Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-05-22
IN THE GARDEN.
PREPARING FOR SEED SOWING.

The work Of digging the ground for
the reception of seeds should he com
plcted at once, and In most soils II can
hc Letter and more easily done with the
fork than the spade, inasmuch rs the
humps can he broken into smaller part
icles with the tirst-uamed implement
than the other. It Is not enough to
make the ground fine on the surface
only, the whole mass should be well di-
yided for the free growth of plants.
The surface should be the most pulver-
lsed for the reception Of seeds, or they
cannot be covered at a uniform depth
a matter Of some importance. What Is
known as n fine tilth, or loose mouldy
surface, is the first essential TO success
IN seed sowing.
some land Is naturally heavy, and
difficult 10 smash into small particles
when digging. but a dav or two after
wards, when the surface has become
dried yet not so dry as to Toe baked,
the humps often yield 10 blows from the
fork or rake, and fall into piece. Fa-
vorable opportunities for doing this
should be watched for, and favOrably
taken advantage Of, as, If missed they
may not occur again for some time
Those who start cuttings in water
viii use a bottle with a wide mouth,
they VIII find 1t an easy matter 10 re-
move the plant when the time comes to
pot 1t, without iujuring the roots. Or.
after the roots have reached the side of
the glass, they can sift the fine earth
into the bottle till 1t is an inch or two
IN depth. After the roots have taken
possession of this soil, the top of the
bottle can be broken off by a sharp
blow with a knife, and then the mass Of
earth can he slipped out without dis
turbing the roots in the least, in exact
" the same manner as the ball of earth
III which plant Is growing can be re-
moved from pot.
In pottiug young plants, don't make
the too common mistake of putting
them IN too large pots at first Some
pot of a small plant into a six or seven
inch pot, filled with rich earth. 1t is
expected to make a vigorous growth,
but It generally turns yellow, and soon
dies. They cannot understand why
tins Is SO. The reason Is that there is
more nutrIment in the soil than the
young and delicate roots can dispose of.
1t Is uvcrfed. Two and three inch pots
are large enough for young plants. Let
them remain in these pots till the roots
completely fill the soil. Then change
to n size larger.
Don't cut off the leaves of dubious
plants after they have done Towering.
thinking that you can make the rest
IN this way. Let them ripen. They
viii die off as the sap goes back into
the bulb. Give water as long as new
leav, : are put forth. When they cease
to appear, withhold water, and as the
Isasg-t4s nv v-.l11vr- 1...+
dry, and allow 1t to remain so till the
plant gives sign of new growth. This
Is applicable particularly to AInaryllises
and plants Of that class.
If you have an old Geranium that has
done duty through the winter by flow
ering, and You do not care to keep the
plant over another season, cut il ND
into slips, and put them in sand, TO
make young plants. An old plant will
often furnish enough cuttings to fill a
bed in the garden. Never throw away
a good cutting, for if you don't want
the plant 1t viii grow into, some one
viii.
Plants viii be making a vigorous
growth at this season of the wear. and
nuSt have daily attention While they
we're at IA standstill, they required com
paratively little water. In winter the
evaporatlon Is small, because the sun
shines but a small part of the time.
But as new and active growth begins,
and rs the sun strengthens ''as the days
iengthen," the roots VIII begin to de-
mand more moisture, and should be
given all they can take care Of
Give all growing plants weekly ap-
plication of manure water But do not
give II to any plants not making growth