New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-08
OF INTEREST
TO WOMEN
VsefxineSs Of Barrels
in House and Garden

earth mix II lightly with the MANFRED
earth and let It stand several hours before
planting. Thus the liquid manure does not
/ burn the tender rootlets. Like fire, It IS an
essential but needs to he used with juds-
ment.
Oil barrels sawed in half, buried rimdeep,
well burned out. and half filled with rich
muck, then quite filled with rain or pond
water, will serve as pools for water plants
in variety. II time permits plant the roots
in the earth several days before putting in
the water-this is to let them get estab-
lished TO degree. Remember though to
keep the earth damp but not puddly.
Put pebbles and shells around the margin,
plant small ferns, MOSES and tiny creep
ers there. Keep the water always level
with the rim, and once a fortnight sprinkle
in II little strong copperas water, to
prevent the growth of alga, known to the
lay mouth as green scum. If running
water is available this will not be neces-
sary-a pipe can be led In an inch below
the rim, and out at the same height
Any tight. stout barrels make good how
ers for hens with broods. Saw the barrels
in two slantwise roof them over with
! Tapped boards and cut doors at the bottom,
TO be closed with a hanging shutter on a
strap hinge. oil barrel hovers help 10 ban
/ ish vernin. with sugar or uolasses barrels,
scald out well before using. on pain Of ha"-
/ ing your chicks sticky. Knock out heads
and whitewash well inside and out. Renew
the whitewash twice each season, turn up
the hovers daily 10 air and set Oh clean
spots at night. Dry earth is the best floor
for them. but IN very damp or cold weather
loose boards help \ dash Of blue vitriol
dissolved In the whitewash prevents con-
tagion and makes the hovers IN every way
more sanitary
4 strawberry or melon barrel Is worth
while 10 any garden lover who has httle
space. For strawberries. bore holes with
/ a tvo-inCh augeT all over the barrel. put
ting them about six inches apart Fill the
holes with wisped paper while you put in
oarth-the richest possible earth. at least
half rotted manure, mixed with leaf mould
and clean sand. Set length Of drain pipe,
not too big. in the middle Of the barrel, W.
! right, Of course. and pack the earth firmly
I around IT, hut not too hard. Proportion the
drain tile n the size Of the barrel. and be
sure tire clay Of II is sufficiently porous.
Sink the barrel six inches in earth, set
( ting Il in the best sun and air available.
Plant strong strawberry vines. pot-grown.
/ n possible in each Of the auger holes and
I I'm a circle about the drain pipe. The pipe
is for Watering. Eli II daily with fresh
water and fortnightlv with LIQUID manure.
Spray the barrel we'll all around As the
vines develop, but omit II willie they are In
fun bloom After the fruit sets spray
again. Give plenty Of water AZ ripening
IL Is the secret OF extra fine berries
For melons or cucumhers DO not max"
the auger holes, simply I'll the barrel with
I'm four inches Of the top. making the earth
extra rich plant plenty Of seed and cover
with cheesecloth. When the plants appear
pull out superfuous ones and keep on inc
cheesecloth until those left make rough
leaves Then give afr every dav, bur cover
al night until the vines begin 70 nun
stout bush can be set in the middle for the
vines n climb, or they can he led dehcately
over the barrel rim and down 10 earth
Either way their fruit should be extra fine.
II melons are trained upward the fruit VIII
have n he supported in cradles Of net as
soo, % u nroWe half the size OF N egg