36 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



Swainsonia. — "My plant grows, but 

 does not bloom. Would it winter out-of- 

 doors?^'' Xo, not at the I^orth. If your 

 plant is in a pot it possibly does not get 

 water enough. It requires a good deal. 

 The red spider often injures it. If it 

 drops its leaves, you will generally find 

 this pest on the underside of them. Eem- 

 edy — shower or, what is better, dip your 

 plants two or three times a week. 



Wintering a Rose. — "I had a Coquette 

 des Alps rose. In winter we wrapped it in 

 straw. After uncovering in spring the 

 top died off. 'New shoots sprang up from 

 the roots. How shall I care for the plant 

 this fall?" I would advise laying the 

 bush down fiat on the ground and covering 

 it with dry soil to the depth of five or six 

 inches. 



Lawn Grass. — "What is the best seed 

 for a lawn, and when should it be sown ?'' 

 Get the lawn-grass mixture sold by all 

 florists. It costs a little more than ordi- 

 nary grass seed, but it is a great deal better 

 for your purpose. Indeed, you cannot 

 make a good lawn without it. It can be 

 sown in fall — preferably in September — • 

 but spring is really the best time to do this. 



Oleander Not Bloom ing. — The pot may 

 be too full of roots. Xot enough water is 

 used, perhaps. It is impossible to say just 

 why there is not a crop of flowers without 

 knowing how the plant has been treated. 



Grafting Geraniums. — These plants can 

 be grafted, but it w^ould be impossible for 

 me to give the instructions an amateur 

 would need to make a success of it, in this 

 department. In fact, an amateur ought 

 not to expect success in this line until after 

 considerable experience. Any horticul- 

 tural firm can send grafting wax. 



Transplanting Roses. — "I have several 

 roses growing in a box. They crowd each 

 other. Can I remove some of them 

 safely ?" Yes. Disturb the roots as little 

 as iDossible. Cut back the top at least half. 

 Keep in the shade for a week or two, or 

 until the plants show signs of growth. 

 Then remove to a sunny location. 



Name Wojited for Rose. — (Mrs. G. M.) 

 I have seen the variety of rose which you 

 describe, but do not know what the name 

 of it is. I have found it in old gardens 

 onl}^ never at the nurseryman's. It is one 

 of the good old sorts which deserve better 

 treatment. 



^'Widow's Tears.'' — "I have a plant that 

 some call Vidow's tears.' Others call it 

 spiderwort. It is blue, with three queer 

 leaf-like appendages below the flower. 

 What is it?" It is probably spiderwort. 

 There are several varieties having blue 

 flowers, each flower having three petals. 



C annas. — Care for the roots of this 

 plant as advised in "Seasonable Sugges- 

 tions" a short time ago. 



TWO VIEWS OF THE HOME OF B. A. MECKEL, EMLENTON. PENNSYLVANIA- 

 In summer it is literally 'buried in vines and flowers. 



