118 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



A child loves to have something of its 

 very own, and so should be encouraged 

 and allowed to work out its own ideas 

 without too much supervision. It will 

 learn most by its mistakes. At the same 

 time, too much must not be expected by 

 the elders, or it will become discouraged, 

 and the gardening a pain instead of a 

 pleasure. Children are instinctively utili- 

 tarians in some ways, as is shown by their 

 great desire to help on every t ossible oc- 

 casion. Their impulse to perseverance, as 

 well as joy in succeeding, will be con- 

 siderably helped forward if, by some little 

 well devised scheme, they aie made to feel 

 that whatever they produce will be of use 

 and w'elcomed by somebody. — Exchange. 



S§.^3^§^if?S>CI31^»!&^f 



SEED GROWING AT HOME. 



Although "there is a general belief . . . 

 that the seed obtained north or south or 

 somewhere away from home is better than 

 home grown seed," many experiments have 

 shown "that in nearly all cases the contrar\ 

 is true," says Bulletin 216 of the Maryland 

 station. It assumes that this mistaken no- 

 tion is based on facts that apply to "a feu 

 crops like potatoes, cabbage or spinach, that 

 are grown extensively in regions not 

 adapted to their seed production." Viewing 

 the moot question as to whether the indi- 

 vidual gardener should attempt to grow or 

 save any of his seed, the bulletin says with 

 dispassionate scientific conservatism, "The 

 conditions that favor the growing of seed 

 elsewhere are ; more favorable climatic con- 

 ditions for some crops, less danger of cross- 

 ing where grown on a large scale, some- 

 times freedoiTi from diseases prevalent at 

 home, better trained growers and more 

 economical production where seed growing 

 is the sole interest. — Garden Magazine. 



WHY SEEDS SOMETIMES FAIL 



Of course, bad seeds will not germinate 

 under any treatment. Sometimes, however, 

 good ones fail to do so, even when every 

 convenience exists for their proper treat- 

 ment. There are several causes for failure, 

 namely, sow'ing too deeply, not deep enough, 

 a too wet soil and also a too dry one. Now. 

 to be successful, the reader will at once 

 think that the happy medium inust be se- 

 cured in each case. If it is, there will not 

 be many failures ; but with a certain amount 

 of moisture we must also have heat. If 

 seeds are sown in a very cold soil at this 

 season, many may perish in it. especially it 

 the soil be very wet. Seeds of the more 

 tender kinds of plants require a warmer 

 temperature than those of hardier kinds. 

 Example : Cucumber seeds would decay in 

 the soil if given similar conditions to those 

 of Broad Beans, but the latter would 

 germinate quickly if treated the same as 

 Cucumber seeds. In very hot weather — in 

 summer time — it is absolutely necessary tf 

 give seeds a moister soil than in March. 

 Dust-like seeds — those of Begonias, for ex- 

 ainple — should be sown on a moist surface 

 where coarse sand is plentiful. Celery 

 seeds should have a quarter of an inch of 

 fine soil evenly scattered on them ; Cucum- 

 ber seeds require nearly an inch of soil : 

 Peas rather more ; Broad Beans quite two 

 inches, and so on. The soil must be main- 

 tained in an even state of moisture. Many 

 cultivators cover the seed-vessels with glass 

 and paper. If the covering is removed in 

 good time the young seedlings will not be 

 damaged; but if left on too long — even a 

 day in some cases — the seedlings are much 

 weakened and often die afterwards. Never 

 sow thickly, as crowded seedlings are 

 always weakly. — Exchange. 



I'-Bar Greenhouse built for Mr. Galen L. Stone, Marion, Mass. 

 Ciif>t. Arthur Griffin, .Supt. 



GREENHOUSES OF QUALITY 



Maximum Production 



Minimum Cost of Maintenance 



Light, Strong V-Bar Construction 



Perfect Heating Plant 



Efficient System of Ventilation 



When you visit the Flower Show at Grand 

 Central Palace. New York (March 15th 

 to 21st) be sure to stop in at the V-Bar 

 Greenhouse. We shall be glad to see you. 



WILLIAM H. LUTTON p» 

 COMPANY, INC ■'-' 



SBtEMW/HOUoES 



»«B8^!?1E 



5 1 2 FIFTH AVENUE 

 NEW YORK CITY 



SiyiB^ 



Horsford's 



Cold Weather 



Plants 



I 



w 



I 



i 

 V 



i 



i 



Cold weather 

 plants and 

 lilies must be 

 perfectly fresh 

 w'hen planted. 

 We pack her- 

 baceous plants 

 i n sphagnum 

 moss. Customers say they arrive 

 fresh. All roots of shrubs and 

 trees are dipped in a preparation of 

 wet clay, which excludes the air 

 and prevents drying out. We oflfer 

 a long list of the hardier shrubs, 

 trees, plants, vines, wild flowers, 

 hardy ferns, bulbs, etc. See our 

 new catalogue before placing your 

 spring orders. 



HORSFORD'S NURSERIES 

 Charlotte, Vermont 



THE FLOWER GROWER 



Published Monthly for Amateur and Pro- 

 fessional Flower Growers 

 Subscription price $1 per year — three 

 years for $2 Grow flowers and thus 

 help brighten the pathway and cheer the 

 hearts of many whose nerves are shat- 

 tered by the horrors of war. 

 Mention the "Gardeners' Chronicle" and 

 ask for a sample copy 



MADISON COOPER, Publisher 



CALCIUM, N. Y. 



QUALITY RED POTS 



Made of best material by skilled 

 labor, imifonnly burned and 

 carefully packed. 



Famous "Moss-Aztec" Ware 

 Includes Azalea Pots. Fern 

 Disbe£, Hanging Baskets. Lawn 

 Vases, etc. Write for catalogue 

 and price list. 



PETERS & REED POTTERY CO. 

 So. Zanftsville, Ohio 



