206 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
In addition to creating air cells through which the air 
may enter and circulate, thereby sweetening and increas- 
ing the fertility of the soil, this early and thorough tilling 
destroys many weed seeds that have just germinated. We 
believe that by keeping the aster bed entirely free from 
the least vestige of vegetation from the time the snow 
leaves until planting out time, many of its enemies will 
have died before the plants are out. 
When the time comes for setting out the plants, dig the 
ground over again, raking the top fine and smooth. Make 
a hole with a spit or garden trowel deep enough to thor- 
oughlv cover all the roots, ^^'hen this has been done to 
all the plants, finish filling the hole with dry, fine earth. 
Part of his fine earth will absorb any surplus water from 
around the roots, leaving the ground just moist enough 
for new root formation. The balance will form a mulch 
on top and prevent the rapid evaporation of the moisture. 
It will not be necessary to give any more water for the 
next day or two. 
Select, if possible, a dull or cloudy day for planting out, 
or one in which the sun is not very strong. Some people 
recommend planting out asters in the blazing sun. Plants 
root more readily in darkness than in light. While asters 
like sunlight and sunshine, there is a time when they have 
not sufficient strength to endure it. That time is when 
first set out. In all walks of life a slight disturbance of 
the organic system renders indulgence, or use of even the 
common necessities of life to the usual extent inadvisable. 
This rule is especially applicable to young plant life. 
To grow asters successfully there are, in addition to 
rich soil, two things absolutely necessary : thorough till- 
ing of the soil during the early stages of the aster's 
growth, and frequent waterings during dry, hot weather, 
especially during the blooming period. As soon as pos- 
sible after each rain, or watering with the hose or water- 
ing pot, the surface soil should be loosened with a hoe or 
small rake to a depth of one and one-half to two inches. 
Care should be taken not to hoe too closely to the plant at 
this depth, as the aster throws out roots quite close to the 
surface of the soil. This constant loosening of the sur- 
face soil not only prevents the formation of a crust which 
would exclude the air and smother the roots, but it en- 
ables the plant to draw up moisture from below. It also 
enables the roots to strike down deeper, reducing the dan- 
ger of uprooting by wind. Cut-worms, wire-worms and 
other like enemies can find no abiding place in the ground 
that is constantly stirred. 
Asters should never be allowed to suffer from want of 
water. Water in the evening unless the nights are very 
cool, in which case, if the hose is used, the watering had 
better be done in the morning. Water any time, morning, 
noon or night, in any kind of weather, rather than have 
them suffer from thirst. The plants, when watered, 
should not be merely sprinkled. The ground should al- 
ways be thoroughly soaked. During the blooming period, 
the aster consumes a lot of water. It is safe to advise 
watering them everv dav. — TJic Canadian Florist. 
DESIRABLE PLANTS FOR HEDGES. 
tJ EDGES may be formed out of almost any plant that 
has a free bushy growth and is amenable to prun- 
ing. One occasionally sees a good hedge formed out of 
beech, hornbean, spruce, pine, hemlock and other unlikely 
plants, and when properly planted and looked after, are 
extremely ornamental and effective. 
Such plants, however, are too expensive and uncertain, 
requiring too much care and attention to ever come in<^o 
very general tise. 
To the privets must be given the credit for being the 
best all round deciduous hedge, in fact they are ideal, 
easily propagated, free from disease, grow readily, will 
stand any amount of pruning, and may be kept low with- 
out tleterioration. In fact, the California Privet has be- 
come so popular in localities where it is hardy that it has 
become tiresome, and many people want something dif- 
ferent. The Ibota, Amoor River, common Privet and 
RegeFs are all a welcome change from the California 
Privet and their more extensive use should be en- 
couraged. 
Next to the privets the Japanese Barberry is daily 
growing in favor, and deservedly so. It will not grow 
very high, about 4 feet being a very fair maximum, 
but apart from this it has all the qualities necessary for a 
good hedge plant and is much hardier than the privets. 
Rosa rugosa is sometimes planted as a hedge, but is 
rarely a success. Its habit of growth, suckering up from 
the ground, and lack of twiggy growth is against it. 
The one rose that suggests itself as worthy of more con- 
sideration as a hedge plant is the sweet briar, Rosa riib- 
iginosa. 
Flowering hedges always make a pretty feature where 
they can be used in suitable positions, such as party lines 
between small properties or to separate one portion of the 
grounds from another. 
Pyrits Japonica, Japanese Quince. 
Philaddphus Leinoinei. 
Althaea, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syri-acus). 
Dciitcia gracilis, variety rosea and Lemoinei. 
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. 
Spiraea I'an Houttei, Billardi and Anthony ll'aterer 
are among the best for this purpose. 
The principles of pruning must be perfectly under- 
stood, if a good flowering hedge is to be maintained. 
However, the above mentioned for hedge purposes are 
the most satisfactory and least likely to lead to mistakes. 
Althaeas and Hydrangeas may be pruned to any extent 
after flowering and up to about the first of May. 
Deutzias and Spiraeas should be pruned immediately 
after flowering, according to well-known rules of sum- 
mer pruning. 
Pyriis Japonica flowering on the old wood as it does 
may be pruned or sheared at will, but it is best not treated 
in too formal a manner. 
None of these flowering hedges should be trimmed in 
strictly formal outlines ; they are naturally neat if care- 
fully pruned — not sheared. 
The Althaea is very valuable as a tall, upright-growing 
hedge, though a right start and regular pruning will 
make a hedge as bushy as may be desired. A double row 
hedge insures breadth. 
Deutzias of the crcnata type are also rather tall and of 
upright habit. 
Perhaps the hedge that is most greatly desired }et sel- 
dom attained is a good evergreen hedge. 
The hemlock, spruce, arbor vitae, pine and Retinis- 
poras are all used more or less, but too often too large 
plants are used to begin with, and an expert is required 
to keep them in perfect condition. — National Nursery- 
man. 
Sir: A neighbor told me — and I don't quite like to be- 
lieve him — that I can overcome the arid condition of my 
back yard, and grow onions and potatoes, by planting 
them side by each so that the onions will draw tears from 
the eyes of the potatoes. Is this true? Moran. 
It seems to us possible that it may be true, since it has 
been repeated for so many years. — S\tn. 
