The Spring Garden

The Spring Garden By Thomas G. Harrison The efforts put forth by the Relief Societies two years ago in promulgat- ing a Home Beautification Campaign are being crowned with success. In many wards flower shows have been held this summer, the beautiful dis- plays have thrilled all who saw them. It has been most difficult (when it has fallen to my lot to give the awards) to place the blue ribbons, as the exhibits were of such uniformly high quality. It was my privilege to assist in the organization of the "Salt Lake Flower Garden Club," which every spring sponsors a flower show, the leaders of our Church having always, by their presence, shown a keen interest in the exhibits. The purpose of this message is to encourage the planting of Holland bulbs, which can only be done at this season of the year or before the ground begins to freeze. The most popular of these are the Breeder and Darwin tulips. These beautiful, long-stem- med flowers now come in every con- ceivable shade. The Cottage tulips are also a favorite with many planters; they, too, have long stems, but the shape of the flower differs from the Darwin type in that the petals are pointed — lily-like. These three va- rieties are glorious when planted in close proximity to the early spring flowering shrubs. Many a tulip blooms to blush un::en because it lacks suitable environment. Shrubbery or walls may form the background, or adjacent and harmonious foliage will add to their glory. From the wide range of spring flowering shrubs one can hardly make a mistake in selecting background. Or it may be that the flowers of the her- baceous plants that bloom simulta- neously with the tulip will help create the necessary harmonious or contrast- ing en 'ironment. The narcissi family of bulbs are fast gaining in popular- ity. Once planted, they can remain ire the ground for years. They are most effective when planted in groups, one' kind in a group. The daffodil is per- haps the best known of the narcissi. I recommend the planting of some Sulphur Phoenix, White Lady, Sir Watkins, Barri Conspicuous, Orange Phoenix, Lucifer, Laurens Koster, and Poet Horace bulbs as valuable addi- tions to your narcissi collection. To improve your daffodils, get some King Alfred. Spring Glory, Tresserne, and Van Waverens giant. These produce monster flowers and are a great im- provement on the Emperor and Em- press type. The narcissi bloom in April, many weeks before the long- stem tulips. "A mist o'er the blue sky, With a falling of rain, That gleams like spun silver And it's April again. "With Daffodil sunshine And Daffodil flowers. Then time becomes golden Between sudden showers. "With gold and silver Of sun and the rain. Rejoice that you're living. When it's April again." — Lyman. Use your shady places in which to plant narcissi. Many yards have nooks and sheltered corners which can be used to good advantage and a suc- cession of flowers can be had, because these spots will produce later bloom. Try planting some daffodils in your violet, pansy and myrtle beds, also in your sunny petunia or verbena beds where, after the foliage of the daf- fodils have died down, these other flowers will carpet the ground. Try

1028 IMPROVEMENT ERA Oct.. 1929 some narcissi in your rock gardens — around your lily pools, along the streams or ditches which may run through your grounds. Like the tulip, the narcissi are at home grouped among the perennial plants. The hyacinths should find a place in every yard. This wonderfully fragrant flower is used more in formal plantings, for edges, designs, etc., but nothing catches the eye quicker than a few groups of different hue of these charming flowers planted informally. Plant some yellow and blue crocus in /your lawn in groups or along its borders or scatter them around every- where in front of your shrubs. The Frittalaria or Crown lily is another Holland bulb worthy of a place in every garden. It blooms at the same time as the hyacinth and narcissus. Try some Madonna lilies. These may be termed the hardy Easter Lily. They come from France and must go into the ground in the fall and will give a bountiful fragrant bloom in June. For those who want a real surprise, plant some Dutch, Spanish and Eng- lish Iris. These are the bulbous type and no garden is complete without them. When these flowers are put on display in spring, many people get the fever of planting, and are disappointed to learn they have to wait one more year before they can have such blooms in their own yard, as fall is the only time they can be had. Plant the tulips and hyacinths seven inches apart, covering them with four or five inches of soil; narcissi nine to twelve inches apart and cover five or six inches; crocus and iris three inches apart and covered the same. If you want to get some real in- spiration out of your garden, plant some Holland bulbs this fall, and after the long winter get a thrill you never had before when you see the early spring growth pushing out of the ground, a veritable resurrection. Aim High By Joseph S. Peery The active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working for the highest — celestial — degree of glory. We have been shown the way to reach the highest. Our baptism ordinance is the entrance to the kingdom of God — celestial glory. Our missionaries go out to show the world the way. Every temple .ordi- nance relates to celestial glory. An objection was made to this aim: "You 'Mormons' are very selfish to work for the highest degree of glory." We will never make it if we are selfish. We best serve God when we serve his children. We best overcome evil by doing good. The Bible says: "Every man shall receive his own reward ac- cording to his own labor." (1 Cor. 3:8.) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." (Gal. 6:7.) If he aims low he goes low. If he aims high, having consistent works, he goes high. Every day is a judgment day and the heaven we reach will be the heaven we earn. Through the atonement of the Savior, all will be saved from the grave, but our exaltation will depend entirely upon merit. We do not wish to wait a thousand years for our bodies: we are striving to rise in the morning of the first resurrection. In working we have joy. Eternal continuous joy comes in aiming high.