Evening star., 1899-03-18
FLOWER GARDEN AND LAWN
Written for The Evening Star by Julia Schayer

Written for The Evening Star by Julia schayer
Now is the time to begin outdoor work
on lawn and garden. Roses and shrubbery
shoulo be pruned at once, if not already
t'''eLued 10, as the first sunny days will
start the sap The branches of all tea
roses must be cut down to five or six inches
and all dead wood removed. Hybrid ner-
petuals are not to be treated in the same
way. Shorten the branches a few inches
and thin them out if growing in a way to
ihtef1ere with each other. and this treat
ment applies also to climbing roses.
All sorts of Towering shrubs should he
looked over, thinned out when necessary
and dead branches cut away LIlacs sbouId
only be pruned in summer Immediately after
blooming. The hydrangea pamenlota shouId
pe cut back almost severely as tea roses
Break up and loosen the covering about tho
roots OF roses, etc, but do not remove il
or spade II in before April l. The same r,1te
appiies p,ot 10 'he covering of fall-panted bulbs
pIedk up the rough covering and remove
al SUCKS, stones or other objects tb.t
might be in the way of the starring bnds
w men these are we'll up out of the ground
very carefully work up the soil and com
post with garden trowel, that the hIooms
may nave clean background Of brown coil
to set off their splendid colors.
nahe on the lawn or grass plot, sprinkle
grass seed where ii is most needed and giyn
the whole light dose of bone meal Were
there are hollows or mounds cut the sod
away, MI up with soil and level off. and re-
while the ground is moist and Welding.
paths. "'iu
Late fall is accounted the best time for
piantlnS or transplanting hardy roses and
shrubbery. but it may be done In early
spring with good results. The first day that
the SOIL can be worked is the time to do
on,s en,s.peiofe the warm, sunny days that may
ha cfo
ana leaf buds. Roses may now be- hought
IN dormant state and planted with the
pest results If making new beds or places
nave the soil dug to at least two feet In
depth, all stones removed and at least ono
half rich old soil and compost mixed with
II. rack firmly about the roots and do not
water at this season.
If you have saved your last wear canpo
bulbs. as is to be hoped, get them out now
separate and plant in boxes or pots of
iresh sand or earth. Water them and set
they may be put out Of doors but must he
covered or brought in at night as a. light
frost or cold wind shrvels and blackens the
tender shoots. The first of Nav is early
enough to set cannas in the open ground
There is really nothing finer for any place
%here permanent effect is wanted. very
handsome bed for lawn may be made by
ter. surrounding them with the dwarf
sorts, and finishing with a border of yellow
coieus e.9 or alternanthus. or the silvery
NaotS hhhhei. heep tne W1tnered hover
| stalks cut off and the border closely
trimmed Never plant rose bushes on the
lawn; Out OF bloom, as they are most of
the time. they are anything but ornament
al A mass of unvaryng color is only OBJ
tainable by using foliage plants
A fine tropical effect for a corner NAV
De had by planting few castor beans in
rich, moist soil. Get some of the new
sorts, ricinus zanzibarensis, and start at
once under glass if possible. They are
really magnificent.
And now about sweet peas. They should
be In the ground now; if not at the earliest
possible date. To have really fine blooms
| buy only the best seed and of the new large
| Towering sort. 1t is better to select sepa-
rate colors, to suit your own taste Buy
| them by the packet or ounce and either
mix them or combine the colors ad libitum.
| All the mixtures prepared by seedmen con-
! tain some of the inferior Sorts but as one
ounce of seed is enough to plant a double
row fifteen feet long only those who have
| great deal of garden space can have much
of a variety by buying the separate colors.
! except, of course, by getting more than
| they can use themselves and giving the rest
away. very good idea that is too
If the ground has been prepared in the
! fall, so much the better. Still the work
| may be done now with good effect Choose
a bright, sunny location, not less than six
| feet from any wall or board fence that
| sunshine and air may reach both sides of
| the row. Set a stout post at each end Of
| the row, and one at intervals of ten feet
| between. on which to fasten the wire net
| ting to support the vines. Have the earth
removed, II not previouslV cultivated, to