THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



583 



QUERIES and ANSWERS 



IVf believe the greatest good can be a 

 number, by instituting a query column 

 riences, on practical propositions, by ow. 



You are invited to contribute quesiic 



Each question as received ivill be g:z 

 er's name will not be published, but th 

 be given unless otherwise requested. 



We all have something we would like to know more abo 

 is your opportunity to ascertain somebody's experience in 

 matter. 



Nothing will tend to better fellowship than helping each other. 



Take advantage of this "Question Box." 



romptished for the greatest 

 or an exchange of expe- 

 readers, 



s, and answer others, 

 n a number, the question- 

 source of the answer will 



St that 



Can any reader explain to me if it is the case, and 

 why that old seed of melons are preferable to fresh 

 seeds? H., N. Y. 



I have for some time been thinking of answering the 

 question to the best of my ability, why that old seed of 

 melons are preferable to fresh seed? 



As one of practical experience in gardening, with a 

 little knowledge of fruit growing, especially melons, both 

 in this country and England, I may say that I have grown 

 all of the best varieties that I could get hold of and have 

 even crossed and raised some which I think sometimes 

 are superior to a great many I ha\e tested. 



M\- experience with melons and their seeds are to be 

 compared to a true and tried friend. If you get an old 

 and tested one stick to it, as the young ones are too fresh 

 and have no substantial capacity. 



I have an old work entitled Maw's Gardener, which 

 dates back to the year 1823, of which I value a great deal, 

 as it not only gives the true practical experience in gar- 

 dening, but is a work that can be depended upon. It 

 states that one should prefer, seeds of melons from two, 

 three or four years old if possible, as the plants will gen- 

 erally show fruit sooner as well as prove more fruitful 

 than those of new seeds, which are apt to run vigorously 

 to vine, often advancing in considerable length before 

 they show a single fruit. 



I have proved this to be true, and not only to its 

 productiveness, but it is a plant which will so easily cross 

 or degenerate back to a worthless thing if not grown to 

 perfection. 



My experience with melons to get the best results is 

 to secure seed of three or four years old which have 

 been ripened in the sun from plants that have been ex- 

 posed and grown in good soil with but few fruit to the 

 plant. 



James S. B.\cke, Sharon, Conn. 



APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 



National Association of Gardeners 



I hereby apply for Membership ia your Association : ■ 



Name in fall 



Occupation^ 



A ddr ess 



Date 



Reference 



MADISON 



Awarded First Prize at 

 International Rose Shovsr 



From 25 to 250 plants - - - 25 cents each 



250 plants or over - - - - 20 cents each 



AH plants in 4-inch pots. 



A Beautiful White Rose for the Private Grower. 



BRANT-HENTZ FLOWER CO. 



MADISON, N. J. 



Forward Appltation io M. C. EBEL, Secretary, Madison. 

 N. J., -with dues, <which are $2.00 annually, including sub.icrtp- 

 tion io the official organ of the Association. 



EbePs Fertilizer 



A plant food for flowers, vegetables, and 

 fruits, applicable to greenliouse and 

 garden plants. 



An odorless powder, readily soluble in 

 water, applied to soil in liquid form. 



It is quick in action, produces a sturdy 

 growth, develops larger and better 

 blooms. 



Vegetables and fruits frequently retain 

 the flavor of the soils in which they 

 grow. Ebel's Fertilizer, being purely 

 chemical, is void of all animal matter in 

 its crude state and will enable them to 

 get their proper quantity of food in 

 clean sanitary form, allowing them to 

 retain all natural flavors. 



It is unequaled for lawns, tennis courts, 

 and golf links. 



Our formula is not new. It has been 

 thoroughly tried and tested throughout 

 the British Isles for many years and is 

 highly endorsed under other names by 

 the leading horticultural authorities in 

 Great Britain. 



One pound makes 28 to 32 gallons of 

 liquid fertilizer. 



In 100 pound lots — 25 cents per pound. 

 In 50 pound lots — 30 cents per pound. 



Special prices on larger quantities. 

 For Sale by Seedsmen. 



Aphine Manufacturing Company 



Manufacturers of Agricultural Chemicals. 

 MADISON, N. J. 



