The Garden Magazine, January, 1922 



261 



"BIRD'S EGG" GERANIUMS 



"1 succeeded in producing wonderfully large, perfect, and 

 well colored blossoms by using poultry droppings only as a 

 fertilizer" So writes Mrs. Shockey of Georgetown, Ohio, 

 with this stalwart truss to amply prove her contention 



alluring picture and glowing description of them. The flowers are soft 

 white and very delicately speckled — for all the world in the manner of 

 a bird's egg — with specks of lavender. The plants grew well though 

 not so rapidly as other sturdier, more common Geraniums which 

 they much resemble in their habit and general character of dwarf, 

 rather compact growth. Their foliage is rather more delicate, but clean 

 and of a fresh green. 



There are single and double varieties' — Abel Le Franc (a delicate 

 shade of lilac white) and Rosamond (a deep rose, dotted with carmine 

 specks) are two doubles that have pleased me. Of the single varieties, 

 Daumier, a soft, rosy lilac shot with deeper aniline dots is particularly 

 pleasing; Skylark, snow-white with dots of rosy carmine, is very lovely; 

 Baudalaire is a good-looking clear, rose pink with crimson-dotted white 

 centre. To the lover of "something different anyhow" I know of noth- 

 ing in the way of Geraniums that can meet that desire so well or fill the 

 place of Bird's Egg Geraniums which certainly supply a new note of 

 pleasure and beauty to any winter window garden, and are equally 

 beautiful growing outside during the summer season. 



The size of plants and blossoms as well depends mainly upon soil con- 

 ditions, and, one might add, on the quantity and quality of fertilizer 

 used. Some prefer bone meal for all pot plants, but I would rather 

 have poultry droppings. A bit of such "old" manure, about the size 

 of a walnut, buried in the earth to the side of the plant, is sufficient; 

 and in a very short time a marked difference will be noted in growth, 

 richness, size, and coloring of the blossoms. Do not allow it to touch 

 their roots as they will be injured by "burning." I have even used 

 fresh droppings in this way, quite successfully. The soil for Geraniums 

 should be light and well drained; any good garden soil will answer. 



Put clinkers, bits of broken china, pottery, etc., in the bottom of the 

 containers to allow for drainage, and water frequently but sparingly; 

 warmed water is preferable. Cold, wet, poorly drained soil is the cause 

 of certain mildew and a rotting off at the base of plants. 



Do not leave too near windows or in drafts at night. Strong, well- 

 rooted, true-to-name plants are best to buy, as they are ready to grow 

 and blossom. They thrive most in broad, full sunshine, especially 

 during the winter season, the time their delicate, sweet beauty is cer- 

 tainly attractive and appreciated. — G. H. Shockey, Ohio. 



The Vigor of Lilium Auratum 



To the Ediior of The Garden Magazine: 



A QUERY in November as to the number of flowers Lilium auratum 

 will produce brought to mind the fact that some years ago I 

 saw a plant of this Lily exhibited at Derby, England, which had 157 

 flowers. The following is an account from a reliable source of another 

 Lily also grown in England. 



In 1865 a bulb of 2 in. diameter was placed in a 7 in. pot. This pro- 

 duced 3 flowers on one stem. In 1866 it was repotted producing 2 

 stems, 17 flowers, and in subsequent years its record was: 



1867 repotted to 11 in. pot producing 3 stems, 53 flowers; 



1868 " 16 " 12 100 flowers; 



1869 " 17 " 39 (2 to 9 ft. high), 193 flowers; 

 1870, undisturbed, it produced .... 43 " 208 flowers. 



There is no doubt that much of the failure of this and other Lilies 

 is due to cold storage. This takes out the vitality. The Japanese Lilies 

 arrive late in the season when the ground is frozen up and the planting 

 is left to spring. Sometimes they are carried over the winter in seed 

 stores and from the treatment they get in some of these places it is a 

 wonder they grow at all. I have had splendid success with Lilies 

 planted in the Carolinas (that is on the higher lands). I don't think 

 they succeed so well, generally speaking, in lower South Carolina. — 

 H. J. Corfield, Valencia, Pa. 



Berries for Ornament or for the Birds? 



To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 



NOW, sir, there be two objects in view when planting berry-bearing 

 plants for their fall and winter effects, both commendable — 

 or rather I should say, either, not both, for the two are somewhat in- 

 compatible. It's a pretty enough idea, I allow you, to plant a garden 

 to feed the birds, but I would that they did not rob me so promptly 

 of all that I can get out of the planting — the contemplation of the rich 

 ripe fruits for a while. Particularly do I admire the evergreen Fire- 

 thorn, which 1 plant for my delectation in the last outdoor days o; the 

 fall, but our feathered friends hugely enjoy the repast of miniature 

 apples thus offered. One berry to a mouthful — it's a regal feast indeed ! 

 And as the fruits take on color they attract in ratio, so that by the time 

 that I should be feasting my eyeson wreathing strings of glowing orange- 

 scarlet berries I, in fact, have practically none — but the birds have 

 been fed. 



So, at least, it was until this fall when in a moment of boyish-like 

 prankishness I accidentally hit upon what looks like a practical method 

 of temporary protection for my own desires. I had the spray pump 

 at work with Black-leaf 40 and soap solution, and impulsively squirted 

 a spray at the birds as they picked the berries. It was an idle impulse 

 of petty annoyance. It did the birds no harm and it covered the 

 berries with the solution. Since that moment, not a berry has been 

 removed by my friends. I pass on the hint. — W. J. N., Flushing, L. I. 



From a Texas Gardener 



To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 



1AM the veriest amateur, yet your magazine is religiously read each 

 month, and hoarded by me with care from year to year. I was de- 

 lighted to find the two articles in the October number from Texas; one 

 by Miss Markey from Chatfield; the other by Mr. Padrickof Ft. Worth. 

 Only one familiar with this section for a long period of time can give 

 such thorough appreciation and unqualified indorsement of Mr. Pa- 

 drick's ideas as they deserve. 



When the November number arrived to-day and I found that De- 

 cember is to be devoted to California, I sighed with the longing that 

 Texas might be so fortunate at some time! As I turned and came to 

 "The Open Column," I found — to my joy — that some one else had felt 

 a similar longing and pioneered in the request; only the term "South- 





