IV 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



February, 19 13 



World renowned Fruit 

 Trees, Vines and Plants 

 and Ornamental Trees, 

 Shrubs, Evergreens, Flow- , 

 ers.Rosesand Hardy Plants. , 

 All perfectthroughscientific 

 propagation and expert cul- 

 ture. Superb collections 

 adapted to large or small gar- 

 dens, private estates, public 

 parks and cemeteries. 



73 years of leadership, based on 

 absolute integrity. A world-wide 

 patronage. Every specimen is true 

 to species, is well rooted and 

 sturdily developed, and is packed 

 and shipped with utmost care. 

 Both large and small orders receive 

 close attention, and our reputation as- 

 sures your satisfaction. Goods safely 

 delivered in all parts of the world. 



ELLWANGER & BARRY 



Mount Hope Nurseries 



Box 23B, Rochester, N- Y. 



AN INVALUABLE FREE BOOK 



Write for a copy of 

 our 73rd Annual 

 Catalogue. It is a 

 "'■' <j standard guide in 

 H all matters per- 

 7 taining to lawn . 



and garden dec- nm,^ 

 oration. IT IS -«-*9w . 

 FREE. Just dk 

 mail us a I 

 postal, and we 

 will send you MaW 

 a copy at once. 



There's satisfaction in Planting Dahlias when 

 you know they are true to name, and you are 

 sure of being able to cut a bouquet every day 

 — and such a variety of color and form — results 

 that are sure where you plant Bassett's Superb 

 Dahlias. 



Send $1.00 for the Grand New Decorative 

 Dahlia Governor Wilson and 10 other varieties, 

 all correctly labeled. Express to be paid by 

 purchasers. Cultural Directions with every 

 order. 



If you grow fruit send $1.00 for 12 Rancre 

 Red Raspberry and get two crops every year. 

 The earliest raspberry in cultivation, and con- 

 tinues to bear until frost. $6.00 per 100. 

 Address 



J. MURRAY BASSETT 



Packard Street Hammonton, N. J. 



WHY LEAVES FALL FROM TREES 



TO most people the fall of the leaves 

 does not, apparently, excite much as- 

 tonishment or curiosity. The leaves die, 

 and hence fall ; that is, says an exchange, 

 all there is about it. But the scientist 

 knows that the proceeding is a highly com- 

 plex one. In the first place, preparations 

 for the leaf-fall begin the minute the leaf 

 is formed, and in many cases the leaf falls 

 while yet fresh and green. In 1758 a 

 botanist named Duhamel advanced the 

 theory that the change was caused by the 

 rupture of a thin-texture between the leaf 

 and the stem. In the middle of the nine- 

 teenth century there was discovered, 

 traversing the leaf-stalk and touching the 

 stem, a layer of cork tissue analogous to 

 that of bark on the tree. It was recognized 

 at once as interfering with the continuity 

 between stem and leaf. The formation of 

 this layer, however, is not general, and is 

 not observed in certain ferns, in the beech 

 tree, the poplar, and many others. Never- 

 theless, this discovery furnished the key to 

 the phenomenon. The leaf-stalk is formed 

 of strata of cellular tissue. One of these 

 strata hardens and tends to being absorbed, 

 and consequently on one side or on both, 

 the other strata gradually grow together. 

 The leaf then adheres to the stem only 

 by fibrous, woody tissue — that is to say, by 

 a tissue to all intents and purposes dead. 

 This is broken mechanically on the impulse 

 of the wind or under the pressure of the 

 weight of the stem, and makes the leaf 

 fall. These organs have not in them the 

 strength to sustain the cold during the 

 Winter, and the tree dispenses with them. 



THE PINE TREES OF SPAIN 



IN Spain, says the American Fruit and 

 Nut Journal, particularly on the Medi- 

 terranean side, the pino or pine tree is one 

 of those most commonly noticed. Usually 

 the trunks are more or less twisted, as they 

 are often subjected to strong winds. The 

 tops are close and compact and have every 

 appearance of having been cut or pruned 

 into shape. 



While the tops have not been pruned, it 

 is true that all the side branches have been 

 removed, only stubs being left to show 

 where they once were. These branches are 

 carried away for firewood — for wood is 

 scarce in Spain (so far has deforestation 

 been carried that there is practically no 

 timber), and every twig is utilized. 



When matured, the cones or pihas are 

 gathered for the seeds which they contain. 

 These cones crack open on drying. Some- 

 times they break open at most unexpected 

 times. Once I had placed a pair of them 

 on the mantle in my room. They had been 

 there sometime when in the night I was 

 awakened by a snapping, cracking noise. 

 On striking a light, these sounds were 

 found to emanate from one of the cones 

 which was in process of opening. 



The seeds, when the covering is removed, 

 are white, sweet and nutritious. They are 

 used in the making of pine nut cake and in 

 other ways. Unsually they are purchased 

 ready for use either by weight or at so 

 much per package. Some are exported and 

 both the cones and the nuts may be secured 

 in the New York market. 



In the western states the seeds of some 

 pines are used, bttt are unimportant as an 

 item in the markets. If America should 

 become as densely populated as some parts 

 of Europe, they would command more at- 

 tention. The pine cones are gathered 

 throughout southern Europe in Spain, 

 France and Italy particularly, and are by 

 no means an unimportant crop. 



THE BEAUTY OF 

 SNOW -LADEN EVERGREENS 



THESE wintry days when other vegetation has cast 

 aside its graceful draperies, the Conifers in their uni- 

 forms of beautiful green, stand vigilant, watchful, 

 guarding for us pleasant memories of summers past, the 

 pledge of bright days to come again. Evergreens, beauti- 

 ful at all times, seem loveliest in the winter sunlight, covered 

 with a mantle of snow, radiant with icy crystals. 



If you would enjoy the beauty of Evergreens, now is 

 the time to inspect your grounds and order for spring 

 planting, Surely you will find room for a few Evergreens 

 or other ornamental trees or plants. In making your 

 selection, remember that our 800 acres in nurseries enable 

 us to meet your requirements to the fullest extent. 59 

 years of specializing on all that pertains to Horticulture 

 accounts for our pre-eminence in this field. Our Land- 

 scape Department is well equipped for efficient service 

 to customers. Water-color sketches, planting plans and 

 full estimates furnished. Correspondence or personal 

 interviews solicited. Don't put this matter off until the 

 rush of spring is upon us. 



Full information furnished as to the best plans for commercial 

 orchards, and the best fruits of all kinds for the home garden. Cata- 

 logue or handbook of varieties, and instructions for planting, pruning 

 and after-management on request. 



HOOPES BROS. & THOMAS COMPANY 



Dept. A, West Chester, Pa. 

 Philadelphia Office, Room 202, Stephen Girard Building 



Strong — positive in ac- 

 tion — pumps e a s i 1 y — 

 stands firmly in pail — 

 adjustable to any depth 

 of pail. Keep a 

 Douglas always 

 ready for immedi- 

 ate action. 



faf737ra 



FIREor 

 hUQS 



DOUGLAS 



SPRAY PUMPS 



are adaptable to scores of 

 uses in house, barn, garden, 

 orchard. This No. 259 ("Aqua- 

 pult") is double acting— gives continu- 

 ous stream 50 to 60 feet with straight 

 nozzle. 81 years at pump making make 

 us authorities on pump problems. 



Free Booklet describes this and sixteen 

 other models with prices. Send for it 

 now. Ask your dealer; if he has none 

 we will supply you. 



W. & B. DOUGLAS 



Pump Makers for 81 years 

 180 William St.. Middle-town, Ct. 



