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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
THE 
GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 
OF AMERICA. 
Published by 
THE CHRONICLE PRESS, Inc. 
Office of Publication 
286 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK 
MARTIN C. EBEL, Editor. 
EDITORIAL OFFICES— MADISON, N. J. 
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF 
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS 
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PARK SUPERINTENDENTS 
Subscription Price, 12 Months, $1.50 
Foreign, $2.00 
Entered as second class matter Nov. 3, 1914, at the Post Office at New 
York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. 
Published on the I5th of each month. 
Advertising forms close on the 1st preceding publication. 
For advertising rates apply to 2S6 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. All 
editorial matter should be addressed to M. C. Ebel, Editor, Madison, N. J. 
Vol. XXI 
August, 1917 
No. 8 
OLD SEED AND NEW 
TT it very desirable that experienced gardeners should do 
all in their power to assist the authorities in spread- 
ing knowledge among amateur cultivators on the subject 
of seeds. They know the vagaries of seeds, whereas the 
amateur is apt to regard a seed as the certain progenitor 
of a plant. The need for general instruction is a very real 
one, for the world is reverting to its first occupation 
of gardening. Nowhere is this reversion more marked 
than in England, although it looks as if America is go- 
ing to run us very close. Hence there is bound to be 
a strain on the world's supplies of vegetable seeds. 
Even during the present sowing season signs have not 
been wanting that the supplies of some kinds of seed are 
deficient, and that some samples contain a certain percent- 
age of old seed. 
A striking example recently came under our notice. 
Parsnip seed was sown a month or so ago, and generated 
so unevenly as to suggest the advisability of re-sowing. 
Fortunately, the gardener was wise, and. shaking his 
head, decided to wait and see. Immediately after he 
Tiad taken that decision a heavy rain fell, and within two 
or three days a second crop — no doubt of the older seed 
— had germinated, and the rows of seedlings were plainly 
visible and sufficiently thick. 
It is the habit of old seed to germinate slowly and ir- 
regularly. Such seed finds a difficulty in plumping up. 
Hence judgment must be e.xercised both this year and 
next as to how best to compromise between the need for 
economy by thin sowing and the need to sow thickly 
enough to produce sufficient seedlings. In this connec- 
tion the readiness with which different seedlings may be 
transplanted must be borne in mind. No doubt most 
vegetable seedlings may be transplanted if sufficient care 
be taken, but some survive transplantation better than 
others. For example, Beet transplants well. Peas are — 
at least, in our experience — fickle ; sometimes benefiting 
by a change of ground, but sometimes suffering severely. 
Depth of sowing and planting is also another subject 
on which professional gardeners can help their neighbors. 
Seed economy might well form the subject of lectures 
and discussions in local societies during the coming late 
Summer and Winter months. By keeping the import- 
ance of economv constantlv before the minds of users of 
seed much good can be done. It will encourage them, 
among other things, to place their seed orders early, and 
to order no more than they are likely to require, to make 
judicious use of seed left over from the previous year, 
and, in the case of such seeds as those of legumes, to save 
their own seed. — The Gardeners' Chronicle (English). 
THE CULTURE OF MIGNONETTE 
IV/flGNONETTE being a gross feeder, likes a good 
deep bench; one 10 in. in depth is none too deep. 
About the first or second week in August is a good 
time for sowing the seed. A good method is to put a 
good layer of rotten cow manure in the bottom of the 
bench and fill it up with good loam, making it moderately 
firm; then give a good soaking to settle the soil. 
Mark the bench off at 10 in. and put in some light soil 
that has been sifted. Sow a pinch of seed and cover to 
about its own depth with sifted soil and water with a fine 
rose. If the bench is not available in August sow the 
seeds in small pots and transplant into the bench later. I 
prefer to let the seed germinate in the full light. 
Wlien the seedlings get large enough thin out all the 
weak plants, leaving four of the strongest to each clump. 
As they grow stake them individually, using thin wire 
stakes, and keep them disbudded to single stems. 
Water carefully at all times. About once a week blow 
hellebore powder over the plants to prevent moths from 
laving their eggs. Look over the plants every morning 
and pick off any caterpillars that may have hatched. 
.■\bout the middle of November start to feed the plants 
once a week with dift'erent fertilizers, giving Clay's the 
preference. 
Mignonette likes a cool temperature, although it can 
be grown successfully in that of a Carnation house. I 
prefer a temperature around 42 deg. to 44 deg. at night, 
with a rise of 8 deg. on a bright day and a little lower 
on dull days. 
If good spikes are wanted for Easter a sowing should 
be made about the middle of September. Good varieties 
are Universal, Triumph, Majesty and Matchless. — R. J. 
in Florists' Exchange. 
MY GARDEN. 
A one with skillful touch and fairy hand 
Mayhaps it be 
Has placed a bit of sky within my yard 
For me to see. 
With tender care and gentle nurturing 
He's coaxed it down 
Till sunset cloud and wondrous sky 
My garden crown. 
And in each leaf and bud of rainbow hue 
I love to see 
The perfectness of Nature in the flowers 
That grow for me. 
— Annie Simmons. 
Of Interest to Estate Owners 
Tbe Notional Association of Gardeners maintains a Service Bureau 
whicli is at the disposal of all who may require the services of efficient 
gardeners in their various capacities. 
Tbe association seeks the co-operation of estate owners in its efforts 
to secure opportunities for those engaged in the profession of garden- 
ing who are seeking to advance themselves. It makes no charge for 
services rendered. It endeavors to supply men qualified to assume the 
responsihilities the position may call for. 
Throii;,'h this service the National Association of Gardeners aima to 
bring the Country Estate Owner and the truly efficient men engagred 
in tbe profession in closer relation to each other, that the interest In 
ornamental horticulture and its greater development In this country 
may thereby he elevated. 
Make your requirements known to 
M. C. EBEL. Sec'y. National Association of Gardeners, l£&diion, H. 7. 
