SHIRLEY POPPIES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 2

SHIRLEY POPPIES.

llioro are few nioro-delightful annuals for the town gardeu than theso o'hann■mg poppies, provided {hat the plants aro thinned out sufficiently to allow them to branch and develop their full powers of flower production (states a writer in a southern exchange!. Although the individual blooms aro extremely fugacious, the succession, is persistent as long as tho fading flowers aro promptly removed. For use as cut flowers the buds should bo secured prior to expansion, as they open i'reelv in water and last a fair time. When tho plants begin to show signs of passing their best, tho soil should ho heavily watered with clear water, and an hour or two subsequently with weak liquid manure; as soon afterwards as tho surface has become dry enough it should be pricked over with a small handfork or a pointed stick. It must- not bo assumed that this will completely restore the plants, but it is usually effectual in ensuring a further supply of blooms. If it is desired to havo Shirley poppies late in the summer, seeds sowii now and tho seedlings thinned early and widely enough apart will provide splendid results. Tin; soil must bo deeply worked and moderately firm, but it should not be made 'excessively rich by the addition of natural manure.