BASIC REQUIREMENTS oF P/gyf Lifes 
le THIS SHORT GUIDE it is taken for granted that most trees and shrubs require normal food, air 
and water. Thus a plant needing more air than usual at its roots is marked “loose soil” or “drain”. 
Plants very easy to grow are referred to as “tolerant”, or may have no notes whatsoever. 
no worries about the leaves getting air. Some plants, like 
Tsuga, burn in strong winds. Bad city air is harmful to 
some trees. 
| [eae ; : ; (wa Air—“wind", “city air”. 
: “What is Pood in our Garden ? Yi Carbon is absorbed from air. Ordinarily the gardener has 
sa > - *5, d : 
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. 
CLIMATE MAP 
The numbers | to VII in the map refer to Zone numbers printed after 
each plant name throughout this Guide. It shows the northern limit 
beyond which any given plant cannot grow. This is not a perfect rule. 
Two modifications might be mentioned. East of Indianapolis, a damper 
climate makes all evergrens hardier. West of Indianapolis hot western 
summers make deciduous trees hardier than rated in this Guide. 

Ways to Improve Your Soil 
(See fertilizers on previous page) 
HUMUS:—In some form, is useful to all plants. LIME:—1. ‘“‘Sweetens’” the soil—reduces acidity. 
1. Lightens heavy soil. 2. Promotes decay, so provides quick food from humus. 
2. Adds water storage to light soils. 3. Flocculates clay soils:—Thus making clay into loam. 
3. Is nature’s own food. ACID:—To acidify soils, aluminum sulphate is quickest, but 
there is danger of damage in heavy soil. Straight sulphur (in 
commercial form as powder) does the same job in about 2 
FEAT AND PEAT Moss:—The cleanest all around humus, weeks and is harmless and easily obtained. An ounce to a 
but should be scratched into soil surface, not used as an 
unmixed mulch. 
W ARNINGS—Renew every two years. 
square yard, sprinkled on the surface. 
FERTILIZER:—All plants in gardens benefit by having plenty 
of food. 1. Strong growth—hence hardier. 
LEAFMOLD, WOODS CLEARINGS, DEAD LEAVES, ETC.: Also 
good, though apt to be unsightly, unless finely shredded. 
MANvuRE:—Best fertilizer—humus. (See Mulchnur at left.) 2. Healthy plants—hence freer of disease. 
Ways to Help Your Plants 
Nenly Transplanted Plants Help Plants Grow "|, ! Viuake food by 
sun-power 
a 
The problem is that the root tips have be- This is different entirely from helping in 
come torn from their microscopic contact transplanting. Less water, more food, less 
P pruning and no protection (if hardy). 
with soil particles, hence careful packing  £stablished plants can get along without 
‘of loose soil and then watering to flush it any assistance at all, but these things has- 
tightly into place is necessary. ten and improve growth: 
WATER—heavily, infrequently. 
PRUNING of the top is needed. This re- FERTILIZE—early May only. 
duces the need for food and drink to a 
point the transplanted roots can provide for. Help Plants Flower 
The most blooms do not come on the 
WATERING the soil thrice a week for ™0st vigorous plant. Chemistry decides 
inside the stem which buds are to be leaf 






water from soil 
the first week or two is desirable, unlessideat. ain he ph lowers Took much: nitro: VV HEARTWOOD (inactive) 
good rain falls. The roots being damaged gen makes all buds leaves. Hence, to en- 1) ) este say - carries food 
and at a disadvantage, this extra water courage blooms, you help the leaves and eS ane pts 
: ; zs hindar thenroots / 4 AMB1UM (growth layer) 
enables those roots still working to increase In : \\ (sea INNER BARK ~ carries 
theic intake. HELP LEAVES—Remove shade, transplant ' i. leaf-food downward 
plant, or prune out bays so light can enter le 7 OUTER BARK (inactive) 
But frequent watering flushes the food out interior of thick bushy plants. On 
of the surface soil quickly, hence one or HINDER Ores eines (except e Unkut a Rin ene rate thin sD: 
two of the waterings might be enriched Phosphorus, as in bone meal). Stop water- ey ROOTS 
& 2 ing, so food still in soil will not be dis- i > SS a food and 
with manure water, or dissolved commet solved. If necessary, prune roots with 
cial fertilizer. (Ordinary fertilizer applica- spade or transplant entirely, clipping back 
tion seldom dissolves in time to help), roots. 

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