Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-11-07
HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS.

plants when the water has only gone
over the surface and around the sides
of the pots, the center of the ball be-
ing still quite dry. This is especially
the case when the pots are filled with
roots II is necessary that the ball
should be thoroughly soaked. There IS
no regular rule as to the time for
watering. Plants in vigorous growth
require more frequent watering. Evap-
grafton. also has much to do With IL.
On dry, warm days, when evaporation
Is great. water may be needed twice q
day, while IL the all Is cool ana moist.
two or three days might intervene
without water healthy. vigoraus
plant absorbs much water, while a
delicate one can absorb but little. The
soil should be examined always, ana
IL dry, watered: If not refrain from
watering, A dry pot If tapped. gives
a hollow sound like a ripe watermelon.
while one that is wet gives duii'
heavy sound that indicates moisture.
When leaves shrivel and turn yellow.
the soil has been too dry; IL they turn
yellow without shrivellng, it indicates
too much water has been given. In.
either case, the roots have been abuseh
and lost their power of absorption.
HARDY F'LOWERING BULBS.
one of the most common mistakes 81
at once; 4 dozen OF two bulbs of differ
emit kinds and all of unfamiliar aspect
arc attempted, the results usually un-
satisfactory, and failure is more OF
less imminent. Better get goodlN
number OF one or more, not over two
kinds for the first year. and each year
add something else. The best and most
satisfactory bulbs are not at all eX-
pensivc, II one is willing to begin with
the old and established varieties of
merit. Let novelties alone until you
knew all that there is to be learned
and all there is to be enjoyed from
the old friends.
OF all towering bulbs, the first place
must be unquestionably given to the
tulip. Prepare the bed as for all other
bulbs save perhaps the narcissus, by
spaaing deeply in an omen, sunny
place where shade never comes in the
summer. A light, porous soil is best: it
must not be stiff and clayey. Most
essential of ali is perfect drainage.
This condition OF draining is not 50
essential during the period of growth,
when the bulbs Will submit to consid-
cradle moisture. as 1t is during the
period of rest In summer time. II is
for this reason that the beds should.
be exposed to the summer sun. and
should receive no artificial watering,
unless exceedingly dry, when little
will do no especial harm.
Plant the bulbs as early as possible
in the autumn about four inches deep,
thatis, four inches from the top Of the
bulb. If one does not mulch in the
winter. plant even deeper than this.
The bulbs should be planted about four
inches apart each way. Raise the sur
face of the bed so that no water win
stand upon it. The common practise is
to mulch the beds with covering OF
old manure or straw during the winter.
The bulbs are very hardy, and freezing
does not kill them. Alternate thawing
and freezing does, however, weaken
their vitality.
The bulbs begin to make their APP
pcarance through the ground early in
March, and 1t is no harm to remove
any covering at this time. in order
to check their too rapid growth.