The sun., 1919-05-04

"a ShSSPSA SAou wall, kOAS ~
the effect of a regular. monotonous
slope from back to front.
The distance allowed between the
plants in the border is dependent upon
their habits Of growth. Three or four
feet is not too much for some of the
stronger growing subjects, such as
dahlias, while the smaller plants can
often be spaced as closely together as
six inches. The whole of the area de-
voted to the border should be filled
with plants. In connection with this
point a distinguished horticulturist
once said: That the garden might
just as well be occupied with flowers
as with weeds-when the border is
well filled with desirable plants there
is much less chance for the weeds to
flourish"
Work In the perennial garden after
1t is once established consists of keep
ing down weeds. maintaining a sur
face mulch to conserve moisture, thin
ming overabundant growth, providing
suitable support to such plants as
need 1t. fighting insect and fungous
pests, annual fertillzing mot abso-
lutely necessary, but usually desir-
able), and the replanting of some OF
the moro rampant growers every two
or three years.
Frequent use Of the hoe Is the best
method of keeping down weeds. Some
will grow in among the clumps of
plants, and these must be removed by
hand.
An efficient method OF preventing
much of the loss of moisture from the
soil by evaporation is to stir the sur
face with hoe or rake after every
rain. This should not be done when
the soil is so wet as to DO sticky. A
layer of partly decayed manure, two
or three inches thick. over the sur
face OF the border is beneficial. as II
not only prevents loss of moisture
but provides n source OF nutriment for
the plant roots. When manure is I'M
available. or If there are objections on
the score of appearances. partly de-
cayed leaves or even grass clippings
may be used a mulch.
Most gardeners, both amateur and
professional. realize the necessity of
thinning out the young seedlings in
the vegetable row when they come up
too thickly. Not so many are aware
OF the advantages to be gained by thin
ming the crowded growths OF some of
| the hardy perennials. Such plants as
phlox and delphinium produce larger
| and better spikes, or trusses of bloom,
| If the young growths are thinned
when they are about two inches in
| length. This gives the remaining
shoots an opportunity to attain their
| full development. These plants and
many others OF a similar nature pro-
| duce SO many shoots if left to them
| selves that there is a struggle for ex-
| istence between the stems of individ-
! ual plants. This is not so very seri-
Gus II food and moisture are abund-
| ant, but II the opposite is true, it re-
| suits in weak and spindling shoots and
an inferior display OF bloom. In p
! group of garden phlox, supposing them
TO BIO planted a foot apart each way,
| three shoots from each plant should
be ample to fill the space allotted
them.
Much could be written with refer
ence to the proper way of giving sup
port to plants that need assistance to
maintain themselves in a state of up
rightneSs and integrity. In some
gardens that are fully exposed to
| strong winds the taller plants are al
most sure to he toppled over unless
they are helped in some way Far too
often the remedy applied instead OF
improving matters does exactly the
opposite. A group of shoots con-
stricted in the middle by string
90
broomsticll stuck in at one side does
not present a picture that will satisfy
any one having even the rudiments Of
artistic taste. Better far to let the
plants blow over-they will at least
look natural. The point to remember
when stalking and tying plants is that
they must always be supported in such
a way that the supports are as incon-
spicuous as possible and in such a
manner that the beholder scarcely re-
eallzes that they are dependent on ar
| tificial means for their outstanding
condition. Much can be done in this
direction by placing iron hoops. sup
ported on three or four legs. over the
plants before they arc fully grown.
The subsequent growth of the plants
almost entirely covers their supports.
This method is very successful with
plants that grow in clumps, such as
peonies and delphiniums,
Space Will not permit OF dealing
with the insect and fungous troubles
OF the plants Of the hardy gardens.
Suffice It to say that much time and
labor may be saved by combating these
pests as soon as they appear; watch
full waiting does not pay when dealing
with insect and fungous pests.
1t is a good plan to mulch the gar
cen with manure in the fall as soon as