Thk Canadian Horticulturist. 433 



A FEW MISTAKES MADE IN THE GARDEN. 



T is a mistake, in laying out walks, to get senseless curves 

 in them, that look for all the world like a huge snake track. 

 A curve is a line of beauty in the garden as elsewhere, 

 but there should be a reason for the curve, or one artifi- 

 cially placed there. The more flowing the outline or 

 the larger the radius, the better the effect. A straight 

 walk to the front door is more effective than a curve in 

 most city lots. 



It is a mistake, however small the grounds, to have walks a couple of feet 

 wide, or so. Even a twenty-five-foot lot should have walks that are to be 

 travelled on not less than four feet wide ; the main one from the street to the 

 house at least five feet in width. It is not pleasant to be obliged to go single 

 file, like an Indian on trail, when approaching a house, or walking about enjoying 

 the flowers in the garden. 



It is a mistake often made by amateurs to sow seed broadcast (except for 

 the lawn, of course) for the reason that quite often amateurs do not know the 

 seed they have sown from the weeds that spring up. If in rows, the young 

 plants show for themselves, and the hoe can easily be slid along to cut off weeds 

 that are called plants out of place. Even seed sown in small patches, as in 

 boxes or small beds, can by this means be easily observed. 



It is a mistake to water plants by dribbles in the summer out of doors or 

 pot plants in the window. When watering pot plants see that the water goes 

 through into the saucer, then withhold water until the soil becomes again dry. 

 Fast-growing plants, or such as have a mass of leaves, require more than those 

 not growing, or with but little leafage. A small plant in a large pot needs less 

 than the reverse — a large plant in a small pot. 



It is a mistake when transplanting new shrubs, trees, plants, etc., from the 

 open ground, not to trim off a portion of the shoots, or, in case of small plants, 

 a few of the leaves. The reason is, that in digging up many roots have been 

 destroyed. Taking off some of the top growth equalizes things. A vigorous 

 rose or grape vine, for example, cut back one-half, will make better growth and 

 longer shoots in a summer than if left entire. Plants grown in pots, of course, 

 have no mutilation of roots, and suffer no injury through transplanting. — Prairie 

 Farmer. 



Bananas and Oranges. — Peel and slice six bananas, sprinkle with sugar 

 and w r ith a little orange juice between the layers, using one large or two small 

 oranges for six bananas. Chill on the ice and serve with whipped cream. 



