May, 1916 eb ey) 1G VAG. DebeNe es WMicA GeAZ sl Nip 265 
Aster Yellows and Root Aphis ee a oe 
E GROW Asters on quite a large scale 
V V and some years ago, in two successive sea- 
sons, lost almost 50 per cent. of the plants with 
what is usually termed “yellows.” Prior to 
the years I refer to I had never seen or heard 
of Aster “yellows” and was therefore quite at a 
loss to account for the mischief. I was told it 
was due to the attacks of root aphis and, sure 
enough, on examining the roots of the diseased 
plants, I found the roots were literally alive 
with the bluish-gray insects. 
I was not, however, satisfied that they were 
altogether to blame, arguing that when plants 
are growing strongly and have not received a 
check such as might be caused by drought, ir- 
regular or insufficient cultivation, they are 
usually able to withstand or at least grow 
away from the majority of aphide pests. As 
our plants had been kept growing steadily from 
the seedling stage without any suspicion of 
there ever being a “holdup” in growth, I began 
to look around for other causes. j 
On careful examination of the affected 
plants I observed that the leading, or main, 
shoots had all the appearance of having been 
injured, some having almost a burned or 
scorched look. These central stems became 
stunted, the side shoots soon overtopping them, 
but the entire plant gradually lost its rich, 
een color, the growths in time becoming a 
istinetly yellowish-green shade, any flower 
roduced being small and often only half 
ormed. This, therefore, led me to look for in- 
sects, and the tarnished bug (Lygus pratensis) 
was found in numbers. 
Next summer I began spraying the plants 
once a week, starting when the plants were 
about three inches in height and continuing 
until they were in good flower. The results 
were beyond my most sanguine expectations— 
as we do not now lose more than one per cent. 
of our plants. I use kerosene emulsion, adding 
one heaping teaspoonful of arsenate of lead to 
each gallon of the diluted emulsion. 
Our emulsion is prepared by combining two 
gallons of kerosene and half a pound of whale 
oil soap with one gallon of water. The soap 
is dissolved in boiling water and then poured, 
while still boiling hot, into the kerosene. Be 
careful to keep it away from the fire. The mix- 
ture is then thoroughly churned for at least 
five minutes, using a force pump. By this 
time the mixture has become of the consis- 
teney of thick cream. This stock solution will 
keep indefinitely. For use, dissolve one part 
in fifteen parts of water, adding one teaspoon- 
ful arsenate of lead to each gallon when ready. 
In some sections the tarnished bug also plays 
havoe with Dahlias, Antirrhinums and Mari- 
golds. So get after them with the kerosene! 
Pennsylvania. GrorceE W. Kerr. 
Why Dahlias Do Not Bloom 
ae principal reason that Dahlias do not 
bloom is that the tubers are planted too 
early. In the fall of 1913 I plowed up some 
ground that had not been used for gardening 
purposes for more than fifteen years, turning 
under the growth of goldenrod and weeds, but 
not adding any manure. The soil was an ordi- 
nary clay loam. 
The tubers were planted about two and a 
half feet to three feet apart, in rows wide 
enough to culitvate with a Rorse, planting com- 
mencing the last week in May and continuing 
until June 30. Horse cultivation was given 
on July 4th, the soil having been hoed twice 
by hand. 
In this latitude, the summers are really too 
hot for Dahlias; we must either plant late or 
plant early and in July cut down all the 
growth. The Dahlia blooms only on soft green, 
succulent stems, and you cannot get this growth 
by early planting. The stems get hard and 
woody and the flowers, if any, are no good. 
I have found my best blooms on green plants 
from cuttings. This is the English method of 
growing. The cuttings are taken in February 
and rooted in a cool greenhouse, the old clump 
being thrown away. 
Manure, if used, should be applied as a 
mulch after the buds are setting. Disbudding 
also helps to produce finer and larger blooms. 
Ohio. JouN D. Grigor. 
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Farr’s Dahlia Offerings 
May and June are the months for planting Dahlias and so that 
you may have some of these fine flowers in your garden, I am 
offering to the readers of Garden Magazine, and their friends, 
a collection of each of the several classes. 
Cactus Dahlias 
Countess of Lonsdale. A blend of 
amber and salmon-pink.......... 
Kalif. Huge flower of brightscarlet .75 
Rene Cayeux. Early blooming. Rich 
geraniqm-redie eee eee 25 
Mrs. Henry R. Wirth. Intense fiery 
scarlett sy00h 7 hc Act eee ee re 35 
Duchess of Marlborough. Delicate 
silvery (pink) 232m eee 00 
Miss Stredwick. Soft yellowand deep 
[bet Ge ere a eee ming Se ies ne cena 50 
Rev. ArthurT. Bridge. Yellowandrose .25 
Rev.L.W. Jameson. Brightmauvepink .35 
carmine 
Wodan. 
REA REE MEP Der ata eta eer eae -75 
Salmon-rose and old gold __.35 
$4.30 
This collection of 10 Cactus Dahlias for $3.85 
Decorative Dahlias 
Delice. Glowing rose-pink........ 
Mrs. J. Gardner Cassatt. Pleasing 
Mative=pinkian. 2! sone he eens 25 
Easton. Free-blooming, Orientalred .25 
Hortulanus Witte. Large flowers of 
2 pure white ae ee seen es oro: 
Papa Charmet. 
This collection of five Dahlias for $1.20 
Peony-Flowered Dahlias 
EACH 
Mme. Curtelin. Large flowers of 
Oriental reds. ese eee $ .25 
Chatenay. Lightcrimsonandsalmon  .50 
Dr. Peary. Rich mahogany-red...  .35 
Geisha. Golden yellow and scarlet .35 
Queen Wilhelmina. Pure white... .25 
$1.70 
This collection of 5 varieties for $1.50 
Collarette Dahlias EACH 
Cocarde Espagnole. Large flowers 
ofimedgandecoldaa ee eee ee $ .35 
Rheinkrone. Whiteandmahogany-red_  .50 
Maurice Rivoire. White and Ox- 
blood ire die ey eee as 
Goldstern. Redand golden yellow  .25 
Grandpapa Charmet, velvet crimson 
and) Whiter ses hc) nt Se eee 25 
$1.60 
This collection of Collarettes for $1.45 
Single Dahlias EACH 
Jack. Brilliantlightcrimson....... SEe2D 
Wildfire. Vivid lfght scarlet....... 15 
Mrs. Joynson Hicks. Pale buff and 
CrINISON pe eee ae ae ee sey cen!) 
Pink Century. Large flowers o 
delicate) pink? s555.45- nee = 8:50 
Fugi San. Rich orange-yellow. .. 50 
$1.90 
This collection of 5 Singles for $1.75 
These collections are carefully selected and as a special to readers of Garden Magazine. 
I will send you the whole collection of 30 tubers for $8.80 
Send your order in today, for at these prices they will go quick—and the first orders are filled 
with the best tubers. 
Tf you wish me to select a collection of Dahlias from my catalogue I will send you 15 bulbs 
for $2.50. This assortment is a mixture from all classes in my catalogue. 
Send for my Special Dahlia List. 
today and be sure of the best. 
Send your order 
It’s free. 
Farr’s Hardy Plant Specialties 
(1915-16 EDITION) é 
is full of useful information for the lover of growing things. It is profusely illustrated with 
24 full page engravings, 12 being in natural color. 
There are descriptions of my famous Irises, 
Hardy Chrysanthemums, Phlox, Hardy Asters, Delphiniums, and over 500 varieties of Peonies 
—the largest collection in America. 
listed in this catalogue. Send for a free copy. 
There are also many other plants for the hardy garden 
BERTRAND H. FARR 
WYOMISSING NURSERIES 
104 GARFIELD AVENUE 
WYOMISSING, PENNA. 
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Among the New 
Herbaceous Plants from China 
Thalictrum dipterocarpum, also Primula Cock- 
burniana, P. Veitchii, P. pulverulenta and var. 
“Mrs. Berkley.” 
We take pleasure in announcing that we can 
fill your order for the above rare plants as well 
as many other hardy Primulas. 
Our catalogue is mailed free to those interested 
Send for a copy 
WOLCOTT NURSERIES 
Choice and Rare Hardy Plants 
Jackson Michigan 
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One Dollar Flower Garden 
A WEALTH OF BLOOM FOR A SONG 
Simply to introduce our fine stock will send for 
$1.00 all charges paid, following entire lot: 
6 Grand, Hardy Chrysanthemums (All colors 
produce big flowers) 
6 Grand Dahlias (Cactus, Peony, Decorative) 
24 Gorgeous Garden Gladioli (Blue, Yellow, 
Pink, ite) 
36 in all for $1.00 prepaid 
Handsome booklet included with each order. 
RUSH YOUR ORDER TO 
JOE COLEMAN, Grower, Lexington, Ohio 
Advertisers will appreciate your mentioning The Garden Magazine in writing—and we witl, too 
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