seedsmen’s descriptions 
W HY do seedsmen impose upon the public in 
their descriptions of their plants ? I 
was led to plant quite a large bed of 
Nicotiana SandercB last summer, and was very much 
disappointed. It stood in a prominent position on 
my lawn. The flowers wilted badly in the sun, and 
only looked well on cloudy days. G. O. P. 
The seedsmen should have told you to plant in a 
semi-shady position, which if done, would have given 
you satisfaction. This plant is a recent introduction 
from Europe where the sun’s elPect is less trying than 
ours, and as they may do well there in full sun, the 
introducers recommended such a situation which in 
turn was advised by our seedsmen. Try them next 
year in semi-shade and if you like their magenta red, 
they may please you. 
self-colored petunias 
I want to grow a large bed of petunias next 
summer. Would like two shades of self-colors. 
What varieties would you suggest 
S. J. C. 
Use Rosy Morn for center and Snowball for the 
border. 
Rosy Morn is a rather dwarf single pink of a lovely 
shade. When first introduced by H. A. Dreer, of 
Philadelphia, it was apt to reproduce some flowers of 
a diversified color, but the originators have now suc¬ 
ceeded in sending out seed that can be depended upon 
to produce the self-colored pink desired. 
Snowball, as its name indicates, is a good, self- 
colored white. 
CLIPPING A BARBERRY HEDGE 
Does a hedge of the Japanese, barberry need to be 
clipped. S. E. I. 
You probably refer to Berherts Thimbergii, which 
never should be clipped. Clipping not only destroys 
its graceful habit but deprives you of most of its 
berried effects, as it does not bloom on the current 
year’s growth. It is compact enough without clip¬ 
ping. 
A GOOD BLUE FLOWER 
Give me the name of a good blue flower, rather 
dwarf—other than lobelias and campanulas. 
M. G. E. 
Anagallts Phillipsi is a dwarf annual, producing 
open, saucer-shaped flowers of a pleasing shade of 
dark blue. As its stems are procumbent, and some¬ 
what straggly it is well to plant it in among sweet 
alyssum which causes it to climb up among the alys- 
sum blooms, in which situation it is very attractive. 
TRANSPLANTING HAWTHORN AND CRAB TREES 
Can hawthorns and crab trees, of fair size, be safely 
moved from the woods .? T. C. K. 
Hawthorns submit to removal quite readily but 
crab trees of two or more inches in diameter do not. 
Their root system is generally confined to one or two 
main roots only, with but few laterals. Nursery 
grown stock that has been root-pruned is much more 
reliable. Hawthorns with trunks up to eight inches 
in diameter may be safely moved in winter with a 
frozen ball. Select a tree that is in vigorous growth, 
so that you may be able to cut out, in entirety, some 
of its branches to compensate for the shock of trans¬ 
planting. Just before hard freezing sets in, dig a 
trench around the tree so as to leave a ball six feet or 
more in diameter, digging under towards the center 
and getting well below the roots. Keep the trench 
full of water until the ball is well frozen. Prepare the 
hole for planting and dump a load of manure over it 
to keep frost out and move any time when the ball 
is sufficiently frozen. 
SETTING AND CARE OF COLD FRAMES 
How should cold frames be set, and what care do 
they require in winter to carry over Canterbury bells, 
foxgloves, pansies, etc. It is often 20 ° below zero 
in January and Eebruary here. S. C. M. 
The frame should be sunken in the earth nearly its 
full height, and the soil within excavated, and proper 
drainage provided. If the frame is two feet high at 
the back and eighteen inches at the front, you can 
use the frame for a late, mild hotbed, after your 
plants are set out. Such a mild hotbed often comes 
{Continued on page 19, Advertising Section.) 
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