24 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



Scale on Chrysanthemums.— (B. F. P.) I 

 think you are mistaken in thinking that the 

 scale on Chrysanthemums is introduced by ants. 

 The ants follow the scale because it deposits a 

 sweet, sticky fluid on which they feed— as on 

 Peonies. I would ad\dse giving the plants a tri- 

 weekly showering with Fir-tree oil soapsuds. 



Old Rose Bushes.— (Mrs. L. W. A.) Manure 

 the old bushes heavily and cut out most of the 

 old branches. You can enrich Narcissus bed 

 by scattering old cow manure over it and work- 

 ing it into the soil between the plants. If 

 crowded, dig out some roots here and there all 

 over the bed. 



Carnations and Violets. — (Mrs. C. C. G.) 

 Carnations like a«i'ather heavy soil. Should be 

 set about a foot apart, and prevented from 

 throwing up flowering stalks in summer. Violets 

 should be sheltered somewhat from the hot sun. 

 Like a deep, rich soil, and considerable moisture. 



Bulb Beds for Annuals. — (L. C.) You ought 

 not to remove bulbs until after they have 

 ripened their foliage. If annuals are to be 

 grown in the beds the bulbs need not be re- 

 moved. The two will do well together if you 

 fertilize the soil well. 



Various Queries.— (Mis. W. S. H.) Keep 

 Eose in pot and do not allow it to bloom this 

 summer. I would prefer to keep Lemon in 

 pot, also. Use liquid manure on Ivy Geranium,, 

 but do not plant out if you intend to take it in 

 in winter. 



Non-Flowering Geraniums.— (G. W. J.) I 

 think your failure to secure flowers came from 

 too small pots. A year-old plant ought to have 

 at least a six4nch pot. Try larger pots next 

 year, and I am sure you mil have no cause for 

 complaint. 



Tradescantia and Cissus. — (B.) Tradescantia 

 should be kept rather dry in winter, and in a 

 sunny place to bring out the colors of its varie- 

 gation. Cissus discolor requires a warm, moist 

 temperature, and does not do well in the house. 



Jerusalem Cherry. — If Mrs. E. W,, who asked 

 about Jerusalem Cherries in the May number, 

 will send her address to Mrs. W. Scott Herman, 

 110 Thirty-second street, Newport News, Vir- 

 ginia, this lady wiU send her one. 



Gooseberry W^orms.— (S. C. H.) — Try an in- 

 fusion of Ivory soap, half a pound, melted, and 

 added to a pailful of water. Spray the bushes 

 all over three times a week at least— daily would 

 be better. 



''Floral Fire-Cracler.''— (Mrs. J. M. M.) 



Mrs. H. A. Piper, Lapeer, Michigan, writes to 

 say that "Floral Fire-Cracker" is a popular 

 name for Brodia?a coccinnea, a bulb from 'Cali- 

 fornia. 



Bamhler Rose on North Side of House.- (O. 

 T.) I would not advise such a location. More 

 sun would be needed than it would be likely to 

 get there. The east side would be much better. 



Propagating Roses.- (Mrs. J. M. L.) In- 

 crease your stock by division of the old root, 

 if possible. This is much easier and surer than 

 layering or rooting cuttings. 



Propagating Clematis.— Bend down a branch 

 near base of plant and cover with soil at a 

 joint, and it will be sure to root. Do this at 

 any time during summer. 



Fir-tree Oil Soap.— (Mrs. V. A. B.) You will 

 find this listed in the catalogues of aU dealers 

 who supply gardening goods and insecticides in 

 addition to their plant trade. 



Rose.— (A. D. L.) Eust on the stem of a 

 Eose is a fungus which should be scrubbed off 

 at once. Keep the bush clean by frequent wash- 

 ing in soapsuds. 



Rose Trouble.— (A. McK.) The leaf sent 

 shows the work of the red spider. Eemedy, 

 water — just clear water sprayed all over the 

 plant, daily. 



Oxalis.— (C.) If your Buttercup Oxalis did 

 not bloom in winter, but is blooming now, you 

 evidently did not get it started early enough in 

 the season, 



Non-Flotvering Narcissi. — (Mrs. E. S.) I can 

 not answer your query as to why some plants 

 bloom and some do not. All ought to bloom, if 

 some do so. 



Failure of Seedlings.— (A. L. H.) Your 

 seedlings doubtless fail because of lack of vital 

 force. They have been grown under artificial 

 conditions. 



"Little Gem" Calla.— (A. C.) Complaints are 

 universal about the failure of this variety to 

 bloom. To all intents and purposes it is a fraud. 



Tulips.— (Mrs. E. E.) Tulips in the ground 

 are good for an indefinite period, if well cared 

 for, and need not be removed after flowering. 



Planting -'In the 2/oon."— (G. T.) Plant your 

 bulbs and seeds any time when conditions are 

 favorable. Pay no attention to the moon. 



Planting Grapevines. — (Mrs. H. A. M.) It is 

 too late to plant these vines this season. They 

 should have been set iu ^Nlay. 



