Volume XXV 
Number 4 
r" GVGIQQ; G/Jj 
MpMB 
The Carden 
Magazine 
LIBR 
THE NEIGHBORS’ DUTY 
T HE whole world faces a shortage 
in food crops this year. The re- 
sources of the grain producing 
countries (of which America is one) 
will be taxed to the utmost to feed 
millions of people. This is not a sen- 
sational scare ; it is a cold, stern fact, 
proved by official figures. 
Every pound of food that is pro- 
duced by those who have the oppor- 
tunity to utilize small pieces of land 
for their own supply will help to re- 
lieve the general pressure. The Gar- 
den Neighbors are in a position of 
unusual opportunity to render prac- 
tical aid because they are more or 
less skilled workers. They should 
largely raise their own vegetables, 
stimulate their neighbors to do like- 
wise, and also cooperate with all 
local and national agencies to de- 
velop the home garden. 
It is the patriotic duty of every 
reader of The Garden Magazine to 
contribute his or her quota in this 
national crisis. 
Leonard Barron 
On the Lookout. — There is nothing 
that I enjoy more than the exchange of 
experiences of other readers. It brings 
out many a point that is not usually 
found in professional articles. For what 
professional can foresee all the scrapes we 
amateurs get into? Thus I found that 
some of my climbers do not bloom or 
shed their blossoms before they open and 
then I see some one in the same fix and 
find that it is sour soil that does it. Out 
with the lime and we try it. I delight in 
scanning the advertisements of the nur- 
series being always on the lookout for 
something suitable and out of the ord- 
inary. 
What shrub more beautiful than the 
Swamp Honeysuckle, a close relative of 
the Azalea, but hardy and growing in 
our Jersey woods ? 
How many readers spend sums of 
money for Rhododendrons which some- 
times fail to grow for want of care and 
knowledge of their requirements? Yet 
right at our door is the Laurel, first 
cousin of the Rhododendron, hardy and 
grateful if you plant it in the shade with 
plenty of leafmold. Just go across the 
lot as I did last fall and get all the bloom 
in spring that you want. Possibly others 
find some other shrubs in their neighbor- 
hood that are just as accessible and 
handsome in appearance. I find the 
Holly is the hardest thing to transplant 
successfully, — L. A. Malkiel , New York 
and Keansburg. 
Is King Humbert the Best Canna? — 
I have tested fully one hundred varieties 
of Canna and have visited the Canna fields 
of two of thelargest producers of these 
plants for sale critically examining the 
several hundred varieties while in flower 
with the result that I picked out King 
Humbert as the most magnificent dark-foli- 
aged, red-flowered variety, of the whole lot. 
I planted a clump of it on each side of the 
steps leading to my front door. As the 
house is built of light cream-colored brick 
the contrast of big bronzy leaves and bril- 
liant, red-flowers (most of them more than 
four inches across) the plants were very strik- 
ing. I hey gave a strong emphasis to the 
front of the house visible the moment one 
turned the street corner a block away. Prob- 
ably the size of the specimens was increased 
over the normal because I made the sod very 
rich with poultry manure and rather friable 
with sand and leafmold . — John Alexander, 
Illinois. 
Attractive to Humming Birds. — In the 
April number of The Garden Magazine I 
read a contributor’s list of flowers that are 
attractive to humming birds. I have learned 
by observation that the Red-flowering Horse- 
chestnut is very attractive to the ruby throat, 
and they will come to it from all directions 
- 2-21 
when it is in full bloom. I once counted 
upward of twenty-five humming birds in 
one of these trees at the same time, and 
it was a beautiful and impressive sight, 
one that I shall never forget. Those who 
wish to attract the humming birds will do 
well to plant one or two Red Horse- 
chestnut trees where they can be seen from 
the porch. — II. G. Reading, Franklin, Pa. 
White Pippin Apple. — I think this might 
be considered for the home garden be- 
cause it is in season with Albemarle 
Pippin which it resembles, but the tree 
can be grown over a much greater area; 
it is not so finicky in its soil requirements 
and the fruit is of value for use late in 
the season. For home use and those in 
love with the Golden Russet we believe 
we have one of the finest strains of this 
variety which we have seen. 1 he writer 
found it at an exhibit of the Connecticut 
Pomological Society and could not believe 
that it was a Golden Russet but became 
convinced that the entry was right and 
was later assured by the grower that he 
put up a couple of hundred barrels a 
year exactly like those shown and also 
received confirmatory evidence from the 
buyer who purchased the fruit and I re- 
alized that I had run across one of the 
finest things in this line and that it was 
worth saving . — Samuel Fraser, N. Y. 
Concerning the “Best Pea”. In the Jan- 
uary Garden Magazine Mr. Kains, seems 
to be much pleased with Sutton’s Dis- 
covery Pea. 
It is true that the vine is tall and rank 
and the pod large but unfortunately it 
is not a good filler. In my test in 
Montana under irrigation and with ideal 
conditions there were about 40 per cent, 
of skips, hence only 60 per cent, of a 
full pod of peas. It might be satisfactory 
to the pickers who want large pods but 
are not so much concerned about the “peas 
in the pod.” it may be useful in extend- 
ing the picking season as it was about a 
month later than the first Extra Earlies, and 
more than two weeks later than Little Marvel. 
Mr. Kains complains that the Little Marvel 
is hard to pull and hard to shell. If “hard 
to pull,” this fact would indicate the robust 
vigor that is necessary to give a good crop 
under adverse weather and moisture conditions 
