Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-08
SHORT CUTS TO SUCCESS
IN THE HOME GARDEN

| Experience being 4 hard schcoolnlaster
most of us like to find short cuts, which
| help US to escape his exactions, and gar
den makers are always passing along
hints and suggestions. Here are some
which ought to be real helps at this sea
| son.
| 1t the asters are not fourishing the
cause is likely to center in aphids working
| on the roots The remedy Is to dig a
| little tobacco dust into the earth around
the roots or to sprinkle the soil with a
decocton of tobacco water made by
stepping tobacco stems. The water
should be diluted until the color of weak
tea. Preparations of nicotine which may
be used instead are so at the stores.
Pulling sweet peas from the vines, aft
er the fashion followed by many thought
less gardeners, is likely to disturb the
roofs. 1t IS better to cut the stems. \
pair of scissors kept for the sole purpose
Of cutting flowers will be found decidedly
useful. Women who work in gardens
may have them fastened to their apron
strings or to belt by cord. Many
flowers will stop blooming unless the
blossoms are cut freely.
Sweet peas suffer quickly If the ground
is lowed to dry out. and If water cam
not be applied with q lavish hand it is
well to mulch the earth around the plants
with lawn clippings other litter, which
will help prevent evaporation. When the
plants in bloom an occasional appli-
cation Of nitrate of soda at the rate of
an ounce to five gallons of water viii
serve to increase both the crop and the
size OF the flower. This fertilizer should
be applied to the soil without touching
the foliage or stems.
Mulch ng is as valuable for roses
rhododendrons and aZaleas as for sweet
peas and will save much watering, al
though some water may be needed, even
when the ground is mulched. Many
rhododendrons are lost each season jus.
because the ground is allowed TO dry out.
IL the Ii aca assume an unpleasant. whit
ish appearance you may know that they
suffer from nlildew. "he remedy is po-
tassium sulphide, one ounce beinr Use!
sprayed on. If this trouble has been cN-
perienced before it is we'll to take time
by the forc.ock and spray the bushes
before t appears this season.
The time to prune the spring flower
Ing buiD3 IS after they have ceased
blooming. This applies to liiacs. for
sythia. the early spireas. the weigelas
and the mock orange. 1t is not wise to
make this trimming heavy, but all the
deadwood should he cut OFT.
Stem bora-; often cause the loss Of
pumpkins aui soUashes. but if The stems
are covered every feH feat 1t the joints
those places to feed the plants even
through the stems near the original
roots be cut.
Blight causes potatoes to rot in the
cellar The remedy for blight is Bor-
deauX mixture, which commonly is ap-
piled in connection with arsenate Of lead
so that the bugs will be poisoned, at the
same time. Amateurs with but few
hills will be wise to buy a ready-mixed
preparation. There are also powders to
be busted on, which aid in preventing
blight.
Celery may be watered easily and
economically by using tile drains along
the rows, one for every two or three
plants.
Permanent labels for plants may be
made from zinc cut into strips If the
name is written on the zinc with an
or'i-ra-~v '@~d rerril ~ r~iti-,~ I'll