THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
37 T 
than otherwise. No doubt many of the readers of this 
article have gone deeper into the study of these plants than 
I have, and could give experiences -which would accomplish 
more good than this, and if the^ would only give us the 
benefit of it, I am sure the Editor would be glad to have them 
do so and I know we would be the better for it and perhaps 
by this interchange of experiences we may be able to success¬ 
fully cope with the disease. 
Geo. F. Kimbel. 
RENOVATION OF HERBACEOUS BORDERS 
During October and early November is the best time to 
renovate the hardy border or hardy garden. If your plants 
have not been disturbed for several years some of the more 
vigorous growing plants will be monopolizing more than their 
share of room and crowding out the weaker growing ones. 
Some have, no doubt, disappeared entirely, while others have 
degenerated into mere caricatures of their former selves. 
While the appearance of the border during the past 
summer is fresh in the mind, it will be an easy matter to 
rearrange, as most of the tops will still be on the plants to 
identify them. It will be a simple and interesting job, but if 
left until spring it will require an expert to identify the plants 
with the tops gone and everything below ground. 
It is an easy matter to fill in the bare places and take out 
plants that have become too thick, but you will find it worth 
while to dig up all the plants in the border, so as to be able to 
thoroughly trench it, turning under a liberal amount of well- 
rotted manure. After this is done the ground can be nicely 
leveled and the plants set back, arranging them as desired. 
Many clumps will want dividing, having become too large. 
If you want a mass effect in such plants as paeonies and 
phlox you will find better results will be obtained from three 
thrifty divisions set a foot apart than you will from one huge 
undivided cliunp. 
Perhaps you have noted the past season that there was a 
dearth of bloom at some one time, and it will be necessary to 
add sorts that flower at that particular period; or, maybe 
there was a lack of some particular color or a clash that can 
be neutralized by a liberal introduction of white or a different 
arrangement that will act as a foil. 
There are always some good things that may be added, 
because the charm of these old-fashioned gardens lies in the 
fact that they are never the same, never complete, and never 
so good that it is not possible to improve them. 
The fall is a good time to add bulbs to them. Clumps of a 
dozen to twenty narcissus of different kinds are always a good 
addition. They flower early, before the majority begin to 
think of it, and after the blooms are gone it does not matter 
if the space they occupy is overhung by later-flowering nearby 
plants. Get .some of the good ones, like Emperor, Empress 
and Sir Watkin. 
The Darwin and Cottage Tulips are also splendid for the 
same purpose. The low-priced kinds are as good as the 
expensive ones unless you happen to be .a fancier. 
These late flowering tulips are strong growers, 1^2 to 2 
feet high, so should not be set too close to the front. 
Lily bulbs are also good and may be used to great advan¬ 
tage in prolonging the season of bloom without overcrowding. 
A good clump of lilies will dominate the border while in bloom. 
Renovate the hardy garden in the fall. You will enjoy it 
so much more watching the plants grow next spring, and be 
sure to add a few things with which you are not acquainted; 
they will add double interest to your garden. 
Hmong the Sxpcnincnt Stations 
New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 
Notice of Bulletin No. J48 
The New York State laws now require inspection of insecticides and 
fungicides somewhat similar to that so effective in case of fertilizers and 
feeding stuffs. The results of the analyses of these materials are reported 
for 1912 in Bulletin No. 348 of the Station at Geneva; and, on the 
whole, indicate a^ very satisfactory condition of goods sold for the 
repression of insects and prevention of plant diseases. Some materials 
were .sampled and analyzed, however, that seem to have little value 
for the purposes for which they are sold; so purchasers would do well 
to look the bulletin over before making any extensive purchases of 
insecticides or fungicides. All Station bulletins are sent free on applica¬ 
tion. 
Brief Notes on Bulletin No. 34Q 
The final one of the potato-spraying bulletins of the ten-year series 
sent out by the Station at Geneva is now distributed. It confirms the 
conclusion previously reached, that potato-spraying is a profitable prac¬ 
tice for the New York grower. The proof is ample and should have 
action-compelling weight with every potato rai.ser. If not already 
thoroughly convinced of the merits of spraying, drop a card to the 
Station at Geneva and get Bulletin No. 349. Like all other Station 
bulletins, it will be sent you free. 
Revieiv of Bulletin No. J4Q 
For ten years the Station at Geneva has conducted potato .spraying 
tests on its own grounds and at Riverhead, Long Island; for nine years 
it has received reports from six to fifteen farmers who have sprayed 
potatoes and left check rows so that they knew whether spraying 
increased their yields or not and also knew how much the spraying cost; 
and for seven years it received additional reports from five to sixty other 
farmers who sprayed, but not under Station supervision. Now, in 
Bulletin No. 349, the results of the ten years are summarized somewhat 
as follows: In tests on its own grounds, spraying three times has given 
an average annual increase of 69 bu. to the acre and spraying five to 
seven times a gain of gjff bu.; spraying by Station men at Riverhead, 
under much less favorable soil and climatic conditions, raised the yields 
25 and 45^ bu., respectively; the farmers’ business experiments gave 
an average increase of 36.1 bu. to the acre and an average net profit of 
$14.43 an acre; and 205 volunteer experiments secured an average acre- 
gain of 54.3 bu. 
The Station maintains that it pays to spray potatoes regularly. Why 
not send for the bulletin and weigh the proof? 
PACKING MACHINES WANTED 
Will you please let us know where we ean purchase machines for 
packing nursery stock, boxing and baling? 
A. M. N. Co., Ltd. 
Makers and dealers of the above will find no better 
medium in which to advertise their goods than The N.ational 
Nurseryman. 
The N.ltional Nurseryman is an interesting and well edited 
periodical. 
Glasgow, Scotland. R.ynkin & Tod. 
