Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-02
PROTECT YOUR
FLOWERS FROM
SIR JACK FROST
Hints, Helps and Re
minders from the Ex-
pert Florists of the
United States Dept.
of Agriculture, the
First of a Series

Washington. Nov. when Jack
Frost has visited the garden and
checked or blighted the vegetation,
the flower lover will consider what
shall be done for the various plants
and shrubs. Jack Frost usually
makes himself decidedly evident in
the vicinity of Washington about the
first of November, but farther north
his arrival may be expected earlier
Different plants demand different
treatment. Such flowers as peonies
and hollyhocks will come up again the
following year If they are properly
protected during the winter, while
others like cannas and dahlias, which
are more accustomed to warmel
chimes, must have their roots or bulbs
dug up and stored in a cellar. At this
season many inquiries come to the
United states Department of Agricul-
ture regarding the treatment needed
by different plants, and the Depart
ments specialists have given the fol-
lowing suggestions regarding some Of
them:
perennials that are expected to live
through the winter, should be covered
with good coating of manure or 9th
er litter to depth of three or four
inches. This in more southern locali-
ties will hold the frost in the ground
during the winter and keep the plant
from alternately freezing and thaw-
ing; in more northern regions the
manure will keep the plant from freez-
ing to so great depth that its water
supply would be cut off and the plant
would perish. This treatment Is good
for peonies, larkspur, hollyhocks
l%olumbines, iris, paltycodones, an5
perennial poppies.
CANNAS, DAHLIAS, ETC.-As
soon as the tops of cannas, dahlias
gladioli, caladiums, and simila,
plants are killed by the frost, the
| roots or bulbs should be dug and
stored in a cellar, where the tempera
ture will remain about IS degrees ami
should never go below SO degrees OIL
above so degrees. No more earth
should be shaken from the clumps OF
cannas and dahiias than Is necessary
to remove them from the ground. The
plants may be placed on racks or IN
slat boxes so the air may circulate
freely through them. No frost must
reach the roots. nor must they be-
come too warm or dry.
With Dubious plants, such as
caladiums. gladioii, tube-roses, 1t Is
desirable to remove all the soil and
dry them in the open air day or two
before storing.
The Killed tops OF all vegetation may
he rov Ar
| after Jack Frost has visited them
This is merely for the sake of APP
pearance, as it has nothing to do with
making the garden more successful
the coming season.
PANSIES-If pansies are expected
to do well in the South they must be
set out in the fall and need the pro-
lection of manure as do the perennials
In the South, pansies make the best
showing in the early spring. and later
in the summer are burnt up by the no;
sun. North of the region from New
York City to Springfield, Illinois
pansies do better IL set cut in this
spring than If planted in the fall fol-
in these regions the flowers wifi not be
affected by the strong sunlight and
GERANIUMS-Th ordinary meth
cd Of carrying geraniums over the
winter as used by florists is as fol-
lows:
A few vigorous young plants are
taken into a conservatory or green
house and cuttings are taken from
these during the winter from which a
new supply OF plants is grown fos
spring use. The cuttings for the
spring supply should not be made
later than January, II good stocky
plants are desired for the next sum-
mer's use.
The ordinary householder who de-
sires to keep his or her plants through
the winter Is not usually the posses
sor Of a conservatory where he can
follow the method outlined above. The
following suggestions may help him 10
keep part Of his geraniurns. at least,
throughout the winter season. Be
fore the frost has killed the plants.