keep the soil loose and free from weeds, being careful in digging 

 around them not to go too deeply, as this might injure the surface 

 feeder roots. Mulch the ground in the fall with pulverized, well 

 rotted manure, and then dig this in in the spring. Bone meal 

 worked into the soil will also benefit, but this slow in action, 

 though safe. Be sure there is moisture present during the dry sum- 

 mer months, as this the time next years' flowers are forming. Dur- 

 ing the first season or two after planting this is especially essential. 



Pruning. The proper time to prune lilacs is right after they 

 have finished flowering. If pruned in fall or early spring, the 

 flowers for the coming season will be sacrificed, since lilacs bloom 

 on growth of the previous season. Cut out only enough wood to 

 allow free circulation of air and light, and cut back only enough to 

 prevent your plants from becoming "leggy." Always remove old 

 flower clusters as soon as they have faded and withered. This pre- 

 vents formation of seed, and preserves the sightliness on the bush. 

 All undesired suckers which may happen to come up about the 

 base of your plant, should be removed. Above all. use diligence 

 in pruning lilacs — they need but little of it. 



Diseases and Pests. The persistence and long life of the lilac 

 under conditions of neglect, is sufficient evidence of its resistance 

 to disease and insect pests. About the only thing which could be 

 considered as troublesome is scale. The Oyster Shell and San Jose 

 scale both sometimes affect the plants. This trouble may be de- 

 tected by the characteristic gray and slightly elevated scales. To 

 eradicate such a condition the plants should be sprayed in very 

 early spring, prior to the appearance of the new leaves. Use either 

 kerosene emulsion or a strong mixture of Black Leaf 40 (tobacco 

 juice) and whale oil soap. It is understood that the young pests 

 hatch out in June, and it is wise to again spray at that time if the 

 ailment has been previously noted. 



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