136 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



March^ 



they are exceedingly useful in many kiuds of 

 florists works. And in addition the seed is de- 

 liciously fragrant, and as elegant for sachets as 

 Rose petals or Orris root, and the fragrance 

 seeras not to wast« or lessen as is the case with 

 Kose petals, and for the sake of the sweet seed, 

 the plant is worthy of a place.— The Mayflower. 



An Ancient Watering Pot. This is described 

 in Hone's Year Book as illustrating a text of 

 Shakesi>eare. This thing was a heavy piece of 

 pottery, holding but a small quantity of water, 

 and to use it must have been a task to draw tears 

 from a man. Such pots are not wanting in col- 

 lections of ancient pottery, and quite a consider- 

 able group of them may be found in the Guild- 

 hall Museum, London, Whoever, having had a 

 little experience of watering, sees that group of 

 unwieldy pots, will be bound to bless the tinman 

 or whatever man we are indebted to for modern 

 pots that weigh little and hold much.— London 

 Gardener's Magazine. 



Market Gardening in Texas. We are now en- 

 tering a new era in farming— that is, truck-farm- 

 ing and market gardening, though for the vege- 

 table grower the seasons do not continue 

 long enough. Cabbages, Beans, Green Corn, To- 

 matoes, Potatoes, etc., begin to get scarce when 

 the dry season comes on. prices go up, and unless 

 supplied from the distant fields of Calfornia there 

 is nothing of that sort in the markets.— Texas 

 Journal of Horticulture. 



Stocks for Dwarf Pear Trees. On examining 

 a dwarf Pear tree there will be found evidence of 

 the; disagreement in an enlargement at the point 

 of union and this disagreement affects the fruit 

 more or less, in the case of the Angers Quince 

 (which is generally used as a stock) always fav- 

 orably, while with the Mountain Ash and the 

 Thorn (sometimes used for a stock as a matter of 

 curiosity) the fruit is more acid than is agree- 

 able. —National Stockman. 



The Kew Japanese Squash. In cooking quali- 

 ties I find it surpasses any Squash 1 have ever 

 tested. The vine is a rank grower of a dark 

 green color and very productive, 15 Squashes 

 coming on a single \ine. The Squashes are from 

 4 to 5 inches thick and about S inches in diameter. 

 The flesh is a rich yellow and thick, leaving only 

 a small cavity for seed and keeps in excellent 

 condition till Spring. —Delaware Farm and Home. 



American Apples in England. The brilliant 

 appearance of a mountain of Baldwins tells that 

 there is more to be done to meet the home de- 

 mand f<)r fruit than the organization of leagues 

 and conferences. We want better cultivation, 

 more spirit in speculating, more care in market- 

 ing, a bold sweeping out of inferior varieties, 

 and considerable improvement in the sunshine. 

 —English Gardening Magazine. 



Is this Experience General. The waterproof 

 fibre cloth, as a substitute for glass in covering 

 hot-beds, cold frames and plants needing protec- 

 tion, is said by many who have tested it, to be 

 very unsatisfactory. I cannot speak from expe- 

 rience. But I have grown suspicious of things 

 for which such extravagant claims are made.— 

 Hartford Times. 



Growing Onions in the South. In January we 

 have green Onions from seed sown in November 

 and these lasted until April, then ripe ones to 

 October. In August we planted sets and they 

 gave us green Onions the latter part of October, 

 which will last till the seed grown crop is large 

 enough to use.— Florida Agriculturist. 



Red Celeryjs the ^choice in English markets, 

 three parts out of four being that color in Covent 

 Garden market, and the same is true of its useiu 

 private gardens. It is considered more nutty in 

 flavor, hardier, has less hollow stalks. Here there 

 is very little red Celery grown; white seems to be 

 the choice.— Prairie Farmer. 



The Buhach stands among the most approved 

 of newer Strawberries; is a strong grower, good 

 bearer and a large handsome berry, but in some 

 localities it is quite poor in flavor, while in 

 others it is succeeding admirably as a market 

 variety.— Country Gentleman. 



A Report on Pears. Bartlett. Anjou, Lawrence, 

 Lucrative and Louise Bonne bore the most fruit. 

 Kieffer failed to make the rapid growth credited to It, 

 aud Le Coute was blighted, notwithstanding the claim 

 that It was blight proof. Lawson and Early Harvest 

 are believed to be synonymous, and the latter Is en- 

 tirely worthless.— Bulletin Mass. Experiment Station. 



Some Good Roses. A. K. Williams and Marie Bau- 

 nianu seem to be the two best Hybrid Perpetuals, while 

 among the new Roses the Duchess of Leeds, a seedling 

 from La France, possesses its parents characteristic 

 In habit of growth and type of flower, though smaller; 



but It is deeper in coler and it Is likely to make a pretty 

 garden Rose.— London Garden. 



Cherries for Roadside Planting. These are about 

 the only fruit trees which can be recommended for 

 shade along roadsides, as the hardy varieties of Cher- 

 ries are not affected by the trampling of stock or pass- 

 ing of vehicles, which would prove Injurious to most 

 other fruit trees.— Riu"al Canadian 



Treating Split Trees. If split by frost, spread melted 

 grafting wax over a piece of muslin, and place it over 

 the wound, tying securely in place. The waxed strip 

 should be large enough to entirely cover the wound.— 

 Farmer's Call. 



Planting Young Trees. The planter of one-year- 

 old Pear trees will, imder ordinary conditions, have a 

 more productive and profitable orchard than by plant- 

 ing older trees.— Michigan Farmer. * 



Each tree and flower planted should be so well 

 grown as to inspire in every beholder a love for 

 horticulture.— California Florist. 



But one Mulberry, the Downing, Is worth cultivating 

 for its fruit.— O. C. Farmer. 



Vegetable Products on the Table. 



Parsley Omelette. To some chopped Parsley 

 add six beaten eggs, pepper and salt to taste, 

 a little flour and a pinch of yeast powder; and 

 when well baked serve hot. 



Baked OnionB. Cook in two waters, the second 

 being salted. When tender, drain; then bake, 

 seasoning with pepper, butter and salt, pour on 

 soup stock or milk thickened with flour, and 

 serve when brown.— Michigan Farmer. 



A Fruit Hash. This consists of Oranges, Ba- 

 nanas, Lemons, Apples, Raisins, and Pineapples 

 cut into little bits and served with nutmeg and 

 and sugar. A hole is cut into the stem end of an 

 Orange, the inside scooped out and the skin 

 is filled with the hash, and frozen. 



Tomato Soup. Take a pint of canned Toma- 

 toes, cut up fine, add one quart of boiling water 

 and boil; then add one teaspoonful of soda and 

 one pint of sweet milk, pepper, salt and plenty 



A71 A7)cient Watering Pot. 

 of butter. When this boils add eight crackers 

 rolled fine, and serve.— American Cultivator. 



A Custard of Apples. Peel, core, and slice the 

 Apples, put over a slow fire, stew as for Apple 

 sauce: beating with a fork until smooth adding 

 lump sugar to taste, and add two drops of lemon 

 extract when cool. Stir one well beaten egg 

 thoroughly into the mixture; then turn into a 

 glass dish.— Detroit Free Press. 



Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Bake enough to give 

 easily when pressed, cut off the top above the 

 middle aud take out the Potato, keeping the 

 skin intact. Mash the inside with butter, a 

 little minced meat, and a well beaten egg, then 

 replace in the skins; fa^en on the tops, and leave 

 in the oven for five minutes.- Poultry Monthly. 



Usiug Dry Peas. Wash a half pint of split 

 Peas and soak over night, drain and add two 

 quarts of cold water. Cook an hour and a half 

 then add a small Onion chopped fine, salt and 

 pepper to taste and boil an hour longer, then fla- 

 vor with Celery cut in bits and cook half an hour 

 more. Toast stale bread and pour the soup over 

 it.— Mirror and Farmer. 



Potato Using Without Waste. In paring the 

 Potato if it is cut deeply, as is likely where the 

 eye is deep set. there is much waste of the nutri- 

 ive part. One of the best ways of preparing 



Potatoes is to bake in their jackets; the mois- 

 ture evaporates until the starch beneath the 

 skin cracks when opened. The skin itself, if 

 properly buttered and salted, is liked by many 

 as well as any part of the Potato and thus the 

 whole may be eaten without waste; but baked 

 Potatoes when cold are not so easily made 

 palatable.— Rural New Yorker. 



HOUSE PLANTS. 



Achimenes. Start at intervals of a couple of weeks, 

 to secure a succession of bloom. 



Amaryllis. Occasional applications of weak ma- 

 nure water will help them when in bloom. Consider- 

 able sunlight Is required for perfect flowers. 



Begonias. For plants wanted for next winter's 

 decoration the cuttings should now be struck. The 

 large show-leaved section (B. Rex) can be Increased by 

 laying the older leaves flat on their underside, weighting 

 them down with a little sand, on soil. In a warm shady 

 place, and they easily form roots; the main ribs should 

 be cut at the joints to assist this somewhat, potting the 

 parts seperately later on. Old plants for summer use 

 can be started and repotted in light, rich soil. 



Caladium Esculentum. Remove the little bulblets 

 from the large ones before starting. Place one Inch 

 apart in sandy loam, well firmed and with good drain- 

 age, when large enough give five or six Inch pots. 



Callas. For continued bloom top dress the soil with 

 fine maniu"e or apply liquid maniu"e twice weekly, or 

 shift into larger pots, using rich, light soil. To secure 

 large plants keep side shoots down, aud give plenty 

 of pot room. 



Canary Bird Flower. Start as directed for Rlclnus. 

 Grow In light soil. Plant in sheltered situation. 



Oanna Bulbs. Place in heat for early, and after they 

 have started pot in very rich soil. They are increased by 

 division, leaving a strong shoot to each part, or sow 

 the seed after soaking it in water for 24 hours, starting 

 with this when boiling hot. 



Cyclamen seed sown now and grown near the glass 

 until warm weather, and with good treatment later 

 on, may be had to flower by January next. Shift in 

 light, rich soil, leaving the bulb or corm half uncovered. 



Dust. Keep the foliage of all plants clean by the fre- 

 quent use of a damp sponge. 



Insects. At no time do they increase as rapidly as 

 now If given a chance. Whale-oil soap suds and To- 

 bacco water sprinkled on or applied with a sponge 

 will be effective if faithfully applied. 



Osalis, with plenty of sun will do well; the flowers 

 do not open in the shade. 



Primroses. Seed of the hai'dy class may be now 

 sown; shade the seedlings from the direct rays of the 

 sun, and aim to have them ready for planting out when 

 the ground Is warm. 



Richardia or Spotted Calla. Thlsmonth is the proper 

 time for starting these In pots. 



Ricinus (Castor Oil Bean) sown this month singly in 

 pots in heat will quickly germinate and make flne 

 plants for the center of summer beds. 



Salvias. Grow either from seed or cuttings. They 

 require a light rich soil, with fair pot room. Scant 

 watering and small pots are Injurious. 



Vallottas. As the growth increases these will need 

 more pot room, yet too much Is undesirable. 



LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 



Annuals like Mignonette. Candytuft, Larkspur. Col- 

 liusia, Clarkla, etc., may. for early cutting, be sown 

 outside as soon as the ground works up well. 



Border Perennials in the way of Phloxes, Irises, 

 etc., that have been occupying the same place three or 

 four years, should now be divided and reset into new 

 positions, giving rich soil. 



Bulbs such as Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocus, etc.. In beds 

 should along with uncovering after the middle of the 

 month have the soil about them firmed to prevent In- 

 jury from the loosening effect of frost. 



Cypress Vinef/pomoca Quamoclit). Seed to be started 

 iQ heat and the young plants to be grown In pots till 

 frosts are over, then set Into rich open soil. 



Dahlias- If aoy Increase is desired they may be 

 started now, and divided later for planting out. See 

 Canuas, under House Plants. 



Evergreens. Specimen trees had better be trimmed 

 before growth commences. When transplanting Ever- 

 greens pruning is often treated as of slight importance, 

 but it is no more to be neglected than the same in de- 

 ciduous trees. 



Grass Plats. Roll these as the frost leaves, in order 

 to secure a nice smooth surface. Re-seed wherever 

 any bare spots show. For new lawns sow the seed as 

 soon as possible. 



