THE GARDEN :\I A G A Z I N E 
January, 1917 
"2^20 
Lettuce and cauliflower are usually sown 
in flats and when large enough transplanted 
into small pots from which when well rooted 
they are planted into the benches or frames, 
they both do better in solid benches but must 
have a verj' rich compost. Frequent sowings 
about three weeks apart will insure a con- 
tinuous supply. 
Peas force very satisfactorily at this season 
of the year on solid benches in a cool house 
and plenty of plant food in the .soil. Grow 
the dwarf types, and sow about every two 
weeks. 
Beans are one of our best forcing plants. 
They are wonderful croppers under glass and 
a little care used in sowing at intervals of 
about two weeks will give a continuous 
supply, sown in the benches in double rows 
about 1 8 inches apart. A support of some kind 
is necessary to prevent them falling over and 
getting injured. Beets and carrots will grow 
rapidly from now on and should be sown ac- 
cordingl3^ Sow about even,' three weeks in 
small quantities. 
Onions, leek, and celery for exhibition 
urposes should be sown now, the earlier the 
etter. 
From now on almost any bulbous plant will 
force well. .^11 the late types of Tulip can now 
be brought into the greenhouse. Astible, 
which must have its accustomed rest, ' can 
now' be forced w'ithout any effort. 
You must keep the green fly from the 
Cinerarias and Calceolarias if you want them 
to amount to anything. These plants are v'ery 
much subject to the attack of this pest and 
should be sprayed with an insecticide at 
frequent intervals to keep them free for if 
they once get infested it is a ver\' hard matter 
to dislodge the insects. 
Don’t be afraid to feed plants that are doing 
well. Sweet Peas that are flowering freely 
should be fed regularly with manure water; 
Mignonette also is a gross feeder and de- 
lights in liquid manure; cauliflower when it 
starts to “button up” should be fed cop- 
iously; lettuce that is heading should be fed 
freely. 
Asparagus plumosus and Smilax that have 
been used extensively during winter for cut 
green should be given a chance. Apply a good 
rich mulch to the top of the beds, using about 
one-third manure to two-thirds good soil and 
about lo per cent, bone meal added. 
After the Poinsettias have flow'ered they 
need a rest, so start withholding water 
gradually until you have “ripened the wood.” 
The plants can then be placed under a bench 
in a cool house, laying them on their side so 
the pot won’t catch and hold water. 
Getting Ready for the Planting Time. 
DONALD F. JONES 
Connecticut 
T 
The labels are 
quickly attached 
to the stakes and 
the writing re- 
mains legible 
throughout the 
season 
NESTING new varieties 
each year is desirable 
in obtaining the great- 
est satisfaction from 
the garden, and more sys- 
tematic trials would un- 
doubtedly be made if it were 
not for the difficulty of keep- 
ing the different varieties 
plainly labeled throughout 
the season. Good intentions 
by the fireside when there is 
plenty of time to think of 
gardening operations are 
often forgotten when the rush 
of planting comes; conse- 
quently when the gathering 
time has arrived it is not 
always possible to remember 
where the new' variety, so 
highly recommended, w'as 
planted. 
\\ hether or not it is con- 
sidered necessary to have the 
variety names attached to 
eve rything 
in the gar- 
den there is 
no doubt 
that the 
date of 
planting and 
the date of 
maturing for 
each crop, 
when re- 
corded, furnishes at the end 
of the season useful informa- 
tion for the planning of next 
season’s operations. 
A device that I have found 
convenient for labeling and 
recording dates consists of a 
wooden stake with a wirr 
staple near the upper end. 
l o this staple is attached a 
copper-wired, tree label. Be- 
ing painted they are easy to 
write on with a pencil and 
the writing remains legible 
throughout the season. 
1 here is usually room on 
the painted side for (i) name 
Envelopes such as these will hold any kind of small seed. 
The wooden label can be written and placed inside the en- 
velope ready for planting time 
of the variety, (2) date of planting and (3) 
date of first and last picking. It is a simple 
matter to paint the other side of the labels 
before using them. This gives additional 
space if it is needed. A brief note as to the 
merits of a variety can sometimes be put on 
the label at the time of picking w'hich other- 
wise would be forgotten. 
These labels can be written w'ith the name 
of the variety- 
before time 
for planting 
and put in- 
side the seed 
envelopes. 
\\ h e n the 
seed is plant- 
ed it takes 
only' a little 
time and 
trouble to put 
on the date, 
slip the wire 
through the 
staple and 
bind the label 
fast to the 
stake. T h e 
stakes them- 
selves, which 
are free from 
writing, can 
be used each 
year as long as 
they last and 
they are al- 
ways ready. 
apli 
wooden tree label, makes a satisfactory device for labeling in 
the garden 
With regard to seed containers it will be a 
continual source of satisfaction to every gar- 
dener to obtain a supply of tight envelopes 
which can be opened and closed (such as are 
show'n in the picture.) Envelopes of this kind 
are made of strong paper and do not break 
readily. They are perfectly tight, holding even 
Petunia or Pansy seed without leakage. Keepi- 
ing seeds in the original packages as they come 
from the dealers, after part of the seed has been 
planted is a nuisance w'hich should not be tol- 
erated. It brings to mind a picture of folded 
corners and a mess of mixed seed which has 
These seed envelopes can be filed in a card index fashion. 
They take up a small space and the desired seeds can be 
found readily. They are decidedly better than the original 
seed packages with folded corners after part of the seed has 
been planted 
leaked out in spite of every precaution. 1 hese 
envelopes have a flap which is folded and 
tucked into an opening in the back. The open- 
ing and closing are easily and quickly accom- 
plished at any time. 
A uniform sized envelope enables me to keep 
the seeds in card index fashion where they 
can be readily located. 
