The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-02-16
STARTING THE FLOWERS
BY JOSEPHINE DE MARI.


If your sweet peas begin to deteri-
crate, watch closely to see that no
seeds mature; that the soil is stirred
and a good mulch applied; that they
get good soaking at the roots once
or twice a week during dry weather.
Use whale oil soap and kerosene
emulsion for the San Jose scale on
tree and shrub. This emulsion may be
well diluted and used on soft wooded
plants to rid them of plant lice, mealy
bug, etc.
In shady corner Of the garden pre-
pare bed of light, rich, sandy soil,
and put a frame about it. Cover it
with glass frame heavily white
washed. Water and firm the soil and
then plant cuttings in it. Cuttings of
geraniums, roses, etc, may vary from
an inch to eight, but in all cases re-
move two-thirds of the LEAKAGE and
bury the cutting, allowing one or two
eyes above the soil.
If you want to grow geraniums, snip
out the tips of the branches and train
the plant to throw out shoots near the
ground. No shoot should be allowed
to grow longer than three inches This
shipping process will insure lots of
blooms later on.
Prepare a good supply of liquid ma
nure to offset the debilitating effect
of summer upon the flowers. Have a
spigot placed two or three inches
nj no Cf
with straw we'll above this spigot,
and then foot or two Of fresh manure.
Fill the barrel with water and in a
few days the manure water will be
ready to draw off and apply
Turn the potted plants that have
been plunged in the border to prevent
their roots striking through into the
soil. Cut off all the buds just as soon
as they appear, and give the plants
enough water so that they will not suf-
fer. Turn the Gala lily pot on it's side
in a shady place and give it a good
rest.
While most people preach the desira-
bility of young plants for winter bloom
ing, you will find that the geraniums
and kindred plants will give more
bloom and be more satisfactory as
winter boomers in their second year
than in their first, if properly raised.
Cut the year-old plants back severely,
pinch out all the shoots before they
get three inches long; repot and shift
as necessary, but do not stimulate
with liquid manure.
A neighbor has a hedge of perennial
sweet peas screening the barnyard
from the house yard, and it is most
satisfactory. Although its flowers are
not as light and graceful as the an
nua1 sweet pea, they have a charm all
their own, and through heat and cold,
frost and drought, need little care or
coaxing to do their best.
If you want to cover a fence or trel-
lis with quick growth of vines, get
stems of the Virginia creeper, about
six to eight feet in length, make a
trench along the fence, and bury the
vines five or six inches deep. At ev-
cry joint will grow a shoot Give a
good soil and top dressing of we'll
rotted manure in spring and fall This
vine is hardy as the oak and almost
immune from the attack of insects and
pests.
The gladioli may be planted up to
July 20 and, if given good soil, water
and liquid manure, they will bloom
before frost. If you come across the
wild cucumber this month be sure to
carry home with you some of its seeds.
Plant them where you want them to
grow and then forget them. They will
appear next spring. as the seeds are
very slow to grow