198 



The Readers 1 Sen-ice will give 

 information about automobiles 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



A pkil, 1912 



V 



Ask this question first: 



"Will the roofing stay 

 waterproof?" 



The surface of any roofing 

 may be made attractive, but to 

 be sure the roofing will last 

 you want to know what it's 

 made of. 



THE TRINIDAD-LAKE-ASPHALT 



is made of Nature's everlasting 

 waterproofer — asphalt from 

 the world famous Trinidad 

 Lake. Its valuable natural 

 oils do not dry out like the so- 

 called asphalts made by man. 

 Natural asphalt gives Genasco 

 life and resistance. 



The surface of Genasco is 

 handsome — mineral or 

 smooth; and it is lastingly water- 

 proof through and through. 



Comes in rolls. Ready for 

 anybody to lay. Ask your 

 dealer for Genasco. Write us 

 for samples and the good Roof 

 Guide Book — free. 



The Kant-leak Kleet, for 

 smooth-surface roofings, pre- 

 vents nail-leaks and water- 

 proofs seams without cement. 



The Barber Asphalt Paving Company 



Largest producers of asphalt, and largest 

 manufacturers of ready roofing in the world 

 Philadelphia 

 New York San Francisco Ch 



icago 



1840 



1912 



Old Colony Nurseries 



HARDY SHRUBS, TREES, VINES, 

 EVERGREENS AND PERENNIALS 



A large and fine stock of well-rooted plants grown 

 in sandy loam. Good plants; best sizes for plant- 

 ing very cheap. Priced catalogue free on appli- 

 cation. Wholesale and retail. 



T. R. WATSON Plymouth, Mass. 



Plant Your Onions Now 



ONE of the biggest "secrets" in successful 

 onion growing is to get an early start. 



The very first day in the spring that the soil in 

 the garden is dry enough to work, a section of it 

 for onions should be plowed or spaded up, and the 

 seed got into the ground without the least delay. 

 Two years ago, a sudden rain-storm prevented my 

 finishing the sowing of the entire onion bed. As 

 it was early in April I did not think this would make 

 much difference. We did not get another rain 

 for a couple of weeks, by which time the part of the 

 field first planted was well up. Although soil, 

 fertilization, and seed were identical on both parts 

 of the field, the portion first sown maintained a very 

 perceptible lead all through the summer, and at 

 harvest time the crop was at least 20 per cent, 

 heavier. 



So plan to get your onions sown the first day it 

 is possible to do so; even snow, and light freezing 

 of the soil after sowing, will not injure them. 



While heavy, wet, or "mucky" soils will some- 

 times produce very large bulbs, they are always 

 of inferior cooking and keeping quality. Onions 

 grown on such soils are coarse-grained, tough, and 

 watery r , or "soft"; they frequently do not "bot- 

 tom down" and make bulbs in the fall, but stay 

 green and run all to neck. 



An onion of really good quality should be firm- 

 fleshed, well dried-off at the top, bright in color, 

 and have the outside skins almost as thin as paper. 

 To grow such onions, make the "bed" in a rich, 

 sandy loam, such as constitutes a good garden soil. 

 Have it well drained, in order that it may be in 

 shape to work the first thing in spring, and that 

 it may never remain water-logged after heavy 

 rains. 



If manure is used it should be old and thoroughly 

 well rotted; green, lumpy, strawy manure will 

 not do. Well-rotted, fine manure not only furnishes 

 plant food in readily available forms, but adds 

 "humus" or a certain moisture-absorbing and 

 retaining quality to the soil. Put the manure in a 

 pile and allow it to heat sufficiently to sprout 

 any weed seeds it may contain; then spread it 

 three to four inches thick and plow under five to 

 six inches deep. 



If commercial fertilizers are used, apply broad- 

 cast after plowing, and harrow in. Use a complete 

 fertilizer, analyzing about 4 per cent, of nitrogen. 

 8 per cent, of available phosphoric acid, and 10 

 per cent, of potash, at the rate of 8 to 10 pounds to 

 every 100 square feet of surface, or about half 

 that amount if used with manure. Wood ashes, 

 hen manure, bone dust, and such special fertilizers 

 are also good. 



The beginner with onions seldom realizes how 

 thoroughly pulverized and fine the soil in the bed 

 should be made. After plowing or spading, 

 thoroughly pulverize it with a harrow or a spad- 

 ing fork, and then rake it over by hand with an 

 iron rake until it is smooth as a table. Not a stick 

 or stone should be visible. 



Just as soon as it is in this condition, and before 

 the surface has time to dry out, proceed with the 

 planting. The seed should be fresh, and the best 

 you can buy. Sow in rows twelve to fourteen 

 inches apart, and half an inch deep. Plant with 

 a regular seed-drill if possible, or else use a board 

 twelve or fourteen inches wide to kneel on while 

 sowing and covering the seed, which should be 

 sown thinly, eight to fourteen seeds to the inch. 

 After covering, press the soil down firmly with the 

 edge of the board, both to insure germination and 

 to mark the rows. 



The so-called new onion culture is starting the 

 seedlings early, under glass, and transplanting 

 out of doors, three or four inches apart in the row, 

 during April or May. It is not too late to try this 

 method now if you will sow the seed immediately. 

 Fill the seed box with a compost of old manure and 

 light soil, and cover with an inch of clean sand, in 

 which sow the seed in rows three inches apart. 

 As the tops reach a length of eight or ten inches, 

 cut back about a third, and repeat this cutting as 

 often as necessary. When setting out, the roots 

 should be trimmed back at least two thirds. 



To get good results, after all this care, the weeds 

 must never be allowed to get a start. Weed the 

 rows themselves as soon as the little onions are big 

 enough to be distinguished from the weeds. Culti- 



Refuge from the Summer Sun 



W hen the heat of the sun becomes unbear- 

 able and indoors there is not a trace of air 

 —you can always go on the porch and be 

 cool and comfortable, if it is equipped with 

 Vudor Porch Shades. There you can 

 receive your guests, have luncheon and re- 

 freshments and be as private as though 

 within doors. 



They outlast many seasons 



shut off the view of inquisitive passersby without 

 interfering with your outward view. They shut 

 out the sun's rays but let in the breeze and allow 

 you a pleasant, cool place to read, write, sew or 

 take a nap. 



Country Life in America isn't complete without 

 Vudor Porch Shades. They harmonize with any 

 surroundings and are easily put up with a screw 

 driver. Ordinary porches can be equipped with a 

 cost of from $3.50 to $10.00. Be careful to look 

 for the Vudor name plate. It is your guarantee 

 and assures you that the shades will last seasons 

 instead of weeks. Vudor Shades are unaffected by 

 climatic conditions. The slats are tough and the 

 twine is unbreakable — the kind used by fishermen 

 for their nets. 



You'll Be Interested 

 in Our New Book 



— well illustrated in colors and it shows how to 

 make your porch cool, comfortable and cozy. Send 

 us a postcard. 



Hough Shade Corporation 



255 Mill Street, Janesville, Wisconsin 



Also makers of the famous Vudor Re-enforced Hammocks — 

 which by being strengthened at center and ends are given 

 double life and utility. 



FLORICULTURE 



Complete Home Study Course in practical Floricul- 

 ture under Prof. Craig and Prof. Beal. of Cornell 

 University. 



Course includes Greenhouse Construction and 

 Manngement and the growing of Small Fruits and 

 Vegetables, as well as Flowers Under Glass. 



Personal Instruction. Expert Advice. 



350 Pare Catalogue Vrer. Write to-day. 



THE HOME CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL 



Dept. ft. F.. Springfield. Muss. 



Pr«f. Craig 



LOOK OUT 

 FOR SPARKS 



No more danger or damage from flying 

 sparks, No more poorly fitted, flimsy fire- 

 place screens. Send for free booklet 

 "Sparks from the Fire-side." It tells about 

 the best kind of a spark guard for your in- 

 dividual fireplace. Write to-day for free 

 booklet and make your plans early. 



The Syracuse Wire Work* 

 10; VniversUy Avenue, • Sjra«DB#, N. Ti 



