davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1919-06-29
GROWING LARGE STRAWBER.
RIES.
nv JULIA w. WOLF.

Every one who grows strawberries
loves to grow large ones. The size
of the berries depends on the charac-
ter OF the plants, the space they have
for growth and the attention they
receive during the blossoming season:
To grow the biggest Strawberries Sc
lect a variety that naturally bears fruit
OF fair or larger size. like the Candy.
the Bubach, the Marshall and the Sam
pie. Set the plants two feet apart In
rows three feet apart. Do not let any
runners take root; all the strength OF
the plant should go toward producing
a huge root and crown system, with
no duties to perform but bearing fruit.
II good care is taken OF the plants
during the summer, covering them ad-
eauately In the winter with a mulch
OF straw, only one other precaution
need be taken to assure big berries
in the spring.
II n frost should strike the bed while
the blooms are open some OF them will
be killed, some only nipped. The
nipped ones will produce odd shaped
linden sized nubbins; II these are cut
on as soon as they form the remain
ing berries will be larger and better
No sr-0ll fruit responds more read
lily TO attention than does the straw
berry and It's production can be con-
trolled in a way that makes II safe
crop TO Invest in.
The sun., 1919-06-29

be lifted after freezing, potted and
forced slowly, producing new growth
from which cuttings are taken during
January or February.
Another successful method Is by
means of layering, which Is done In
May or June. A cut IL made at the
extreme base of the stem and cov-
cred with fibrous loan. In due time
roots will be forced out near this cut
and a new plant secured. which can
be severed from the parent plant early
in the spring.
Seed Is sown In the cold franc late
in the summer or in greenhouse early
In the spring. In the first case the
plants will flower the following sum-
mer. in the second case they may
flower the same autumn. Caro- should
he exercised In carrying the seedlings
over winter in cold frames to keep
them moderately dry ana well aerased.
Light should Se admitted very early
In the spring. In selecting varieties
for seed clear distinct coiors. robust
habit and symmetrical spikes should
be chosen.
The following are the more inpor-
tant species of delphinium. All are
perennials except the first, which Is an
annual:
The sun., 1919-06-29
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO BE
DRIED FOR WINTER.
by r. 1. HARRINGTON.

Now that the war Is over and sugar
comparatively abundant again, 1t IS
probable that there Will be less dry
ing of fruits and vegetables and more
canning than during the war. Never
theless the price OF sugar. II 1t remains
high, will keep the drying process In
favor. Moreover, a great many people
have learned that It Is easier to dry
many OF the vegetables and fruits
than II Is to can them. and II the work
Is done properly the results are just
as satisfactory. Most OF the failures
the past year or two can be traced
to the fact that too much heat was
given at the beginning. 1t Is very
necessary that drying be commenced
Mt a temperature not much over 40,
this temperature being gradually in
creased.
When drying or evaporating Is zone
satisfactorily the work Is not as sim
pie as some people believe. There are
n few rules which must be considered.
Best results are obtained by the use
OF evaporatins machines. which may
be placed either on the kitchen range
or on an oil stove.
When fruits of various kinds are to
be dried in the sun they are placed on
trays covered with fly netting and
left in the open air as long as Is nee
essary. OF course fruits like apples
must be cut up first, and It IS COM
mon plan 10 either slice or quarter
them. After being dried they can bs
put into paper bags. The old fash
Toned way was to run the apples on
strings and hang them up out Of doors
to dry.
All the berries are well adapted u
the drying process, and when this plan
Is followed there Is a great saving in
labor. The berries when soaked a few
hours regain much of their natural
richness. and can be prepared in many
ways. When the berries are dried in
the sun they are simply spread on
papers or trays in the open air, being
protected by fly screening and taken
into the house at night. Three or four
days may be required to dry them suf-
hciently.
The hulls OF Strawberries are not
removed until after the berries are
dried. Then they can be rubbed on
with the hands and winnowed out by
turning the dried berries from one pan
to another.
The wild blueberry can be dried as
easily as the cultivated berries. and
Is about as satisfactory for making
into pies as blueberries that have
been canned.
| Dried raspberries are particularly
good and make delicious pies when
mixed with a few apples. 1t has been
found that ripe fruit dries much more
quickly than unripe fruit, and keeps
it's color much better. Stone fruits
like plums and cherries, dry best II
lte-s at a low temperature at frst,
The sun., 1919-06-29
low TO KEEP FOUR FOOTED WILD PESTS OUT OF THE GA2DE

an outlet through the knife ho,.
Bleeding from these vessels Under So
circumstances is Of Assistance +, Il
tanning the best results. and y bera ~.
neck vessels are missed the condi,,.s
OF the chicken Is often greatly T..
proved by The bleeding from the hr,l.
In killing the chicken Is held :,
U shaped shackle. The thumb NJ -.
killer Is pressed firmly down on N.
head just below and behind tina .a'
where the hinge Of the law occr.-
Pressure of the thumb on one si1a :,
the skull and on the other side a, =, :.
same place with the forefingp- or ri.s
the forefnger and second finger wr
result In opening the chickens rro,.s
and hold II open while the o,ar,,..
makes the cut TO bleed. Held IN s,,.
fashion nothing constructs the hfo,4
vessels or prevents the blood s-o,,
escaping. The pressure against tie i,r
makes accurate cutting OF the VT,
easier, since the bird cannot c,osa r.,
mouth. Care must be taken no, ;.
stretch the neck unduly. else the "a.
seie will be pulled to such a rs-ro,.
diameter that they are more dl,-cr,.
TO ind and also more Difficult, -
! empty.
The sun., 1919-06-29

but this does not apply to apples and
vegetables. The stone fruits should
always be placed on the trays with
the stem ends uppermost, and 1t is
not advisable to mix large and small
fruits on the same tray.
Apples and pears are likely to be-
come discolored unless they are dipped
Immediately after. peeling in a solu-
ton composed OF an ounce Of salt and
three quarts OF water. The same re-
suit can be obtained by using the
Juice Of one lemon to two quarts of
water. After pears have been peeled
and the seeds removed. they are best
steamed for eight or ten minutes or
else immersed in boiling water for ten
minutes. They take longer than most
fruits to dry, but do not lose so much
weight.
When fruits are evaporated com
mercial1y they are usually bleached
with sulphur, and this same practice
can be followed in the home If desired.
but the fruit Is really better in its
- atural dried condition. 1t is only
necessary to place the cut fruit In a
basket in the top of a barrel which
can be tightly covered. The barrel
should have door near the bottom,
through which A. pan of Goals can be
inserted. II teaspoonful of sulphur
Is placed on the Goals the fumes will
soon do their work, the fruit being
The sun., 1919-06-29

because the heavy bud scales falling
Off in spring leave a circular scar
which plainly marks the end of a
years growth. Possibly a majority OF
our forest trees have this same habit
OF self-pruning, though in most cases
1t is less noticeable.
Another form Of seIf-pruning that
Is practically universal Is that con-
nected with the fall of the leaf. This
phenomenon is very familiar In our
broad-leaved trees, which annually
cast and renew their leaves AS is the
case of the twigs. an abscission layer
forrne across the ieafstalk or petiole
and in compound leaves across the
stalks of the leaflets as we'll Frost
does not cause the leaves to fall, as
many people suppose, though the
weight of the accumulated frost upon
them may hasten the fall in some in
stances. That frost IL really not the
cause of leaf fall Is shown by the be-
havior OF tropical trees, which cast
their leaves as regularly as those
nearer the poles though they are
never exposed to frost. Leaf fall In
the tropics. however. presents a re-
markable difference from the same phe-
nomenon In temperate regions In that
same time. II depends upon the indl-
vidual. One tree may throw down its
leaves just as another near by is put
The sun., 1919-06-29
SELF-PRUNING IN PLANTA
BY WILLARD n. CLUTE.

The gardener frequently finds Il
necessary to bring his plants into
shape or otherwise modify them by
removing various twigs and branches.
AS a matter OF fact a number OF eco
nomic plants, such as grapes and rasp-
berries will not produce full crops I'M
less subjected to an annual pruning
OF this kind. Opinions differ as TO
whether all plants are benefited by
such treatment. Conifers when stand
ing alone should never be pruned. for
the branches rising from the ground
in pyramidal form prove one OF their
chief attractions, but when used Tor
hedges, as several species are, they
may be sheared into almost any form
desired. Lllacs are other shrubs that
need little II any pruning, but the
great majority Of our woody peren-
malls seem all the better for an an
nual trimming; indeed, the plants set
the example themselves and yearly
throw off certain parts unless man
attends to the matter for them.
One of the most interesting OF the
trees that prune themselves is the
well known cottonwood OF the middle
West, represented elsewhere by its
variety the so-called Carolina poplar.
In late winter and early spring one
may often find the ground beneath
sucn trees fairly covered with small
branches cut of by the tree. Hasty
observers may jump 10 the conclusion
that the winds OF winter have broken
of the twigs, but an examination viii
show that they have been as neatly
The sun., 1919-06-29
DELPHINIUMs.

As permanent subjects in the hardy
flower garden few plants are more
worthy of special mention than the
delphiniums. For producing n strik-
ing display over a long season they
are quite unique. attracting attention
by their stateliness as well as their
variety OF blue shades, which run the
gamut of all known blues from deep
reddish purple to a delicate azure al
most indistinguishable from white. In
addition, their hardness and adapta-
bility make them highly desirable for
greater use in our gardens and borders.
Under our climatic conditions, how
ever. delpniniums seldom equal in size,
loneliness OF tone and continuity OF
bloom those grown in cooler climates
OF greater degrees OF humidity.
Many parts OF the world have con-
The sun., 1919-06-29
Fruit and vegetable drying machine hang Apple
parer and slicer al right of table


dried as soon as all the smoke has
passed away.
When dried fruits are to he used
soak them from four to six hours In
cold water OF course It Is advisable
to have a pairing machine to use in
preparing apples for drying. as a
machine OF this sort costing not more
than a dollar will peel, core and slice
the fruit II II is desired to save the
Feelings and corings Of the apples and
pears, there Is no reason why they
cannot be made into jelly. As mat
ter of fact, at least one OF the evapo-
rating machines on the market is so
arranged that II can readily be used
for making both fruit tellies and
syrups without danger Of scorching.
Another use for the cooperating
machine is in the drying OF herbs such
as sage. mint, savory and parsley. All
these herbs can be dried in the sun
With but little difficulty. but they in
variably lose their color. When an
evaporator is used, however, both sage
and parsley retain their fresh appear
ance to a remarkable degree.
1t is very important that all eyapo-
rated fruits and vegetables be kept
covered with fly netting or cheese
! cloth after they have been removed
, from the evaporation. Otherwise fruit
flies are likely to lay their eggs among
| them. When on the stove. cheese
! cloth can be used If desired to keep
! dust away. Fruits being dried in the
! sun should always be kept covered
with fly screening. 1t Is important 10
keep evaporated fruits and vegetables
IN tight containers of some kind.
| These may be wooden boxes lined with
paper. or tin cans. Even paper bags
with the mouths tied tightly would
serve for a small amount. II stored
! in a dry place these fruits and vege-
tables Will keep for several years. al
though they will gradually lose their
! color.
The sun., 1919-06-29

times an unexpected falling of In egg
production can be traced to this cause.
Rape IL a quick growing crop and
the best one to use for green stuff In
the summer months. IL can be planted
as soon az the ground can be worked
and is much better growa In rows
than sown broadcast. II only the tops
are cut or pulled of the leaves VIII
grow out again. so that few snort
rows will produce a surprisingly large
amount Of poultry greens.
Swiss chard has much the same habit
of growth and the hens like 1t. In the
small garden an extra amount or SWISS
chard can be grown, the surplus above
what is needed for the house being
fed to the hens. In May or June 1t Is
advisable to make a rather generous
uIanting of Scotch kale to be fed to
the hens when cold weather comes.
This ts such a hardy vegetable that II
is not injured by early frost and often
remains green and tender until Christ
mas. Many times It can be dug out
from under the snow and fed. Kale Is
unsurpassed for providing a late fall
green ration at small cost
IL the cabbage heads are removed
without pulling up the stumps the
side leaves will grow and can be used
fo- chicken food
When all other green stun has been
used up the poultry keeper must fan
back on sprouted oats. 1t is important
to use oats which have not been sui
phured, and the best results are OBJ
tanned II they are fed when not over
half an inch high. Then the oats
have not wholly lost their value as
grain. In this connection it may be
said that when oats are sprouted for
small chickens the roots should not
be given the youngsters.
II part OF the garden can be sown
to rye In the fall early enough for 1t
to make considerable growth the hens
may be able to feed on 1t at intervals
during the winter whenever there is
no snow on the ground. 1t will also be
available early in the spring. The use
of rye in this way IS great saving.
The sun., 1919-06-29

ting on fresh dress; indeed, the diff
ferent branches Of single tree may
act thus, one or more resting while
others are in full leaf. 1t is commonly
believed that the evergreen trees do
not cast their leaves. or at least do not
cast the mannually. This in a meas
IRE !s correct. Some species cast their
leaves annually, but others hold them
for from five 10 ten years. The limit
In this line IS a. remarkable plant OF
West Africa known as weiwitschia.
This species has only two leaves, each
Of which Is several feet long, and
these are retained during the life OF
the plant. which may run to fifty
years or more!
The most noticeable form Of self
pruning in spring is that by which
superfluous blossoms and young fruits
are thrown of Many plants appear
t. bear more flowers than could be
supported by the tree II all should
produce fruits. and when too many
fruits set the surplus is promptly
thrown down. Several parts OF the
flowers, the petals and stamens for In
stance. are temporary structures use
full for only a short time 10 the plant.
When these have finished their useful
ness they are cut OF In the same way
that leaves and twigs are. Ripe fruits
fall from the trees for the same reason,
and the shedding OF bark. fake by
fake or in some cases in larger parti-
cies may be included in our category.
There are a few plants in all ell
mates that apparently have not ac-
quired the habit of self pruning. Most
OF the palms are unable to throw off
their leaves, and when these have sur
vived their usefulness they gradually
die and hang down beneath the crown
OF living green. Some of the oaks OF
more northern regions have the habit
only partly developed and retain many
of their leaves until spring, when they
are pushed off by the springing leaves
OF next seasons crop. Certain fruits
also remain on the bare branches
through the winter. though this seems
TO be in some way CONNECTED with
seed distribution, for when spring
comes these fruits are thrown down as
they are in other forms
The sun., 1919-06-29
GREEN FEED THE YEAR ROUND

While grass makes satisfactory
green food so long as it is young and
tender. II is not readily eaten after
1t gets old and tough. For that reason
It is advisable even on the farm to
plant certain crops in order to pro-
vide a continuous supply OF green
food OF course II the growing chickens
OF even the laying hens have to be
confined It is especially important to
have a green ration in abundant
quantities. BY raising crops to be fed
In a green state a considerable saving
In grain can be made. At the same
time 1t is we'll to remember that hens
that have their liberty may eat so
much green stun that they neglect
their grain ration. not eating as much
as is required to produce eggs. Some
The sun., 1919-06-29

Among the native American animals
which invade gardens are raccoons,
woodchucks. ground squirrels, prairie
dogs, rabbits, rats, mice, moles and
pocket gophers. To this list may be
added a few immigrants from the Old
World, notably the brown rat and the
house mouse, the two most destruc-
tive animal pests in the world. For
tunately. these rascals are not all
found in one place or under the same
conditions. some of them are peculiar
20 timbered regions, others TO prairies
or plains or cliffs. Only the wood
chuck, the prairie dog and the squir-
rels are abroad by daylight.
The woodchuck, or ground hog, de-
YOURS a wide variety of garden prod
ucts; It Is especially fond Of bean
vines. II may be shot IL one has the
time and patience to walt for its
appearance, which usually occurs late
in the afternoon OF sunny days, or IL
may be caught In a steel trap set at
the entrance of its den. When In a
burrow II may be killed there by an
ounce and half OF carbon disulphid
absorbed in cotton waste, or by an
ounce OF blasting powder In a bottle
exploded by means of a fuse, all en-
frances to the burrow being closed in
either case before the gases are
liberated.
Raccoons destroy corn in the roast
Ing ear stage and have a curiously ar
tigtic habit of removing the edible part
OF a melon through hole In the rind
kte size Of silver dollar. They may
be caught In steel traps carefully COW
ered and baited with meat or fish, or
may 10 hunted with dogs at night.
Rabbits attack bean vines, many vege-
tables, berry bushes and the bark Of
young fruit trees. They may be kept
out Of garden by fence built of Ia
inch poultry Letting. extending 2
and 2 feet above it.
Moles eat but little vegetable food,
but they are dlsliked In gardens be-
cause their burrows often follow the
drills in which young vegetables are
growing. causing the roots to wither
and die. Worse than this Is the fact
that their tunnels are thoroughfares
for mice. which destroy seeds, potatoes.
sweet potatoes and other vegetables.
oIoles are caught in traps especially
designed for the purpose. Their skins
are valuable as fur and find ready
sale.
Native rats and mice are outdoor
animals at all seasons. Many house
rats and mice join them in summer.
All OF them feed on seeds and several
Of them destroy bulbs, tubers, root
crops and young trees. They may be
caughtfn traps baited with nut meats
or rolled oats. Those making runways
may be caught In an Undated trap set
So they will touch the pan in passing.
A useful poison for rats and mice may
be prepared by mixing quart OF moist
oatmeal with one-sixteenth Of an
ounce OF powdered strychnine alkaloid.
This should be placed under boxes or
In crevices, where birds and domestic
sbimals cannot reach it. Much trouble
from mice can be avoided by keeping
the land surrounding gardens clear Of
weeds and trash piles.
Farmers Bulletins $40, Field Mice
as Farm and Orchard Pests: 707
The sun., 1919-06-29

tributed to our wealth Of deiphlniums.
They have come from Siberia, For
mosa, Caucasus, China, California,
Rocky Mountains, &C. while numer-
Gus hybrids have originated in Eng
land and France. The old strains have
been improved almost beyond recogni-
ton from the narrow petalled flowers
crowded together in the well devel-
oped columnar spikes Of the present
day hybridS.
In order TO alleviate the trying eff
fects OF our hot climate upon our cool
loving plants special attention should
be given to soil requirements. a well
drained, cool, rich soil should be pro-
vided with an abundant supply Of
moisture during dry weather. espe-
cially in the period prior TO Towering.
After towering the plants may be cut
down TO the ground and mulched with
we'll rotted manure. This treatment
will serve the threefold purpose OF
providing GOODNESS. conserving mois-
ture. and furnishing a second crop OF
bloom early in the fall. Although ex-
ceedingly hardy. delphiniums are ben
Gifted by a protective light mulch
Of we'll rotted manure placed about
the crowns after the first freezing Of
tho ground. Tho mulch should be
spaded in early in the spring. thus
supplying the essential fertility. Dur
ing winter months, I'm some localities,
delphiniums are often attacked by
slugs with disastrous results. and as
q precautionary measure two or three
inches Of soil may be removed from
the crowns and replaced by very fine
ashes. Large clumps should be d.
vlded every three or four years.
Several methods are employed IN
ropagation-division layers. cuttings
and seed. Division Is performed In
March when tho stems are dormant
The plants are lifted, divided into sew
eral parts. and placed in the cold
frames until ready for planting out
doors
Cuttings may be taken with hoei
early IN the spring and rooted either
in a hotbed or propagating bench In
a greenhouse Upon roofing the new
plants should be potted and later
transplanted to the nursery soil or
I cold frame in readiness for their final
positions in the fall or following
spring. Late summer and fall propa-
| CATION may also be resorted to
/ though II Is not as successful as the
| spring method. Where greenhouse IA
cilities are available delphiniums may