i$ 97 . 



GARDENING. 



293 



or more in height? The}' are on a some- 

 what rocky knoll or slope of land. Only 

 a few branches on the tops of these trees 

 have any foliage, and there has been no 

 real growth for several years. I have 

 thought of cutting them back and of 

 broadcasting some sort of fertilizer. Also 

 of taking out some where they grow too 

 close together. Anv advice will be appre- 

 ciated. F. C. D. 

 Connecticut. 



It is evident that the grove needs food, 

 as the dimensions of the trees are not 

 those of full g'own ones. As but the tops 

 show much life, cutting back would not 

 help them. What is required is a good 

 supply of manure, and perhaps some of 

 the weaker trees thinned out, as sug- 

 gested. The manure could be placed there 

 at the present time to good advantage, 

 or even in the fall, and good results would 

 be visible the following season. 



It is not uncommon to see groves in the 

 condition this one is. In a wild state the 

 fallen leaves and decaying twigs furnish 

 food for the trees. This in many cases they 

 do not get when the grove becomes part 

 of the pleasure grounds, the leaves being 

 raked up and carted away, and the trees 

 under such changed conditions do not 

 thrive. 



Now is the time to trim into shape 

 your lilac bushes. Cut out the faded 

 blooms and cut back all straggling shoots 

 so as to make a compact, shapely bush. 

 The same can be said of all spring bloom- 

 ing shrubs. Spinca Van Houtteii should 



LILAC CONDORSET. 



COMMON WHITE LILAC. 



have most of the old flowering shoots cut 

 entirely out, or back to some strong 

 growing new shoot if it is desired. This 

 shrub will bloom next spring on wood 

 made this year. 



Keep the soil well cultivated and 

 open around all newly planted shrubs 

 and trees. In fact this applies .to all your 

 cultivated plants, but newly planted ma- 

 terial need it most as thev are not estab- 



lished yet and need all the aid you can 

 give them. This shouldbedoneespecially 

 after heavy rains or artificial water- 

 ing, as the soil has been compacted. 

 Stake all large trees newly planted, and 

 small ones if in a windy situation. The 

 main anchoring roots of these trees were 

 destroyed in removal. When heavily 

 swayed by the winds the newly formed 

 roots are torn, and thus establishment is 

 retarded. 



The Flower Garden. 



CANTERBURY BELLS. 



I have usually kept my Canterbury 

 Bells in cold bed over winter, but is it 

 necessary? Can I not plant them out in 

 September and protect with some leaves? 

 Or had I better bed them like in a cold 

 bed and put a frame around them and 

 protect with boards to be removed except 

 in freezing weather? Are they as hardy 

 as pansies? E. 0. Nathirst. 



Tennessee. 



A good deal depends upon how low the 

 temperature gets with you. The Canter- 

 bury Bell is a native of southern Europe, 

 and while not needing complete protec- 

 tion from frost, is always injured by 

 severe cold. Thev do not always stand 

 outdoors, covered with leaves, as well as 

 pansies, as, if the rains are frequent, or 

 worse still, melted snows, the leaves mat 

 down and smother them. A cold frame 

 gives them the covering they prefer dur- 

 ing average winters, as in mild days they 

 can be aired. 



You can plant them in permanent posi- 

 tions and put a frame around them as 

 you suggest, but you gain but little. You 

 would have to plant them about eighteen 

 inches to two feet apart, while in snug 

 winter quarters such as cold frames, you 

 can plant six to eight inches apart. As 

 the plants move most readily, but little 

 time, if any, is lost in transplanting to 

 blooming quarters. 



While on the question of moving it is 

 well to state that this plant, as well as 

 the China Aster, can be moved even when 

 in full bloom, without injur} 7 , by thor- 

 oughly soaking the soil around the plant 

 and lifting with a ball. Shade for a few- 

 hours. Extra plants should be grown in 



