OUR AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. 



graceful— a row of them look like ex- 

 clamation points against the sky line. 

 The cut leaf birch is a better tree — it 

 is not long-lived, and is past its meridian 

 at 30 years — but is handsome and a fast 

 grower. The Sweedler's maple is a mag- 

 nificent foliage tree, bearing rich blood- 

 red leaves, and grows to a fair size. — 

 John Craig, before Port Hope Society. 



Fertilizers for Hodse Plants. — • 

 The judicious use of fertilizers should be 

 referred to. He had told them that 

 plants needed additional food when 

 about to flower. He might say that cer- 

 tain fertilizers sold for the purpose were 

 not immediately available for the supply 

 of plant food ; growers should remember 



that fact. One of the most valuable 

 fertilizers is nitrate of soda, or guano, 

 found in Chili, used in the proportion of 

 one ounce to three gallons of water ; it 

 should be used freely twice a week. 

 Bone meal is also good, but must be 

 well soaked first and used in the propor- 

 tion of a teaspoonful to a gallon of water. 

 When plants fail to thrive under good 

 conditions take them out of the pots 

 and look at the soil — often the earth 

 worm is the cause of the trouble. To 

 keep them out take a lump of lime 

 about the size of a tea cup, slacken in 

 five gallons of water, and use freely at 

 times. The latter remedy is also excel- 

 lent for lawns that are troubled with 

 worms. • — Mr. Craig, before Lindsay 

 Horticultural Society. 



DAHLL\S. 



If large tubers, divide, leaving one or 

 two eyes. Plant in boxes last week in 

 March, in not very rich earth. Water 

 well and keep warm until started, then 

 give plenty of fresh air, but not too much 

 heat, or plants will become rank instead 

 of strong and study. Aim rather at 

 producing strong roots. After danger 

 of frost is over dig a hole, at least 18 

 inches deep, mix in old, well-rotted, cow 

 manure. Half is not too much. Put a 

 little earth in centre, set plant in it 

 lightly and carefully, cover sprouts and 

 all to a depth of 5 inches. Put in a 

 stake at once, in case of frost, so that 

 the exact place may be known to cover. 

 They will require no watering until above 

 ground, but afterwards must be given at 

 least a full pail of water each evening 

 during the summer, watering leaves and 

 all ; soap suds are good, mulch during 

 very warm weather. Dahlias must have 

 very rich earth and plenty of water to 

 bring them to perfection. They like 



the early morning sun, but not during 

 the heat of the day. Stake well and tie 

 with wide cotton strings. In autumn 

 cut off stalks within one foot of ground, 

 then dig round root, lift carefully without 

 breaking, and raise them whole, leave 

 for a short time to dry, then place them 

 whole in a box in the cellar and keep 

 dry until following spring. 



T, A. W. 

 Napanee. 



Cannas. — Unless very old roots do 

 not divide, plant in boxes about ist of 

 April. 1st of June plant out of doors in 

 very rich soil. They do best in a sunny 

 place, but should not be exposed to 

 strong winds. Before the stalks are 

 badly frozen in October cut within 4 

 inches of the ground and store in the 

 clumps in boxes of sand in a rather 

 warm place, not below 40 degrees. 

 Water slightly at intervals during winter. 

 They can be grown as pot plant also. 

 T. A. W. 



A'apance. 



'56 



