The Garden 
THE GARDEN 
SUGGESTIONS, QUERIES AND ANSWERS 
JOHN W. HALL 
T^ROM now on through the fall and winter 
months work about the garden will become 
less exacting, but all the while there will be some¬ 
thing that should receive attention. Shrubbery will 
need looking after and the last vestige of weeds 
should be eliminated. The best method of getting 
rid of them is to pull them up by the roots. There 
are a number of preparations suggested as weed 
destroyers but all of them are more or less harmful 
either to the soil or to surrounding vegetation. 
One thing which should now claim attention is the 
carnation. The old plan of leaving the carnation 
in the border until near the danger line of frost has 
given way to a new method—that of housing the 
plants in August and September instead of waiting 
until October and November. 
In taking up the plants use care so that the roots 
will not be broken and in planting see that all roots 
are spread out; too much care cannot be taken in 
having the roots occupy natural positions. Carna¬ 
tions do best in medium, loamy soil. Soil that has 
been composted liberally during the year is of phys¬ 
ical fitness. Before using the benches see that they 
are thoroughly clean. Wash them thoroughly, using 
a little kerosene and soap or tobacco insecticide in 
water—it will prevent insects and fungus. It is a 
good plan to cover the bottom of the bench with a 
thin layer of sod, the grassy side being placed down¬ 
ward as that will insure proper drainage. Sod not 
being available a thin layer of fresh straw manure 
will serve a good purpose, but be sure to keep the 
rough part of the manure at the bottom. 
The distance between plants on the bench should 
be determined by the variety, the more vigorous being 
set about fifteen inches apart while for the less vigor¬ 
ous varieties ten inches will suffice. Plants should be 
well watered when put on the bench and kept rather 
close until there is signs of growth development. 
There should be no need of carnation blooms about 
the private garden for the next two or three months 
therefore it will be well to pick off' all flower buds and 
give the plants a chance for vigorous growth. Plants 
that are permitted to bloom soon after being changed 
from the open cannot be expected to give good 
results in November and December when the car¬ 
nation is the most admired and desired. 
The pansy is a hardy little subject and can be suc¬ 
cessfully grown in the open in the widest extent of the 
country. The usual method of propagation is 
through cuttings. The best time for seeding is from 
the middle of August to September, or when the sum¬ 
mer heat is about over. Fall sown seed will produce 
the largest and finest flowers early the following 
spring. Pansies require a soil well enriched with 
thoroughly decomposed manure. A good plan is to 
prepare the ground some ten days or longer before 
the time for sowing. 
Sow cineraria seed now. The plant will not stand 
the extreme heat of summer, but seed sow n now w ill 
produce plants of better vitality than later sowing. 
This plant grows to a height of about fifteen inches 
and spreads, in circular form, about as broad as its 
height. It covers with brilliant blooms ranging 
through all the shades of blue to royal plum-purple 
and from shining crimson to deep maroon. Most of 
the flow 7 ers have a white eye and are sharply mar¬ 
gined with some contrasting color. 
The Aglaia, or yellow rambler, is a charming 
climbing rose and will withstand very severe winters. 
It is a very vigorous grower but requires age for 
blooming. Pruned back severely it puts out vigor¬ 
ous shoots. For covering an arch or a pergola no 
rose is better adapted. It should be carefully pruned 
at this time to induce good growth for next season’s 
flowers. 
Every gardener will understand that during this 
month the chrysanthemum must be watched and 
cared for. It must be kept free of the black aphis, a 
special pest of this plant. There is a preparation on 
the market made from powdered tobacco stems which 
is very effective in the destruction of this pest; to¬ 
bacco tea, made by pouring boiling water over 
tobacco or tobacco stems, used when cold, will an¬ 
swer the same purpose. Give plenty of liquid 
fertilizer at this time along with plenty of w ater. 
No flower is more highly esteemed for its delicate 
fragrance than the mignonette. It grows most 
rapidly and produces the largest and finest spikes of 
blooms in the cool months of both spring and fall. 
A planting of seed should be made about the first 
of August and the reward will be many beautiful 
blooms during the fall months. There are a number 
of varieties furnishing countless shades of bloom. 
All tall growing plants should be given support. 
It is true that the stakes detract from the general 
appearance of the garden but such precaution will 
often prevent choice plants from being broken down. 
Remove all old flower stems. The looks of the 
garden will be enhanced and their removal will cause 
many plants to respond with an additional blooming. 
Dead or decayed foliage should at all times be kept 
removed. 
There are several members of the fern family that 
do well in the living-room. They should be kept out 
of the sun. While they require plenty of water, 
good drainage must be provided. The fern thrives 
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