The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-07-14
(Mrs. II. L. w. Bancroft.)
Na,.&..,.~ p,.

This is the season when more harm
than good is often done by the use
OF the hose and the watering not. In
the first place not one person i'm ten
when applying water, gives sufficient
amount to be OF value to the plants.
Learn for yourself that this is a fact.
Take the point OF trowel and remove
the wet soil after having given the
usual amount of water and you will be
surprised to see that it has not pene-
trated to the roots at ALL Such wa
tering is detrimental in many ways
first, by causing hard crust when
dried, excluding the air from the
roots; and again because it has a
tendency to draw the roots toward the
surface OF the soil. A thoroughly
good soaking once or twice week is
in all respects better for the plants
than nightly showerings which do not
reach the roots.
Cannas.
The Gamma requires Il copious sup
ply of water during the hot weather:
especially is this so when planted i'm
beds heaped or rounded up, as they
are most often planted. 1t is apparent
a bed will shed water--that is, after
thin coating OF mud has formed on
the surface the water runs off doing
little or no good to the plants: hence,
1t is absolutely necessary to work tine
soil all up loosely, leaving little de-
pressions close in around the roots
before applying the water.
Stalking Glatlioli.
Since the earlier paintings of Gladi-
oil are now coming into bloom it will
be necessary to provide support for
the bloom stalks. Here in this coun-
try where we are so troubled with the
winds, have found that the best and
strongest blossoms can be obtained
by placing the bulbs fully six inches
below the surface OF he soil, and then
in cultivating, continue to draw the
soil up around the plants until the
bloom stalks commence to appear; by
this time the killing will have left
deep depressions between the plants,
fill up these depressions with good
fertilizer and then apply grass clip
pings as a mulch when the bloom
stalks have nearly reached their full
length. Cut thin flexible willow
branches. and push them firmly and
deeply into the ground before fastea-
Ing the bloom stalks to them. The
pliahle willow branches will sway
lightly with the winds and give bet
ter support. Also look much better
than do heavier stakes, which chafe
the blooms and holding too rigidly,
often help rather than hinder the
breaking OF the stalk during the
severe wind storms which we may al
ways expect during this month.
Care Of PeinrsOnlums.
Since the local stores sold con-
siderable number of these beautiful
plants during the spring, and since
they are plant which is seldom I'M
derstood. l deem it advisable to give
the owners bit of timely information
that they may not be disappointed-as
are most amateur growers of Pelar-
goniums. A we'll developed specimen
of this plant is one of the most beau
tiful sights Imaginable when in full
bloom. The term pelargo1ium applied
to the plants commonly known as
Lady Washington geraneums." is
somewhat confusing because they
were formerly called geraneums even
by botanists. But later it has been
discovered that there are essential
points of difference between them
However. we will not discuss their
peculiarities which distinguish them
from the true gera"eum. Suffice to
say, that many people think the plant
the same, and that it requires the same
treatment. This is wholly wrong
The geraneum blooms good share
of the year while pelargoniums bloom
only early in the spring and in the
early summer and should be allowed
season of rest after they have done
blooming. They must not be forced
to grow as gera"eums are. After the
plant has finished blooming. set it
away in a cool dry place, and give only
sufficient water to keep the soil from
becoming dust dry. Then in the fall
Just before frost appears remove TO
cool but frost-proof cellar where
they should reamin until February.
Then repot in fresh rich soil; cut back
the branches about half and gradual
ly give lukewarm water. In week
they may be placed in a sunny win
dow, and new growth will soon start.
They should be given the same kind
OF soil as geraneums. Do not how
ever force the growth at first. but al
low them to take their time. Give
plenty of fresh air and light. and water
as often as required-that is. as often
as the surface soil is dry. During the
blooming period give weekly applica-
tons of liquid manure as stimulant
and you will have wonderful prOfu-
sion of large beautiful flowers which
will pay we'll for the care given.
TeachinK Of the Flowers.
At this writing nearly all the an
nuals are blooming profusely. Gather
them every day giving them freely to
those who are SO unfortunate as to
have none of their own. For it is the
law in the flower kingdom that for
every blossom plucked two will APP
pear to take its place.
Some one has said. gardening is
the most refining and elevating EN-
ployment in which we can engage"
| have forgotten the name of the man
who said 1t but the truth of what
he said everyone who has had any
experience in flowcr-growing must
readily admit. Every flower is
preacher and teacher. 1t breaches
the sermon of beauty and 1t teaches