has been an infinite amount
of confusion regarding this Paeony. At least six kinds
have been sent out under this name. Many of our lead-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 229

iDg growers are at fault, and some writers also. Andre
Laures has been sent out for it, and other varieties en-
tirely at variance, and a recent work on Bulbs is
at fault. Yet it is one of the most distinct types of
all. It has a foliage peculiar to itself. The color is a
rose pink. The petals look as if the color was var-
nished into them. It is a large, compact, solid, glori-
ous flower, of symmetrical form and cinnamon scented.
It ranks among the best, and scores the full five points.
This is often confounded with the large M. Valliant.
It should probably be called Thorbeckii.

Ilalseus — Is a French white. It first opens with a
pinkish flush, gradually growing lighter.

Hesperides — Is white, with flesh guard petals.

Henry Demay — Is a striking and beautiful flower.
Light crimson, fine form and symmetrical.

Hercules — Terry's. Is tall, light rose, tipped white.

Herman — Terry's. Is a tall, strong grower. Petals
broad. Pale, purplish rose, inside straw-tinted.

Irma — Soft rose, flesh tinted. I secured this from
France, and am well pleased with it.

Ilion— Has white guard petals, and also narrow white
center ones.

Insignis — Described in French catalogue as a grand
flower, of brilliant carmine.

Jeanne d'Arc — Had a slight mention in former bul-
letin. We now hasten to do her justice. Some plants
do best when the stools have had three or four years
in which to become established. Then they burst forth
in a very splendor of loveliness. Thus did our Jeanne.

230 THE GOLD MINE

The flower opens light pink, but gradually grows white
as the soul of the war maiden. The center of the flow-
er rises like a crown, and the pure whiteness seems
sprinkled with drops of blood, symbolic of the cruel
death she suffered. It was a delight to visit those fra-
grant and lovely flowers and linger over them and drink
in their sweetness.

Jennie Lind — Has suddenly sprung into prominence
and value. Clear, rose pink, long stem, fragrant and
good keeper.

Jugurtha — Is a dwarf, .^bright pink.

James Kelway — Y e r y fine, white, beautifully
scented.

Joan Seaton — Double, bright cherry rose, each petal
edged with lighter color. A rose-shaped flower, show^-
ing anthers among the petals.

Juno — Is fiery, flashing crimson.

Jupiter — Is large, full double crimson, tipped light.

Kelway's Queen — Light pink, a most delicate and
lovely sort. Very fragrant.

Kitty Green — Rosy lavender, large flower. Fra-
grant.

La Reine — Terry's. Delicate blush, changing to
snowy white. Center light yellow, sometimes touched
with crimson. We are well pleased with this fine, fra-
grant flower.

Lucretia — Light blush, good size, shapely, with a
sort of twilight lingering in its petals.

Lady Curzon — We are favorably impressed with this
flower. White guard petals, with cream colored inner

IN THE FRONT YARD. 231

petals, a faint blush permeating the whole flower at
first. It is of good size, and delicately perfumed.
Every way worthy of the lady whose name it bears.

Lady Alexander Duff — This flower has been spoken
of as the very queen of the whole family. It is de-
scribed by Kelway as lovely French white. One of
the grandest in existence; tall, robust and highly per-
fumed. The roots of this flower are worth $10 each
and hard to get at that.

Lady Bramwell— Is silvery rose. A most charming
flower, perfect in form, compact, symmetrical and ex-
ceedingly fragrant. It is one of our fine ones. It wears
well on a long acquaintance. There are hardly enough
to keep up with the demand.

Lady Beresford — Described as a large-flowered va-
riety of soft lush shade, delicate and beautiful. The
petals are tipped in carmine. I sent for two of these.
One was an inferior, little, single one, and the other
a small pink.

Lyde — Is rose color, with pink center.
La Coquette — Is( on the diamond list of Paillet, of
France. Center and guard petals pink, balance salmon.
A fine, large flower and a good keeper.

La Tulipe — I know of no flower so attractive in the
bud as this. First a ball interlaced with green, red
and light. As it grows, these interlacings are more
pronounced. There is no bloom whose unfoldings you
watch with greater interest. Men, women and children
gather around it in delight.' Finally it opens, a solid
ball of softest blush, with streaks of carmine. There it

232 THE GOLD MINE

sits in all its beauty, a glorious flower in a chalice of
veined marble, emitting a delightful perfume. Gradu-
ally it fades to purest white, looking much like Festiva
Maxima. It is a splendid keeper and scores the five
points to perfection.

L'Esperence — Said to be almost, if not quite, iden-
tical with Duchess de J^emours. This is an excellent
variety. In the first place it is a pink rose in form and
fragrance. It is especially valuable in the northern
states, as it is a strong, hardy and robust plant, and
often is on time for Decoration Day. It is a good
keeper. It is on the diamond list of the leading French
dealers. It scores the five points.

Limosel — Very bright, clear lilac rose. A large flow-
er, full double, with broad guard petals and narrower
ones in the center. Very fragrant. Having had these
for several years they stand up well to the description.

Louis Yan Houtie — Is a splendid, rich crimson, a
magnificent bloomer. It stands well at the front.

Morning Star — Is one of the most dainty of the whole
family. Though exceedingly delicate looking, the plant
is hardy. It is well named. Starry rays radiate from
its heart of gold.

Mrs. Fletcher — Terry's. Is an attractive flower of
deep, dark rose color. We have found it very fine.

Mrs. Rudd — Outside petals broad "and white, inside
straw color, petals finely fringed.

ISTigra — Is one of the darkest crimson, full double.

Marie Crousse — Very large, full, globular bloom;

IN THE FRONT YARD. 233

soft salmon pink, shaded witli glossy lilac, very fresh
color.

Marie Stuart — Beautiful anemone-shaped flower,
with collar of bright clear, pink petals ; center sulphur
white.

Madam Chaumy — Is a large, symmetrical, solid
pink flower, fragrant and very charming. In form
and color much like Lady Bramwell, only it is much
later and larger.

Mme. Camille Bancel— Described by Ward: Very
full, enormous, globular flower, color lively blush lilac
pink, with center shaded with salmon.

Madam Geissler — Is light purplish rose, solid color,
massive and very fragrant. One of Mr. Peterson's fa-
vorites.

Marguerite Gerard — Described by Ward : Immense
flower, with very large, well formed petals ; color clear
flesh, fading to tender, creamy white. Center creamy
white, with petals occasionally spotted and tipped with
carmine. Ward & Shaylor place this high on the list.
It is one of the more recent French productions.

Modesto Guerin — Large, anemone-shaped flower;
color uniform, bright carmine. Very attractive, stand-
ing well up on the list.

Mons. Jules Elie — Described by Ward : Very large,
full, globular flower, with broad, imbricated petalage.
Color glossy pink, deepening at the base of the petals ;
reflex silvery pink ; flower of nice form, and quite fra-
grant.

234 THE GOLD MINE

Mons. Paillet — Probably named from the noted
French florist. It is a very large flower, light pink,
shading to white, with pond lily fragrance.

Mons. Ronsselon — Guard petals are rosy pink, center
petals the same color with delicate shadings, slightly
flaked with carmine — a very distinct and beautiful
flower.

Madam d' Yernville — Father Terry goes into raptures
over this flower. It is well at the head in merit. De-
scribed by Thurlow as a very valuable new Paeony;
globular form ; white center petals tipped with carmine ;
very fragrant, vigorous and floriferous. I was happy
in securing a quantity of these and shall watch them
with intense interest.

Model de Perfection — Described by Peterson : Far
superior to the sort generally sold under this name. A
solid, clear pink, with crimpled center, set on large
guard petals, forming immense globular buds and flow-
ers on strong stems. Years ago we secured some of
these from Mr. Peterson. They are eminently satisfac-
tory. Hardy, full bloomers, fragrant and good keepers.

Marie Lemoine — The Lemoines are noted florists,
but their names are a little too numerous. We have
several among the Lilacs, also among the Philadelphus,
and here the name is stretched to cover two entirely
distinct varieties. One fathered by Calot is lovely,
ivory white, an early bloomer, emitting a delicious fra-
grance, with a root tangled and twisted, and hard to
separate. The other, fostered by Crousse, has a large,
full double bloom; color sulphur white; center petals

IN THE FRONT YARD. 235

lightly edged with pink. Very late and one of the very
best.

Madam Breon — There are two flowers bearing this
name. One, outer petals rosy pink; pale yellow cen-
ter, changing to white; and the other is fine, shapely,
solid crimson. This latter was sent out by T. C. Thur-
low.

Magnifica — Described by Kelway as delicate pink,
turning to blush white ; large, full and free. That usu-
ally sent under this name is nearer red, turning to pink.

Magnificent — Is a medium sized flow^er and fragrant.
It is of the pink, cream and gold order, with drops of
carmine. Much like Triumph de Paris, only smaller.

Madonna — Outer petals rose, center creamy chamois.

Moonbeam — Is one of Kelway's newer ones. Large,
white, tufted in the center.

Mme. Schmidt — One of Paillet's; is rosy, lightly
tinted white, large flower; does well in I^Tebraska.

Marie — Is white, in light rose tints.

Maxima — Is white, with short petals.

ISTymph — ^ew. It opens a single flower, with white
petals. It has a pond lily fragrance. In the center
are incurved snow-white petals and these are dotted
with crimson, making it a most attractive flower. Lat-
er, the inner petals expand, forming another perfect
flower sitting in the lap of the first, separated by several
rows of stamens. It continues in bloom a long time,
and it is a delight to watch its varying forms of loveli-
ness.

236 THE GOLD MINE

^N'oblissima — Is a fine flower of rosy lilac; very at-
tractive.

l^e Plus Ultra^ — Is a fine flower, peach-color, edged
with white.

Nivalis — Is pnre white.

Princess Ellen — Opens delicate flesh, changing to
white; large flower and a good keeper; very desirable.
-Princess of Wales — Terry's. Large, white, mot-
tled with rose; a fine flower.

Prince of Wales — Terry's. Purple, edged silver,
large, full double, often in clusters.

Prince of Wales — Kelway. Soft lilac rose; large
flower, rather shy bloomer.

Princess Beatrice — Pink guard petals, inner petals
yellow and pink ; a fine variety and free bloomer.

Peter the Great — Is deep, rosy purple. Sunburns
badly in Nebraska; needs shelter.

Plutarch — A satin crimson, exceedingly brilliant
and striking, with pond lily fragrance; a very choice
flower.

Pulcherima — Light, satiny rose, center blush white.

Pulcherima Odorata — Shaded pink, with yellow cen-
ter, and fragrant ; very fine.

Pottsii — Purple crimson, with thread-like petals; a
very conspicuous flower and in great demand.

Pomponia — Pine large, flesh colored blossom fading
to white.

Queen Victoria — There are three distinct flowers
which seem to be wearing this name. One that has been
raised by Terry for 40 years is described by him dark

IN THE FRONT YARD. 237

rose with ligliter edges, center straw color, largo flowers.
Kelway describes his as flesh colored, large, compact
center, and red blotch in the central petal — a grand
flower. The other in most common use is identical with
the Whitleji, which is blush white with cream center.
Red Jacket — As several deep crimson, new Paeonies
have come into the writer's possession, he has named
them after Indian chiefs. One is King Philip, a tall,
robust plant ; one is Red Cloud ; one named Shabona ;
an extremely fine one is Pocahontas ; and a dainty little
single is called Pappoose. Red Jacket is a finely formed
flower, deep rich color and very fragrant, which is a
little unusual in deep crimson. I think it much sur-
passes both in form and fragrance the new Bunch of
Perfume. The only drawback is it may be a tardy
bearer.

Rubra Triumphans — This is the earliest of the crim-
son family. It is not quite full double. It has a golden
center. It is valuable in that it is often on hand for
Decoration Day.

Richardson's Rubra Superba — This is one of the
grandest of the whole race. It is very robust and of
immense size ; as Peterson says, one of the finest that
ever happened. It is among the very latest, deep crim-
son in color, of immense size and firm form. It is very
valuable as a cut flower. Taken just as the buds swell
and put in cold storage it will keep for a long time.

Richardson's Dorchester — Is another very fine one,
beautiful, soft cream color, with pink tinting, rather

238 THE GOLD MINE

dwarf. A beautiful flower. This was taken to England
and appears in Kelway's list as a $2 flower.

Sunbeam — 'New; fragrant; radiant silver, ethereally
beautiful; very striking.

Sainfoin — Kelway. Described as the most striking
of all. The flowers full, large and brilliant self rose.

Snowy Coles — Blush white, with narrow, thread-like
petals; very sweet.

Souvenir de la ExjDOsition — Blush outside petals, with
white, narrow central petals. A fine, large, imposing
blossom.

Splendid a — Light lilac, edged white.

Sada Evans — Terry's. Outside petals broad, deli-
cate rose, inside fringed and straw-colored, the whole
molting into a beautiful white.

Stephania — Considered by Terry as one of his finest.
Pale rose, nearly white ; center pure white with crimson
stripes.

The Bride — Is a charming white flower.

Thomas Meehan — Terry's. Light rose, silver tip-
ped; large double flower, worthy of the noble man
whose name it bears.

The Amazon — New. If you wish size and show and
a good deal of it, this is the flower. There is nothing
refined or delicate about it. It is exceedingly prolific
and robust, and bears an enormous burden of great,
rose colored flowers. It is full, free, hearty and gen-
erous, and a good one for beginners.

Victor — Terry's. Deep red; a fine, fragrant, solid
flower, and a good keeper. Very desirable.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 239

Virgo Maria — Pure, snowy white.

Victoria Tricolor — Is one of the most vigorous and
prolific bloomers we have. The first year it will put out
small blooms, according to the material it has. The
next year they will be larger, and the third year the
plant will be fairly deluged with bloom. It is also
fragrant. Though the flower cannot rank among the
finest, yet it is very desirable.

Victoria Modesta — Is a very fragrant flower, borne
on a long, strong stem; outer petals pink, inner ones
white.

E-eine Victoria — Is a fragrant pink. These, three
Victorias, while not ranking among the very best, yet
on account of their fragrance and vigor should not be
omitted.

Zoe Callot — Is Grandiflora Rosea on a smaller scale.

Grandiflora Rosea. A fine flower with light pink
outer and inner petals.

Zenobia — Is one of Terry's. A full double rosy crim-
son.

Zonvon — Is a deep, dark, bright flower from Holland.

SINGLE PAEONIES.

These are very beautiful in the bed, but not so desir-
able as cut flowers. They are not as long-lived, and have
a tendency to fold their petals at night, yet some of them
are of marvelous beauty. They are not as popular in
the west as in the east. I name a few of the leading
ones from Kelway's list :

240 • THE GOLD MINE

Bridesmaid. Single white.

Captain Holford. Clear rose.

Countess Cadogan. Lovely flesli color.

Countess of Warwick. Delicate, soft flesh.

Doris. Bright rose.

Duchess of Sutherland. Large, flesh pink; a lovely
flower.

Earl of Morley. Light purple.

Earl of Powis. Cherry rose.

Earl of Onslow. A good purple.

Flag of Truce. Pure white.

Flag of War. Deep, blood crimson.

Ideality. Deep rose; grand.

Kimberly. A very pretty, rosy pink.

Lady Helen Vincent. White; tinged flesh; very
beautiful.

Lady Jeune. Blush white; very delicate.

Lord Annaly. Deep crimson ; a fine, rich shade.

Meteor. Bright, dazzling crimson.

Other single ones of American birth :

Defiance. Terry. Brilliant crimson ; tall and fine.

Full Moon. New. This is one of the most striking,
immense crimson, with strong outer petals and a full
moon of golden stamens. A hearty, open-faced flower.

Terry. Is a sort of lilac rose, very rich color.

St. Sophia. Terry's. Is deep rose, and has the long-
est succession of bloom of any of the single family.

Wild Rose. Pleas. Is a fine, open-faced crimson
flower, with a large, golden cushion.

May Davidson. Is a large pink, striped with silver.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 241

The Queen. Terry's. Large white, with cushion of
pure gold.

We have several others on the way, whose merits are
not fully established.

THE JAPANESE PAEONIES.

These are a distinct family by themselves, single and
semi-double, with very pronounced golden centers. They
are prodigal bloomers, often covered with a profusion
of beauty. They are very hardy. Some of us are en-
deavoring to raise a new race from seed, and here there
is a vast field. The nomenclature of this whole family
is in a chaotic state, and the Paeony Society is hard at
work naming and classifying them. I have in all some
thirty kinds. I append Henry Dreers' list:

Apollo. Deep pink, shading lighter toward the edges.

Diana. Blush, Avith creamy white center.

Exquisite. White, with yellow stamens.

Fabiola. Delicate blush.

^NTeptune. A fine shell pink.

Ophir. Dark carmine.

Saturn. Rosy pink, with yellow stamens.

Souvenir. Flesh pink, creamy white center.

Titian. Soft, delicate pink.

Yesta. Purplish red.

Topaz. Deep rose, shading lighter at the margin.

Undine. Bright pink, with darker shading.

CHAPTER XIX.

GLADIOLUS, THE SWORD LILY.

The diminutive of "gladus/' the sword. The mean-
ing is ^"^little sword.''

There are about 90 varieties of this beautiful flow-
er. They are found growing in the region of the Med-
iterranean, in Asia and most of the species are from
South Africa. Marvelous improvements have been
made in recent years in this flower. Blossoms of im-
mense size have been produced and these are of great
beauty.

It is true the bulbs must be planted every spring and
must be taken up every fall. Yet, there is no hurry in
the spring. These with dahlias and cannas are plant-
ed after the rush of spring work is over.

SOILS.

Our Western rich prairie loam is just the thing for
them. Some people stake the stems. As a general
thing this is not necessary if properly planted. The
soil should be heavily manured the year before so the
manure will be well incorporated and the ground fine
and friable. Then plant at least 4 inches deep. When
I first commenced I had a good deal of trouble with
the long heavy stems tipping over. I found the trouble

PliESENTED BY ARTHUR COWEB, BERLIN, N. Y,

IN THE FRONT YARD. 245

was I had not planted deep enough. You can have
your rows about two feet apart and put them four
inches apart in the row. They need thorough cultiva-
tion. When they first come up, before they are very
liigh, go over the whole ground with the rake. That
lightens the soil and kills the weeds while the plants are
set deep enough so they are not disturbed by the rake,
j^ever grow anything in partnership with weeds. Ir-
rigate with the hoe and cultivator. More and more we
are finding out that constant cultivation is absolutely
essential to success. This keeps the ground from dry-
ing out and kills the weeds. Cultivate after every rain
if possible. This closes the pores in the soil and re-
tains the moisture.

PKOPAGATION".

It is easy to raise them from seed and then you have
the charm of discovery. You are sure of something-
new. Save seed from your best plants, prepare a bed
thoroughly, put the seed in shallow drills and cover
about an inch deep. See that they do not dry out in
germinating. If in the open it is well to cover them
with burlap till they begin to come up. In the fall dig
and dry them and store in a dry cellar. ' Plant again
the next spring and they will be large enough to bloom
the year following.

Do not plant on the same gTOund in succession.
Choose a fresh place each year.

When you take up the bulbs in the fall you will find
rows of tiny bulblets attached to them. Sometimes

246 THE GOLD MINE

there will be from one to two hundred of these tiny
corms attached to a single bulb. You take these off
and plant them as you would peas the next spring. Of
course these will be like the parent root, while the seed-
lings will give you something new.

We are often asked if paeonies, dahlias, cannas and
other flowers will not mix and change color by being
planted near together. 'Never. This is impossible.
The seeds will of course bring different results, but
merely growing side by side will never effect any
change.

THE FLOWERS.

While in Minneapolis in the summer of 1904 the
florists told me there was no sale for the flowers and
they went begging everywhere. Looking at the blos-
soms I did not wonder, for they were little, out-of-date
affairs. Not much like the grand, full, radiant ones
of more modern types.

The Childs & Groff's hybrids and Burbanks outrank
the old sorts and by constantly selecting seed from the
best there is a chance for great improvement yet.

When the first flowers begin to open, cut off the stem
and put it in water and it will keep on blooming a
long time.

There is an almost infinite number of named sorts.

Arthur Cowee of Berlin, N. Y., is quite a specialist
in this line and sends out a very neat little booklet with
various approved varieties and directions for obtaining
the best results. He has immense fields of them and
seems to keep at the front.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 247

SUCCESSION OF BLOOM.

This can be regulated both by varieties and also by
the time of planting. In a bed of several hundred
some will bloom very early and others late. I have had
them bloom in November while others of the same
planting will blossom early in July. For a succession
plant about the first of May. Plant another lot the
first of June and you can plant again in July. In fact
late blossoms are the best because they come on after
the intense heat of summer has passed. If you wish
the best results while they are blooming in the hottest
part of the season and it is very dry, shelter them with
burlap or muslin.

FORCING THEM.

Having had no experience in this line I quote from
an expert, C. L. Allen, of Floral Park, N. Y. : "The
gladiolus for decorative purposes during the winter
season has of late been considerably used ; many gi'ow-
ers having been very successful in bringing it in at the
proper time, making it a profitable branch of their in-
dustry. This had the tendency to induce others who
had not sufiicient knowledge of its requirements to
make a success of the enterprise, to plant on a large
scale. Like all other undertakings, with hope, rather
than experience as a guide, it has not been as profitable
as might be desired." But a few men have been suc-
cessful, among them John Thorp of Peal Kiver, N. Y.,
who knows the o-ladiolus well and acts accordingly.

248 THE GOLD MINE

The flowers he produced reach the full measure of
their capabilities. We quote what he says:

^'The gladiolus when grown as a forced flower is ap-
preciated to a greater extent than when grown out of
doors. Like many other flowers it is better under the
protection of glass. When well cared for the flowers
are larger, the colors purer, and the spikes longer. To
force them successfully, however, requires attention at
just the right time, and its wants should always be an-
ticipated and supplied. Here is the routine of my
practice. The bulbs I forced this year were also forced
last year. They were planted February 8 and the first
flowers were cut the 30th of May. This year's work
began December 27 by putting each bulb in a four-inch
pot, using sandy loam without manure, and placing the
bulb on top, pressing it down to hold it without any
other covering. They were watered and then placed
under the benches of the carnation house until the be-
ginning of February. At that time those plants which
had grown four inches were brought to light and again
watered. Placing them close together on a bench near
the light, a little water was given them from time to
time, retarding the top growth and encouraging the
root action as much as possible.

"My soil is rather of a heavy sandy loam, and in this
the bulbs were planted ; the depth of the bed being a lit-
tle over four inches. The bulbs were scarcely covered
at this time and this I find prevents the plants from
damping off during the dull days when they have com-
menced to grow rapidly. By the middle of March each

IN THE FRONT YARD. 249

plant was tied separately to prevent its falling over. A
light mulching of stable manure was then put on and
well watered.

^'Three things I find necessary to successfully force
the gladiolus:

^Tirst — The pots must be well filled with roots before
the plants are finally set out in the benches.

''Second — The nearer the bulbs are to the surface the
less liable the plants are to damp off.

"Third — The bulbs must be well ripened before us-
ing.''

You will note the entirely different system used in
the greenhouse or indoors. In this case you plant near
the surface. In the open you must plant at least four
inches deep.

UNNAMED VARIETIES.

These are very numerous. I think the better way
is to get choice mixtures. They come cheaper and you
get the different shades and colors. Different dealers
I note advertise the Groff, the Child's, Lemoine and
Burbank mixtures, and they are all fine and come
cheaper than the named sorts.

SOME POPULAR KINDS.

Canary Bird is a large fine yellow flower.

Shakespeare is called one of the best. Flowers large
on a long spike, creamy white, with delicate carmine
rose tintings and quite a blotch on the lower divisions.

La Candeur is fine and large with strong spikes well
lined with beautiful blooms, nearly white.

250 THE GOLD MINE

Romulus is very early, dark red, with pure white
blotches.

Isaac Buchanan is clear yellow.

John Bull is white.

Napoleon III is a bright scarlet flower striped with
creamy white.

A good way is to get the finest mixtures. Mark the
best when you take up the roots. Save the bulblets from
them and keep them separate. ]!^ame them if you
choose. Keep at it year after year and you will soon
have quite a stock. If you wish entirely new ones save
seed from the very choicest and begin at the founda-
tion and develop something entirely new.

CANNAS.

There is a growing interest in these flowers. They
make an imposing appearance in the garden. At first
they were used largely for foliage effect. The leaves
are large, and some deep green, some light green and
others of bronze color. But great improvements have
been made of late years so that now they are highly
prized for their blossoms as well. They are not of
much value as cut flowers, but for imposing effect of
bloom and foliage they are not surpassed.

When you have a collection put the rankest growers
in the rear. The Pillar of Fire is immense in growth
and a fine bloomer. Plant next to this those of slower
growth, then come down to the dwarfs and you have a
stairway of beauty, rising till they reach the Pillar of
Fire, which overlooks them all.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 251

They multiply rapidly. One root may have 15 or
20 divisions. You separate, these and plant about the
first of May or earlier perhaps, as it takes some time
for them to come up. It is sometimes difficult to keep
the roots. Of course being tropical plants, they never
get ripe. They are always killed down by the frost and
of course the roots are green. If they get too dry they
do not like it, and if too wet they will rot. You must
watch them and perhaps bring them out and air them
on mild days in winter. They are much harder to
keep than the dahlia, which you can treat as you would
potatoes. I have received the latter when almost en-
tirely dried up, but they would grow all right. Cannas
should be planted four or five inches deep in very rich
ground. Put them about 18 inches or two feet apart.
They must have rich ground as they are rank feeders.
If very dry you had better mulch heavily if you can-
not water them.

RAISING FROM SEED.

This is an easy matter. Some will put seeds in a
pot and start them early. I have planted, however, in
the open in the latter part of April and had blooms
of marvelous beauty and heavy roots the first year.
Some were fully up to many of the named sorts. Some
were fiery scarlet, others were red and gold, some yel-
low and highly freckled— in short there was a menag-
erie of beauty and a perfect surprise of loveliness.

The seeds are very hard. I brought water to the
boiling point and then took it off a few moments to

252 THE GOLD MINE

take off keen edge, then poured it on and stirred rapidly
for several minutes ; then covered them up and left them
standing a day or two and had a beautiful stand. Soak-
ing in quite warm water a few days and changing the
water twice a day will do well and you take no risk of
overheating. Plant about two inches deep in light fine
soil.

The following are described by & Co., Tarry-

town-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. :

Mrs. Kate Gray — This is an extraordinarily grand
canna in every way. Flowers are of gigantic size, meas-
uring six inches in diameter, much larger than Italia
or any of the Italian varieties. The Italian varieties,
in fact, are not to be compared with this variety in any
way — size of flower, freedom of bloom, or substance —
the flowers of this variety lasting as well as almost any
of our leading standard sorts. In color, the flowers are
very brilliant, deep orange, round and full, and are
thrown high above the foliage, making them very showy
and effective. It is one of the most effective bedders
we have. It is a very free bloomer, and bears a large
number of flowers on each spike. It is also a very
strong grower, and would be valuable on account of its
beautiful and luxuriant foliage alone, which is tropical
in its luxuriance, much resembling the Abyssinian Ba-
nana; but added to this are its gigantic flowers, borne
in large clusters, towering on large flower spikes high
above the foliage, and produced in the gTeatest pro-
fusion, l^otwithstanding its immense size, it is as free
a bloomer as any of our best standard sorts. All who

IN THE FRONT YARD. 253

have seen it in our grounds the past summer unite in
pronouncing it the finest thing in cannas sent out for
a long time.

Pennsylvania — Another new, grand, giant-flowered
variety, fully as large as Mrs. Kate Gray and an
equally free and abundant bloomer, but entirely distinct
in color, being a deep, rich scarlet.

Betsy Ross — We consider this the finest pink canna
ever introduced. It is a fine, strong grower and an
exceedingly free bloomer, flowers being borne on large,
erect trusses, held well above the foliage.

Buttercup — Almost absolutely pure golden, or but-
tercup yellow — pure yellow except for the very faintest
possible markings on the lower petal. Very free bloom-
er, producing large and handsomely formed flowers on
large trusses, which are always bright and clean. This
variety is valuable on account of its exceedingly bright
color, and particularly so on account of its very dwarf
habit, growing not over three feet high — about the same
height as Pierson's Premier — giving us a first-class
dwarf yellow sort, which has long been needed.

Black Beauty — By far the handsomest of all the
dark-leaved cannas. While the flower is insignificant,
the exceeding beauty of the foliage more than compen-
sates for this, and where foliage effect alone is desired,
nothing richer and handsomer can be found. Foliage
is large and massive, of the richest bronzy purple color,
shaded with black, with beautifully crimped or undu-
lating edges. Foliage is almost as rich and striking in
color as a dracena.

254 THE GOLD MINE

Pandora — A rich dark-leaved variety — as highly col-
ored and as glossy as a dark-leaved dracena. 'Next to
Black Beauty, the most beautiful dark-leaved variety.
Besides its beautiful foliage, it is a large-flowered vari-
ety of the Italian type, with flowers as large as Italia
or Austria, scarlet marked with orange, — almost the
same color as Mrs. Kate Gray.

Tarrytown, the Finest of all Cannas — This variety
sent out four years ago for the first time, was very
highly recommended, but we are glad to state that it
has exceeded our anticipations in every Avay; we be-
lieve we can justly claim it is the finest canna
for bedding grown today. No variety approaches it for
display. The flowers are large but its particular value
lies in the earliness with which it blooms, the abun-
dance of flowers produced, its branching habit, and the
lengths of time the flowers remain after they open.
Another point of superiority is the fact that the flowers
are thrown well above the foliage, and the heads of
bloom are held very evenly, and so freely produced that
the foliage is almost hidden. One characteristic of this
variety which largely gives it its value is its wonderful
branching habit, two or three spikes of flowers being
in bloom on the same stem at the same time, producing
a mass of bloom. The flowers, which are an exceeding-
ly brilliant carmine crimson, have decidedly more sub-
stance than any other variety, and last for an unusually
long time. The stem carries no withered, dried-up
flowers, but is always bright, clean and fresh. There
is so much substance to the flowers that heavy wind and

IN THE FRONT YARD. 255

rain storms liave no effect upon them, leaving them
bright and fresh, when other varieties have been knocked
to pieces. It is a fine, strong, healthy gi'ower of moder-
ate height. InTo variety compares with it in any way
for a constant, continuous display; it is perfectly safe
to say that it showed six times as many flowers for the
same amount of space as any other variety in our fields.
Wherever it was planted, it stood out prominently
among the best. Many canna experts who have visited
our trial grounds invariably pronounce Tarrytown un-
questionably the finest of all bedding cannas introduced
up to this time. It cannot be praised too highly. It is
as much ahead of all other cannas today for bedding
as Mme. Crozy was ahead of all its contemporaries at
the time of its introduction. '^N'otwithstanding the fact
that this variety has been offered for four years, the
demand for it last season exceeded the supply.

Rosemawr — A grand pink variety. Rich shade of
soft rosy pink, slightly dappled with deep rose. One
of the freest-blooming cannas that we have, either in-
side or out. Flowers are very large and of good shape,
with broad, well-rounded petals, frequently two inches
across and uncommonly thick and of good substance,
and the trusses are enormous. Dwarf habit, averaging
about three feet in height. A wonderfully fine acquisi-
tion; no up-to-date collection is complete without it.
It occupies the front rank among cannas of any color.

NEWER AND SCARCER SORTS.

Improved Pillar of Fire — An exceedingly brilliant
variety^ — fiery crimson scarlet. A giant of its class,

256 THE GOLD MINE

growing six to seven feet liigH, and a very free and
early bloomer. Invaluable for centres of beds.

Crimson Bedder — A grand bedding canna. Intense
crimson scarlet, dazzling in the extreme. An exceed-
ingly free bloomer, quite dwarf in habit and very bushy
and when in flower makes a perfect blaze of color. Tew
if any of the newer cannas equal this variety for ef-
fectiveness as a bedder.

L. Patry — Orange salmon, showing a pinkish sheen
on the older flowers — an entirely distinct color; very
bright and effective. Lar^e flower and truss. An ex-
ceedingly free bloomer.

Luray — A very fine new pink^ variety, with flowers
' and trusses of the lararest size. Flowers are as large as
Rosemawr, but are very much darker, being a dark rose-
pink. An exceedino^ly free bloomer, and a fine thing
in every respect.

Martha Washington — A grand new pink canna with
extra large flowers. Yery deep, bright pink. Most of
the flowers have five petals, which are very broad and
long. Trusses are of the largest size, and are perfectly
erect. A grand variety. Yery distinct and very su-
perior.

Michel Favrichon — An exceedingly free and early
bloomer and a very strong grower. Flowers are ex-
ceedingly large and very showy ; bright orange, slightly
shading to carmine and dotted with carmine.

Philippe Rivoire — Bright scarlet, mottled and tinged
with carmine, with a very narrow golden margin. Yery

IN THE FRONT YARD. 257

handsome and distinct flower. Eather tall grower with
beautiful foliage. Free bloomer.

Souv. de Mme. ^ardj — A beautiful mottled variety
— bright golden yellow, heavily spotted with the most
intense scarlet. The variegation is similar to that of
Florence Vaughan, but the colors are much deeper and
brighter. It is entirely distinct • from Florence
Vaughan and is one of the most beautiful variegated
cannas ever raised. Tall grower.

Pres. Max Michelli — This is the finest and largest
flowered of all the dark-leaved varieties. Bright orange-
scarlet, shaded carmine, with bright carmine splashings.
FlowTrs are as large and fine as any of the green-
leaved cannas. Dwarf grower.

Admiral Avellan — A fine dark-leaved canna. An
exceedingly free and early blooming variety, being a
mass of color all summer. Deep orange, much darker
than J. D. Cabos. Fully as free a bloomer as Egan-
dale and considerably taller.

Alphonse Bouvier — One of the earliest, showiest, and
freest blooming varieties grown today. Tall groAver;
under good cultivation grows from seven to eight feet
high. The heads of bloom are of the largest size, bril-
liant scarlet crimson; very effective.

Alsace — The only white variety; the nearest ap-
proach to a pure white canna yet introduced. Flowers
at first are a light sulphur yellow, changing to a rich
creamy wdiite. Flow^ers are not so large as some, but it
is an immense bloomer, being loaded with blossoms all
through the season.

258 THE GOLD MINE

Beaute de Poitevine — A fine dwarf, compact grower.
Flowers are of good size, crimson scarlet, with no shad-
ing of any kind. A free bloomer, throwing up large
trusses of bloom. Foliage is very distinct — ^glaucous
green.

Egandale — This is a dwarf, very compact, free-
blooming dark-leaved variety. Foliage is dark greenish
maroon; flowers bright cherry. An exceedingly free
bloomer, and a favorite sort.

F. N'euvessel — A fine dark-leaved variety; foliage
is very handsome. Orange scarlet flowers, showing a
pinkish tinge on the older blooms. Tall grower and
very free bloomer.

Florence Vaughan — A very effective and showy va-
riety. Flowers are of the largest size, brilliant yellow
spotted with scarlet. This is the finest variety of its
color and the standard spotted sort today.

Mile. Berat — This is a pink canna of French origin.
Dark carmine pink. Heads of bloom are held erect
and well above the foliage. A showy, effective bedder.
Tall grower and exceedingly free bloomer.

Mme. Crozy — Scarlet, with golden edge. This va-
riety is the one that tended to popularize this beautiful
class of plants, and is still considered very desirable.

Philadelphia — Exceedingly brilliant; a bright, glow-
ing crimson, very rich and velvety. It is very early,
very dwarf, and a very profuse bloomer. Extra good
and extra desirable in every way.

President Cleveland — A fine, compact, vigorous
grower, throwing up numerous flower spikes of im-

Mrs. Roosevelt Dahlia.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 261

niense trusses and flowers of very large size. One of the
showiest varieties. Color, bright orange scarlet — about
the same shade as Eobt. Christie.

Duke of Marlborough — Darkest of all cannas — very
dark crimson. Very free bloomer and a tall, strong
grower. Very desirable.

Souv. d'Antoine Crozy — This is a superb variety in
every respect, and is one of the very finest that we have
today. In color it is an intense, vivid scarlet, bordered
with a narrow band of the deepest golden yellow, the
yellow border intensifying the brilliancy of the scarlet.
The effect of a group of these flowers in the sunlight
is dazzling. It is an exceedingly free bloomer. The
heads of bloom are very large, and the flowers are re-
tained upon the spike more than an ordinary length of
time. It grows about six feet high. Those who wish
to have the best cannas should certainly have this va-
riety.

THE DAHLIA.

AVhen the procession of the earlier flowers, like the
tulips, columbines, paeonies and roses have passed by,
we need a companion to the glorious phlox which falls
into the line and cheers us till frost comes.

Today is the 20th of October, and before my
window are great masses of Dahlias in full bloom.
They commenced in June. They give off an immense
amount of cheer. They are easy to raise, and can be
kept like potatoes through the winter.

The Dahlia, more, perhaps, than any other flower,
shows the wonderful skill and patience of the florist.

262 THE GOLD MINE

It was first discovered in Mexico by Baron Humbolt
and was sent by him to the botanical gardens of Madrid.
It was named Dahlia in honor of a noted botanist, Dahl.
After its first introduction it seems to have dropped out
of sight. It was reintroduced into Holland, the land of
flowers, in 1804. It was single at first and I suppose
there were almost countless efforts made to improve it
and finally after long experiments a double form re-
warded the florist. Then improvements followed thick
and fast untibwe have the almost infinite varieties of
form and color. Almost every shade but the blue has
been produced. There is growing in Mexico the Dahlia
Excelsa, which grows 30 feet high, covered with a pro-
fusion of bloom. Dahlia Imperialis is a distinct spe-
cies growing 10 to 15 feet high with fine branching,
treelike form, producing in the fall pure white droop-
ing, lilylike flowers three inches in diameter. Of
course these last named are too tender for our north-
ern climate, and the seasons are not long enough for
their development.

A few years ago there w^as a decline in the demand
for this flower. But as prosperity returned and the love
of flowers has grown, a need was manifest for a flower
which would reach from the paeony to the time of frost
and so the want grew and the Dahlia grew to match it ;
till now one man in ISTew Jersey has 80 acres and the
flowers were sold by one firm in Philadelphia.

Our small cities and country towns are very slow to
take up things of merit. Flowers may be ever so beau-

IN THE FRONT YARD. 263

tiful, but if they are not roses or carnations from the
greenhouse there is little call for them, while the larger
cities appreciate things on their merit.

For cut floAvers some of the finer forms are of ex-
quisite beauty and the marvelous variety of shape and
color make them all that v^e can ask for.

PROPAGATION.

There are four methods. Division of roots, by cut-
tings, by grafting, and by seeds. Increasing by cut-,
tings and grafting is done mostly in greenhouses. The
other two processes can be used by the amateur, for they
are very simple.

One day I was in the store of a florist in Omaha and
a lady asked : ''Why won't my Dahlias grow. I sepa-
rated the roots and planted the tubers ; but not more
than a fourth grew at all." The florist replied, ''Were
you careful to have a bud on every root ?"

"N^o ; I never thought it necessary."

"Things can't ^row without a- head," was the reply.
^NTow a large paeony root, broken off near the crown
forming a ]>erfect tuber, will take a year to put a
head on itself; but the dahlia cannot do this and so
must have a head to begin with. Note this then : in
dividing your clumps have a bud with every tuber and
if some tubers have no eyes leave them to help out
those that have, thereby giving it extra force. Take up
your roots in the fall before the hard freezes or frosts
come on. Dry them and store them in a cool cellar
where they will not freeze. If there is danger of the

264 THE GOLD MINE

frost creeping in, take a box, line it with paper, wrap up
your roots in paper and carefully " store them away.
Throw loose paper on the top and put some old blanket
over them.

They should be planted as early in the spring as it
will do, about the first of May. Put them in about
four inches deep.

They are rank feeders and do best on the richest
ground. If you cannot water them thoroughly, then
irrigate with the hoe, by giving the best of cultivation.

Dahlias love the sun and cannot thrive in the shade,
SO' give them a good chance.

SUPPORTS.

Usually frames are made. for them, but for extensive
cultivation this is not feasible. Instead, they are se-
verely trimmed. When the branches appear cut them
back as you would in planting a young apple tree. This
makes them grow more stocky. I find this system
works well where they stand in exposed places. They
adjust themselves to the winds like a tree out in the
pasture. But if they are planted rather close in seclud-
ed places the stems will be weak and they, must have
supports.

VARIETIES.

There are two general divisions, the single and double,
and these again are subdivided.

Tlie doubles are grouped in sections something like
the following:

The Cactus — These have peculiar petals quilled and

Cactus Dahlia.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 267

twisted, having a shape entirely unique and different
from anything else. I give a few of the leading va-
rieties :

Alpha is mainly white, sprinkled with purple, crim-
son and lilac.

Beatrice is deep rose color, with long pointed petals.

Cinderella is beautiful flame-like crimson.

Gabriel is described by Peacock as follows: ''The
ground color is soft velvety crimson, having a faint
cinnamon hue at the bases of the florets. The upper
part of each floret for about half its length is snow
white. A very showy flower."

Henry F. Mitchell is very large and irregular in
form with colors varying from soft yellow to intense
orange red.

Juarezi is the mother of the cactus group. It is
deep scarlet, with long, narrow, twisted petals.

Lady Penzance is pure yellow, with long twisted
petals.

^liss A. ^Nightingale is deep yellow, tipped red and
semi-double.

Matchless is a dwarf, strong and vigorous, of branch-
ing habit, flowers large, rich, varnished crimson, over-
laid with maroon. Quite early, and a wholesale
bloomer.

Sea Queen is purplish, with a bluish sheen.

Spitflre is scarlet, with clawlike petals.

I give only a few of the 120 mentioned by Mr. Pea-
cock— just enough to give an idea of the character of

268 THE GOLD MINE

the family. If a man has 80 acres, as he has, in Dah-
lias, he can take care of the whole group, but the rest
of us with small spaces must be content with a few sam-
ples.

Then there is an extended list of the

DECORATIVE DAHLIAS.

These have large flowers and are very imposing in
appearance and I have watched them with much inter-
est.

Over forty-five kinds are named and these are not
all; for new ones have been added all along.

Black Beauty is a fine maroon. It is of such deep
color as to be almost black.

Clifford W. Burton has large golden flowers. I have
watched them unfolding till late in October. They are
fine and symmetrical, like a large chrysanthemum. In
color bright, clear yellow and the flowers are continuous
and very large.

Maid of Kent is cherry red, tipped with white.

Mrs. Roosevelt is a large flower of superior beauty.
The blossoms are double — six inches or more across.
The color is delicate bluish white.

William Agnew is a great favorite. Flower seven
inches across, full center, fine form, color clear shade
of intense red.

SHOW DAHLIAS.

These are of compact ball shape. Some of them are
wonderful in their exquisite tinting and shadings. It
would not seem possible that so much delicate beauty

Mars — Bright, Rich Cactus Dahlia.

Decorative Dahlias.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 271

could be crowded into a ball of loveliness. About 75
kinds are given with their varying shades. We can
give only a few of them. On our own grounds these
have been the most satisfactory of all; though some
kinds have been sent out too insignificant in size and
so dull in color as to have no real merit and they might
as well be discarded.

Aleta is fine, light pink in color, flow^ers in balls,
moulded in perfect form. It is one of the first to bloom
and after the 20th of October I have seen it loaded
with a profusion of flowers. It seems very conscien-
tious, as if it had to be done.

Beauty is snow white and of perfect form.

Golden Canary is clear yellow of very fine shape, a
perfect flower and profuse bloomer.

Honest John is brilliant maroon, richly shaded and
often mottled with black.

Queen Victoria is one of our best golden ones.

Storm King is new, a symmetrical white flower. It
is in great demand as a cut flower.

FANCY DAHLIAS.

This group is set aside as another class, something
like the last mentioned only on a larger scale. Many
of them are almost indescribable in their beauty. Some
have marvelous edgings, tintings and touches of re-
markable shadings. Some are variegated with ex-
quisite blendings of colors.

American Flag has ground color of pure white, with

272 THE GOLD MINE

a border of deep red and sometimes bars of red striping
with the white.

Elegans is rosy red, banded white.

Olympia is one of the finest of this attractive group.
It is six inches in diameter. The color is rose pink,
striped and edged with crimson.

About 40 kinds are given in this group.

POMPON DAHLIAS.

These are of dwarfish habits, profuse bloomers and
have a rich variety of colors.
Then we have

THE DWAEF CLASS.

These are used for borders.

Then there comes the Pigmy or Tom Thumb fam-

Then there is a very large family of Single Dahlias.
Another class are called Orchid Flowers.

STILL ATs^OTHER CLASS.

are called collarette, because the flowers all wear col-
lars.

KEEPING CUT FLOWEES.

E'early the same rules must be followed as in the
preparation of paeony blooms for market.

Remove all the neighboring buds and side shoots.
Leave the foliage on the stem to which the flower be-
longs, then put the stem in water and allow it to ab-

Decorative Dahlia.

IN THE FRONT YARD. 275

Horb its fill. You can then pack and ship or put them
on exhibition.

There is a great future for these flowers. The ama-
teur has a wide field in sowing seeds, and watching
new developments. In fact it is hard to keep up with
.tlie pace this flower has set for us.

We prefer perennials if possible. We plant them
and they stay planted, but the ease with which these
are propagated, the immense returns they give for
good cultivation, and the little care required in carrying
the roots over will make them favorites. They are rank
feeders and require plenty of room.

In planting, put the largest and strongest in the
background. Then those of less growth. Then put the
Tom Thumbs at the front, so you can take in the whole
at a glance.

A rAPvTING WORD TO THE PIONEERS.

Brothers, we have worked hard in carving out a
new empire. We are of the West and a part of it.
We have seen it grow from childhood to stalwart man-
hood and have done what we could to make it ffrow.
We are now^ on the down hill way, and we cannot climb
back again. We have earned the right to be rich and
to enjoy ourselves. But there are treasures outside of
gold and stocks and bonds. He is the rich man who
is contented with a pleasant home and is out of debt.
I note that often the farmer leaves his home and moves
into town where he is often restless and dissatisfied.
If he stayed by his farm to the last and beautified and

276 THE GOLD MINE

adorned it, he would keep himself young among his
flowers and life would have an enjoyment he cannot
find on a narrow town lot. For myself I have heen a
hardworking man. I began life in Minnesota in 1857.
I was there when the state was born. I am 72 years
of age, but I cannot feel that I am growing old. I seem
standing on the borders of eternal youth. True, my
feet move more slowly and I cannot match the full
vigor of my prime, but the soul is young. I am going
towards the sunset, towards the ^^golden gate''; but it
is not a dreary or wintry way.

Often have you watched the glowing splendors of
the evening, when the stately clouds like heaven's own
sentinels escort the retiring day to his chambers in the
west. What brush can portray those inspiring displays ;
what pen can describe the robing of the clouds. It is as
if the choicest gems of earth were melted together and
then piled up in mountain vastness. There are great
masses of opal, amethyst and gold, and beyond the
fields of sapphire the scene is glory, set on fire, and the
vast procession trailing its splendors seems as if escort-
ing a conquering soul into the eternal joy.

ISTo, this is not old age; it is but the promise of an-
other morning.

"We all do fade as a leaf." But how do the leaves
fade? Go into some of our mountains after the touch
of the frost and the whole landscape is a splendid gar-
den robed in indescribable loveliness. What a rich
blending of color. The gold of the maples, the purple

IN THE FRONT YARD. 277

of the oak and cherry and all the shades and tints of
the other trees of the forest give us such a picture as
only gifted nature herself can paint.

And yet this resplendent golden summer of the year
is called the symbol of death.

We have much to do in adding to the pleasure and
happiness of our declining years. As the day is closed
by the resplendent curtains of the clouds, so we can
make the hither shore a promise and a prophecy of
what lies beyond. You can gloomily wait by the river
in a barren land or you can wait in fields Ely si an amid
the fragrance and beauty of the choicest tributes which
earth can cast at your feet. You are already heir of
all things, and have had your coronation here of ^^riches
and honor.'' Hovering over and around you are the
choice tributes of the infinite love. Why not reach
out and take them ? You are sons of a king ; better be
princes than beggars. Time is the porch of eternity.
Earth is preparatory to heaven. We strive to have our
souls in accord with the peace and the purity, the har-
mony and sweetness of the heavenly state. Why not
educate also for the beauty of heaven ?

Stand on the threshold of the future. Listen to the
salutations of the universe, ''All things are yours."
Think of a home whose foundations are gems, whose
dome is sapphire, whose walls are jasper, with gates of
pearl, with opal sea flashing in the supernal brightness,
with streets gold paved, with a mansion built by the
hand wdiich hung those mantles on the suns, which
touched so deftly the petals of the flower, which put
those tints on the clouds.

278 THE GOLD MINE

Then look out on the vastness, on the boundless
abysses of glory, where the stars are the bouquets of
God, where the infinite fields are gardens of flowers
sprinkled] with stars of various hues, and is there nothing
to be learned here of the beauty of our Lord ?

So fill the closing days with cheer. Let beauty leap
from your brain and fall from your hands. Use your
creative powers. Show your birthright by making the
earth smile with gladness. Be yourself a creator of
the beautiful. Call forms of loveliness from the sun-
beam, from the rainbow, which is ready to melt and
dissolve in beautiful bloom for your enjoyment. It is
wrong to let God's great unseen processions of beauty
pass by without a recognition.

It is Avrong to take a piece of God's fair earth and
let it go to weeds or simply raise from it something
to feed the stomach, and raise nothing for the soul.

There is that patient wife, mother of your children.
What a woman she has been ; how heroic she was when
you were starting in life; how meager the fare; how
she suffered with the cold. More than once tears came
to your eyes as von thought of her privations. 'Now
the battle is won, and to her soul has come a great long-
ing for the beautiful. E'o queen more worthy than she.
You can plant trees which will nod her welcome, you
can have a soft carpet of green for her weary feet, you
can plant flowers which will rise up and call her bless-
ed, which all summer will put themselves on dress pa-
rade for her and worship her with their incense. Why
not have a little pleasure in your old age ?

IN THE FRONT YARD. 279

Again let the farmer keep his soul and liis speech
clean. When I was a boy and men used to change work
in threshing time it was awful. They seemed to vie
with each other in using the foulest language and he-
fore the boys at that, and as the result many of the
sons grew up vile and debased and lived in the base-
ment rather than in the upper story of farming.

The farmer works with God. The one furnishing
the capital, the other the labor, and thus the world is
fed. He of all men lives the nearest to Grod. And
when he receives his warranty deed from Him and
from the United States government he is under the
highest obligation to make the most of himself, of his
family and of his farm. He should see that his children
are brought up clean and not weakened by debasing
habits. Surroundings have much to do in the develop-
ment of character. I would much rather children
would be brought up in beautiful grounds where beauty
and purity would greet them every^vhere than in a
yard which Avas the home of pigs and a hospital for
sick machinery.

There is no farm in the great Northwest which can-
not be greatly improved and made homelike. A man
should have an ambition to make the most possible of
his home. It should not be an eyesore and a plague
spot. It should match the greenness of the fields, the
beauty of the prairie and forest and the repose of the
waters and all the loveliness of nature, and so, my
brother, you will fix up, won't you?

^ C. State Collet

THE END.

•

MsM