144 THE PI.ANT WORI^D 



material at the bottom will prevent an excess of moisture. Four hills 

 prepared in this manner will not occupy more than 25 square feet and 

 will supply a small family with an abundance of fruit. 



Strawberries. — While there is some difference of opinion as to the 

 relative merits of the hill or solid-row system of growing strawberries, it 

 seems probable that for a small area the hill system offers advantages. 

 It is easier to cultivate the plants properly and to be certain that the 

 fertilizer comes in direct contact with each individual. Strawberries 

 should not be cropped more than twice, and some growers advocate but 

 a single full crop. If a new bed is to be set, a good stand may be secured 

 by rooting the young plants in small pots during June and July and 

 transferring them as soon as possible. In late fall they should be lightly 

 covered with straw, leaves, or other light material. 



Hellebore for Currant Worms. — Currant and gooseberry bushes are likely 

 to be infested with the destructive currant worm, the bushes often being 

 completely denuded in a few days. This pest may be destroyed by an 

 application of powdered white hellebore, applying it early in the morning 

 when the leaves are wet with dew, or after dampening the bushes with a 

 watering-pot. No fear need be entertained as to poisoning the fruit, for 

 although a poison, it is easily washed from the bushes by the slightest 

 rain, and a washing of the fruit is sure to remove any slight trace that 

 may remain. 



Bedding Begonias. — Bedding begonias are usually of the so-called 

 Vernon type, and are easily raised from seed, which should be sown in 

 flats in March. The plants will be ready to put out by the middle or 

 latter part of May, and if supplied with sufficient water and not too much 

 strong sun will grow rapidly and be in bloom by July. There are vari- 

 ous shades, ranging from pure white through pink to red. A few plants 

 removed before frost in the fall can be kept in an ordinary living-room, 

 and may continue blooming through the entire winter. The flowering is 

 very profuse and the light green succulent foliage and the pure waxy 

 flowers are often very attractive. 



Failure of Narcissus to Bloom. — A correspondent in New York City, 

 Miss Pauline Kaufman, writes to the editor as follows: " During the 

 twenty-two years that we have been living in this house, several clumps 

 of Narcissus, in various situations, have each year shown their willing- 

 ness to bloom, but the buds never fully matured. This spring, for the 

 first time, we have had a flower, and a fine one at that. Is it owing to 

 the heat and rain in the latter part of March and the beginning of April ? 

 During that warm spell I watered the plants when there was no rain, but 

 have never before watered them so early in the season. Next year I will 

 start the watering in March, and judge by results whether they require 

 excessive wet." 



