Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-15

QutTe u kreaS Qcdl OF EOurlSnmeNt ana re-
sent. like the traditional western ranch
man. the approach of neighhors They will.
however. permit a carpet OF pansies or por-
tulaca and can be induced to grow In COM
pany with few hardy lilies. This Is the
time of all others to purchase and plant
roses. for the little brown sticks bought
now and carefully set out will quickly re-
spond to the winning influence of tho
spring sun and showers and putting out
leaves be prepared to blossom with the
best in June. In buying roses make sure
to get those which have been grown upon
their own roots (not grafted) and procure
the perpetual rather than the so-cafled
monthly boomers. Such. for instance. as
the Hermosa, Papa Gontier, Jacqueminot.
saffrona. lie France: Baroness Rothschild
and Olio. which will show even loveiier
flowers In October than In May. They
should be planted in q fairly sunny bed,
about two feet apart. upright. but not too
to SOW your pansy seed. scattering II thick
iy on the surface of the ground and press
Ing 1t in firmly with the hand. These seeds
should bring abundant blossoms In July.
ana others. Sown In August, Will provide
plants for the following season.
Avoid Novelties In Seeds
There is a peculiar delight In growing
plants from seeds. The gardener takes a
personal pride in their welfare. and for
some unaccountable reason feels specially
responsible for their success. According to
'Ao-AS - S"eoioSoSS cNeIy uoWeT uiitcT tHr
sun can be grown from seed. and doubtless
they are right. but for the amateur garden
1t is in many cases doubtful expert
ment If you would count success keep
to the old-fashioned flowers and avoid
novelties. Some think 1t best to start their
seedlings In pots or boxes, but better re-
suits come from sowing In the open
ground. There are of course chances OF
mishap both ways, the birds may make a
breakfast of your precious little green
n dAlt oty,tr r-aSv and
wash your seeds away. but the risks seem
less In the bed. The directions which ac-
company packages of seeds are. as a rule.
as indefinite as the receipts to be found In
cookery books which bid you flavor to
taste" Neither the time for planting nor
the depth to plant is ever indicated.
A safe rule to follow, however. Is to
plant early as possible, the last of
March or first of April IL the weather be
propitious, and to put them in just deep
enough to withstand the spring rains.
Bulbs and roots should naturally be placed
deeper, and those which are to remain In
the ground all winter should be allowed not
less than five inches of covering. The next
step, after the plants are up. will be thin
ming out and transplanting. which should
be done as soon as they are well rooted
and after a heavy shower. They should
be planted the second time a little deeper
than they originally grew. and IL the sun is
for a day or so. Shirley peoples are the
one exception to this rule they will not
blossom II once disturbed and may be thin
ned but not transplanted-
The Inroads of the Weeds.
To some degree the amateur gardener
may not fear overcrowding his bed az con-
trary to logic. Plants blossom best when
root-bound and the more flowers you have
the less room there will be for the weeds
Up to the first Of July you will have little
trouble with these pests. but from then on
for six weeks II you do not wage an active
war they will get ahead of you and literal
ly choke out your flowers. Then, too, will
come the living enemies. spiders to be
drowned out with the hose. rose bugs to
be killed with helibore and green worms to
be exterminated with tobacco water. but
If there was no opposition. no difficulties to
be overcome. the work would lose its zest.
The hose is very necessary accompani-
ment of the city garden, but 1t Is well
not to begin using it too early in the sea-
son; as plants. like children, are easily
spoiled, and once accustomed to artificial
dampness lose the stamina needed to- carry
them through the scorching midsummer
days. - 1870
The Everyday F1owers.asn.
Nothing so far has been said about the
plain. everyday flowers which until late
ly, were so popular. Chief among these is
the geranium. despised literally for its
amiability, its a. ISOLATION with tomato cans
and its prosaic virtues. Among the, an
nuals. however. 1t has not an equal, and for
quick. decorative effects 1t is without
rival. Plant, If you can. a narrow border
of the scarlet variety with dwarf nastur-
tfums along your pathway and see In July
and August what a charming line of color
will be produced. Fushias verbenas, hello
trope and sweet alyssum also are attractive.
and for first season will add much in
terest to the garden.
The ubiquitous ash can and garbage
bucket are still in evidence. and If you
have no shed must be hidden from sight by
a lattice made either of laths or wire COW
cred with vines. before which may be
planted clumps Of brightly colored holly
hooks This will not only do away with
the eyesore but will Introduce In its place
a really charming feature. 1t Is surprising
how much a little garden will bring forth
and with how little labor one can be main
tained. Two or three half-days in a season
and few minutes snatched morning
evening now and then will suffice, and these
even the busiest man or woman has at his
or her disposal.
The Cost Small.
The cost, too Is moderate-four or FIVE
dollars will make a good beginning, and
once started very little will keep 1t up.
This is a matter of some moment to most
city garden-makers, though 1t Is a fact
commonly overlooked. To profit by a gar
den one must stay in town during the hot
months and those who find in the metropo-
lis a summer resort are rarely. 1t must be
confessed, overburdened with wealth. For
this reason, If for none other. many of the
schemes Of the technically learned are i'm
practical and the simple garden much to be
preferred but aside from the economic
standpoint 1t has peculiar attractions and
even In comparison with its more imposing
brethren will be found very worthy and
pleasurable.
Civilization and the Newspaper.