Garden 
Sug’g’estions 
uenes 
Conducted by The Editor will be glad to answer subscribers’ queries pertaining to individual problems connected with the 
F. F. Rockwell. gardens and grounds. When a direct personal reply is desired please inclose a self-addressed stamped envelope 
March 
X Candlemas J 3 ay, according to the 
good old naturalists, the ground¬ 
hog crawls out of his hole, takes a look 
around, and if he can see his shadow, 
ducks back again. 
This reputed performance always re¬ 
minds me of certain gardeners among 
those I know. They are too timid to be¬ 
lieve that spring will ever come back again 
until a good part of it is gone, taking with 
it a large number of opportunities. They 
forget how the spring work piled up on 
them last year, and the year before that, 
and finally utterly crushed some of their 
fondest plans. The April rush is as sure 
to hit us all again this year, as that the 
swallows and the nursery agents will come 
back. 
What can be done now? Well, we use 
what we call the ‘‘work sheet” — new edi¬ 
tion the first of every month. On it go 
all the things that can be thought of to 
do that month, and all there are left un¬ 
done from the month before, unless they 
are discarded as impossible for the pres¬ 
ent. It’s a matter of about ten minutes to 
make out such a list, and then you know 
how you stand for four weeks to come. 
When you find yourself with an hour or 
two to spare, you won’t putter around 
wondering what to do next, but go 
straight to the job and begin to get results. 
Suppose 3'ou get a piece of paper and 
answer these questions right now: 
What is there about tbe place to be fixed 
up ? 
What trees or shrubs need pruning or 
going over? 
Where would a new shrub or two add 
to the Individuality and beauty of the 
place? Remember, they cost only from 
fifteen to fifty cents apiece. There are 
any number of fine things for twenty-five 
cents apiece. 
What new plants are needed for the pe¬ 
rennial border? Wonderful, orchid-like 
irises; new phlox, in brilliant colors; a 
vine or a lily for some bare corner. 
Can't we afford a rose garden? 
Have I made that confounded garden 
l)lan yet? I know it will save me a lot 
of time and trouble later on. 
Is the manure all spread and ready for 
the plowman ? And is he ready to come 
the first day the ground is dry enough? 
Are cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower and 
beet plants ready for the first warm days? 
Is everything ready to get onions, beets, 
carrots, chard, smooth peas, turnips and 
sweet peas planted at the first opportunity? 
Are the late things—tomatoes, egg¬ 
plants. peppers, corn, melons, etc.—all 
coming along under glass, and the hardier 
things getting plenty of air every day ? 
You see. even with a very small place, 
there are plenty of things to keep in mind 
if you expect to get anywhere near the 
maximum results from it. 
Don’t think that you can do your work 
just as well without attempting to keep 
track of it. You can’t. Garden work can 
never become just routine work. For 
what you do a certain way this season, 
weather, soil, some plant enemy, or even 
varieties, will prevent your duplicating 
next year. Gardening is a kaleidoscopic 
art, ever changing, ever turning up new 
combinations to confound one. Therein 
lies its never flagging appeal. That is 
why it is the most entrancing game you 
can play. 
Free Evergreens 
HERE are many places near the 
fringes of big cities, to say nothing 
of the countless places in small towns, 
whose owners are within easy reach of 
the generous nurseries of nature, and yet 
never think of availing themselves of the 
advantages offered. Many of our native 
trees — pine, fir, hemlock, cedar, beech, 
birch and others — make very handsome 
ornamental specimens which are to be had 
for the gathering. You haven't the time? 
Well, why not take a Sunday afternoon 
oif — you might spend it in many less com¬ 
mendable ways — and bring home a few. 
Now is the time — the earlier the better. 
Don't try to get the biggest tree in the 
woods. Pick out a small, straight, shapely 
little tree. Take up the roots with as little 
damage as possible, and where they do 
Small evergreens and other trees can often 
be had for the trouble of digging them 
Take the young tree up carefully, to avoid 
breaking the roots more than is necessary 
(.38) 
