For May, 1922 



157 



air harmed any plant, provided the plant becomes accus- 

 tomed to it. Plants of all kinds can, I believe, suffer 

 from lack of fresh air as well as human beings and many 

 of them can stand a lower temjierature than the one in 

 which collectors tell us they found them growing in out 

 doors. The illustration on this page is a case in point : 

 a plant of Crotoii Baronnc dc Rothschild, about twenty 

 years old, whose treatment during all that time I have 

 been familiar with. It has been used as a veranda plant 

 from the time it was six years old, from the middle of 

 June until the middle of September every year. Its posi- 

 tion has been on the end of a veranda without anv cov- 



Croton Baronnc dc Rothscluhi. 



ering overhead, no protection whatever, and facing due 

 north. The photo was taken in September when the color 

 was excellent, and the foliage, as can be seen in the pic- 

 ture, was well furnished. The plant has always heen 

 wintered in a palm house where the thermometer stood 

 about 55 degrees, and has never been coddled during its 

 life in a hot. humid atmosphere. Every Fall when it is 

 to be housed, the points are nipped out of all the strong 

 shoots. This has taken place six miles north of Boston. 



The work in the grape house hereafter will largely be 

 routine : pinching main shoots and laterals ; tying and 

 thinning grapes, according to the stage of advancement 

 of the crop. Do not over crop the vines which is more 

 often the tendency, owing, I suppose, to the large amount 

 of surplus bunches that come on a vine. It is hard to 

 advise in this matter when one does not know all the 

 conditions; everyone must learn by experience. In a 

 span roof house, twenty-five feet wide, it is better to be 

 well under thirty pounds to the rod. It takes an expert 

 grape grower to crop a vine to the limit and to come out 

 safely, leaving his canes in good condition for another 

 year.' Houses that are taking on their blooms require 

 abundance of air, top and bottom, on mild days, and 

 should have a free circulation over night. If properly 

 watered when they show signs of coloring, they should 

 ripen their crop without any more. 



Early peaches and nectarines will now be ripening and 

 may be given plenty of air on all favorable occasions. 

 Careful watering must be practiced or the flavor of the 



fruit \\\\\ be affected. On later trees see that the shoots 

 do not overcrowd the trellis and remove all weak surplus 

 growths. 



Melons may be grown in any empty greenhouse that 

 has been used for bedding plants. Sow seeds in small 

 pots. Make little hills of good rich loam on the bench, 

 fifteen to eighteen inches apart. More loam can be 

 added as they grow. Train to one shoot, and set about 

 three fruits to the plant. Blooms must be hand fertilized 

 to make sure of a set all at the same time, so that the 

 fruits on each vine will all swell together. 



If not fruit is grown, be careful that the trees do not 

 sutf'er from lack of water. The plants are always grown 

 in the smallest receptable possible, and must be liberally 

 fed with standard fruit manures. It is better to use 

 variety in stimulants but do not overdo. The directions 

 given by manufacturers are as a rule reliable. Of course. 

 I would not discourage individual experimentation in this 

 line, as much valuable experience is gained thereby. Iso- 

 late a few plants, say an apple, a pear, and a peach tree, 

 etc.. and try them out, but on no account risk your entire 

 crop. Svringe the trees well on all bright days until the 

 fruit approaches the ripening period. 



When the fruit is gathered, give them a thorough spray- 

 ing and l\v the end of June they may be set out doors to 

 ripen the wood for next season. Have them always near 

 water, as thev will require attention several times a day. 



Keep a note book, and make original observations, as 

 plant growth is a wide field to work on, especially under 

 artificial conditions. Keep your ears open for hints from 

 others, for sometimes a very poor grower will drop use- 

 ful information which he himself may not be able to put 

 into practice. Emerson learned much from his everyday 

 acquaintances, and his strong point was the faculty of 

 expressing what he saw and heard, mostly among his 

 Concord friends. 



WORK FOR THE MONTH IN THE GARDEN 



(Continued fnnn page 15d) 

 If the okra does not appear to be coming up well, 

 look over the rows carefully as one often finds that they 

 have been eaten oiif by cut worms, just as they are break- 

 ing through the soil. Poison bait is generally eiTective 

 in combatting these insects, but a more certain method 

 for the smafl garden is to look over each plant and 

 destroy any cut worms that may be found. 



The completion of the Summer bedding will be the 

 object in view as all are eager to get the plants in the 

 ground and well established before the very hot weather 

 comes. Plants taken up from the Spring beds which 

 are to be propagated and grown on again, should be laid 

 in at once in a shady place until they can be properly 

 cared for. All tulips which must be removed should be 

 lifted with care and heeled in the soil in a half shady 

 place to ripen off the bulbs before storing. 



Plant out cannas and dahlias. It is a good plan to 

 place the stakes, or other means of support, at the time 

 of planting, for if this is done when the plant is growing . 

 vigorouslv, the tubers and roots may be injured. Plant 

 another batch of Gladioli, which can be rehed upon to 

 make a display towards the end of September. 



Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul. 

 As the swift seasons roll ! 

 Leave they low, vaulted past! 

 Let each new temple, nobler than the last. 

 Shut thee from heaven, with a dome more vast. 

 Till thou at last art free, 



Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea. 



■ _0. W. Holmes. 



