4ft* 
(Ehe (illjrtstmas fousc Hr harden 
1 9 i ' 2. 
^&krs^- 
_ 
drafts, as sudden chills are apt to produce 
bad results. Even on very cold days, fresh 
air may be let in indirectly, through a 
window open in an adjoining room or 
through a hall. It is better, when pos¬ 
sible, to give a little ventilation for an 
hour or two, than to risk too sudden a 
lowering of the temperature by trying to 
do it all in fifteen minutes. 
The amount of water which should be 
given will depend both upon the plant and 
upon the season. During the dull days of 
winter and during the “resting season” of 
all plants, very little water will be required. 
It should be given on bright mornings. 
During early fall and late spring, when 
the pots or boxes dry out very rapidly, 
water in the evening. In either case, how¬ 
ever, withhold water until the soil is be¬ 
ginning to get on the “dry side” and then 
water thoroughly. Water should be given 
until it runs down through into the 
saucers, but should not be allowed to re¬ 
main there. 
Sometimes it will be beneficial to 
moisten the foliage of plants without wet¬ 
ting the soil. Just after repotting and in 
fighting plant lice, red spider and other 
insect enemies this treatment will be 
necessary. A fine rose spray on the water¬ 
ing can may be used, but a rubber plant 
sprinkler costing 65 cents, will be very 
much better, as with it the water will be 
applied in a finer spray with a great deal 
more force and to either the upper or un¬ 
der surface of the leaves—a point of great 
importance. 
Plants growing in windows, where the 
light strikes them only or mostly from one 
side, should be frequently turned to pre¬ 
vent their growing one-sided. 
Also do not hesitate to use knife, scis¬ 
sors and fingers in keeping them sym¬ 
metrical and shapely. One of the greatest 
mistakes that amateurs make is in being 
afraid to cut an ungainly or half leafless 
branch. Instead of injuring a plant, such 
pruning frequently is an actual benefit. 
If neglected, dust will quickly gather 
on the leaves and clog their pores, and as 
the plants have no way of breathing but 
through their leaves, you can see what 
the result must be. Syringing, mentioned 
above, will help. They should also be 
wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth, especi¬ 
ally such plants as palms, rubbers Rex 
Begonias. Do not use olive oil or any 
other sticky substance on the cloth. Al¬ 
ways remove at once any broken, dead or 
diseased leaf or flower. Do not let flow¬ 
ering plants go to seed: nothing else will 
so quickly bring the blooming period to a 
close. 
The Christmas Prodigal 
(Continued from page 354) 
“there are eleven kids packed away upstairs 
like sardines—we hid ’em away while dad 
and you were lost, and—” but here with 
a deafening racket the stairs door burst 
wide open and with a swoop and a scream 
eleven pajama-ed young bandits with 
starry eyes bore down upon Aunt Ellen 
and the Doctor. 
Six Reasons 
For Planting Evergreens 
You have their beauty and use now, 
when most acceptable. 
Earth being firm, does not tear up 
your grounds as in spring. 
Good help is cheaper, and easier to get 
than in spring. 
Your men and teams are not as rushed 
as they will be in the spring. 
We can now send expert men and ap¬ 
paratus to work with them, and move 
big evergreens in your vicinity. 
Hicks’ Trees are better than ever now. 
Better in assortment, better in quality, 
because we have been giving them more 
space in which to grow, and more in¬ 
dividual attention to each tree. Every 
one root pruned. 
All sizes up to 40 feet high. 
Come and see them. If you can’t 
come, send for Catalog and prices. 
1 . 
2. 
3- 
4- 
5- 
6 . 
ISAAC HICKS AND SON 
WESTBURY, L. I. 
L 
13 □ 
LJ 
r~i 
□ 
Our Work 
Is Guaranteed 
As a guarantee of the quality and en¬ 
durance of our work, we make the fol¬ 
lowing agreement in connection with 
each contract —- 
“After the completion of this work 
our service is not then to cease, but we 
agree to make periodical inspections of 
the work, at our expense, for a year. 
Anything defective we guarantee to 
make right, also at our expense.” 
This is a tree service in the broadest 
sense of the word—a service unique 
with Munson Whitaker Company and 
typically reflective of their business 
methods. Send for our book—“Trees — 
The Care They Should Have,” and ar¬ 
range for an early inspection of your 
trees. 
Munson Whitaker Co. 
Forest Engineers 
Boston : : : 623 Tremont Bldg. 
Chicago : 513 Commercial Bank Bldg. 
New York : 823 Fourth Ave. Bldg. 
-1 
_I 
The Byzantine Wonder Lily 
In Bloom, from Photo 
Blooms ABSOLUTELY without either'soil or water. 
Placed iu light and warmth, as if by magic, the 
flower-shoots appear, the buds swell and expand, open¬ 
ing into the MOST EXQUISITE lily-like flowers of 
roseate hue, golden stamens filling center of calyx, 
emitting a delicate fragrance in the sunshine. As 
soon as one flower fades, another pushes up, the 
flowering period extending from 4 to 5 weeks. 
Place the bulb or bulbs in a pretty dish, fill 
in with ferns or other gTeenery, and you will 
have the MOST UNIQUE Table decoration for 
either Thanksgiving or Xmas, a NOVEL gift 
for your friends. 
The magic blooming of this bulb is a perpetual de¬ 
light to invalids or shutins, who watch the wonderful 
unfolding with daily interest and delight. 
If wanted for Thanksgiving or Xmas ORDER AT 
ONCE. We reserve the bulbs for you and send at 
PROPER time PREPAID. 
Each 3 Dozen 
Large bulbs, $ .20 $ .50 $1.75 
Monster bulbs .30 .80 2.75 
Jumbo bulbs (scarce) .40 
ADDRESS: 
H. H. Berger & Co. 
70 Warren St., N. Y. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
(401) 
