House and Garden 
another and thus shake most of the soil from the 
roots. Plant and then give a good watering. 
This is essential, as it will wash the soil close to the 
roots. You may plant quite closely, or you can 
plant so that the center of each plant is ten inches 
from the center of its neighbor. This is based 
upon the presumption that you have collected 
good sized clumps. In between the plants you 
can place later on in the fall any spring blooming 
bulb you desire; Sctlla bifolia, S. Sibtrtca will 
give you beautiful blues and Cbionodoxa Lucilue a 
blue shading to a white at the center, all growing 
about the same height as the hepaticas and bloom¬ 
ing at the same time. 
CONSTRUCTING A MANURE BARREL 
What is the proper way to construct a manure 
barrel so as to keep the water clear when drawn off? 
My faucet keeps getting clogged. B. R. R. 
If you are using a full sized barrel or a larger 
cask, make a stool about one foot high, having 
slats across the top. Slip the stool into the barrel 
and weight it with stones. Collect pure manure 
droppings and put them in a strong bag, one 
generally used for vats, and place the bag upon the 
stool. If you are using a half barrel or cask, make 
a frame the width of the barrel and nearly as high. 
Stretch across the frame a heavy galvanized wire 
mesh, say one inch mesh, and use it as a partition 
across the center of the cask. Place your manure 
on one side of this partition. It need not be bagged. 
Put your faucet in at the other side of the cask. 
Use a molasses faucet and you will have no 
clogging. 
MULCHING PERENNIAL PHLOX 
I understand that the perennial phlox will do 
better if the roots are mulched. What material is 
the best to use, neatness and effectiveness consid¬ 
ered ? E. O. 
The perennial phlox, being a shallow rooted 
plant, dislikes a dry, sun-baked soil at its roots, 
hence mulching is beneficial. Very old cow 
manure makes the neatest mulch if screened, 
although old, well rotted horse manure will do. 
Take a screen such as masons use in screening 
gravel, upend two barrels or boxes and rest the 
screens on them. Run a wheelbarrow under it. 
Screen only a shovel or two at a time, using a short 
board to scrape the manure to and fro on the 
screen. If the manure is spread out to dry before 
screening it is done more quickly. 
TYING DAHLIAS 
Which is the neatest way to secure dahlias 
against being broken down by heavy winds ? 
E. O. I. 
Go to a dealer in broom-corn and broom- 
handles. Buy their second grade broom-handles. 
Paint them a brown or green. If placed under 
shelter over winter they will last for years. Get a 
few long mop-handles for the taller ones. Use 
four stakes to a large plant, making two ties, one 
near the bottom and one higher up, running the 
strings all around the plant. Use a heavy, but 
soft string. 
GROWING FOXGLOVES 
My foxgloves die out. What is the matter ? 
I. E. S. 
foxgloves, digitalis, are biennials. They bloom 
the second year from seed, and then die at the 
The Sanitary Importance 
of Alabastine 
Alabastine is made from an antisep¬ 
tic rock and becomes a part of the 
solid wall when applied. It cannot 
breed disease germs nor insects be¬ 
cause it contains nothing upon which 
they can live, and it affords no place 
for them to lodge. 
The Sanitary Wall Coating 
is more durable, more artistic and 
more economical than kalsomine, wall 
paper, oil cloth or tapestries, as well 
as being more sanitary than any other 
material for the wall. 
Anyone can apply Alabastine and 
anyone can use the Alabastine stencils, 
which are sold at trifling cost by all 
dealers in Alabastine. 
The book, “Dainty Wall Decora¬ 
tions," contains several attractive 
color plans for each. Sent postpaid 
to any address on receipt of 10c coin 
or stamps. Sample Alabastine tint 
cards will be mailed free on request. 
Alabastine is sold in properly labeled 
and carefully sealed 5-lb. packages by 
dealers in drugs, paints, hardware 
and general merchandise, at 55c the 
package for tints, and 50c for white. 
Ask your dealer for Alabastine and 
insist upon getting Alabastine. 
The Alabastine Company, 
921 Grandville Avenue, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Eastern Office, Dept. V< 105 Water St., New York City. 
HOME HEATING 
Kelsey Heated Residence, Ardmore, Pa. 
Send for Booklet About the 
KELSEY WARM AIR GENERATOR 
FRESH AIR SYSTEM OF HEATING 
Costs less for fuel, management and repairs and more 
healthful than any other system. Not an experiment 
—30,000 sold since 1889 to home owners who have 
investigated. Adapted for cottages or finest residences. 
Send for 112 page book “Opinions.” 
KELSEY HEATING CO. 
331 W. Fayette St., Syracuse, N. Y. 
New York Office, 156 5 th Ave. Philadelphia, 24 S. 7 th St. 
The 
Gorton System 
of Heating 
With the Gorton System, the heat can 
be controlled in each individual radiator 
and the radiator heated as desired, from 
one or two loops up to its fullest capa¬ 
city. Thus, each room is heated to exactly 
the temperature desired, to suit the occu¬ 
pant, regardless of the changes in the 
weather. This means a great saving in 
coal. 
The Gorton System costs less to install 
complete than the ordinary Hot Water Sys¬ 
tem, and it can be put in by any steam fitter. 
We shall be pleased to send catalog and 
give further information on application. 
Gorton & Lidgerwood 
Company 
96 Liberty Street New York, N. Y. 
SPEAR’S 
New Cooking Range New Warm Air Distributors 
Open Grates and Stoves for Wood and Coal 
Special Stoves for Laundry, Stable, Greenhouse, etc. 
Steam and Hot Water Heating Systems 
There are many reasons why you should have only Spear’s Heating and Cooking 
appliances—the most modern, efficient, and economical In YOUT Country Home 
Write to-day for further information and estimates Hotels and Institutions receive special attention 
James Spear Stove and Heating Co. 
1014=16 Market Street Philadelphia, Pa. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
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