for January, 1920 



405 



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The Month's Work in the Garden | 



JOHN JOHNSON | 



"iiiiiiiiiinii'iii' IK iiiiiniinmiiiimi ii;m iiiiiinii iiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiini i itm i nm i iinnmiimi iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiimiiniiil 



THE writer extends New Year's Greetings to readers 

 of the Chronicle. May this year bring with it 

 increased success, and may the many who have 

 hitherto been denied the pleasures of a garden find op- 

 portunity for the development of their asthetic talents by 

 cultivating gardens during 1920. 



All who have made gardening their life work appre- 

 ciate the advantages of a good start. They realize that 

 it is not too early during January to lay their plans for 

 the year. The importance of this early start is not, how- 

 ever, always appreciated by the amateur or small grower. 

 As soon as the catalogues arrive begin in earnest to pre- 

 pare the seed order. Exercise careful thought in its 

 preparation that everything be included to meet all de- 

 mands for the season, and further, order from the most 

 dependable source. Our leading seedsmen adopt every 

 conceivable means of preserving the productive power 

 of the seeds they handle and it is a matter of ordinary 

 wisdom on the part of garden lovers to patronize repu- 

 table seed firms in preference to the general monger who 

 displays his seed wares in cheap gaudy packages. The 

 aim should always be to place an order with a view to 

 getting the best, for none but seeds of high germinative 

 quality will produce sturdy vigorous stock, no matter 

 how much care is expended later in the plants' life. 



We have always advocated the annual testing of vari- 

 eties listed as novelties, and yet to never discard a variety 

 of proven worth until something better really warrants 

 its displacement : See that the supply of tools, insecti- 

 cides and other sundries is replete to avoid disappoint- 

 ment when anything in this line is actually wanted. 



The work of the month in the average garden must 

 be regulated largely according to weather conditions. 

 Orchard pruning should be done whenever possible and 

 s])raying operations must take a similar course. Methods 

 of pruning are indeed variable but it is safe to say that 

 the old practice of wholesale "heading in" is fast falling 

 into disrejHite. The greater freedom of growth now 

 permitted by fruit growers not only results in a more 

 fruitful tree in the early stages but the tree itself attains 

 greater dimensions in a young state. The .great aim in 

 pruning .should be to control and maintain a projjcr bal- 

 ance of growth. Admit sun and air by thinning out the 

 top growth. Cut out interfering and cross branches and 

 weed imperfect wood. Thus the tree is rendered acces- 

 sible for spraying and fruit picking. If large branches 

 must be removed smear the wounds with tar, or lead 

 l>aint to prevent decay. In old orchards it is often neces- 

 sary to scrape the loose rough bark oiif the trees to eradi- 

 cate insect and fungoid pests. This of course should be 

 done before spraying. However, in orchards which have 

 been spi^ayed annually and otherwise given the required 

 attention, scraping becomes unnecessary. Young trees 

 sometimes suffer injury by the gnawing of rabbits. If 

 the trunks of the trees are likely to be girdled take pre- 

 ventive measures by wrapping the lower portion with tar 

 paper or other protective material. 



Spraying may be done any time during the winter 

 season except when the weather is actually freezing, 

 therefore, select a still dav during a mild period for doing 

 the work. Lime and sulphur is a popular and effective 

 spray, and the miscible oils are also nuich in demand. 

 If attempted, spraying should be done thoroughly. 



Clear snow and ice away from gutters on drives and 

 garden paths to prevent erosion during thaws. Shake 

 newly fallen snow from specimen evergreens to prevent 

 damage, and keep frames clear of snow unless the stock 

 IS in a dormant and frozen condition. Ample protection 

 must be given frames in which lettuce, endive and parsley 

 are growing. Uncover the sash whenever weather per- 

 mits and admit air. Remove decaying foliage and stir 

 the surface soil to keep it sweet and fresh. 



Commence the propagation of bedding stock as helio- 

 trope, verbena, alternanthera, geranium, pentstemon and 

 any other kinds required in quantity. Seeds may be 

 sown of such kinds of Trachelia vinca rosea, tuberous be- 

 gonias, canna and others of slow growth. These re- 

 quire a temperature of 60° to 65° to assure good .ger- 

 mination and should be sown in a light porous compost. 

 Many of the hardly perennials if sown in heat at this time 

 will flower the first season. Hollyhocks succeed well 

 treated in this way particularly in gardens where rust 

 is troublesome. In the case of these plants it is well to 

 remember that a large amount of growth must be pro- 

 duced within a short time so that the treament afforded 

 them should be generous throughout. 



Cabbage, Cauliflower, and lettuce may be sown in gen- 

 tle heat for later transplanting in frames to furnish early 

 supplies, and now is the time to sow onions and leeks of 

 the exhibition type. Tomatoes never come to the table 

 too early in the season and where space can be given a 

 few plants under glass can be grown in almost any 

 fashion to suit the convenience of the grower. A com- 

 post of loam, leaf-mould and sand is suitable for seed 

 sowing and a temperature not lower than 60° should 

 be atiforded if possible. .\n early variety of potatoes may 

 b? started in pots where room can be afforded, although 

 it hardly pays to bother with this crop under glass since 

 .Southern grown potatoes find ready sale in our Northern 

 markets early in the season. Grown in pots potatoes re- 

 (|uire a light rich soil. 



Sharpen pea brush and ]3oles for beans. Tie the brush 

 in bundles and put them together in various sizes so as 

 to have them ready for tise at the proper time. Do 

 everything now which might be calculated to lessen the 

 pressure of work later on. 



Sui-\'ey the home grounds to find out what might be 

 done to imjirove the winter cfifect. Some .shrubs are 

 especially beautiful during the winter with their snow 

 laden twigs hanging in graceful tracery, and many too 

 even at this late date are resplendent with lingering red 

 berries, .\mong the kinds suitable for massing along the 

 boundary line are the Spiraeas, Red-twigged Dogwood, 

 I')eri)cris, Rosa riii;osa, and Scarlet Thorn. Low growing 

 liardy evergreens alwaj'S give to the foundation of build- 

 ings a cheerful appearance, and of these there is a 

 wealth of material upon which to draw. KaJniia lati- 

 folia, Rliododciidroii iiia.viiiia. .\ndromeda in variety, 

 Malwnia aqiiifoliiiiii, and Cotoncaster in variety. In addi- 

 tion to the foregoing there are numerous dwarf conifers 

 as : Ta.rus cuspidata, ftinipcnis sabina, Picca cxcclsa 

 piiinila. Phiiis montana Mughiis and Rctinospora filifcra. 

 Actual i)lanting cannot be done at this time, but in this 

 as in other matters be ready. 



