1890. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



181 



Ferns should bcplaiiltMl early lu sha<iy or halfshatl.v 

 places, aud in light well drained soil. Many of our 

 uatlve sorts are quite ornamental, and require only 

 a little care in watering them during the dry season, 

 slight protection during winter, and an occasional top 

 dressing of manure. 



General Directions. The ground between the plant* 

 in the lK>rder. etc., should be frequently broken and 

 stirred, which can usually be done lu the easiest ana 

 most effective manner by means of a narrow steel rake. 

 For deeper tillage a hoe may be used occasionally. 

 This treatment disposes of weed growth long before It 

 can become troublesome, and will stimulate the plants. 



Gladiolus to be planted at least three inches deep. 



Law^n to be mowed as soon as a little growth of gras^ 

 has been made. Repeat every two weeks or oftener. 

 Keep the edges tidj' by using an edging knife several 

 times during the season. 



Lilies. A mulch of Tobacco stems or dust two or 

 three inches thick on the beds will tend to keep the 

 green fly away. 



Morning Glories are very serviceable In hiding 

 stumps, fences and otherunslghtly objects. In beauty 

 and ease of cultivation they are hardly equalled by any 

 other climber. 



Perennials of most kinds may still be transplanted 

 by exercising due care. 



Phlozes. The improved hardy sorts make excellent 

 border plants. Support by stake. 



Planting. Carnations, Stocks. Verbenas and all other 

 of the more hardy plants may be set in border or bed 

 without further delay. The tender sorts, like Coleus. 

 Altemantheras, Tuberoses, etc.. should not be thus eX: 

 posed until we are sure of continued warm weather. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Air to be given in abundance to all plants. 



Achimenes love moist are, plenty of air, warm tem- 

 perature and a somewhat shaded position. 



Aslors and Balsams require a rich, light, sandy soiL 

 They make most excellent pot plants. Air and water 

 freely, and do not let them become pot-bound. 



Cinerarias. If any plant is to be propagated, fill the 

 pot almost to the brim with sandy compost, and when 

 the suckers have formed root, divide and pot each 

 separately. 



Fuchsias that have flowered during winter should 

 now be allowed some rest by partially withholding 

 water. See also under House Plants. 



Gloxinias may be treated as ad^"ised for Achimenes. 



Orchids, such as Dendrobiums, Stanhopeas, Aerides, 

 Saccolablums, Vandas. etc., need plenty of water and 

 moisture In the atmosphere at this time, or else must 

 necessaiily suffer. 



Pelargoniums to do their best and remain in flower 

 for any length of time should have shade, plenty of 

 air and not too much heat. 



Propagation. Heliotropes and Tropaeolums for 

 winter flowering may be propagated towards latter 

 part of month; also a general collection of such things 

 as will be useful for winter decoration, including plants 

 with ornamental foliage and for ferneries, also Ivies, 

 etc. See also Fuchsias, under House Plants. 



Shelves. To save space at this crowded season, Ly- 

 copodiuni, Linaria, Moneyvlne, Tradeseanthia. etc., 

 may be grown on narrow shelves placed half way be- 

 tween the walk and the bottom of the benches. Their 

 growth Is not much retarded by the shade. 



Summering Plants. Of those that are to be kept 

 over summer In pots, many kinds can go outside tow- 

 ards last of month. The pots should be plunged In soil 

 or other material to prevent their drying out rapidly. 

 Placing them on a deep layer of coal ashes will keep 

 the angle worms out. 



Watering should be faithfully attended to in this 

 season of rapid growth and dry atmosphere. Allowing 

 any plant to become thoroughly dry always acts us a 

 check and a permanent injury. The walks in green- 

 houses and conservatories should be sprinkled often, 

 and water syringed under the benches. This will keep 

 the atmosphere moist and discourage the red spider. 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Blackberries. Clean up the patch, and get ready for 

 the fruiting season. Do not allow the rows to spread 

 too far. 



Insects should not be allowed to get a foothold. 

 Spraying the trees with arsenical solutions, preferably 

 of Paris green, is now practiced by all good orchardists, 

 and it will dispose of the codling worm, the tent cater- 

 pillar and all other leaf eaters, also of the curcullo. 

 For the latter the spray may be thrown upon the tree 

 as sc»on as the first leaves appear. Apple trees should 

 be sprayed just after the bloom is past. Never spray 

 any kind of tree when in bloom, as this would endan- 

 ger the bees, and these are the best assistants of the 

 fruit grower. Hunt up the borers and kill them; also 

 wash the Ixxlles of trees near the ground with some 

 strong alkaline solution. Powdered hellebore, either 

 dry or In solution, is a sure remedj' for the Currant 

 worm. Tobacco tea and the kerosene emulsion are 

 sure cures for green aphis or plant lice. 



Manoring. It is not too late this month to apply 

 some concentrated manure to crowd the Blackberry 

 and Raspberry crop to a higher state of perfection. 

 iSWpoundsof dissolved bone, suupoimds of sulphate of 



potash and ^ftxi pounds of nitrate of soda will make a 

 ton of mixture which. If applle<l to the plants as liber- 

 ally as you can afford, will make all hands happy at 

 fruiting time, says Mr. J. H. Hale. 



Packages. Always make provision for your supply 

 of berry boxes, crates and all other fruit packages long 

 before they are actually needed. This precaution often 

 saves vexation and annoyance. Mark all packages 

 neatly with stencil plate, unless you expect to be 

 ashamed of your own fruit. 



Pruning. All buds on budded stock, except the one 

 inserted should be removed as they start to grow. 



Raspberries. The new growth of canes which are 

 to furnish the fruit next year should be pinched off 

 when 15 to 18 Inches high. Along the last of the month 

 or early In June they grow so rapidly they are likely to 

 get two or three feet high before we know it unless we 

 give them close attention. It is best to pinch them 

 back just at the right time. 



Staking and tying judlcously will often straighten 

 crooked trees. 



Strawberries. Cut off all blossoms or fruit stalks 

 from newly planted Strawberries as fast as they appear. 

 The few Inferior berries you would get by leaving them 

 would not begin to repay the loss in the vigor of plant 

 growth. Start the cultivator among the newly set 

 plants, and keep the weeds out. 



Tillage. Orchards of Peaches, Plums, Dwarf Pears, 

 and gulnces should have clean cultivation year after 

 year. Harrowing with a Disk harrow is probably the 

 most satisfactory method of stirring the soil between 

 the trees, if given often enough. There is less danger 

 of barking the bodies of trees or tearing their roots; 

 and it requires much less time than plowing. Hoed 

 crops such as Beans, Cabbages, Potatoes or other veg- 

 etables may be grown between young tiees. Buck- 

 wheat is also a good orchard crop. Give the necessary 

 fertilizer and tillage to produce good crops as named, 

 and your young trees will also do well. 



Thinning orchard fruits has now become an estab- 

 lished practice with the best growers. Try it at least 

 with a few trees, and note the difference. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Asparagus. In cutting try to keep away with the 

 knife from the crown of plants. Don't fail to set out 50 

 or lOU plants for home use if there Is no bed on your 

 premises now. 



Beans. Begin planting the bush sorts. , The Llmas 

 should not go into the ground until this has become 

 thoroughly warm. Then plant in hills, after the poles 

 are set, from four to six Beans around the pole, after- 

 wards thinning to two or three of the best plants. We 

 prefer to train to wire trellis and plant in continuous 

 row, rather thickly, thinning to about six or eight 

 Inches apart. 



Beets may be sown any time this month, and up to 

 early June if for winter use. 



Carrots for main crop to be sown at once. Keep 

 down the weeds from the start. 



Cabbage from cold frames may be set in well ma- 

 nured soil and the ground kept well stirred. 



Celery. The seed beds should be kept scrupulously 

 clean from weeds, the ground between the rows fre- 

 quently stirred or loosened up, and the plants thinned 

 where at all thick. Crow-ding makes poor plants. 



Cucumbers may be planted in open ground latter 

 part of the month. For early a few hills may be started 

 now under glass on pieces of inverted sod, or in pots, 

 to be transferred to open ground later. 



Dandelion. Sow seed In open ground. 



E gg Plant. Keep the plants in good heat right along, 

 transplant in old Tomato cans, or large pots or boxes, 

 and transfer to open ground about June 1st. Potato 

 bugs are very fond of the plant. 



Horse Radish. Sets to be planted between rows of 

 Early Cabbages. 



Hot-beds to be kept well aired and watered. When 

 vacant they may be planted withMelons or Cucumbers, 

 one hill in center of each sash. 



Lettnce. Sow for succession. Transplant In rich 

 soil in rows 12 or 15 inches apart, with eight inches space 

 between the plants. 



Melons need rich soil and should be protected from 

 the attacks of the yellow striped bug. By all means 

 trj- Emerald Gem of the Musk varieties, and the Volga 

 of the Water Melons for home use. 



Onions. Begin cultivating and weeding just as early 

 as the rows can be seen plainly, and keep it up. Prompt- 

 ness here Is indispensable to success. 



Peas of the first early smooth kinds can now be 

 planted even at the extreme north. Seed of the ten- 

 derer, finer wrinkled kinds is apt to rot In the ground 

 if sowed when this is yet cold and wet. Try Bliss' 

 Abundance, Bliss'. Everbearing. Stratagem, York- 

 shire Hero, etc. All these are most excellent sorts 

 for rich soils. Manures containing considerable potash 

 are best for Peas. The very dwarf sorts, like Anterlcan 

 Wonder, should be plan ted on the very richest soil only. 



Rhubarb should have the flower stalks broken out. 



Squashes to be planted after the ground has become 

 thoroughly warmed through, and on rich or well- 

 manured soil only. Guard against the striped bug. 



Succession. Always plan to have the whole ground 

 occupied with a desirable crop all through the season, 

 and plant of the quick maturing vegetables, like Rad- 



ishes, Peas, Lettuce, Beets. Com, etc., so to have a suc- 

 cession as long as desired. 



Sweet Corn. Plant every week. By proper man- 

 agenient a supply maj' be had imtil frost, and a lot of 

 fine fodder produced for the cow. 



Sweet Potatoes to be set latter part of the month or 

 early In June, in well-enrlched ridges four feet apart, 

 with 18 to 24 Inches space between the plants. 



Tomatoes. A few early plant* may be set by middle 

 of montii if the ground Is warm and the season fair; 

 but they need watching, and perhaps protection during 

 cold nights. The main crop at the north should not 

 be planted until about June 1st. 



Weeds. Those crops planted in rows can now be 

 worked by some hand wheel-hoe, lea\"ing but little 

 hand weeding jo be done In the rows, but this little 

 must be done promptly. In a few days weeds w^Ill 

 smother a crop of Carrots beyond remedy. Begin early. 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Cucumbers in frames need plenty of sim and light, 

 and careful airing. Look out for cold nights. 



Grapes. Thin the vines in cool houses, but do not 

 handle the berries. Keep the early crops that approach 

 maturity, rather dry, and In a day temperature of about 

 TlT. with ti5« at night. 



Peaches when approaching ripeness need less syring- 

 ing and watering at the roots. Gather the fruit before 

 dead ripe and keep in shallow boxes, keeping In a dry 

 airy room until just right for use. 



Pineapples are now making strong growth. Keep 

 house moist by frequent applications of water to the 

 walks, etc. Some fire is yet needed, but it need not be 

 very brisk. 



Strawberries. Plant out the plants after fruiting. 



THE POULTRY YARp. 



Darken the Nest, It will prevent hens from 

 eating their eggs. 



No success without Dry Floor. It may be of 

 brick, or. better far, rubble mixed with cement. 



Bedding for Clucks. Short cut straw, dry 

 sifted ashes— all these are good for bedding in 

 coops and broodeis, and should be renewed ire- 

 quently. 



Eggs for Hatching, Use no eggs for hatching 



purposes that are not of good shape, of arerage 

 size, and as fresh as it is possible to oDtain them. 

 Never handle with greasy hands. 



Charred Grain. Charcoal is much appreciated 

 bj' the ff^wls. The best is formed ot charred 

 grain. <.orn roasted hke Cotfee and ted twice a 

 week would no doubt pay for the trouble. 



Have a Place for Sitters. It is best to have a 

 separate apartment for sitters in order to pre- 

 vent fighting on the nests and breaking the eggs. 

 Lice also thrive under sitting hens, and ttie nests 

 should be well dusted with Dubach as a precau- 

 tion.— Mirror and Fanner. 



Over Attention Hurtful. My wife had a hen 

 that she sat on thirteen eggs in the poultry house 

 and looked after her every day. Another ben 

 " stole ■" a nest on the side of the hill, undera 

 little bush, and without any attention brought 

 otf nme fine little chicks, while the other only 

 hatched tour.— Ex. 



The Mandarin Duck. When in full summer 

 dress, the male of the Mandarin duck, from the 

 north of China, is said to be tbe most beautiful 

 bird of the duck tribe. It somewhat resembles 

 our summer duck in size, shape aud color, but is 

 infinitely more beauiiluJ. These ducks were 

 iutroduced into Holland about 18.50. 



How to Feed Bones. The hens will always 

 prefer bones when pounded and broken into 

 pieces the size ot a grain of Corn. Bone meal, 

 ground bone or bone that has been bleached, is 

 not alwa5's acceptable, but fresh bones pounded 

 will be preterred by the hens to anything else, 

 and often inJuce them to lay when many other 

 methods fail. —Farm and Fireside. 



Health for the Ducks. Success cannot be 

 attained by feeding Corn meal and water and 

 meat scraps. The lood of the duck, when rang- 

 ing streams and meadows, their favorite haunts, 

 consists of irogs, fish worms, insects, ana gram. 

 With this diet they also get an abundance of 

 gritty material, such as sand, gravel and the 

 Shells of small shell tish.— Farm Journal. 



The Fekin Duck. There are poultry farms in 

 New Jersey and elsewhere where Pekin duck- 

 lings are raised by thousands every j'ear. The 

 owners- usually soon learn that, it well managed, 

 there is more money in raising them than in 

 raising chicks for broilers. At least this is 

 proven by the fact that some of these poultry 

 people have been raising more ducks and fewer 

 chicks every year. 



Chicks need Warmth. They should never be- 

 come chilled. A single nights crowding together 

 may be tatal. When you go to the brooder in tbe 

 morning, and find some ol them dead without 

 apparent cause, it means that they have crowded 

 together tor warmth and the life crushed out of 

 those that were aown. A young chick is as ten- 

 der as a young baby. In tact, it is really naked, 

 and no mode of feeding will undo the mischief 

 from lack of warmth. 



