148 



THE CANADIAN li () R T I C U L T I HI S T . 



of tlif bed, with one row of blue ager- 

 atuni on either side, and outside rows 

 of Madame Saleroi geranium or sweet 

 alyssuin makes an elegant display. The 

 whole object of the planter should Ijc 

 to present a pleasing effect from a 

 distance, and not to have it merely 

 satisfactory to those who are alongside 

 the flowers. A most repulsive effect is 

 produced by some gardeners planting 

 bright red or scarlet geraniums against 

 a red brick wall. If it is necessary to 



Ribbon Border in Allan Gardens 



have plants near the wall, caladiums 

 or some such foliage plants should be 

 planted, and then the scarlet geraniums 

 will look well in front of the green. 



"The plants used and the number of 

 rows of each kind will depend largely 

 on the size of the bed. Small beds 

 with geraniums in the centre and one 

 row of smaller plants around the edge 

 is satisfactory. Beds larger than 12 

 feet in diameter should have two rows 

 of edging plants. Cannas, caladiums 

 and such plants should never be used 

 in small beds. If thtre are no large 



beds in which to put them they will 

 show up to better advantage if set next 

 the house or some wall or fence. 



PREPARING THE SOII< 



"A bed that has stood all winter, and 

 was left in good shape in the fall, re- 

 quires no special fertilizer in the spring. 

 If, however, tulips or hyacinths were 

 planted, the bed will require a heavy 

 coat of well-rotted manure before the 

 bedding plants are put in. Cannas, 

 Caladium asculentum, dahlias and such 

 plants are heavy feeders, and need an 

 extra supply of manure. The best 

 results from dahlias are obtained by 

 digging a hole about a foot deep, placing 

 in three inches of well-rotted manure, 

 and filling up with rich soil. The bulbs 

 when planted in this soil develop rapidly, 

 and the roots do not come in contact 

 with the manure until they require it. 

 Hydrangeas do well with this treatment. 



"For most bedding plants a medium 

 heavy loam is best. Light, sandy soils 

 require too much watering. The heav- 

 ier soil retains the moisture for a longer 

 time. Nothing is better than an appli- 

 cation of coal ashes. The soil is kept 

 cool and moist in hot weather, and 

 although they do not supply a great 

 deal of plant food, there are very few 

 plants that do not thrive well in soil 

 with a coat of ashes added. Before 

 planting the soil should be forked over 

 deeply. If given a rest during the win- 

 ter and spring it has regained much of 

 the desirable qualities. Green manure 

 should never be used, as the ground is 

 hot enough during the summer, and the 

 action of the green manure during 

 fermentation develops more heat and 

 cause it to dry out. 



"Plants requiring support should be 



staked when they are set out. If the 

 stakes are not put in when the plants 

 are set there is danger of injuring the 

 roots or bulblets later on. The plants 

 should be tied to these supports fr<- 

 quently as growth develops. ' 



I.NSECT ENEMIES 



"There are numerous troublesome 

 insects," continued Mr. Collins, "that 

 have to be combatted by every gardener. « 

 The rusty leaves commonly seen on 9 

 geraniums are generally due to attacks 

 by the red spider. It is common on 

 dry, sandy soil. This pest can be kept 

 in check by thorough applications of 

 cold water with the hose in the evening. 

 On the ageratum, thrip is frequently „ 

 found. Syringing with cold water or 

 tobacco water destroys it. Perennials ' 

 are often attacked by the black fly. A 

 thorough treatment with tobacco w-ater 

 for two or three mornings in succession, 

 immediately after they are seen will 

 keep them down. 



"The nicotianas and mignonette have 

 the common potato bug as an enemy. 

 If this insect is not watched it will com- 

 pletely strip the foUage off the plant. 

 Dry Paris green or syringing with Paris 

 green and water is effective. The Paris 

 green and water is more satisfacto v 

 because it leaves less stain on the foliage. 

 If they are treated as soon as they make 

 an appearance they can easily be kept 

 in check. 



"On roses green fly is the most serious 

 pest. Tobacco water is the most effect- 

 ive remedy, but if it is not used, con- 

 stant syringing every day with cold 

 water will destroy the flies and prevent ;: 

 others from coming. The cold water 

 bath is specially efficient during hot 

 sunnv weather." 



Flo-wer Boxes for tKe Windo^vs 



DURING the hot sultry days of 

 summer nothing in the form of 

 plant life is more desirable for 

 brightening the home than well-pre- 

 pared and well-cared-for window boxes. 

 If rich soil is used and the boxes are 

 not made too narrow and too shallow, 

 a brilliant display can be had during 

 the greater part of the summer. The 

 chief essential is that plants thai re- 

 tain their green and do not shed their 

 leaves are used. Liberal watering is 

 demanded every day. 



The enthusiastic amateur can do all 

 the work successfully, but for the aver- 

 age citizen it is advisable to secure 

 the services of a local florist. Com- 

 petition is keen, and there is little dan- 

 ger of exorbitant charges. Proper soil 

 and suitable plants are sure to be sup- 

 plied, because this department of the 

 florist's trade is becoming extensive, 

 and he is anxious to hold what he has 

 and get his share of those who make a 



start each season. Those who do not 

 care to leave the selection of specimens 

 to the florist can secure whatever they 

 require. There are scores of plants 

 that give good effect, but coleuses, 

 geraniums and nasturtiums are per- 

 haps as commonly used as, any. 



The effect of nicely decorated win- 

 dows on one residence on a street is 

 to cause others to copy the idea. The 

 result is the whole street is given a 

 more pleasing and a more attractive 

 appearance. 



An example of what can be done by 

 means of such decorations is to be found 

 at the beautiful home of Dr. Dryden, 

 of Guelph. In a letter to The Hor- 

 ticulturist the doctor wrote: 



"Window boxes are easily grown and 

 require so little care that the results 

 in the improvement of many homes are 

 greater and more satisfactory than can 

 be obtained for the same expense in 

 any other method of culture, especially 



for those who have a small plot of 

 ground at their disposal. The price is- 

 comparatively reasonable, and will run 

 about one dollar per 41,^2 foot box con- 

 taining a good variety of plants. That 

 is 20 to 25 cents per foot. 



"The*boxes should be of good size, 

 and the depth and width at least six, 

 or better, seven inches, and filled with 

 a loose rich mould that will take up 

 and retain a lot of water. They will do 

 better on a west or north window, as 

 the heat from the sun is very hard on 

 them on a southerly or easterly- ex- 

 posure. With the proper selection of 

 plants they will give good results on 

 the latter as well. 



"The great object is to select plants that 

 will retain their foliage and keep green 

 or flower all through the season. The 

 great and only secret in their care is 

 plenty of water and applied every day. 

 as they dry out so quickly from ex- 

 posure to the sun and wind. 



