Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-11
Miscellaneous Horticultural Notes.
GARDEN LABELS.

GARDEN LABELS.
Because of convenience in procuring,
probably pieces of pine split from a
board, with place whitfield smooth on
which to write with pencil the names
of seeds planted, will always be used in
the garden to mark the rows or places
where different varieties grow. The
writing, If strongly marked, will gene
rally last one season if not handled too
often when wet; but the-desire to look
over the garden is generally strongest
just after a shower which may be start
ing the young plants out of the ground
or bringing new varieties into bloom,
AT such times the labels are spattered
with soil and the names illegible. When
labels are stuck in the ground, if they
are left slanting with the name on the
upper side, the writing will be clear af-
ter heavy rain. OF course every gar
dener should keep note book, showing
location of varieties, but at such time
ones fingers are seldom in fit condition
to handle note book.
HENS IN THE GARDEN.
| A farmer can almost as well dispense
with garden az with hens, and as ro-
tation is desirable with farmers gar
den, picket fence cannot always be
provided. 1t is not always convenient
to exclude them from the flower gar
den, which may be permanently locat-
ed, and if we can prevent them from
destroying our plants we wish to have
them catch the insects.
Hens like to have a running place
with shade and wallowing ground clear
away from their dormitory, and the To-
cation of the henery with reference to
the garden has much to do with their
continual presence there.
Our own hens spend much of their
time in theorchard and the ground inter-
vening, which was at one time chosen
for garden is now given up to the
hens, and such things AS they can be
prevented from injuring. Nearly all
| Towering plants do better for being
started where they can be protected,
not only from the hens but also from
drying winds and too much sunshine.
The writer has about 125 square feet
of pansy seeds sown in frames much
like cold frame, but covered with
frames of laths, made by fastening
four full length laths at equal distances
apart, across two piec es of lsths which
are three feet long. These are placed
on the frames with the ends Of the
cross pieces resting on the strips,
which would support the sashes if
sashes were used. The spaces are
filled with laths laid on loose, about
three.quarters of an inch apart. The
laths being but four feet long, lack two
feet of reaching across the bed. This
space is filed with pieces of lath three
feet long, nailed across two foot cross
pieces These are paced to stretch
across the direction of the full length
lath frames. When the papsy seeds
come up and the celery which is pro-
tected in the same way, a few of the
laths will be removed, and finally only
All open net work of laths will be left
to keep out Plymouth Rocks, which
are very searching kind of fowl
When plants are set out in the flower
garden, they are protected by sticking
pegs in the ground. one slanting over
each plant and sticking out of the
ground five to seven inches. These
pegs need not be thicker than lady's
shingles, hazel switches, or anything
which convenience may provide. The
hens will not wallow or scratch where
they are. Quite often it is desirable to
protect q small patch of Strawberries
or other things with a temporary en-
closure. Pieces of laths or firewood
split fine, if stuck in the ground close
enough to prevent the hens from pass
ing between them, will keep them out
if they can go around the enclosure.
Such a fence need not be more than
eighteen inches or two feet high, but
the pieces must be inserted so firmly
that they will not spread and should be
nearly of an equal height. If such an
enclosure forms corner with taller
fence you may expect the hens to fly
over.
ROSES AND CURRANTs
are becoming more scarce each year
worms from eating the leaves. If you
do not Intend to save your bushes dig
them up and burn them. You have
no right to propagate insects for the
destruction of other peoples gardens
when you can so easily avoid it.
If you care TO save the bushes do as
has often been told. The remedy is
easily applied and not very expensive.
Procure powdered white hellebore and
as soon a, the currant bushes are fairly
in leafexamipe the lower leaves, where,
on the under side you will find the
worms as soon as they begin their work
while yet very small. Pour little lot
water on about heaping tablespoon
full of the powdered hellebore, and
when you have mixed it to paste,
dilute with pailful Of cold water.
Sprinkle the leaves all over the bush
with whisk broom, keeping the mix
ture we'll stirred. Watch the results
and repeat the application if neces-
sary.
Tue powder may be sprinkled on
dry with equal efficacy, but is not so
conveniently applied and more is re-
cu;red. Should a rain occur within
twenty-four hours after applications
,no ono,atior, shou1d no reneated short