m. It is well to hold this in
mind--that if plants are hurried along too fast, the flowers suffer in
size. Small, inferior flowers result from such treatment. Pansies have a
habit of running out--that is, the flowers grow smaller each year. It is
merely a warning to keep making new sowings in order that one may always
have large, vigorous blooms.

"Choice seed of this flower is very expensive. It is a plant that some
florists have put all their time upon. It has seemed to certain men that
one of the greatest things in the world, is to find out ways of
improving the plants of the earth. So certain fruits are crossed to make
new and better ones; and certain flowers are being constantly worked
over to get superior strains. Sweet peas, pansies, stock, and dahlias
are plants which have been much improved by man's skill.

"Larkspur is one of those plants which children so rarely try. I have
wondered often why. It is not hard to raise, and so I am hoping that
some of you will try it another season. The larkspur is a hardy plant,
and there are both annuals and perennials in this family. Some varieties
are dwarfed, and grow only a foot and a half high, while others grow
five feet in height. This latter growth is very charming in the
background of the garden. The flower spikes are showy and the foliage
pretty. The larkspur likes a pretty rich sort of soil. The seed is very
slow in germinating, and that is reason enough for fall planting. The
stay over winter gives these fussy seeds time to make up their minds to
germinate. This sowing should be done after the middle of October.

"Really charming blue flowers are a bit difficult to find because we
have fewer blue flowers than those of the reds and yellows. Do not get
the impression that larkspurs are only blue in colour. There are yellow,
pink, red, and white varieties. But the blue is very fine. So when you
are thinking of high flowers for backgrounds, keep the larkspur in mind.

"Hollyhock is another good background plant, because of its height and
sentinel-like effect. It sows itself, so will take care of itself.
Perennial phlox is well to put into the garden. Helianthus, I have
mentioned, as suitable for backgrounds. It has a rather bad habit of too
free spreading.

"Peonies are very satisfactory. I am sure you will all want some of
them. They look their best planted in clumps. A certain pink and white
peony is called the rose peony. It is sweet scented, and when in blosso