162 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



THIS, THAT AND THE OTHEE 



H 



EEE is a suggestion which is sent 

 us by Ethel Eoonej (Samish, 

 Washington), which illnstrates the 

 idea expressed on the editorial page about 

 the valne of simple things. This tells of 

 something practical, and anyone can make 

 use of it : 



EGG-SHELL ELOWER POTS. 



•'Egg shells may be used to advantage 

 in starting delicate plants for transplant- 

 ing. The half shells are filled with earth 

 and set in a box also containing dampened 

 earth. A hole is made in the point of the 

 shell to allow drainage. A single seed is 

 then planted in each shell, which is easily 

 broken when transplanting is done with- 

 out the slightest disturbance to the roots." 



H. Wohlwend (Knoxville, Tennessee) 

 sends the following formula for the prep- 

 aration of what he considers a reliable and 

 quick-acting fertilizer: Stock solution 

 nitrate of soda, six ounces ; water, three 

 quarts. Dissolve the soda. Use two 

 ounces of the solution to three s^'allons of 



water, and apply to plants once in ten 

 days. Put about the roots. Don't allow 

 it to touch the foliage. Our readers should 

 experiment with this fertilizer. It is in- 

 expensive, easily prepared, and may be 

 found effective for garden use. 



* * * 



Here is another communication relative 

 to soda from Mr. Walton (Montrose, 

 Massachusetts) : 



WATERING WITH SODA WATER. 



^'Mj geraniums the past year presented 

 a very ragged appearance. I did not wet 

 the leaves, but watered twice, with ten 

 days between, with soda water, as if the 

 soil had soured, and they sent out new, 

 large, healthy, green leaves. The trouble 

 was evidently in the soil." 



I hope those who try the above will 

 report the result of their trials. It is pos- 

 sible that the action of soda on the soil 

 ma}^ so affect the plant that the diseased 

 conditions so frequently complained of 

 may be overcome. 



STURDY FLORAL PORCH GUARDS 



