The Garden Magazine, August, 1921 
385 
Take a selected limb of any tree that you wish to stimulate into early 
bearing, and with a sharp knife cut a ring through the bark, cambium 
layer and all, to the hard wood underneath. The ring cut out should 
not exceed an eighth to a quarter of an inch in width; and this should 
be done in early summer, say about the middle of June. The accepted 
theory is that the imprisoned sap in the upper part of the tree, unable 
to descend in autumn, sets to work to form fruit spurs for next sea- 
son’s crop. 
One effect of the girdling process seems to be that blooming is re- 
tarded in the spring, and thus there is less liability of its being nipped 
by untimely cold. At this writing, early in June, most of my older 
trees have scarcely any apples in sight — the result of the severe freezes 
referred to — while nearly all the younger trees are carrying some fruit 
on their girdled limbs. 
As to varieties, it is not wise to formulate a theory based on a freak 
or destructive season, such as this has been; but present indications are 
that the girdling process is working well on Yellow Transparent, Wilson, 
Red June, Grimes Golden, Black Ben, Champion, and King David. 
— R. F. Bishop, Westerville, Ohio. 
— Girdling trees to induce bearing is not advised as a general prac- 
tice, though it may sometimes be employed to advantage on one or 
two of the minor branches of an unprofitable tree. — Ed. 
Lilies for August Planting 
To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 
T HERE are three popular garden Lilies which are very positive in 
their preference for August planting. They are the Madonna 
Lily (Lilium candidum), the American Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium 
Batemanniae), and the Canada Lily (Lilium canadense). If fresh 
bulbs are planted deep in well-cultivated, well-drained soil during 
this month, success with these Lilies is assured. 
The Madonna or Annunciation Lily is perhaps the best known and 
best loved of garden Lilies. It is perfectly hardy. Its clusters of 
fragrant, pure white flowers open in June at the blossoming time of 
the Larkspurs with which it makes a lovely combination. 
L. Batemanniae thrives in shrubbery borders which furnish it partial 
shade; but it will also grow in the sun. The plant reaches a height of 
six feet and the brilliant orange flowers last through July and August. 
It is strikingly decorative when planted in masses. 
The Canada or wild Meadow Lily blooms in June. Its bell-shaped 
flowers vary in color from bright yellow to pale red. The bloom stalks 
are from two to three feet high. The Canada Lily gives the best re- 
sults when planted in clumps in a sunny location. It is particularly 
good for wild gardens. — Olive Shore, Memphis, Tenn. 
Combining Iris and Columbine 
To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 
I READ with interest Louise Beebe Wilder’s article on the Iris Garden 
and am adding a suggestion to her charming arrangements which 1 
have found especially successful, which is planting Iris and Columbine 
together. They bloom at the same time whether the season be early 
or late, and form an enchanting combination of delicate feathery bloom 
and stately, formal flowers and leaves. By keeping dead flowers cut 
from both they last for weeks. Another successful combination in my 
garden was the very dark dwarf Iris pumila bordering the snow white 
Giant Candytuft. This Iris has a short period of bloom, but its pretty 
green spike-like leaves make a charming foreground for the Candy- 
tuft. — Mrs. J. West Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, Long Island. 
Iris as the Ideal Garden Hedge 
To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 
IN THE little town where building lots were not high-priced, few of 
*■ the homes occupied less than a quarter block. That gave space 
for a garden, a chicken lot, and (tell it not) a pigpen for each house. 
Most of the plots were subdivided by fences of wire, palings, or rough 
boards, all more or less disfiguring, to keep the livestock within bounds. 
There was one exception, a white cottage that stood a little back from 
the corner in a tract unmarred by fences. At the side along the street 
was shrubbery, and back of the screen made by the tall bushes the 
garden — neat rows planned and tended to give a succession of growth 
and bloom, and to look their best the whole season through. 
The owner followed the good old English custom of planting her 
Nasturtiums, Zinnias, and other old-fashioned flowers in even rows, 
side by side with the vegetables. Back of the garden was a white- 
washed chicken shed, and a few box coops for the broods. 
It was one of the attractive homes in a rather shabby little town, and 
a guest who came in early summer marvelled at its thrift and neatness. 
GROWN ON THE SHORES OF GREEN BAY, MICHIGAN 
Madonna Lilies (Lilium candidum) and blue Larkspur with Hollyhocks in the 
background. Height of Lilies about four feet. Larkspur five to six. Garden of 
Mrs. C. R. Elwood, Menominee 
Hollyhocks were then in their glory along the alley, the garden was at 
its loveliest, and a half dozen broods of chickens ranged the wide lawn 
back of the cottage. 
“How can you let your chickens run at large, and keep up that fine 
garden of yours?” was the query. 
“See that hedge?” answered the mistress, pointing to a row of 
swordlike leaves. “That is my Iris bed. I wish you had cornea few 
weeks ago to see them all in bloom, for it includes about every kind a 
friend of mine ever owned. 
“You see the row of Iris runs all around the garden, and I have found 
it is the only fence I need. The hens do not get over it, and the chicks 
do not work through it. What more can be asked of a fence than 
that! It needs no trimming, though it has to be looked over in early 
spring, and some roots may have to be reset where the growth is not 
the thickest. It is beautiful in bloom, neat and attractive all summer, 
and not as ugly in winter as some other fences, so why seek further for 
the ideal fence?” — Mary B. Tyrrell, Kansas. 
Lectures Available for Garden Club Use 
To the Editor of The Garden Magazine: 
I N AN article in a recent number of The Garden Magazine, the 
Art Division of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs is cred- 
ited with circulating a “Portfolio of Civic Art.” Instead the Art 
Division has a lecture on “Art in Gardens” illustrated with colored 
slides; also lectures on Civic Art including “City Planning” by John 
Nolen, illustrated by slides. The art extension service is available for 
the use of garden clubs and similar organizations, as occasion offers. 
— Mrs. Walter S. Little, Chairman of Art, G. F. IV. C. 
