Air—wind”, “city air”. 
Carbon is absorbed from air. Ordinarily the gardener has no | 
worries about the leaves getting air. Some plants, like Tsuga, 
burn in strong winds. Bad city air is harmful to some trees. 
Light—“sun”, “shade”. 
Light makes the chlorophyl factory turn its wheels. All plants ' 
need some. Those that get along best on little light are marked ¢ 
“shade” in this Guide. Those that need a great deal are marked 
“sun’.—Normal plants are not marked—they live in sun or part 
shade. 
Air—“loose”, “heavy”, “drain”. 
Roots get oxygen from air that filters into the earth. Some plants 
need more than others; these must have loose soil and will 
suffocate in heavy damp clays. Such plants are marked “drain” 
in this Guide. 
Water—“damp”, “dry”. 
Roots can only use chemicals that are dissolved in water. Also, 
water is the means of transportation up the stem. Some plants 
need more than others and die in severe droughts. In the de- 
scriptions such are marked “damp”. A loose soil quickly dries, 
a heavy soil keeps damp. Thus water and air for the roots are 
both present in a mixed soil. Normal plants that thrive in this 
“ordinary garden soil’’ need no notation. 
Food—“humus”, “rich”, “barren”. 
a. Potassium—most soils have plenty. 
b. Phosphorus—needs to be added in most soils with fertilizer. 
c. Nitrogen—Fertilizer supplies it, but water quickly leaches it 
out, so permanent plants depend on bacteria in the soil. These 
bacteria depend on:— 
1. Acidity of soil (lime, etc.). 
2. Drainage of soil (air). 
3. Humus in the soil (food). 
d. Iron, lime, etc., in small quantities usually present anywhere. 
SOIL FACTS:— _“TypES of SOILS [AR WATER FOOD 
Barren—Clay has no air, 
sand no food. Even ag 
mixture of clay and 




sand alone does nee 
make soil fit for most 9 
3s 
plants. 
Loams — As _ soon as 
humus is added, the a 
sail becomes a “normal” & | 2 
soil. Air, food and water $} ~ fymus sapesaral § Re f 
all complete. In addition, ~ A AND : a ee 
soil bacteria start living & CLAY, S 
§ | and HUMUS 
on the humus and re- = SAND 
lease nitrogen thus mak- g aed. 
ing “top-soil”. 
PLANTING: Only elementary instructions are sent with plant 
shipments. For more detail see discussion beginning each di- 
vision in this catalog. 
WATERING: Frequent light watering makes roots come to the 
surface. Infrequent heavy watering sends them down deep. You | 
want them deep, so always water heavily. A good rule is when 
you think soil is soaked, just water as long again! Hard to 
believe how long it takes water to descend | foot. 
SPRAYING: No mention made in this book because each county 
in USA has different times and different inse sts. Get information 
from State or Federal Dept. of Agriculture about your particular 
locality. 
PRUNING: Varies with plant: Pererinials are pinched back, shrubs, 
have whole old stems cut to ground, trees have only chafing ! 
and crowded limbs removed, evergreens have only part of the 
new growth cut back when still soft. Ruies: Sharp tools, sloping 
cuts to shed rain, paint larger wounds at once. Good paint is 
half bordeaux mixture half Linseed oil. Rub saw and clipper ~- 
with this before using to disinfect. 
FLOWERS AND FERTILIZERS: Two much fertilizer makes big 
lusty leaves and few flowers. Fertilize in May and June only J. 
and with a light hand. Plants which grow well and do not | 
flower should get no fertilizer except bone-meal, have no pruning, 
and more sun if possible. Transplanting or pruning the roots i 
with a sharp spade also helps. Only a few plants stand unlimited 5 
fertilizer (Peonies and Roses, e.g.). Usually, the less sun a plant 4 
gets the less fertilizer can be safely used. to 
