Omaha daily bee., 1911-07-23
.L.W
mKEZW

business grind. They find the work i'm
proves their health, keeps them physically
fit IL they go at 1t with vim, and brings
to their minds again the almost forgot
ten peaceful trend of the old boyhood
time.
why Are WeedsT
Being the official weed cutter. Tom"
Flynn has CLEANED some ideas about weeds
that he likes to talk about. Investigation
shows the weed Is, like all outlaws, a
crafty proposition. Very often you will
reach down to pull a weed and find that
the root is snugly located far from where
the branches show Why is this? / have
come to the conclusion 1t is for protection
of the root, so that whatever happens to
the shoots the parent stalk will be left.
Now, why did nature make this provision,
II weeds are entirely useless and detri-
mental to the cultivation Of useful plants?
In the matter of medicinal herbs, we may
admit the desirability of this sort OF
secrecy, but we find 1t quite universal in
the whole tribe Of undesirables in the plant
kingdom. And l have often wondered why
these plant pests have such a strong con-
stitution. Nothing seems to discourage
them, while beautiful products Of the soil
in the same patch, having all sorts of care,
will wlther and fade away. Perhaps it's
because the cultivated things get too much
care and should be let alone after planting.
on the principle that the watched pot never
boils.' Weeds are worthy of study, II we
only knew it, and perhaps none OF them
are entirely useless"
Some Men Have the 'KnRck."
]. Y. Craig, superintendent or Forest,
Lawn cemetery is an expert on flower
gardening and is one of the men having
the "knack" of making things grow Just
about as he wants them to. He would
have made a successful florist, which leads
to the remark that observing people often
express establishment at the results
achieved by florists. A woman who re-
Gently visited Hanscom park and was
shown through the greenhouse was sur
prised to learn the simple methods adopted
to start certain kinds OF plants. Why,
they Just had them set in some plain sand"
she said and they were growing strong"
But there is sand, and sand. Bank" sand
with some humus in II differs very radi-
cally from river sand as foundation for
a plant bed
Compost holes" are maintained by many
Of the amateur gardeners Of Omaha,
wherein they dump all grass cuttings and
other refuse likely to enrich the soil. This
is covered with earth and allowed TO de-
compose when it is spread over the places
where a rich soil is needed. Good results
are sure to follow, according 70 many who
practice this expedient, and at the same
time they save the cost Of having sucn
stuff hauled off their lots.
sprayers, large and small, are coming
into more general use for the saving OF
flowers, vegetables. trees and shrubbery
from the ravages OF insects One Omaha
man recently tried to secure in Omaha a
particular kind Of sprayer that is carried
by a strap over the shoulder, but had to
send away for It, IAN l could get in
Omaha was a hand sprayer," he said,
which is hardly adequate to the work OF
properly treating a plot Of ground where
any considerable amount OF plants are
cultivated"
And II must be said, in order that the
truth may prevail, many a man who
boasts a grand garden has his wife to
blame He may accept the compliments.
but his helpmate smiles happily when
friends grow enthusiastic. That the gar
den is. is sufficient for her.