206 



THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



Spade 



mings from lawns may be a distinct protection to lands if 

 allowed to remain (see Lawns) ; and the leaves which blow 

 into clumps of shrubbery may often be allowed to remain 

 with good results. However, if the leaves become too thick 

 year after year, they tend to induce a surface rooting of the 

 shrubs. This, however, may be no disadvantage unless the 

 mulch were finally to be removed. One of the very best 

 top -dressings for borders and shrubbery is spent tan 

 bark, since it does not pile up on the ground, but 

 tends to work into it. Well-rotted sawdust often 

 has the same effect. These materials are much used 

 by gardeners, when they can be had, since they can 

 be raked into the soil in the spring, and need not be 

 removed. 



Solidago. See Goldenrod. 



Spades and Shovels must be a part of every 

 garden equipment. The common and most useful forms 

 are shown in the cuts, but long- handled tools are more 

 useful for the loading of earth, the making of ditches, the 

 spreading of mulches, and the like. It 

 pays to buy the steel tools, with strongly 

 strapped handles. 



Spearmint is prized by many 

 people as a seasoning, particularly for 

 the Thanksgiving and holiday cookery. 

 It is a perennial and perfectly hardy, 

 and will live in the open garden year 

 after year. If a supply of the fresh 

 herbage is wanted in winter, remove 

 sods of it to the house six weeks 

 before wanted. Place the sods in 



boxes, and treat as for house plants. The plants should 

 have been frosted and become perfectly dormant before 

 removal. 



Spinach. Probably the most extensively grown 



