140 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



April. 



"He that queslioneth much shall learn much."— 

 BAOON. 



Correspondenta are urged to antioipate the season in pre- 

 tenting queations. To aak. for Inafance. on April 16 or 80 

 what Peaa had best be aotcn, oould brina no answer in 

 the May isaue, and none before June, when the anaioer 

 ujould be unseasonable. Questions received before the I2th 

 of any month stand a good chance of being answered in the 

 next paper. Not more than three questions should be sent 

 at one time. Answers to questions bearinu on the com- 

 parative value of implements, etc.. offered by different 

 deaUr 8 must not be expected. Neither can we promise to 

 oomply with the request sometimes made to "please ansieer 

 by mail." Inguiries appearing without name belong to the 

 name next following . 



Replies to Inquiries are earnestly regueated from our 

 reaaera. In answering such give the number, your 

 looality and name., the latter not for publication, unleaa 

 you deaire. Write only on one aide of the paper. 



2.272. Greenhouse Heating- Can a greenhouse, 20 

 by 60 feet, be successfully heated by means of an ordl- 

 narv hot air furnace, placed In separate partition at 

 north end ?-M. S. R. 



2.273. Black Knot on Prnnus Simoni. Is It a com- 

 mon occurrence/— R. H. S., Fairfield Co., Conn. 



2.274. Canning G-reen Peas. Give good, tested re- 

 cipe. —C. F. 



2.275. Beets Cracking Open. What is the cause? 

 Land rich.— J. B. O., Chislwbn, Chit. 



2.276. Water Lilies in Winter. Will they bloom 

 If kept In greenhouse? Temperature about 60 de- 

 grees.— W. A., N. T. 



2.277. Hill Culture of Strawberries. I would like 

 experts to give list of all varieties with which the hill 

 system has proved successful, and otherwise; also giv- 

 ing particulars as to soil, fertility, etc.— C. G. A., Han- 

 cock Co., Me. 



2.278. Delaware Winter and Lawver Apples. 

 Are they the same, and Is either of them superior to 

 Baldwin? 



2.279. Selection of Apples. I think of setting 50 

 trees. 30 Baldwin. 10 Spy, 5 R. I. Greening and 5 Law- 

 ver. Is this a good selection for Indiana? 



2.280. Best Winter Fears. Which two are best in 

 quality?— A. S. K., Hamilton, Ind 



2.281. Retarding Apple Root Grafts. Root grafts 

 In cellar nearly bursting. Is there a way to retard 

 them? Also, if set out as soon as frost Is out of ground, 

 win later frosts damage them?— H. F., Wash. 



2.282. Propagating Magnolias. How done in sim- 

 plest and surest manner?— G. F. N. 



2,28:^. Pearl Gooseberry. What is its origin and 

 what are its good points?- R. F. M., Ohio. 



2.284. Growing Early Celery. How produced for 

 earliest market?— G. S. 



2.285. Market for Flowers. Is there any chance 

 for selling them in Buffalo? Will It pay to raise Holly- 

 hocks and Gladioli for that purpose?— H. B., Suburbs. 



2.286. Pelargonium Not Blooming. Grew finely 

 last season, but falls to bloom. Was wintered in cellar; 

 leaves all dropping off. How to be treated?— H. B. 



2.287. Begonia Culture. What soil is best, both for 

 the flowering and the Rex section?- Mrs. B. F. W. 

 Iowa. 



2,2S8. Budding Peaches on Marianna Plum. 

 What is understood under the t«rm "double-working?" 



2.289. Site for Pear Orchard. Will Pears succeed 

 on hard^ravelly and rocky hillside, sloping to the 

 north? what are best five sorts for this section?- J. Z. 

 C, Washinffton Co., Mo. 



2.290. Smnt in Sweet Corn. Will Smut live through 

 the winter? Will It necessarily re-appear this season 

 where the crop was badly infested last season?- T. L. 



B.. ni. 



2.291. Cyclamen Bloom. Do bulbs give more than 

 one crop? Mine bloom <^>ne year, and the next produce 

 only leaves. What treatment do they require for 

 bloom?— Camb riff fire. 



2.292. Canning Corn and Tomatoes. How done lu 

 tin cans for market? 



2.293. Apples for Market. What are six best varie- 

 ties for western Ohio?— B. M. N. 



2.294. Onions for Pickles and Setts. What is best 

 variety for pickling, and when should seed be sown 

 for sets?— J. S, S. Mo. 



2.295. Propagating Currants. How done? Have 

 tried cuttings for three years and failed. —J. D.. N. W. 

 Ter., Can. 



2.296. Fertilizer for Onions and Celery. Deep, 

 well drained muck land; has l>een dressed with sand 

 and between 300 and 400 bushels unleached woofi 

 ashes. What other fertilizer should be useil?— R. A. c. 

 Ontario. 



2.297. Early Beets for Table. What are best vari- 

 eties? How Is the Sugar Beet for table?— G. K., In- 

 diana. 



2,29^. Layering Grapes and Roses. Should It be 

 done in spring or fall? 



2.299. Pruning Pears. Should small branches of 

 young trees be trimmed In fall or winter ?— 4. S. C, 



Mass. 



2.300. Growing Beans for Market. Is It profitable ? 

 If 80, please give points on culture.— R. F. G., N. Y. 



2,.S0l. Ivy as the House Plant. WTiat soil and treat- 

 ment should It be given?— Mrs. R. K. O., Mass. 



2,302. Ivy Leaf Geraniums. How should they be 

 treated to get thrifty plants?— Mrs. J. D. McG., Iowa. 



2,;i03. Planting Tree Seeds. How should Seed of 

 Evergreens, Russian Mu'berry and Catalpa Speclosa 

 be planted to Insure germination? 



2,:J04. Russian Mulberry as Stock. Will it do for 

 Downing. American and Tea's Weeping?— W. C. G., 

 Indiana. 



2.3(15. Manuring the Garden. Can it be overdone ? 

 Is once a year too often to put manure on a garden? 



2,:i06. Barnyard Manure for Lawn. Should It be 

 put on In winter so as to catch the spring raIns?-D.F.B. 



2,307, Pruning Hydrangea Paniculata. Plant was 

 about 20 feet In circumference when In bloom last fall; 

 takes more space than desirable. Will It do to cut 

 back more than half of last year's growth? 



2.308.— Black Spot on Roses. My plants were badly 

 affected last season. Look thrifty now. How can 1 

 prevent the reappearance of the disease?— Mrs. C. F. S. 

 Ohio. 



2.309. Requisites of Cranberry Cnlture. Please 

 give some Information.— G. B. V., New Jersey. 



2.810. Recipe for Tree Wash. Please give the one 

 recommended by the Department of Agriculture for 

 tree trunks.— H. H., Toronto, Ont. 



2.311. Qnince for Profit. Which Is best, Champion, 

 Rhea's Mammoth, or Meech's Prolific?- J. S. B., 77/. 



2.312. Plants in Greenhouse Ailing. Geranium 

 leaves turning yellow. What is the cause? 



2.313. Amaryllis Not Blooming. Leaves turning 

 yellow. What treatment does it require? 



2.S14. Growing Verbenas. What temperature and 

 treatment should be given?— H. C. G., Pa. 



2.315. Yellow Pseonies. If such exist, where can 

 they be had?— M. L. B. 



2.316. Russian Apricots. My ai trees never had any 

 fruit on. and are badly winter-killed this year. What 

 should I do with them?— W. H. S.. III. 



2.317. Refuse of Lard Oil Factory. It Is all animal 

 matter, and pressed out very dry. Can I compost It, 

 and how?— W. B. C, Indiana. 



2.318. Hellebore for Spraying Fruit Trees. Would 



this not be as effective as Paris green, without doing 

 damage to the foliage?— J. M. S., Allen Co., O. 



2.319. Ann Arbor Grape. Is It of any value? 



2.320. Cracks in Grab Apple Tree. Tree three years 

 old; thrifty. Cracks appeared last August, below first 

 branches. No sign'of Insects. What Is the cause and 

 what Is to be done?— F. W. B.. Mich. 



2.321. Heating Small Greenhouse. Structure 11 by 



20. joining end of house. What is cheapest and best 

 method of heating it?— Fletcher. 



2.322. Remedy for Tomato Worm. Sometimes they 

 ruin the whole patch.— D., ///. 



2.323. Slugs in Greenhouse. How can we get rid of 

 them? 



2.324. Candidum Lily and Paper-white Narcissus. 

 Can they be flowered the second season? 



2.325. Scale Insects on Jasmine What can I do 

 to destroy them?— Mrs. S. M. C. loiva. 



2.:526. Black Enot on Cherries and Plums. Please 

 give history and remedy. 



2.327. Cutting back Cherries and Plums in Summer. 

 Will it promote fruit-setting as It does with Pears?— D. 

 P., Indiana. 



2.328. Highland Blueberry. How propagated and 

 cultivated.— F. C. S., Vermont. 



2.329. Red Cedar Wood Ashes. What is their ma- 

 nurial value. Will It pay to apply them to Peach 

 trees, Grape vines, etc.? 



2.330. Bones for Manure. Have bones much value 

 after exposuee to sun and rain for a year or two? Will 

 It pay to bury them whole near Grape vines?— F. A. F. 



2.3.il. Planting Asparagus. Please tell me best 

 time and method.— E. W. W., Ky. 



REPLIES TO INQUIRIES. 



2,253. Flowering Begonias in Summer. It is 

 better to shade the glass over the plants in sum- 

 mer. By doinpr this, giving- a p:ood circulation of 

 air, and sprinkling the walks several times daily, 

 the temperature of the house in summer mav be 

 allowed to take care of itself. The plants should 

 be kept well but not excessively with water. 



2,244. Strawberry Management for Fruit. 

 Fall-set plants seldom bear more than a few 

 berries the year following. No need of doing 

 anything with the old foliage this spring. Stir 

 the soil, but only very shallow and not too close 

 to the plants, this spring, then apply a good 

 mulch of cut straw or mai*sh hay close up to and 

 around the plants. Keep down all weed growth. 

 Fertilizers may be applied if desired. That is 

 about all you can do to secure a good cro]) of 

 berries, unless you have facilities for irrigation. 

 In that case, give the bed a good soaking when 

 needed. Too much water, however, will make 

 the berries soft and insipid.— G. K. 



2,231. Grafting Prnnus Pieardi on Plum Seed- 

 lings. We would set the seedlings this spring 

 and put in the grafts next year. 



2,249. £arly Buby Tomato. We were quite 

 favoralby impressed with this new Tomato last 

 season, .so favorably, indeed, that we are plant- 

 ing it largely for first early this year. It appears 

 to be about as early as anything we yet have 

 had, and certainly it is much smoother in shape, 

 larger in size, and better in (4uality than any of 

 our older first earUes. If it does not go back on 

 its last year's record, it will be the coming early 

 market Tomato.— G. R. 



2,227. Eight Best Out-door Boses. Queen of 

 Prairie, climbing; bright rosy red, frequently 

 with white stripes. Persian Yellow; bright yel- 

 low, nearly double flowers. Crested Moss; deep 

 pink, surrounded with mossy fringe. Madame 

 Plantier; pure white. Anna de Diesbacb; a 

 beautiful shade of carmine. General Jacque- 

 minot; brilliant crimson. Marguerite de St. 

 Amande; bright rose. Pierre Notting; a superb 

 dark Rose. 



2,959. Orchids not Blooming. Your plants 

 have undoubtedly received neglect in some im- 

 portant respect. Perhaps you have not given 

 them the distinct season of rest and the season 

 of growth which all epiphital Orchids need. The 

 usual time for growth to begin is in the spring, 

 but this varies in different species. When that 

 time arrives, the supply of water should be in- 

 creased and also the temperature. When the 

 pseudo-bulb or thickened stem is nearly Its full 

 size, the amount of heat and moisture should be 

 at its greatest. When the growth is completed, 

 the plants should gradually receive more sun 

 and air and less water, so as to ripen off the 

 pseudo-bulb well and thus ensure good flower- 

 ing. After the growth seems ripe, only water 

 enough is required to prevent the plants from 

 shrivelling. But this must be increased some- 

 what apain as soon as the buds begin to show, 

 and be kept up until the bloom is developed. 

 After the flowering season is over, the plants 

 generally begin to show signs of growth; and 

 then they should receive any needed re-potting 

 or re-basketing. In case this treatment is not 

 needed, only a top dressing of Sphagnum moss 

 should be given and the plant started into a new 

 round of growth. For potting material you can 

 use nothing better than good fibrous peat and 

 clean Sphagnum moss, with plenty of potshreds 

 intermixed. Good drainage is of the greatest 

 importance; the plants should be well elevated 

 above the rim of the pots or baskets. In re- 

 setting, much pains should be taken not to dis- 

 turb the roots; in the case of pots, it is best to 

 break the old one, while with baskets the old one 

 can be set into a larger one and some material 

 be worked around. Overpotting is a fault of in- 

 experienced growers: it should be avoided and 

 the plants not disturbed unless necessary. 



2,246. Bemedy for Cut Worm. Cut worms are 

 the caterpillars of night-flying moths. Most of 

 them are very injurious to young and tender 

 plants, such as Cabbage, Tomato, Peppers, Corn, 

 Beans, etc. They only work at night, and dur- 

 ing the day remain hidden just under the surface 

 of the ground in the immediate vicinity of their 

 food plants or pastures. Many of the species 

 climb trees, and often become very destructive 

 to the expanding buds and young foliage. The 

 moths of the species that infest our gardens 

 usually lay their eggs near the roots of perennial 

 plants, such as Rhubarb, Hollyhock, etc., and in 

 the vicinity of such plants we may confidently 

 expect to find plenty of young cut worms in 

 spring. One of the easiest ways to get rid of the 

 pest is to scatter pieces of green stuff. Cabbage 

 leaves, or sods with fresh grass, etc.. that have 

 been sprinkled with Paris green water, here and 

 there over the area that we wish to clear of cut 

 worms. Hand-picking is a more laborious rem- 

 edy, but it can be made effective. Plow the 

 field, a few weeks before the intended crop is to 

 be planted, and sow some Beans over the piece. 

 After the Beans are up, the patch should be 

 gone over early every morning, and the cut 

 worms hunted up near the freshly-cut plants, 

 and destroyed. If thds is done for a week or so, 

 there will be few worms left to trouble the crop 

 to be planted afterwards. The worms can also 

 be starved out of a piece of land or orchard by 

 growing several successive crops of Buckwheat 

 on it. and allowing no other plant or weed to 

 grow for an entire season When mature, the 

 larva enters the ground, where it forms an oval 

 smooth cavity, within which it changes to a 

 chrysalis of a deep mahogany-brown color, 

 pointed at the extremity. These chrysalis are 

 often turned up in large numbers when the 

 ground is plowed. Birds of all kinds, and even 

 domestic fowls, are very fond of these chrysaUs 

 (as many of them are also of the larva), and 

 many are thus destroyed by their enemies, to 

 whose view they are exposed by the plow — G. R. 



2,250. Tomato Leaf Blight. The plants were 

 probably affected with blight. The best thing 

 that can be done to prevent the blight, is to 

 plant on new clean soil, where no member of the 

 Solanum family has been grown for a year or 

 two. Repeated spraying with Bordeaux mix- 

 ture or ammtmiacal copper carbonate solution 

 may also keep the disease off, but experiments 

 in this direction will be needed before we can 

 give definite advice.— G. R. 



2 245. Myrica Cerifera is a dense-growing, fra- 

 grant shrub that grows wild in great abundance 

 near the sea coast, here, and in old waste fields 

 and on dry banks, and it is the very best shrub, 

 home or exotic, I know of to plant alongside the 

 salt water edge. Where the biting north-west 

 wind struck across our Azalea bed, we have 

 planted a hedge of this Myrica for a windbreak. 

 It is a i)1easant shrub to the eye and nose, and its 

 foliage and habit are so near like those of the 

 Azaleas that it looks as if it might be one of 

 them.— Wm. Falconer. 



