GARDEN HELPS 



Conducted by Minnesota Garden Flower Society 



Edited by Mes. E. W. Gould, 2644 Humboldt A venae 80. 

 Minneapolis. 



Seed distribution. — At the meeting to be held in the Public Library, 

 Minneapolis, April 13th, our trial seeds will be given out. As fine seeds 

 are very high and hard to get, it will be necessary to limit the distribution 

 of these to our members, so please bring your 1917 membership cards with 

 you that day. Seeds will be given out from 1:30 to 2:30, and will be given 

 on new memberships or renewals made on that day also. 



Plant exchange. — Send lists of plants you have to exchange and those 

 you wish, to our Secretary, Mrs. Countryman, 213 So. Avon St., St. Paul, at 

 once. The lists will be posted at the April meeting, and exchanges can be ar- 

 ranged for between members. The May meeting will be regular exchange 

 day, but if you have any to exchange the lists should be sent at once. 



NOTES ON MR. NESOM'S TALK ON " LIME IN THE GARDEN. 



An acid soil is one in which there is a deficiency of lime. Sandy and 

 peat soils are most apt to be acid. Apply a slip of blue litmus paper to 

 damp soil. If the paper turns pink the soil is acid and needs lime. 



In every ton of hard wood ashes there are from 600 to 1,000 pounds of 

 lime and from 40 to 60 pounds of potash. 



Crushed limestone is the most common form of lime applied to the soil. 

 As it is slow in acting, it should be applied, if possible, in the fall at the rate 

 of five pounds to ten pounds to every five square yards. This costs about 

 two dollars a ton. Quick lime is faster in action and also more concen- 

 trated, one pound of the quick lime being equivalent to two of limestone. 

 It is better to use in the spring than the limestone. It should be raked into 

 the soil early in the spring so that the rains may carry it down. 



Experiments have been made with lime in the home garden. Of fruits, 

 currants, Cuthbert raspberries and strawberries were improved by the 

 use of it; black cap raspberries, blackberries and cranberries were injured 

 by it. Nearly all vegetables were improved by its use, those most benefited 

 being asparagus, beets, celery, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peppers and 

 salsify. 



The flowers most improved by lime were sweet alyssum, candytuft, 

 poppies and mignonette; those improved but in lesser degree were fox- 

 gloves, goatsrue, balsams, nasturtiums, columbines, gysophila and sun- 

 flowers. Flowers that preferred acid soil and were injured by lime were 

 indigo, marigolds, Japanese bell flowers, nicotiana, salvia and catch-fly. 



When making cold frames or hot-beds, five handfuls of hardwood ashes 

 can be added to each frame the size of the ordinary sash. 



MIXED FERTILIZER FOR THE LAWN. 



Five pounds steamed bone meal, six pounds dried blood, two pounds 

 nitrate soda, two pounds air dried fine soil. Use one pound per five square 

 yards. Apply as a top dressing early in the spring. 



MIXED FERTILIZER FOR GARDEN. 



Five pounds nitrate soda, eight pounds dried blood, eighteen pounds 

 acid phosphates, six pounds air dried soil. Apply as a top dressing early 

 in spring at the rate of one pound to every five square yards. 



When transplanting one teaspoon bone meal can be mixed with the 

 earth around each plant. 



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