Evening star., 1897-02-27

pAilh, Wlhtc Ut purple. MS Will pIOOuCe u
gorgeous effect until late autumn.
Now, supposing you to have q side lot
running back a hundred feet or more, there
Is pretty sure to be some unsightly board
which you must by all means manage to
conceal. For future effect plant against
the rear fence good grape vines, at least
five or six feet apart. Or try the Eu-
plum trees fat against fence or building,
but only on southern or western ex-
posure, where the fruit may get the full
benefit of the sun.
AS temporary screen plant between the
grape vines and fruit trees quick-growing
vines and the ricinus, or castor bean, which
Is very effective with its rich tropical foli-
age, and is a rank grower. Then group in
the improved kinds. They are immensely
decorative. 1t must not be forgotten that
they are biennials: SO If immediate effect is
wanted you should buy year-old plants Of
a reliable florist, choosing the most effec-
tive colors. Once started the hollyhock is
a permanent institution, but 1t would be
best to plant one or two packages OF seeds
early in the summer, to make sure of plen-
ty of blooming plants-for yourself and
your neighbors-another year
Let me say right here that no person of
taste will whitewash his fences and out
buildings. He will paint or stain them dull
brown, or gray, or dark green. Then as
the vines grow their native hfdeousness
will disappear in the prevailing harmony of
green and brown.
A Coign of Vantage.
Having done your duty public-spirit-
ed citizen, and incidentally gratified your
own pride and vanity, by making your
place attractive to the passer by, you must
now turn your attention to the real thing
the flower garden-the bit of paradise that
is to be place of rest and recreation and
pleasure to the whole family. The more
private this can be made the better, for
nobody likes to be under the public eye, or
even the neighbors' eyes, in his hours of
ease and undress summer costume OF
course, entire seclusion in ones own
grounds means a big place, but something
like 1t may be obtained on smaller scale
by means of a summer house, open on one
side, and that side the least exposed. A
light lattice work. a few quick-growing
vines, and nature will do the rest. BY July
the commonplace structure Of laths will be
a leafy bower. defying curious eyes, and
constant delight to family and friends.
And now for your flower beds-your rose
and chrysanthemum beds. your ned or
-fiowering bulbs, of bright, dainty
ANNALS, and of old-ume, sweet-scented
rosies, dear by association with persons
and things that are now but memories.
And your tall hedge of sweet peas-that
must net be forgotten, either.
Having planned the size, shape and sftu-
alton of your beds and borders with due
seriousness, begin with the soil. 1t is abso-
lutely useless, and worse. it is eXtravagant
ana WaSte1ui 10 put pants OIL any sort III
roor soil. Whatever else it may be, 1t must
be soil that will not bake on the surface,
nc matter how hot and dry the weather
1t may get dry as dust, and it will if you
let it, but If it bakes it is unfit for plants
or seed. In and about Washington the soil
is apt to be a kind of heavy red clay. fit
only for the potter. 1t is sure to be that
just when you plan to have a flower bed.
Every ounce of this clay must be spaded
up for at least two feet in depth and per-
sonally conducted off your premises. or ten
to one If your man doesn't dump 1T back
the mir ute you turn around. Away with IT.!
Then, if your garden spot has the advan-
tage of natural drainage. which is easily
ascertained by a little observation of sur
roundings, the next step is to deposit about
six inches of good compost I'm the bottom of
the excavation. Good compost, mind, Not
the mass of denominations in the way of
discarded shoes, bustles, vegetable cans and
defunct animals which nine times out of
ter the man you engage to furnish it will
try to palm off upon you; but such flor
lists and gardeners use. If you know eX
acuy what you want you will be sure to
find ii somewhere: but trust no wandering
descendant of Ham to furnish ii without
preliminary inspection. Having got it and
put it where it will do the most good. fill
up to the level with good garden soil. or
the top soil of field or meadow. See that
all stones rough objects are removed
and a little finely chopped, good compost
mixed thoroughly in, and your ground is
ready for plants. For seeds still further
preparation Is necessary, directions for
which will be given later on.
If you have chosen wisely your rose beds
have been given a sunny spot, somewhat
protected from north winds by fence or
wall Select for bedding purposes only the
ever-blooming sorts. Their name is legion,
and many of those advertised are worth
less Unless you know exactly what you
want, do not order from a florist Uhough
If permitted l could name one who could
be implicitly relied upon to select for you
the best sorts). Buy of home florist in
the market and see with your own eyes
what you are getting. Set small roses
twelve inches apart the first season, thin
ming out as they increase.
Hybrid perpetuals and remontants should
be grown in detached spots, or in a border
along the side Of the house, as they grow
into large bushes. In setting out roses dig
deeply, according to the size; if potted
crumble off some of the earth about the
roots, very gently, then set in the hole, and
sprinkle the soil around the clump. patting
1t down lightly. If the ground is dry water
we'll before filling up; then fill up high
above the level to allow for settling Plant
ed In this way hardly any plant will wilt
II in good condition.
In the Matter of Roses.
By all means buy two-year-old roses. They
are more satisfactory in every respect. By
getting them very early in the spring, in
dormant condition, they can be bought
much cheaper, and will do far better than
younger plants, however thrifty.
Next to the rose in value, as regards
beauty and prominence, comes the chrys-
anthemulns of course, and, as of the rose
SO volumes have been written on this one
superb flower without eXhausting the sub
1ect. New sorts are appearing each year;
marvels of beauty they are. too, and very
expensive. The amateur may, however. Sc
cure gorgeous results with moderate out
lay. Select early Towering sorts, unless
destined for a protected situation. and plant
in bed by themselves. They are terrible
egoists, absorbing everything the earth
contains, without regard for their humble
neighbors. Give them lots Of rich COM
post lots of water and lots of room. AL
low no shoots from the root, no low
branches. Tie to stakes, pinch off the tips
of the branches when they get to be four
inches long This "pinching back process
must be kept up until August. Then let
them bud: but If you want show flowers
leave only one bud-the central one of each
cluster-to mature. Watering once a week
with very weak liquid manure is excellent
for roses. chrysanthemums and, indeed,
most strong plants.
If space is at your disposal, by all means
start bed of hardy and summer-fowering
bulbs. With care in selecting succession
OF bloom may be had. The harder sorts,
like the irises, narcissus, jonquils. paeon-
nies, lilium, candidum, hemerocalis, etc,
increase from year to year in size and
beauty, OF the kinds recurring to be taken