July, 1915. 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



169 



Garden Reminders for July 



Wm. Hunt, O.A.C., Guelph 



PLANTS of annuals and also tliose 

 of tender perennials, such as 

 petunia, verbena, salvia, agera- 

 tum, sown out of doors early in the sea- 

 son, will soon require the final thinning 

 for flowering purposes. The distance 

 apart to thin the different species and 

 varieties depends much on the habit 

 of growth of the plant, and whether 

 dense masses of inferior flowers are re- 

 quired rather than a smaller quantity 

 of first-class blossoms. The fertility 

 and nature of the soil has also to be 

 considered. 



In good loamy soil, rich in fertilizers, 

 plants can be given more space than in 

 sandy or heavy clay soils not so rich 

 in fertilizers. For very tall plants, 

 such as ricinus (castor oil plant), cos- 

 mos, African marigold, and some of the 

 branching annual sunflowers, eighteen 

 inches to two feet apart is not too 

 much. Asters, ten-week-stock, balsams, 

 zinnia, celosia or plumed cockscomb, 

 French marigold, dwarf nasturtium, 

 calendulas (pot marigolds), and plants 

 of a similar sturdy, bushy habit of 

 growth, should be thinned to about 

 eight inches apart. Coreopsis, phlox 

 drummondii, silene (catchfly), mignon- 

 ette, poppies, gypsophila elegans, go- 

 detia, Virginia stock, as well as almost 

 all of the dwarf edging plants, such as 

 sweet alyssum, candytuft, portulaca, 

 ageratum, may be given less space and 

 be thinned to from four to six inches 

 apart. 



Dahlias. 



Do not forget to stake dahlias early 

 enough, as the stems are very brittle 



Ont. 



and liable to be broken off by high 

 winds or heavy rains. It is best to 

 place the stake in position when tiie 

 plants or roots are set out, then the 

 tying up is an easy matter. A strong 

 stake, five feet in length, is necessary. 

 Be careful and not bind the stems 

 around too tightly with the tying ma- 

 terial. Only two or three Diain stems 

 at most should be left to flower on each 

 root. Cut out the small, weak shoots 

 close to the ground, leaving only the 

 strong, vigorous canes or stems. 



The lower lateral or side shoots that 

 grow on the main stems should be kept 

 pinched off as soon as they appear, to 

 about eighteen inches from the ground, 

 according to the height and habit of 

 growth of each variety. Pinching oft" 

 these laterals throws the strength of 

 the root into the upper part of the 

 flower-producing growth. Dahlias 

 should be watered and sprayed liber- 

 ally in hot, dry weather. 



The tarnished plant bug (Lygus pra- 

 tensis) commences it destructive work 

 on dahlias as soon as hot weather com- 

 mences. It is best to anticipate the 

 visits of these destructive pests and 

 start to dust the terminal points of all 

 growth with pyrethrum or Persian in- 

 sect powder. This is more as a pre- 

 vention than a cure for the attacks of 

 these little fly-like bugs that are so 

 destructive to asters and chrysan- 

 themums as well as to dahlias and other 

 flowers. Dust them, as stated, early 

 and often when the plants are damp 

 (not too wet). Dry, finely-powdered 

 coal soot or wood ashes are also good 



remedies used in the same way as the 

 pyrethrum powder. 



Gladioli. 



Gladioli require very little attention 

 during the summer except perhaps 

 tying and staking. Unless a very 

 severe drought sets in, they seldom re- 

 quire water if the soil is suitable for 

 them and not of too sandy a nature. It 

 is well to keep the old blooms as well 

 as the old fiowering stems cut off, so as 

 to prevent seed from forming on the 

 plants. If seed heads are allowed to 

 form, it proves a great strain on the 

 strength of the plant and prevents the 

 production of lateral or side spikes of 

 bloom, as well as retarding the full 

 growth of the new corra or bulb. 



To have gladioli at their best for vases 

 indoors, the spike should be cut when 

 only two or three of the lower flowers 

 have developed. The balance of the 

 buds will usually open well indoors and 

 the spike present a much better appear- 

 ance than if left longer on the plant. 

 Change the water they are in every 

 second day, and cut oft' the base of each 

 stem half an inch. 



Sweet Peas. 



In very dry weather, water sweet 

 peas thoroughly. Soak the ground pro- 

 fusely about once every two weeks. 

 This is better than light surface water- 

 ings given more frequently. As the 

 heat increases, look out for insect pests. 

 Aphis and red spider are the two worst 

 pests. Spraying the plants frequently 

 with clear or soapy water under pres- 

 sure, especially the under side of the 

 foliage, and dusting the plants when 



A dellehtful but inexpensive lily pool in the garden of Mrs. McNalr, 141 Dundum St., Hamilton. 



