Timely Garden Suggestions 
The Christmas decorations will pleasantly demand 
consideration. Have them by all means, but use 
judgment in arrangement. Evergreen ropes placed 
against the walls, or festooned, will form very 
effective borders and panels, and boughs well 
disposed will make a decoration of much charm. 
Place them with regard to the architecture, and use 
them primarily as decorations. Have a few strong, 
dominating lines and avoid a confused mass of green 
stuff. If the room to be decorated is large and its 
furnishings heavy, laurel ropes and holly wreaths 
will be found in better accord than the soft crow-foot 
or branches of running pine. Have in mind the 
Japanese use of boughs, and remember that the walls 
are really backgrounds. Never is there a time when 
red is more attractive or significant than now and 
a bit of ribbon can be made to help out the note lent 
by the berries. 
Don’t forget the Christmas candles, either. What 
is prettier or more festive than they! Put red 
shades on them and on the electroliers, and in laying 
in the supply include some fragrant bayberry dips. 
Light and color appeal keenly to the senses and 
nothing gives more pleasure to the festive spirit. 
Turning to more mundane matters, it may be 
well to suggest that at this time it is wise to see to the 
weather-stripping, to have the cracks around the 
window frames filled, and in other ways guard 
against draughts. The chimneys should, of course, 
have been cleaned in the autumn, but if they have 
been overlooked have them done at once. The 
laundry also should be inspected, the dryer put in 
order, the faucets renewed, and pantry, preserve and 
linen closets should be ordered, before the arrival 
of holiday guests. 
Timely Garden Suggestions 
JOHN W. HALL 
I T is never too early to begin preparations for the 
spring work in the garden, and the first thing 
to be realized is that, whether growing flowers, 
fruits or vegetables, it is impossible to get results 
provided there is a lack of proper soil. The physical 
fitness of the soil is essential—a prime basis of opera¬ 
tion. That having been secured the essential ele¬ 
ments of plant growth can be supplied. If the soil 
is too loose, too gritty or sandy, too adhesive and 
retentive, failure with the garden is certain. A good 
soil for all practical purposes is a medium clayey 
loam with sufficient vegetable fiber in it. This con¬ 
dition is seldom found naturally but it can be brought 
up by intelligent manipulation. 
If the soil is gritty and sandy it must be made more 
retentive. The sandy soil is usually deficient in 
organic matter and therefore requires a large quantity 
of manure. Pulverized or shredded cow manure 
is best for this soil. If the soil is stiff, retentive 
clay, the object must be to make it more friable and 
porous. The use of a dressing of air-slacked lime 
at this time will add to its friability, and when garden¬ 
ing proper is begun the liberal use of a good pul¬ 
verized cow or sheep manure will insure the rapid 
and vigorous development of plant life. 
In rural and suburban areas the compost heap 
is a matter for consideration for all phases of garden¬ 
ing, and now is the time to make it. Perhaps the 
best way of making a compost heap is to cut sod about 
an inch thick; place a layer of the sod, grass down, 
sprinkle lime on to assist in decomposition, and then 
add a layer of manure. This process to be repeated 
until the heap is made to contain the desired quantity 
of compost or until all available material has been 
used. If the sod is allowed to freeze before being 
heaped the freezing will destroy or drive out all in¬ 
sects. When desired for use in the spring the com¬ 
post heap will be in prime condition; upon being cut 
with the spade it will fall apart thoroughly pulverized 
and be ready for distributive uses. 
One of the important things now to be considered 
is what to do with chrysanthemum plants from which 
to procure cuttings for next year. Many labor under 
the mistaken idea that it is all sufficient to store them 
in any odd corner. That course will not do. Good, 
strong, healthy cuttings are necessary for success and 
preparations for such must now be made. As one 
season—that of the flower—closes, another season— 
that of the plant—opens. In storing chrysanthe¬ 
mum plants put them where they will remain entirely 
dormant until time for propagation. If possible to 
do so, all tendency to growth development before 
spring should be avoided. The stock plants need a 
period of complete rest in order that there may be 
thorough recuperation. 
Assuming that cold' frames have been provided 
there is nothing better than carefully planting the 
stocks in rows in reasonably rich, soft soil. The 
plants should be permitted to freeze moderately and 
then protected during the colder months so that the 
th aw will be gradual. In this way sturdy cuttings 
will be ready at the proper time to be put out. Do 
not use side shoots; the tops make much the more 
desirable plant. 
If the early varieties of Azalea indica, like Deutsche 
Perle, are desired for Christmas they should go into 
a warm, moist house. Bud development may be 
materially aided by spraying freely. Azalea mollis, 
double cherries, lilacs, and any other forcing shrub, 
can now be started in a brisk heat and kept well 
syringed. Lilacs started in the dark come in quicker 
but the flowers are inferior. These plants should be 
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