328 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



July, 1914 



Sowing 

 Perennials 



HPHIS is an excellent time to start a batch 



•^ of perennials. Seeds can be sown in 



flats, or in rows in a coldframe and later 



transplanted in rows in a frame or in a 



protected location outside. 



It is always best to winter 



the young plants in cold- 

 frames if at all possible, but they can be 

 left out if properly protected. Any of the 

 perennials can be handled in this way and 

 large quantities of the best types can be 

 raised at the very minimum of cost. If 

 a large supply be needed for any special 

 effect next year, the plants can be had from 

 seed sown now for a small sum, whereas 

 the cost of the plants next season might 

 be prohibitive. 



Aconitum, anchusa, aquilegia, campanula, 

 delphinium, gaillardia, gypsophila, helen- 

 ium, helianthus, hollyhock, lupin, lychnis, 

 pentstemon, physostegia, phlox, poppy, 

 pyrethrum, and sweet William are only a 

 few of the more popular flowering per- 

 ennials that can be considered as possibilities in any garden be- 

 cause of the very low cost when raised from seed at this time. 



FIGHTING THE BUGS OF SUMMER 



(See opposite page) 



Poison Sprays. Where they can be used safely, 

 rely on standard poison sprays for any leaf-eating 

 pests. Paris green, a teaspoonful to a pail of water; 

 arsenate of lead, three tablespoonfuls to a pail. 



Hellebore. For plants bearing ripe fruit, or for 

 vegetables about ready for use. Dust on straight, 

 or dilute with three parts of flour. 



Dry Arsenate of Lead. This is a handy form. 

 Dust it on lightly when the plants are wet with dew. 

 It will not burn the foliage, even if applied quite 

 heavily. Use a common flour sifter for low plants; 

 label the sifter "Poison." Or make a duster out 

 of a cheese-cloth bag. 



Grasshopper Mixture. Mix dry 20 pounds of 

 bran and 1 pound of Paris green. Chop up three 

 oranges or lemons in 3 or 4 gallons of water, first 

 squeezing the juice into the water. Add 2 quarts 

 of cheap syrup. Then moisten the poisoned bran 

 with this. Scatter the mixture broadcast. 



Carbon Bisulphide for Ants. With a pointed 

 stick punch a hole into each ant-hill; several holes 

 in big hills. Pour into each hole a tablespoonful of 

 carbon bisulphide. Press your foot on the hole to 

 close it. The fumes will penetrate the burrows and 

 kill the occupants. Be careful to have no fire nearby, 

 for the vapor is explosive. 



Making 

 Cosmos Bloom 



"TOWARD the latter part of July if your 

 ■*- cosmos is growing very rank it is a 

 good plan to check the growth slightly by 

 cutting some of the roots, this will hasten 

 flowering. Simply jab a 

 spade down to the hilt 

 about one foot out from 

 the plant, go about half way around the 

 first time. 



Make a practice of cutting your flowers 

 early in the morning while they are still wet 

 with dew. Flowers so cut will not only 

 last much better, but will retain freshness 

 a long while after cutting. Such flowers 

 as the poppy which is very hard to keep 

 can be made a fairly good cut flower sub- 

 ject if handled this way. 



OR early spring flowering sow late this month campanula, 

 digitalis, pansy, myosotis, English daisy, viola, and wall- 

 flower. These plants must be wintered in a coldframe 

 and can be planted out very early in spring or can be 

 left, in the coldframe to flower. 



Making a 

 Growing Soil 



For Early 

 Spring 



"PALL perennials in the garden should be staked up. Go into 

 A the woods and cut some stakes for this purpose; or bamboo 

 canes can be bought very cheaply from the seed stores. Where 

 the plants are conspicuous, as in formal gardens, the regulation 

 painted stake must be used. Helianthus, helenium, hollyhock, 

 yucca and such plants should certainly be staked. 



Sweet peas must be kept cut close or they will stop flowering, 



. . don't let any seed pods form, keep the flowers removed, 



F1 feed freely and have a heavy mulch applied; a light 



muslin or cheese cloth cover placed over the row so 



as to shade it during the centre of the day will improve them 



somewhat. 



Don't be afraid to cut the continuous flowering annuals such as 



HpHE coldframes should now be cleaned 

 out, fresh soil put in and made ready 

 for use; there are a thousand and one pur- 

 poses for which you will need them later. 

 This is the right time to look around 

 for some good soil for building up in compost for greenhouse 

 operation next season. In order to have success with plants in- 

 doors where they are subjected to an unnatural 

 condition we must have a good soil, one rich in 

 fertilizing qualities, and containing humus; it 

 should be of the proper consistency, adhesive yet friable. Humus 

 is a most important item and special attention must be given 

 to get it into the majority of our coastal soils even if it has to be 

 hauled from afar. 



A good turfy sod is the best foundation for a compost heap using 

 about § of this to \ of well decayed cow manure. Shake in about 

 one shovelful of pure ground bone meal to every twelve of compost, 

 if the soil is inclined to be wet and soggy add enough lime to sweeten 

 it, additional plant food that is quick acting can be incorporated 

 with the soil at the final mixing. Leaf mold is usually added at 

 this time also. 



A RE you intending to force 

 ■^ any bulbs next winter? 

 If so this is the time to make 

 up your order, and remem- 

 ber it is better to pay 





Watering is the suburbanites summer bugbear. Read carefully on page 327 how to water efficiently and learn, too, 



when watering may do harm 



the snapdragon, scabiosa, helianthus, salpiglossis, etc. If they 

 are not kept cut. seed pods will form and flowering will cease. 



Keep the stems on the dahlias reduced to three or four. Thin 

 out some of the lower laterals so that you don't get so much wood. 

 This will give you better quality flowers. 



An application of cow manure water will improve the quality 

 of your asters. 



good prices ; cheap bulbs 



are a false economy. 



„ „ , Don't send 

 Bulbs for ,. , j 



. your list around 



Forcog to half a dozen 



seedsmen and then make your 



decision on price alone; rather 



*" 



