268 



What is a fair rental for a given 

 Properly? Ask the Readers' Service 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



May, 1912 



The Model Plant Support 



For Tomatoes, Peonies, Dahlias, Golden Glow, Chrysanthemums, etc. 



MADE 

 STRONG 

 AND LIGHT 

 OF HEA VY 

 GALVAN- 

 IZED 

 WIRE 



Patented May 17, 1898 

 PRICES: 



Per dozen. $1.75; per 50. $7.50; per 100. $12.50 



A Lighter Support is also made for Carnations 



50 Complete Supports. $2.25; 100 Complete Supports, $3.50 



Flower Bed Guards, Trellis, Lawn Guards. 



Send for Price List and Catalogue of oar Fall Line of Flower Supports 



IGOE BROTHERS 



6 7-71 3lptropolit:in ATenne, 

 Brooklyn, N. Y. 



Simmons Hose Reels 



Save time and money. Besides, its spi- 

 ral wind protects life of hose indefi- 

 nitely. Also neat and compact with 

 efficient lawn-sprinkler combined. 

 Each, $4.00 net 



arden Hose 



that stands the test of time. 

 None but pure rubber and 

 best fabric used in its con- 

 struction. Buy direct and 

 save unnecessary profits. 



Price, including Nozzle and 

 Couplings, complete, 10 

 cents per foot net. 



John Simmons Co. 



» 104-110 Centre Street 

 NEW YORK CITY 



The World's Largest 



Dahlia Growers 



"We have not come to that position 

 in a day, but through many years 

 of steady growth; our establish- 

 ment now occupies 80 acres 

 solidly planted in Dahlias in 

 \ 1911. Here we grow, test, 

 experiment with Dahlias, 

 producing the choicest types, 

 in leading standard varieties. 



ASSURE SATISFAC- 



; T10N BY PLANTING 



HERBERT'S DAHLIAS 



•"""' "We have the Dahlias you need— the 

 kind of plants, and the quality. We 

 do not accept the word of other growers, 

 but test the varieties we sell so we know they 

 are trustworthy. This method is an assur- 

 ance that you will be pleased with the stock 

 we furnish. Get our handsome Catalog, 

 describing Dahlias, Gladioli , 

 Cannas, and Hardy Phlox. It's 

 yours, free, if you write now— 

 planting time is close by. 



David Herbert & Son 



Box 401, Atco, N. J. 



that root growth is checked by the cold of winter 

 which seems necessary for the flower bud develop- 

 ment. 



IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SOIL 



The University of California has just completed 

 a three years' experiment upon "Soil and Climatic 

 Factors Influencing the Composition of Wheat" 

 (Bulletin No. 216). Soil was taken from Maryland 

 and Kansas. From the latter state the soil was 

 taken in layers of six inches to a depth of three feet 

 and were replaced in California in the same order 

 as obtained so that the bottom soil would occupy 

 the same position it did in Kansas. This was 

 placed in a hole lined with cement so as to prevent 

 lateral root growth. A similar plot was dug 

 alongside in the California soil, the hole lined and 

 soil replaced so as to make exact conditions. Then 

 wheat native from each place was planted in a 

 similar position in each one of the plots. From 

 the "results it would appear that a normal soil 

 has little, if any, influence upon the nitrogen con- 

 tent of the wheat kernel, but that climatic factors 

 are the controlling ones" and furthermore that 

 "it seems quite certain that the soil nitrogen con- 

 tent has very little, if any, direct influence upon 

 the nitrogen content of grain grown upon such soil, 

 and that some climatic factor is sufficient to en- 

 tirely overshadow the soil factor. It may be that 

 certain physical factors enabling the soil to hold 

 moisture better at certain periods of the plant's 

 growth are responsible for the difference." 



My experience would indicate importance of 

 soil only so far as concerned its physical factor 

 for holding or releasing moisture. Soil must 

 contain a certain amount of fertility — plant 

 food — but over and above this food necessity, 

 climate seems to control the result. Italian and 

 Portuguese truck gardeners will take sand dunes, 

 even salt water beach sand, level them off, and, with 

 green manure and water, change a desert into an 

 oasis of vegetables. The manure seems to act 

 more as a mulch than as a fertilizer. In many 

 instances it would seem that water is the only 

 factor. In our great valleys, vast stretches of 

 barren land lay sparse of vegetation although 

 winter rains are abundant; yet with the intro- 

 duction of irrigating systems, they have been trans- 

 formed into diversified productivity. Again, in 

 sections of Oakland where there is sandy soil, 

 so porous that no matter how copious be the water- 

 ing or rain, it immediately sinks into the soil, irises 

 of the Siberian and Spanish types will reseed them- 

 selves. Iris do well in all sections, but will not 

 reseed. This appears due to the physical nature 

 of the soil as related to climate conditions rather 

 than to fertility. The cineraria is sensitive to 

 frosts, yet protected by a shady place such as on 

 the north side of a house and in a heavy clay soil, 

 called adobe, it will run riot in both bloom and 

 reseeding, in the winter season. It is not so in 

 sandy soil. Geraniums, pelargoniums, nastur- 

 tiums and sweet peas hardly require the scratching 

 of the ground to take root. The first two will grow 

 on the rubbish heap and the first in the most sterile 

 potter's clay. Once plant nasturtiums and one is 

 ever after getting rid of them. Last summer we 

 found perfect specimens of sweet peas, with stems 

 ten to twelve inches long averaging four flowers, 

 which had grown in an adjoining lot having been 

 pitched there with the previous year's vines. The 

 calla lily bulb seemingly can be broken into a thou- 

 sand parts and each will grow. These seem to thrive 

 on climate. 



TWO CROPS OF ROSES 



Portland, Ore., is often called the "Rose City." 

 Their wealth of bloom is in May and June. 

 We plant mostly Hybrid Perpetuals because the 

 winters are severe and rains continuous. In 

 California, all types flourish. Flowers may be 

 picked the year around, especially if some summer 

 and fall irrigating is done. Many follow the 

 practice of no pruning other than by the picking 

 of long stems with the flowers. Again, irrigating 

 is withheld from bush roses from the last of June 

 until the first of September; then the tops are 

 cut off to about eighteen inches of the ground, 

 depending upon the variety. Manure is applied 

 and this followed by a good watering occasionally. 

 Then fine blooms may be had for Thanksgiving 

 and Christmas. This latter method gives two 



Incase* 



VALUE 



AND 



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Cyclone Ornamental Fence wi 



give the 



outside of your home the finished appearance that 

 curtains give the inside. It takes away that look 

 of something lacking. 



Cyclone Ornamental Fence 



is made of large wires, heavily galvanized. Heavy 

 upright wires are firmly seated in the cables, form- 

 ing an immovable joint. Easily put up on wooden 

 or iron posts. Made in many attractive designs. 



We Guarantee It Fully 



Cyclone Farm Gates are strong, 

 durable and light on posts. Frames are of 

 high-grade carbon steel and fabric of heavy, 

 closely woven galvanized wire . Turns any stock . 



Write us about how many feet of fence and 

 the number of gates you need. We will send 

 catalog Free. 



Cyclone Fence Company 



Dept. 46 Waukegan, 111 



BROWN LAWN FENCE 



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In 



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Many Styles LAWN and FARM FENCE Low Prices 



Cheaper than wood, lasts longer and more ornamental. We sell direct to 



users at manufacturers' prices. Write today for catalog. 



The Brown Fence and Hire Co.. Dept. 95, (TeTeland, Ohio 



.o^O&i 



CLEVELAND CYCLONE fence 



and GATES 



give your home privacy and distinc- 

 tion. Strong, Durable, Handsome, 

 Easily Erected. Send postal for new 

 catalog and prices. We pay freight. 



THE CYCLONE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., 



172 WILLSON AVE., - CLEVELAND, OHIO 



Peonies 



We have one of the finest stocks anywhere 

 in the country and should be very glad to 

 figure with vou on your list ot wants 



PETERSON NURSERY 



Stock Exchange Building, CHICAGO 



Mention The Garden Magazine when you write. 



PRATT & LAMBERT VARNISHES 



h"yo«&,™oc°^" Established 63 Years Fo i-"~c 



Bkidgiburg Canada H< 



