davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
PREPARING A HILL FOR EACH
PLANT OR ClUMP.

Unless the soil has been well enriched
and cultivated beforehand il is best to
prepare a hill for each plant or clump.
as for melons or rhubarb or any gross
feeder of large size. Dig a hole at least
foot, and generally two feet, deep, put
in a good shovelful Of manure and mix
il thoroughly with soil until the hole re-
mains from eight TO twelve inches deep.
Then throw in a handful OF bonemeal. add
little more soil and again mix thor
oughly. You are then ready to plant the
roots or clumps covering them so that the
shoots will have to push through a
couple of inches or SO of soil. Later any
depression remaining can be filed in by
hoeing. Some authorities edvise planting
only one tuber To a hill, but as this is
likely TO produce weak. unhoriterous
plants, suggest such a course only in
the case of exceedingly large firm tubers.
Ordinarily a clump containing fifteen or
more tubers of all sizes will break up
into three TO half dozen smaller clumps
that seem to hang together as units.
According TO one system of training, as
soon as the shoots appear all but the
strongest, central one are pnched off and
that remaining allowed to develop to its
greatest possible capacity. Later. by hoe
ing the earth up around this main shoot
it is caused TO branch below the soil,
which both adds 10 it's support and pre-
vents the danger OF the splitting off of
branches developed higher up. Under this
method stalking is less important.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
NATURE PROVIDES
FOR THE FUTURE

Nevertheless nature is ineXoratle ana
desires that they also provide for future
Generation on the chance that they 40
nor survive the summer by blossomins
and developing seed Nature. you see
doesn't realize that we are prepared ~
cjve the plants every detail OF care heces-
sarv TO their welfare and they fhlsh'
better give all their attention 10 'heH
own development than try TO form seeu
TOO Wherefore the grower should step
i'm and by pinching off all flower ouus
this first season force the plants 10 40
nothing but grow. As result they VIII
next wear be prepared to yield all the more
ahundantlv with no danger OF overtaAlhs
their constitutions All this sounds per
hans. unduiy physiological 10 be appHeu
10 plants but let me assure you t'a'
animals enjoy no monopoly OF such laws
and principles and that the sooner we
think of and treat plants Logically anu
as living things the sooner We VIII ENJOY
the increased returns that come from an
intelligent cooperation with natural forces
instead of a blind combat with them.
The shrubbery borders, TOO, are now
paipted in their most glowing colors. y
Few golden forsythias remain. and occa-
sionaliy a magnolia is seen in its prime;
i'm general however, the neWy spir@as
are beginning TO dominate the landscape
with here and there a spot OF pink IN
the form OF Powered almond JUDAS
tree. a Siberian crab or dash OF darker
red where the flowers of the Japan ounce
contrast strikngly with the dark green
glossy leaves.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17

this work, for soft cuttings frequently rot
before they develop roots. but at this
time material is abundant and one need
not go 10 any particular trouble or eX-
pense in seeking results. The slips are
made from the soft growing tips Of
branches of herbaceous plants such as
SALIVA, coleus. verbena, geranium etc, or
OF larger wood plants such as azalea. a
few tender roses and occasionally the
larger shrubs, such as deutZia, lilac, n.y.
drangea, etc. The treatment OF such cut
tings is much like that of the indoor type
described above However, care should
be taken to remove at least half OF the
leaf surface. The moist sand and warm,
humid atmosphere are supplied either in
doors or In a good tight coldframe in
which several inches of sand have been
spread, and shade may be provided in the
most convenient way at hand. When
signs OF growth are noted the cuttings
may be potted off. then, when well es-
tabllshed. set outdoors or wherever they
arc wanted.
Now, while moisture is abundant is
the best time to dig out dandelions, dock,
plantain and an other large. deep rooted
and especially ugly lawn weeds. Do this
with a sharp. fairly long bladed knife so
as to cut the root as low as possible. 1t
is useless TO merely cut off the leaves and
blossoms as new growth will Immediately
appear \ few drops OF carbolic acid or
kerosene on the cut root will make a good
Job doubly sure. II bare. unsightly spot
is left, sprinkle over it little soil and a
small handful Of grass seed then roll
down and water copiously.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
PROMISE OF THE LILAC IN
FAMILY TINGED BUDS.

And then the lilacs. if they have not al
ready burst into purple and violet ana
white glory, are certainly giving promise
NJ what they are soon 10 be in the family
Hinged. plump sprays of buds. For these
and all other spring Towering shrubs 1t
is fitting to give right now note OF
warning with respect to their pruning.
In the first place they need little II any
pruning at any time; all that is required
in most cases is the removal OF the With
cred flower clusters as soon after they
lose their beauty as possible. For the
larger bushes one Of the long handled tree
trimners is the handiest implement with
which to do this. II a branch is obviously
i'm the way. extending out onto path
or across a fight of steps, or if 1t is un-
svmmetrically long and ungainly, Il
should. of course be cut back. But don't
for the love Of beauty, and most of all
natural beauty try TO shear such SHRUBS
back 70 some distant ''vaselike' or arch-
ing" or "globular" form. The Japan
ounce. it is true, is occasionally grown
as a hedge and mercilessly clipped TO
form a solid. dense mass, but personally
| prefer to give it plenty OF room ana let
il make a hedge of natural unrestraineo
form. II you want the formal geometrl-
cally correct specimens there are plenty
of other shrubs from which to choose
For hedges the privet thrives under severe
bi-annual shearing The umbreila-like Ca
talpa bungoi is as nearly symmetrical as
YOU could desire. and maintains this form
almost as well without as with clipping
Then. too. the bay tree. usually grown IN
A pot and moved about wherever needed
provides a plump ball of green on a
slender brown trunk-for all the world
. like the specimens included in children.
toy villages. and finally as the extreme
limit we have the clipped views and other
examples Of topiary art of which the
most I can say is that FOR people who
like that sort of thing those trees are
lust the sort Of thing they like
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
HOW TO START
THE DAHLIAS RIGHT

The dahlia is one or the plants that
almost invariably satisfies even under
conditions that are only average or worse.
Not only are there enough forms TO suit
almost any taste-incuding single and
double Towering. the cactus, the pompon
and variations OF each-but practically all
of these are of most simple culture and
provide an abundant supply Of flowers
over considerable period year after year,
with no expense save the trouble or cost
Of lifting the clumps in the fall and
planting them out in the spring. Now is
the time TO do this last mentioned work,
and here are some suggestions as TO how
TO make it most successful:
The soil can be almost anything-clay,
sand or loam-providing ii is not so
poorly drained that water stands per-
manently near the surface. or SO light
and incoherent as to be incapable of re-
tanning some moisture during the aver
age dry spell. A typical corn or potato
soil will give about as good results as
anything that could be made TO order.
Depending upon the type of plant,
whether dwarf or standard, the fertility
of the soil. which will determine the size
il will attain, and whether you are aim
ing for mass effects or choice blooms on
individual plants, you will want TO ar
range for "hills" from two to four feet
apart If planting large bed, you might
mark out rows four feet apart and space
the plants from eighteen inches TO three
feet apart in each row.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17

fast as II can suck II up. A few do com.
paratiyely little harm. but they are likely
TO increase with considerable rapiditx>
and constitute decided drain on tn.
plant.
II. In spite of regular sprinklings. the,
continue TO increase, spray the fern thor
oughiy-both top and bottom OF each
leaf-with any OF the following prepare
lions: ivory soap solution. whale oil
soap. tobacco extract, kerosene emul
sion The first requires simply the dis
solving OF a cube OF soap an inch square
i'm a couple of quarts Of water. The
other materials can be bought In con.
centrated form OF any seedman, with
directions for correct dilution. Kerosene
emulsion may be made at home By dis
solving an inch cube OF hard soap in
half a pint Of boiling water. adding slow
~ pint Of kerosene; stirring and churn
ing violently meanwhile and for ten OF
more minutes afterward. This emulsion
can be kept all summer for spraying
roses, nasturtiums and any plants infested
with any form OF plant louise. For use
dilute il with fifteen 10 twenty parts Of
water, shaking and stirring frequently
II has been suggested 10 me that ! add
land plaster 10 my garden soil. What is
''''' NV r. n. r. 8
Land plaster or gypsum, is. chemically
speaking, suphate OF calcium. When
heated sufficiently the water contained ir
the chemical combination is driven OF
and plaster Of paris remains, which. as
YOU know, readily reabsorbs water and
sets" or hardens If left standing.
Added to soil it % does not supply any
plant food; (9. adds but little line,
which is a beneficial soil sweetener; 90,
does not stimulate plant production by
releasing more OF the plant food In the
soil. II is therefore more harmful than
helpful TO the average soil. II has value
as an absorbent, TO be nsed on stable
floors and. mixed with manure, IN gut
ters behind cows, etc, since IT aosoros
and prevents the ioss OF ammonia, which
is composed largely OF nitrogen. But
this is the only way in which l would
advise you to apply it to your garden.
Please tell me how 10 treat chicken
droppings i'm order 10 get the pest results
in using il as a fertilizer for vegetables.
c. ..
The essential steps are keeping II dry
and preventing the loss OF the volauie
nitrogenous constituents. AS simple
method as any is to sprinkle over the
dropping boards each day a thin layer Of
dry road dust, sifted coal ashes, chan or
other fine litter or land plaster (see reply
TO E. II. t.. once a week clean out the
accumulated material, storing ii in bar
rels or boxes out of reach OF rain or oil
rect sunlight When wanted, mix tnoiC
oughly pounding the Jumps to hneA
uniform condition. IL you are willing 10
20 to a little more trouble you might
make the following mixture, which IS
given by Dr. Van Slyke, Of the New York
State Experiment Station, as balanced
general garden fertilizer of decided valge:
To ten pounds OF chicken manure add
four pounds OF dry muck. or Dam four
pounds of acid phosphate and two pounds
OF kainit
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17

While VIC arc talking about shrubs,
trees and the larger garden materials II
is we'll to recall that IT is nearly time for
the first and about the most important
sprav application Of the entire growing
period. In n couple OF weeks or so | am
going to devote about the entire page to
4 discussion Of spraying principles and
methods, but right now is the time TO lay
a trap for coddling moth and Few
other species OF equally depraved ten
denotes tho larVe or grubs OF whicn
cause an appalling loss each year in our
fruit and especially our apple-raislng in
dustry. The keynote TO this particular
problem is the fact that the eggs are laid
in the spring on or close TO the blossoms
and that the newly Matched worms make
their way into the apple just as soon as
IL is formed or sets through the BIOS
som end where the calyX OF the blossom
remains after the blossoms fall as a very
convenient little sheltering cup or re-
treat Now. IL We spray the tree thor
oughly with poisonous solution just
after the petals fall some Of the poison
will be deposited in these little cavities
in the ends OF the bdON appitS' anu '"~
worm starting TO cat its way into the
core Of that fruit will Immediately get
a dose Of the poison. die. and leave Inc
apple unframed.
In all insect spraying arsenic Is the
poisonous element used. so that for TINS
application either paris green or arsenate
of lead is satisfactory. Because II IS
slightly more adhesive and enduring, ana
because it is less likely TO injure the
foliage if used little too stronS. ] pre-
fer the latter The standard formula is
four pounds TO fifty gallons Of water: Of
paris green there should be used not more
than one-quarter OF a pound to nifty
gallons. while it is generally advised that
to each fifty gallons so made there shall
be added about a pound of quicklime.
This latter preparation forms less
stable solution than the arsenate MKT
ure: in fact. the paris green powder does
not dissolve at all but merely remains in
suspension. as the chemist would say;
therefore the mixture should be fire.
quently stirred and ag1tated during the
spraying operation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
POTTlNG THE CUTTINGS AFTER
THEY HAVE STRUCK.

BY February or March the cuttings
should have struck" that is. developed
roots, and AT any subsequent time WITHIN
a month or so they may be potted OF INTO
good rich soil in the smallest sized pots.
Later they should be repotted as neces-
sary and carried on Until October, when
according 10 the commercial grower they
are salable, or in the amateurs eyes
ready to be taken in hand as flower pro-
ducers. This method is adapted to all
tender roses, Crimson Rambler and It's
allies. Rosa -setigera and its varieties.
number Of the hybrid perpetuals and
many other.
Cuttings fol-. outdoor culture must be
taken lust before severe frosts occur in
the fall. from the ripened growth Of the
last summer. They should be about six
inches long. containing at least two
thrifty buds. They are tied in bundles
all right side up. and buried over winter
I'm sand in some cool corner Of the green
house or in the cellar. wherever they
will not be frozen and still not stimulate
into growth Early in the spring they
should be planted about an inch or so
apart in N-shaped trenches made In well
prepared and generously MANFRED soil.
That is, the cuttings should be pressed
against the vertical side Of the trench
deep enough so that the uppermost bud
should be just at the surface. then the
/ soil should be replaced and thoroughly
| frmed down. In the autumn they will be
/ found to have developed root systems
when they may be dug up, graded accord
ing TO size and thriftiness and "heeled
/ in" that is. buried in clumps and mulched
as heavily as the weather requires, and
left over winter. The next spring they
are set out as in the nursery row and
grown until large enough TO be sold or
planted in their permanent positions.
However. there is one type of cutting
I that can be made now and by which
large variety of plants can be increased
namely, the soft or growing wood cutting
There is somewhat more risk involved in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
PLANTING TREES-THE TIME AND
THE METHOD,

1T is advisable to plant street trees at
least twenty-five feet apart. so as to give
them proper space for development and so
as to avoid too dense shade. The spring
is preferable TO the fall as a season for
planting. The opening in the sidewalk
should be at least three feet square
larger. IL possible. say five by four
feet, especially where the sidewalk is
Of concrete. and the roadway of as
phalt. DIG the hole at least three
feet square and three feet deep. and fill
ii with good rich soil. Do not let manure
come In direct contact with the roots
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
rai,.a hr Ell ID. SEYMOUR. Is. :. \.

Edited BY Y. l.. ID. SEYMOUR. Is. :. "
IA feature OF this department Is the offer 90
its readers OF advice and assistance IN rtkN'u
to their garden problems. Inquiries recciNcu w
10 Wednesday afternoon VIII bc answered on
this page In the following Sunday Tribune VI
a personal reply Is desired as we'll as or instead
OF an answer in these columns. stamped anu
addressed envelope should accompany the IN
Quiryl
I'VE are now in the midst OF the
M season OF blossoms-st least
w those blossoms that arc tho
forerunners of future luscious fruits
The soft pink apple blooms are
lust at their full: the silvery whi'e
pear blossoms. the snowy cherry gar
lands and the creamy infinitely sweet
smelling plum flowers have gone oeSonu
The apex OF their beauty and Will soon
le but fragrant memories; on the smaller
fruits. the raspberries, blackberries ana
strawberries the buds have yet TO appear
or at all events they are but barely
noticeable. And that last thought brings
us 10 a practical suggestion as to the
care OF these plants All newly planted
'hush fruits. strawberries, etc.-and oN
that I mean planted either this spring OF
the last thing last fall-should now DC
throwing all their energies into the for-
nation Of roots, the development oil an
extensive and capacious feeding appa-
ra,us through which they will be able
10 store up abundant tissue-forming ma
terials and provide for generous crops IN
the future.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
THE USUAL SYSTEM EMPLOYED
IN TRAINING.

The commoner system consists of set
ting a stiff stake at least five feet long
firmly in the ground as close as possible
to the bulbs. Usually il is best TO do this
when the roots are planted, as you can
then avoid injuring the tubers and newly
developed roots the disadvantage is that
the forest of bare stakes is not especially
attractive for number of weeks until
the shoots are large enough TO he tied TO
them. Even in this system. in which the
development OF the shoots is not con-
trolled, il is well TO remove the weakest
growths. since these rarely produce flow
ers of any size or beauty and only take
the strength from the larger, more pro-
ductlve stems.
In the future care OF the dahlia nothing
is more important than frequent and
fairly deep cultivation. II this is con-
scientously done artificial watering Is
practically unnecessary. at least until the
flower buds appear. At that time it is
very beneficial To give each plant, once a
week. half d gallon of weak manure
water, or plain water in which half an
ounce OF nitrate of soda has been dis
solved. IT, after little. the flowers APP
pear TO be smaller and less thrifty il indi-
Gates that the fertility Of the soil is over
taxed. In this case a handful Of bone
meal -four parts and nitrate OF soda zone
part should be spread around each plant
and carefully worked into the soil
The plants can remain outdoors until
the tops are cut down by good, stiff
freeze. when they are lifted and stored.
The details OF this work are. however
hardly in season so | will leave them un-
iii a later date
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
NEWS OF NATIONAL GUARD

forgotten by the officers of his former
regiment. the 9th, who have arranged TO
present him with a suitable token OF es-
TEEN. Lieutenant Colonel John J. Byrne
is now in command of the 9th Regiment.
and. although he has quite big propo-
sition on hand as to recruiting and I'LL
ing vacancies. he hopes TO be able TO
accomplish the work. Colonel Charles o.
Davis. of the 18th Regiment at last ac-
counts had not accepted the office OF
chief OF coast artillery, with the UNDER
standing that he hold il for few days
and then retire. Some of his close friends
have been asserting that he will not ac-
cept Colonel Davis himself has refused
to make public his intentions.
Escort TO the coors and evening parade
will be the attraction for the friends Of
the I'D Engineers at the armory next Fri
day night. Captain Smith. the regimen
tai commissary, has been having the en-
listed cooks OF the regiment given special
lessons in field cooking so as TO be ready
for an expected call. Some of the cooks
are ex-regular army men. and give the
green cooks valuable points. Captain
George II. Hearn of Company VI has
two regular army cooks. This company
has already been at Van Cortlandt Park
for practice in outdoor drill and cooking.
The regiment is still recruiting with first
class material and has s2l officers and
men. Sergeants Hyams. Barrett OCon-
nor and stockwell have been appointed
second leutenants
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17

Radical plans of the utmost importance
TO the national guard Of the whole United
States have been prepared by the War
Department relative TO the services OF the
state forces should they be required in
war with Mexico. The War Department
proposes, instead of calling for volunteers
and going through the process OF wedding
out the physically unfit and men with de-
pendent families, and then waiting 10 NIL
I'D with the numerous recruits which would
be needed, that the national guards be Or
dered right down TO the Texas border as
state troops. Just as they are now organ
tied There it is planned TO test both the
officers and men and eliminate officers
who show lack of efficiency and men who
prove unfit for soldering. The organiza-
tions which best survive the ordeal &C
cording 10 the plans. will be selected for
service and then filled up with the neces-
sary recruits, and be mustered in for
n.ally as volunteers. BY this plan the
War Department hopes to find out just
how much Of dependable force the ma
tional guard represents as now organized,
and which, under the national militia
law. should be ready for service any time
a call comes. IL is not believed that ma
tional guardsmen will take kindly TO the
proposed plan for a trial service on the
border first and a muster into the yolun-
teers of the survivors afterward. The
War Department, however, believes that
its latest plan will prove a great advan-
tsge TO all concerned.
Erparal William Morris
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
NEWS OF INTEREST
TO GARDENERS

The Brooklyn Department of Parks is
issuing an attractive little circular OF adj
vice to citizens on tree planting on city
streets. The following paragraphs supply
some valuable suggestions and directions:
Citizens are urged 10 plant trees In
front of their property. Still better than
individual planting is cooperative plant
ing by streets or blocks. THIS method Sc